The two way myth

I hear it’s real expensive to live over there . ” It’s not cheap “, I reply . “Fuel , clothing , cars , alcohol , car registration , council rates, road tolls and fines are all 5O to 100% more expensive . “Wow, how do you guys manage a decent living standard ?” This is where you pause and try and leave your blunt forthright Australian thinking in the back pocket . Easy tiger , I know you wanna get out and knockm down but stay put ….. for now . ” Well , we get paid a lot more for starters ” . We are a small country with a high demand for local services . You can see the quizzical expression slowly spread over their face . They’ve got questions but are too polite and don’t want to offend . It’s a minor frustration you deal with on a daily basis . “Look , we’ve only got 24 million people and are growing rapidly , we’re highly regulated and taxed ( they hate that . Liberalism is king here ) . Trades and professionals are similarly paid , we have a big middle class . Schooling can be free , everyone has a right to free or very cheap medical care , with your personal right to add private cover to get you to the front of the queue . 4 weeks annual leave , long service , 10 days sick pay , compulsory retirement funds ……… do I need to go on ? ” , I say as gently and as massaging as I can . ” You really get all that”. ” Of course”, I say with a laugh . They’re conflicted . On the one hand they are impressed but also they don’t like the idea of trades being paid well or higher living costs and god forbid regulation , they hate that . Suing and counter suing is easier .They can’t understand , because in part they are institutionalised by the cut throat American system of standing on the next guys head to get to the top . Sharing is …. well not exactly caring . I explain that Home ownership is important and highly sort after , although increasingly difficult . I read that in LA only 33 % of dwellings are owner occupied . You get an idea of the wealth divide that handcuffs this country to the dog eat dog mentality . The taxes in California seem similar to Victoria, you just wonder what they spend it on , infrastructure or school funding isn’t one of them . Property prices and rent is ridiculously high here . Ok ,dining out is cheaper but it’s marginal . You’ve got a non disclosed tax on all items and then add tipping and you’re paying nearly the same . Serving size and good service will be the difference . Supermarket prices are similar , maybe slightly more expensive here with the exception of alcohol . Fast food , not much different . Furniture , the same . Designer clothing and shoes , I reckon 30 to 40% cheaper . Holliday’s are no cheaper . Airfares , similar . Standards in building and home comforts are definitely lower . Medical expenses can be horrible here .They think it’s expensive to live in Australia and we think it’s cheap to live in the US . Rural living aside ….. it’s just a myth . I know what I prefer .