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Old 07-21-2008, 02:57 PM
 
12 posts, read 34,239 times
Reputation: 13

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Quote:
Falcon, I don't understand why you and Alfredzio need a green card to live in the U.S. Alfredzio previously stated that he is a U.S. citizen.
I am also U.S. citizen. Why?

Someone was wondering on this thread how difficult it is to get a resident visa in Australia. I stated that it is by far easier than to get a green card in the States. And I know a few who had to go thru the ordeal here and in Australia.
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Old 07-21-2008, 05:47 PM
 
Location: Somewhere in Texas
5,406 posts, read 13,221,350 times
Reputation: 2800
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfredzio View Post
Australia has NO National Debt!!! They’ve had a surplus last year. Like you, I’m concerned with nearly 10 trillion of National Debt that we have, as well as with our government spending and taxing more every year, with FED making the dollar weaker to help CBs and their buddies at Wall Street. When I sold my house in the U.S. just a few years ago, I could buy or build 2 houses in many parts of Europe. Now, after 8 years of GWB, if I sell my house in Europe, I can buy or build 2 similar houses in Texas with enough change left for a new car and a bike! But after reading and thinking about these two options, I am going to spend that money in Australia .
Great....and since you'll be so "wealthy," spend the money wisely on a health insurance policy and forget the new car and bike. Teach your children the positive way to live and do what's right.
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Old 07-21-2008, 06:00 PM
 
12 posts, read 34,239 times
Reputation: 13
Sounds like you’ve made up your mind but I got you a few more details from my relatives there:

1. MEDICARE in Australia is very good. ALL hospital care is covered anytime. MEDICARE also reimburses you for 80% of out of pocket expenses when seeing GP's or Specialists and further Tax rebates after $1200 of spend. Drugs are heavily subsidized by the gov.

2. You pay property tax only if you own properties are worth over $800.000.

3. Real Estate is slowing down considerably! It will slow further next year due to global downturn caused by the U.S. financial turmoil. Great time to buy in the next couple of years.
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Old 07-21-2008, 06:03 PM
 
12 posts, read 34,239 times
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Ps. The real estate in Texas holds its value well, so here you won’t get any advantage from the present U.S. housing debacle. Maybe in 2009-2010, when the real estate business is supposed to hit its bottom, but who knows?
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Old 07-23-2008, 12:15 AM
 
42 posts, read 108,578 times
Reputation: 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canine*Castle View Post
Great....and since you'll be so "wealthy," spend the money wisely on a health insurance policy and forget the new car and bike. Teach your children the positive way to live and do what's right.
I would, if I had to. I am for honesty, hard work and paying the dues. But I DO have a choice! I don’t have to live in the U.S. and spend half of my earnings on property taxes and health insurance.

I was planning to buy a house in Canyon Lake and a duplex in San Antonio to supplement my low earnings. But I can do the same in Australia (including my writing) and save about $25.000 a year on property taxes and health insurance. In my mind I was already spending that money on my children’s higher education but it gets even better! I got in touch with a couple of Australians, as the moderator suggested, and learned that residents in Australia pay only a small fraction of what we pay for higher education in USA. With two kids I am going to save at least $150.000 on their education. And they’ve got some good colleges and universities in Australia.

It seems that their government gives back to the taxpayers, while ours throws our tax money away around the world, while citizens who don’t work for government have to either pay outrageous amounts for hospitalization or pay high premiums for health insurance. How come Australia can afford it all and have NO national debt, while we have almost 10 trillion dollars in debt?
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Old 07-23-2008, 12:20 AM
 
42 posts, read 108,578 times
Reputation: 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by falconX View Post
Sounds like you’ve made up your mind but I got you a few more details from my relatives there:

1. MEDICARE in Australia is very good. ALL hospital care is covered anytime. MEDICARE also reimburses you for 80% of out of pocket expenses when seeing GP's or Specialists and further Tax rebates after $1200 of spend. Drugs are heavily subsidized by the gov.

2. You pay property tax only if you own properties are worth over $800.000.

3. Real Estate is slowing down considerably! It will slow further next year due to global downturn caused by the U.S. financial turmoil. Great time to buy in the next couple of years.
Thanks falconX, I sincerely appreciate your posts, very helpful and to the point! The timing was so incredible, seems providential. We are closing on a sale of our house in Europe and I was literally packing my luggage to fly to Texas and meet with a real estate agent about several properties we liked. Instead, I am booking a flight to Australia for September to check things out. If all is well, we plan to move there together in January, before the school year begins. We feel more at peace with this decision than with the alternative.

This forum has been bitter to me but may turn out sweet results for which I am grateful and wish you all the best.
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Old 07-23-2008, 09:04 AM
 
37,315 posts, read 59,480,896 times
Reputation: 25330
Australia does not count as an expense the retirement monies it must pay out to govt employees and I guess their older people--which would affect their debt status
and from what I have read it seems like Australia economy has become overborrowed like the US economy
http://kalimna.blogspot.com/2008/03/...bt-crisis.html
http://www.moneymanager.com.au/articles/2008/05/05/1209839551098.html (broken link)

but don't let that stop you PLEASE, PLEASE just move to Australia...

Last edited by loves2read; 07-23-2008 at 09:16 AM..
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Old 07-23-2008, 02:08 PM
 
Location: Down the road a bit
556 posts, read 1,555,725 times
Reputation: 492
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfredzio View Post
How come Australia can afford it all and have NO national debt, while we have almost 10 trillion dollars in debt?
The national debt in the U.S. is undoubtedly due to our welfare & medical programs for deadbeats (I am NOT referring to those who are deserving, with no options), as well as our penchant for tossing relief $$ across the various ponds.

I'd be curious to know what sort of income tax Australians pay, in comparison to the U.S. -- haven't seen that discussed. I do have a dear friend in Armadale, Victoria who has cancer, and he is certainly enjoying the benefits that Australia provides -- right down to rides to and from his treatments. America could certainly do healthcare better, but I'm pretty certain that we would really screw things up.

Given your set of circumstances & lack of willingness to make responsible choices for your family, I'm sure hoping you choose Australia. I don't want to bear the financial burden of your family.
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Old 07-23-2008, 05:02 PM
 
Location: Midwestern Dystopia
2,417 posts, read 3,546,861 times
Reputation: 3091
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pontificator View Post
The national debt in the U.S. is undoubtedly due to our welfare & medical programs for deadbeats (I am NOT referring to those who are deserving, with no options), as well as our penchant for tossing relief $$ across the various ponds.
you're kidding right? please tell me you're kidding.
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Old 07-23-2008, 05:03 PM
 
Location: Midwestern Dystopia
2,417 posts, read 3,546,861 times
Reputation: 3091
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pontificator View Post
Given your set of circumstances & lack of willingness to make responsible choices for your family, I'm sure hoping you choose Australia. I don't want to bear the financial burden of your family.
class, pure class.
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