USA vs Australia (health insurance, find a job, quality of life)

[Alissar]

Hello All

I have just received my Permanent Residency in Australia and will receive the American Green Card by the end of this year.
I am from the Middle East and cannot decide on where to live, both countries are great and both are more like a dream coming true!! I have a lot of relatives and friends in the US (Atlanta, Seattle and New-york) while I know no one in Australia; therefore the US seems like a better choice, but my concern is finding a job. I know the unemployment rate in the US is much higher than that of Australia. I am a HR Manager at a multinational corporation. My husband is a Financial Controller at a multinational corporation as well. We both have a MBA from Spain and 9+ years of experience (and we are willing to compromise! not looking for fancy titles or similar positions )

Any advice?

Thanks

[cmptrwlt]

The United States sounds more appealing. Australia is too far away from your relatives and friends.

[Chava61]

It sounds like in the USA you will have better support system of friends and relatives to network with.
On the other hand, Australia has a higher quality of life and a better social system including a national health insurance system for its people (which the USA does not have).

[BigCityDreamer]

The unemployment rate in the U.S. for people with higher educational attainment levels and work experience is pretty low. I would choose the U.S.

Atlanta, Seattle and NYC are all good cities, but pretty different from one another. It just depends on what you're looking for.

[Alissar]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

The unemployment rate in the U.S. for people with higher educational attainment levels and work experience is pretty low. I would choose the U.S.

Atlanta, Seattle and NYC are all good cities, but pretty different from one another. It just depends on what you're looking for.

Thanks BigCityDreamer, I am not sure if you have any idea about the possibility for a new comer to find a job, it could be that the unemployment rate for highly educated people is low in the US, but for a new comer moving from the middle east, would they be considered for interviews and jobs? how important is the local experience? and where the person is coming from...

best regards
Alissar

[dunno what to put here]

If you want to be closer to friends and relatives, choose the US.

Australia has a better healthcare system and a better social net.. US may have more job opportunities with more to see and do.

[Alissar]

Originally Posted by dunno what to put here

If you want to be closer to friends and relatives, choose the US.

Australia has a better healthcare system and a better social net.. US may have more job opportunities with more to see and do.

Thanks Dunno why do you believe there are more job opportunities in the US?

[dunno what to put here]

The US has the largest economy on earth - it has all sorts of industries ranging from car manufacturing, finance, art, design, media, politics - you name it, it's there. Then we have hubs of media like Los Angeles, hubs of software like Seattle, hubs of finance like New York, and hubs of IT like the Silicon Valley. Australia is rather isolated and its economy isn't as diversified as the US economy IMO.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by Alissar

Thanks BigCityDreamer, I am not sure if you have any idea about the possibility for a new comer to find a job, it could be that the unemployment rate for highly educated people is low in the US, but for a new comer moving from the middle east, would they be considered for interviews and jobs? how important is the local experience? and where the person is coming from...

Those are good questions of course. I'm not that qualified to give an informed response. But I think you just need to apply to employers in those cities/metro areas in the U.S. with positions in your field and see what responses you get. Send out LOTS of resumes with cover letters specific to each position you're applying for (they are very important). Use your contacts in the U.S. to help you network different companies. It's a time-consuming process, a full-time job in itself really.

[Ruth4Truth]

Do you read the magazine, "The Economist"? (British) They have advertisements from corporations looking for talent like yours. It's a weekly, so there are new ads coming out all the time. You can also do an internet search to see what companies are in the US cities you list, then go to their websites to see what job openings they list. Microsoft and Boeing are in Seattle, among others. Your other option would be to simply go to the US and hire a professional head-hunter (as they're called) whose job it is to connect executive talent with the companies that need it. They take a fee from your first paycheck or two.

There's a large Middle-Eastern community in Seattle, I used to live in the middle of it, just two blocks from a beautiful little Mosque. Generally, Americans don't find Seattle to be very friendly, and you have to like rain and overcast weather, but if you already have a ready-made community and relatives there, it may work for you.

If you like nightlife and fine museums, NYC is for you. If you like a more peaceful (and green) environment, consider Seattle. Atlanta: hot, humid in the summers. Georgia: the South. It has a certain history. Ask your relatives there if they ever run into any problems.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide!