Australia is a country like no other – encompassing the entire mainland of the Australian continent, plus a few surrounding islands, the country is young but highly developed and modern, and can boast of the fifth-highest per capita income and the 12th-largest economy in the world. Due to its history, location, and immigration policies, Australia is also a unique cultural mix of British, American, indigenous, and Asian influences. Here are five reasons why Australia is a good place to move to.
The Weather
For many people, especially those living in the northern parts of Europe and America, sunshine and warm weather are a rare pleasure.In Australia, on the other hand, you’ll have more warm weather than you know what to do with. Of course, since it’s such a massive country, the weather in Australia can be drastically different depending on where you are. However, the most vibrant and popular cities and towns tend to be the ones with generous (and perhaps even harsh, by some standards) summers and mild winters. Most of the northern parts of Australia enjoy a tropical or subtropical climate, the southeastern part of Australia enjoys a temperate climate, and the climate in the southwestern part could probably be described as Mediterranean.
Friendly, Open People
Maybe it’s partly the weather, but most people agree that Australians tend to be among the warmest, friendliest people you’ll ever find. From the way the average Australians speak to the way they dress and from the vibe on the street to the general work culture, Australia tends to be friendly, helpful, and rather casual, even when serious. Many expats also remark on the relative lack of image-consciousness and social pressure or judgment in terms of dress and behavior, compared to most developed, urban parts of the world. In Australia, no one seems to care what you wear, what you drive, or what you do for a living. As long as you’re happy and are hurting no one, go right ahead!
The Outdoors
The outdoors in Australia is quite possibly unparalleled anywhere in the world, in terms of variety and access. The landscape in Australia varies greatly, from the beaches to the hills and mountains, and from the deserts to the dense forests. Cities typically have plenty of public parks, including some that are specifically for children. You can have outdoor picnics, go hiking, go cycling, swim in lakes, see a variety of wildlife, and spend a day at the beach, and most of this is unlikely to be too far from where you live.
The Beaches
A beach is of course part of the outdoors, but Australia’s beaches are a world of their own and deserve a separate mention. Australian beaches are truly as gorgeous as they’re reputed to be. A photograph of an Australian beach may often look too pristine and beautiful to be real, but a personal visit to the same beach will usually surprise you – in a very good way. In addition, due to a combination of the size of the country and its massive coastline, along with the relatively small population, it’s not too difficult to find a quiet, secluded beach. Another great thing about Australian beaches is the popularity of surfing. Australia has a huge surfing community, mainly on the East Coast and the Gold Coast. If you’ve never surfed before, this is the place to learn, and if you have surfed before, this is the place to pig out.
The Language
When you move countries, a language barrier can certainly slow you down and make you feel more homesick. The almost universal use of English in Australia makes it easy for most expats to settle in and feel at home. The Australian accent and slang can take a little getting used to, but it’s much easier than learning an entirely new language.
One Reason You Shouldn’t Move:
If there’s one thing that makes people reconsider moving to Australia, it’s that along with such adorable and cuddly creatures as koalas and kangaroos, the country is host to a number of pretty deadly specimens too. Snakes, sharks, crocodiles, poisonous spiders – Australia has quite an abundance of them all, and not just out in the wilderness. Australian beaches see more shark attacks than any other beaches in the world, and snakes and spiders are quite likely to pop up in cities too.
On the flip side however, even in Australia, shark attacks and fatalities are still outnumbered by most other kinds of accidents, and most common spiders and snakes are harmless.