Australia never gets mixed reviews from Americans. We love it and now I can see why. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a place overseas that felt so much like home. There were several times I had forgotten we were literally on the other side of the world. Minus the cars on the opposite side of the road and foreign accent, you’re practically at home.
Sydney is a Los Angeles/San Diego combo. The size and downtown area reminds me of LA, where the suburban beach towns might as well be in SD County. Add some mountains/rainforest to a seaside Florida town and you’d have Cairns. The weather is tropical with scattered showers, and everyone is on island time. The reef is obviously very unique to the Australia coast, but the actual town is easily Floridian. And Melbourne would fit in perfectly somewhere between DC and Boston. The brick exteriors and slightly rough around the edges vibe are east coast staple.
It’s an interesting feeling being somewhere that’s so far away yet so familiar. I guess this could be good or bad. I think it would be a great experience to live abroad for a bit, and if you wanted to do your best to avoid homesickness, Australia would be it. If you’re looking for an exotic experience and a bit of a challenge, I don’t think Oz is the right destination.
Fun fact: you can only extend your 1 year working visa if you spend 3 months working on a farm. I’m sure there are exemptions to this rule, but it’s an interesting concept. If you want to stay, you must give back (roughly $20-$40/hour compensation on the farms). The jobs are scarce though, and from what we gathered it’s a lengthy work visa, but to be able to hold a steady job is a challenge.
Overall I really enjoyed Australia and hope to spend much more time exploring the coast and outback. It’s a very comfortable and hospitable country. Friendly people, beautiful beaches and a homey feeling… what more could you ask for!
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