Australians: How well are Americans received over there?

Gary D

Tom, you should read an article written in National Geographic and printed around 1999-2000 in 3 or 4 parts (different issues). It was written by an American who bicycled around the perimiter of Australia. It was not very flattering about they way he was treated. In most of the remote areas of Australia he was picked on for being an American, people started unprovoked bar fights with him and in one case he was hit by a truck and left for near dead by someone who later found him and didn't do anything to help him because he was American. Remarkably, someone else did find him and assisted him with getting medical treatment.

In spite of all this, he was well-received in the major cities, such as Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

You should be able to track down the issues of National Geographic in your local library.

Frankly, I was surprised by the article and found it amazing, since I have a high regard for Australia as I see you do too, but this article sure made me wonder why all the issues. I figured that maybe the remote areas are like our remote "mountain people" of the Appalachians, who are not necessarily friendly to tourists either.

fruitsalad

Americans are well received same as anyone else, Aussies take you as they find you. You'll be welcome.

Just so you know though, Aussies were overwhelmingly in favour of Obama, and our current government is a good way left of the Democrats - too far left in my view. Aussies are mostly liberal in regard to social policies, eg abortion, gay marriage etc.

I doubt you'd be eligible for a visa, you need a skill in demand in Australia. See http://www.immi.gov.au for all the info, including a list of skills that are required for permanent residency.

In regard to finding a job unemployment is rising a little here, but it is still quite low, much lower than the US. Our economy was booming before the financial crisis, and our banks are very sound.

Hope this helps.

Edit: I didn't say it was hard, I've got no idea whether it is or not, economics isn't my field. It just probably won't allow you a visa unfortunately. Check the list at the immigration site and see. If you're an engineer, health professional or teacher no problems.

Moshe

I read the same National Geographic articles that Gary did. It turned me off of Australia pretty quick.

lawrenceba549

I'm an American who has been in Australia a couple of times, and I would advise you to think twice before moving to Australia too permanently. I love Australia myself, but the USA it is not.
In general, Australians are very welcoming of Americans (one six week visit I had there only saw me buying a couple of dinners for myself; someone who wanted to learn more about where I specifically lived would eventually start a conversation and pay for dinner over my objections that I could pay, so they are a very heartwarming people).
I wouldn't hold a hope for getting a job with your economics major, but as long as you are a good worker, someone will hire you.
Sydney is VERY expensive; so is Melbourne. My personal favorite city is Bendigo, in Victoria State, which is very small by Sydney standards, but is the most beautiful looking city I've visited and the people there are top top notch; my favorite memories are of Bendigo.
I do hope you reconsider moving to Australia, especially since you say you are doing so because of one man who can be voted out of power three and a half years from now. It's not as long of a time as you think. However, if you insist on moving out of the USA, Australia is a great place to be.

Soccerfanatic13

Americans aren't really the most popular people over here. They're not really hated that much but a lot of Aussies are fairly anti-American although not overtly hostile. You might get people insulting you or making jokes at your expense but it's unlikely that anybody will go out of their way to beat you up.
I think a lot of it stems back to WW2 when we had American soldiers stationed in Queensland and there were riots between the American soldiers and the Australian soldiers in Brisbane.

Teddy Barely

You'd be more than welcome.

Melbourne is the most interesting and livable city. Queensland if you're after warm climates all year round.

If you can obtain a Visa you should be OK to find a job; more so when the economy picks up again.

If you're leaving because Obama is left wing, you'll find we have followed a similar trend.

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