Canada VS Australia to live in?

[nukenorman]

I know Australia has droughts to deal with but Canada could end up getting dragged down by the US. What are the upsides and downsides of living in Australia vs living in Canada? Which one would be a better place to live, and not just presently but in the long run. Which one will fare worse in the years to come? Where would you be better off.

I know Australia has better beaches and is warmer than Canada but the climate and stuff isn't the question here. I'm talking about where would you have more political, economic, and social freedom, with a higher quality of life, etc.

Also if anyone knows the comparison of the social programs of social safety net and healthcare. Maybe they are both very simular?

PS: I imagine if you ordered anything online that is not in Australia or NZ that the cost for shipping would be enourmous since it is so far away from the major power houses of North American and Europe. But then again I dont know thats why im asking :-).

[articuno1au]

Australia.

Not quantifying my assertion, merely asserting.

[Daedroth]

I don't know about Canada, but I know that Australia has some very awkward immigration policies, such as you need sponsorship, be in a profession they deem worthy and enough cash to support your not guaranteed application for a visa.

[Phouchg]

What are the upsides and downsides of living in Australia vs living in Canada?

Everything is downside up in Australia (according to the internets).

Personally, I'd choose Canada. Because it's not US but is close to it. Everywhere except Quebec, that is. It's not quite Canada, anyway.

[nokiddler]

Weather is infinitely better in Australia, but I guess that Canada has a more dinamic economy and has softer inmigration policies.

[MillionVoltss]

Ive thought about this too, Wont Australia get a dependance on importing food as the droughts and temps increase, which of course will raise the price of fresh food.

[User6060]

canada...its more connected to the rest of the world

we get forgotten about less

[Mippie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_future_Human_Development_Index_projections_of_the_United_Nations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisfaction_with_Life_Index (This one might not be that accurate)

Basically these are some pretty good countries to live in.

[chconline Veteran]

Canada is better.

You drive on the right side of the road, you sleep, eat, and walk the correct side up, and you don't vote for a "Liberal" party that's really Conservative. Also, in Canada, we don't heat our homes using air conditioners. We use furnaces.

[neufuse Veteran]

Canada is better.

You drive on the right side of the road, you sleep, eat, and walk the correct side up, and you don't vote for a "Liberal" party that's really Conservative. Also, in Canada, we don't heat our homes using air conditioners. We use furnaces.

that'd be a heat pump :p

[Slammers]

As someone in NZ who has been to both, I'd choose australia without a doubt. Weather is amazing, people are all sooo nice, so much freedom. Canada is like this to but to a lesser extent. To me Canada was alot like a much nicer version of America whereas Australia is it's own country. Of course I have to add, NZ destroys both in ease of living lol.

[Reacon]

In all honesty, Iceland seems like it's on the right path as of late. Not really speaking from experience here, though. Just from what I've read in the news and all.

[ShyWriter]

Canada.. British Columbia along the sea side of the Pacific northwest.. I'm an American and only a very stubborn wife has kept me in Florida the last 43 years. Canadians (at least in the BC area - Vancouver/Victoria/Whistler and surrounding areas are all I got to visit in 1998 - My only visit :( ) are what Americans used to be in the golden years; Polite, friendly, personable, etc, et al..

If I ever win the Lottery, the wife gets half with no argument and I'll be on my way to the Pacific northwest of Canada. *wry grin* (with or without her :) )

Shy

[Astra.Xtreme]

I vote for Canada (around the big cities, at least). I was in Vancouver for a week on vacation, and it's definitely the most beautiful city I've ever been in. It's very rich, the people are nice, the scenery is beautiful, and the weather is great considering the area. Can't wait to explore the other big cities of Canada.

I can't speak for Australia, but you do hear lots and lots of complaints about the government.

[linsook]

Canada is better.

You drive on the right side of the road, you sleep, eat, and walk the correct side up, and you don't vote for a "Liberal" party that's really Conservative. Also, in Canada, we don't heat our homes using air conditioners. We use furnaces.

There are many methods we use to heat our homes. Forced induction (furnace/hvac) is the most widely used but of course not the only method we use.

Australia vs Canada. To be honest, I think they are very similar, we are the common wealth after all. So either way you go, in terms of living standards, will be the same however I think the cost of living in Canada is cheaper and from what I hear, I don't personally know, better 'integrated' with one another.

I just googled this website, very insteresting : http://www.numbeo.co...country2=Canada

Consumer Prices in Canada are 21.04% lower than in Australia

Consumer Prices Including Rent in Canada are 24.33% lower than in Australia

Rent Prices in Canada are 36.32% lower than in Australia

Restaurant Prices in Canada are 24.05% lower than in Australia

Groceries Prices in Canada are 17.66% lower than in Australia

Local Purchasing Power in Canada is 1.57% higher than in Australia

[nukenorman]

I wish Canada had a right to 4 weeks paid vacation and 2 weeks of sick days like they do in Aus. In Canada it is only 2 weeks and 3 weeks after 5 years with same job. Although its certently bette than USA where they have zero right to a paid vacation and is only allowed if the employer is "nice " enough to give you one.

But yea 4 weeks compared to 2 is alot more. But yea I was thinking Canda to although 4 weeks does sound nice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_statutory_minimum_employment_leave_by_country

http://20somethingfinance.com/american-hours-worked-productivity-vacation/

[saturnslullaby]

Null vote as i think both are truely beautiful countries with a great deal to offer in all aspects. I was born and raised and currently reside in Canada - though if the opportunity came and i could live in Australia, i would.

Regarding the weather... I have to add that Canada has a very diverse and welcoming climate with the odd extremes at times on BOTH ends. Obviously the closer to the border you go the warmer it is. But that doesn't mean the rest of Canada is living in igloos as often thought. My home town [northern Alberta] had some of the best weather around. I miss it. The winters were cold with plenty of snow for snowboarding and snowmobiling [we call it sledding - not the things you sit on and ride down hills] and the spring and summer seasons were often clear and temps usually hover at a nice 25-32 C. This is the NORM! Yes we do get the extremes [again on both ends] but that's what makes it cool. You never know what to expect and in turn that forces YOU to be pretty diverse, both mentally and physically!

[Nashy]

I love 4 weeks holidays. 10 Sick days. 12 Personal Days.

I'm bias, because I love Australia.

Brisbane, one of the most liveable cities, the fastest growing mature city in the world, still with a laid back Queensland way of life.

Again. Very bias.

[dead.cell]

I'd go to Vancouver if I had the chance. Overall, Canada's weather and environment seems much more my style.

Which is odd since I live in Houston, TX. :p

[nukenorman]

I'd go to Vancouver if I had the chance. Overall, Canada's weather and environment seems much more my style.

Which is odd since I live in Houston, TX. :p

I was just in Vancouver BC earlier this month. Its nice a little expensive but very nice! I like that type of climate also.

[Nashy]

Canada doesn't have the best beaches in the world, or the amazing Sydney Harbour. You can live close to both!

[Soham]

I lived in English Bay, Canada so I choose it. I heard Indians like me won't be welcome in Aussie land. Seattle and Vancouver are pretty much twin.

[Scorpus Veteran]

Coming from an Aussie there are some stupidly strict laws here which might put you off, most of them to do with cars, guns and tax. Also the access to new TV media is very poor and other media is generally expensive in comparison to other parts of the world (excluding Europe)

[articuno1au]

I don't know about Canada, but I know that Australia has some very awkward immigration policies, such as you need sponsorship, be in a profession they deem worthy and enough cash to support your not guaranteed application for a visa.

Yeah, for direct migration without another reason like family etc etc

It's pretty similar to the rest of the world tbh.

Ive thought about this too, Wont Australia get a dependance on importing food as the droughts and temps increase, which of course will raise the price of fresh food.

Not really. We already import a lot, but the droughts don't really hit our food growing areas too hard.

Also, we are flooding atm, not drought'ing >.<

As someone in NZ who has been to both, I'd choose australia without a doubt. Weather is amazing, people are all sooo nice, so much freedom. Canada is like this to but to a lesser extent. To me Canada was alot like a much nicer version of America whereas Australia is it's own country. Of course I have to add, NZ destroys both in ease of living lol.

Sheep shagger!

This sounds pretty fair. Except for the island of earthquakes being a good place to live :p

I vote for Canada (around the big cities, at least). I was in Vancouver for a week on vacation, and it's definitely the most beautiful city I've ever been in. It's very rich, the people are nice, the scenery is beautiful, and the weather is great considering the area. Can't wait to explore the other big cities of Canada.

I can't speak for Australia, but you do hear lots and lots of complaints about the government.

Yeah, but we can actually complain about our government, puts us a long way up on some >.>

They just do stupid ****. Like filtering the internet (Hi SOPA), a carbon tax (Hi Europe and some US states) and stuff like that. Hating politicians is practically a national sport in Australia.

I lived in English Bay, Canada so I choose it. I heard Indians like me won't be welcome in Aussie land. Seattle and Vancouver are pretty much twin.

That's not true in the slightest. We have tons of other cultures in Australia. Most Australians objections to "foreigners" are that they make no attempt to engage our society and segregate themselves away while claiming benefits etc..

If you want to live here, at least try and join the people you know :\ The one that irks people most is people not even trying to learn English.. Just makes your life harder :\

Also, ignore the bull**** in your homelands media about us beating up Indians. A couple of cab drivers were attacked for various things. Given so many of your expats end up driving cabs, it's fairly unsurprising a couple of them were Indian -_-

Coming from an Aussie there are some stupidly strict laws here which might put you off, most of them to do with cars, guns and tax. Also the access to new TV media is very poor and other media is generally expensive in comparison to other parts of the world (excluding Europe)

This is pretty true.

Our media is pathetic. They are just.. EHHHHHH. Luckily you have the internet ;)

[Nashy]

I lived in English Bay, Canada so I choose it. I heard Indians like me won't be welcome in Aussie land. Seattle and Vancouver are pretty much twin.

That's the biggest load I've ever heard, and I'm very sorry to hear you feel that way. Australia is extremely multicultural. Don't be put off by the minorities that every country on Earth have.

Coming from an Aussie there are some stupidly strict laws here which might put you off, most of them to do with cars, guns and tax. Also the access to new TV media is very poor and other media is generally expensive in comparison to other parts of the world (excluding Europe)

Gun laws in Australia are fine. If you need a gun, you can get a gun. If you don't need a gun, you can get a gun. You can't have high powered automatic weapons, which face it, no one needs.

Car laws? I don't know what these are, I know the luxury car tax is one thing, but I don't understand what else is a problem.

Not even going to get into the political part of this.