Americans discuss the advantages of Australia over America

American expats have been sharing their shock over learning about the ‘excellent’ quality of life in Australia.

Two American expats said everything from working conditions to wages to work-life balance is ‘so much better’ Down Under, and that they will never move home.

‘In the US, all I dreamed of was better wages, cheaper health care, a work-life balance, and a culture that is generally pretty close-knit. Australia is everything the United States is not,” said one man.

Brooke explained that in the US, the average annual paid time off in private industry is around 11 days, with many people getting less than five days. She also explained that the US is one of the only Westernized countries that does not guarantee paternity leave, while Australia offers employees around 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

Brooke Laven, who moved to Sydney this year, noticed a marked difference in working conditions for Australians compared to those in the US.

He received his first contract after being offered a job and was surprised by the generous paid time off and paternity leave allowances.

“I knew American labor rights were bad, but I didn’t realize how bad they were until I got my full-time contract in Australia,” he said.

He explained that in the US, the average annual paid time off in private industry is around 11 days, with many people getting less than five days.

Only 2 percent of the workforce gets more than 24 days off in their first year, which is what Brooke was offered in her new contract.

“I have four weeks of annual vacation, plus 10 days, so I did the math and I was able to take 43 days off,” he said.

He also explained that the US is one of the only Westernized countries that does not guarantee paternity leave, while Australia offers several months of paid leave as well as unpaid leave.

I’ll stay in Australia’, he joked.

Another American expat has also praised Australia for “better pay, cheaper healthcare and work-life balance.”

Chris moved to Brisbane last year and admits he still can’t get over how different it is to the US.

‘The healthcare system here is incredible, the salaries here are incredible, the work-life balance is incredible. Australia just comes up with holidays and reasons to take time off,” she said.

‘My absolute favorite topic of conversation when I tell Americans I’ve moved to Australia is freedom. Because I grew up my whole life around what you would consider the average American and everyone says the same thing: “I have guns, so I have more freedom.”

He said you could put up a list of countries with the most freedom in front of an American and show them the US isn’t even in the top 10, but “they still get stuck on this gun thing.”

“Australia has guns, it’s very well regulated,” he explained.

He also believes that Australia does not assess freedom based on gun ownership, but rather characteristics such as the rule of law, freedom of movement and freedom of religion.

‘Australians genuinely focus on the areas of life that really matter. If they feel like something is going backwards, they don’t let that happen,” he added.

He was particularly impressed with the willingness of Australians to take holidays of around four weeks.

“Australians wouldn’t flinch if they heard this because long holidays are like a thing here, it’s just part of the norm, it’s the way it should be,” he explained.

“I spent my first six months here just upset that this place is basically a utopia compared to where I came from.”

The Australians were very pleased with the accolades.

‘It’s really refreshing to hear an American say this. It’s kind of tiring to constantly hear “USA! USA! The land of the free!” I’m glad you’re enjoying it! said a man.

‘I don’t think the Americans have any idea how bad they have it! Welcome to Oz’ wrote another.

Others prided themselves on the power of unions, which contribute to many of the freedoms.