Why people from developed countries immigrate to USA?

[Tawfeeg]

Well, I thought Australia and New Zealand are better than the US for living and you will get big money there if you have good degree and experiences!
but now form Aussies' comments, I found that Australia is not my place anymore!!. Good job Aussies, you are stopping the flooding of immigrants into your country!

 

[SusieQQQ]

Well, I thought Australia and New Zealand are better than the US for living and you will get big money there if you have good degree and experiences!
but now form Aussies' comments, I found that Australia is not my place anymore!!. Good job Aussies, you are stopping the flooding of immigrants into your country!

They've historically been pretty easy countries to get into if you have the right qualifications, and it's easier to maintain resident rights than the U.S. I know a lot of people from my home country that have emigrated to both, mainly Australia but a number in NZ. It's never really been somewhere that's attracted us though, and I think qewty's post summed up why pretty well, but not everyone sees it that way. My best friend lived there for 2 years and couldn't wait to leave, but I also know a lot of people (immigrants) that are very happy in Australia and love living there. At the end of the day, like everything else, different people just like and value different things and that goes for where they live as much as anything else.

 

[EURO2014]

First I don't oppose that but I would really would like to know the reason beneath it, I always have this question in my mind why people from countries that have high life expectancy, high quality of living, Great Healthcare move to the USA.
I mean I always confront people from Netherlands, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand happy to make the move to USA.

What's about the option to make more money and to pay significantly lower taxes (applicable to most of the countries you listed), while getting the best possible college education for your children - would this at all qualify in your pov?

 

[Maisy]

I second this. There is no deep visceral reason why we would like to move other than life is meant to be lived and I don't want to get to 80 and think 'I wish'. This way, I'll get to 80 and say 'Remember when'.

It does sound selfish because, for many, this journey is about building a better future for them and their kids. My reasons are decidedly first world. But that's the very nature of the DVL. It's about diversity.

 

[Maisy]

Well, I thought Australia and New Zealand are better than the US for living and you will get big money there if you have good degree and experiences!
but now form Aussies' comments, I found that Australia is not my place anymore!!. Good job Aussies, you are stopping the flooding of immigrants into your country!

Better weather.

Nz is sitting on two plates and surrounded by active, dead and dormant volcanoes! Christchurch was the worst we've seen in a about 100 years.

 

[Maisy]

Well, I thought Australia and New Zealand are better than the US for living and you will get big money there if you have good degree and experiences!
but now form Aussies' comments, I found that Australia is not my place anymore!!. Good job Aussies, you are stopping the flooding of immigrants into your country!

Australia is a great place to live. About 40 % of the kiwi population live in Australia, up till the mid 2000's, if you were a citizen/resident of NZ, you could live and work in Australia without any form of visa. NZ was considered a state of Australia by many. At least from kiwi's perspective.

I think America is beautiful as well. You can find all sorts of different landscapes, food& clothing is cheap, housing in Texas is just promising (can you find a great house under $250,000 in NZ- I don't think so) cultures i.e. diversity. I would think the various races make is an exciting place to live, I mean about 40- 70 years ago, African Americans were slaves, and now you have a president who is a descendent of this ethnicity, Oprah Winfry made a life for her self, Dwanye Johnson a Samoan from NZ, Lord, there so many to name-so it speaks for it self, a land of freedom, and you really have the opportunity to advance your self in career business etc, you eat if you work, right! 10 states have no income tax. the list goes on and on and on... have a great day guys- if you were selected for 2016, you on your way there! All the best. I wasn't so fortunate at this time but I'm working on it! Just a confirmation that I really would like to make that transition. I'd give myself 10 years in USA to see if we could progress and achieve the goals we have in place. And then plan the next 10 years accordingly.

 

[Hershal]

Ill add my two or maybe three cents worth here.

We decided to move to the U.S. for the main reason of something new. We are young (ish) and only just starting a family. We had a big think about this as we are fortunate enough to have a good stable life here in Australia. Uprooting and moving half way across the world blind is a big step. I couldn't imagine doing it when I was in my late 40s. For myself, I have to find a new job in a market that is not so secure right now. So there is a lot of stuff that "could" go wrong. But you only live once! Take a chance, get out of your comfort zone. I believe that it will be a great move if we can get it to work. Our kids will benefit from being able to travel and work in US / Australia and Europe (Wife is German) So much more opportunities over in the US. Plus the cost of everything is so much better.
Australia is a big island in the middle of the ocean away from EVERYTHING!!! It costs a fortune to travel any where besides Asia and to get anything shipped to the country requires a second mortgage on your house or a kidney.

At the end of the day its a personal choice why people move abroad. But its what makes us who we are. and 50 years down the track you can look back and say .. I did this .... I made a change I took a chance, wether or not it worked out, now that's a story for another day.

 

[Maisy]

Australia is a great place to live. About 40 % of the kiwi population live in Australia, up till the mid 2000's, if you were a citizen/resident of NZ, you could live and work in Australia without any form of visa. NZ was considered a state of Australia by many. At least from kiwi's perspective.

I think America is beautiful as well. You can find all sorts of different landscapes, food& clothing is cheap, housing in Texas is just promising (can you find a great house under $250,000 in NZ- I don't think so) cultures i.e. diversity. I would think the various races make is an exciting place to live, I mean about 40- 70 years ago, African Americans were slaves, and now you have a president who is a descendent of this ethnicity, Oprah Winfry made a life for her self, Dwanye Johnson a Samoan from NZ, Lord, there so many to name-so it speaks for it self, a land of freedom, and you really have the opportunity to advance your self in career business etc, you eat if you work, right! 10 states have no income tax. the list goes on and on and on... have a great day guys- if you were selected for 2016, you on your way there! All the best. I wasn't so fortunate at this time but I'm working on it! Just a confirmation that I really would like to make that transition. I'd give myself 10 years in USA to see if we could progress and achieve the goals we have in place. And then plan the next 10 years accordingly.

There are positives and negatives everywhere- find what works for you and go on from there.

 

[SusieQQQ]

I mean about 40- 70 years ago, African Americans were slaves, .

Um, not quite

 

[guestgulkan]

..African Americans were slaves, and now you have a president who is a descendent of this ethnicity...

Actually his dad was from Kenya on a student visa

 

[miani24]

I am about to get my 2nl and I must admit I have been thinking a little bit about why I am leaving quite a comfortable (if boring) existence in Australia to move to the US.

My reasons are as follows:
1. I have been dreaming of living in an American city since I was very young. Just because you are born in one country or city doesn't mean that it is right place for you. I grew up in country Queensland but I am so not a country girl.
2. I think it is important to remember that no place is perfect. Australia has great health care but almost all other living expenses are huge! Every time I come home from an overseas holiday I feel like I am being ripped off at every turn. And don't get me started about house prices and how our inept government continues to artificially prop up the housing bubble.
3. My family is crazy and if I live a 24hr plane ride away maybe I might get some peace (Just kidding!)

So, yes. Certain aspects of life might be harder in the US than Australia but for me it is worth the risk.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[guestgulkan]

To be frank, I feel the Aussies in this thread are complaining about nothing - which is what annoys me about Australia. Australians on six figure salaries naively complaining while drinking their mocha-cinos. Life is so hard hereee. Australia is one of the best countries in the world, easily. And if you find the views of other Australians annoying wait until you get to America.

But they say familiarity breeds contempt and I guess absence will make the heart grow fonder.

 

[connectedspace]

What's about the option to make more money and to pay significantly lower taxes (applicable to most of the countries you listed), while getting the best possible college education for your children - would this at all qualify in your pov?

Well, if we apply this statement to Australia, it's not quite right. Australian taxes are very, very low by world standards. Even when compared to America. There might be one or two states with lower taxes. (CA and NY are not amongst them.)

And if you want your kids to go to the best possible college, you're statistically far more likely to do it in Australia. The country has two (sometimes three) schools in the global top 50. Another two (sometimes three) in the next 50. Almost all of its universities are in the top 250 in the world. Considering its population, that's a lot.

And the chances of getting your child into one of those two top schools is far, far greater than getting them into equivalently ranked universities in the US. Not to mention our universities do not have requirements for community service, sporting and extra curricular achievement and so on that filters out disadvantaged kids who've neither the time nor the resources to pad their resumes with these things.

In the States, there are a lot of schools at the top of the scale. But that's because there are a lot of schools and Harvard et al are the tip of the iceberg. Most of their schools do not even make the top 400.

To be frank, I feel the Aussies in this thread are complaining about nothing - which is what annoys me about Australia. Australians on six figure salaries naively complaining while drinking their mocha-cinos. Life is so hard hereee. Australia is one of the best countries in the world, easily. And if you find the views of other Australians annoying wait until you get to America.

But they say familiarity breeds contempt and I guess absence will make the heart grow fonder.

I'd agree strongly with this.

I think some of the folks talking about the unpleasant underbelly of Australia and its stultifying conservatism, boringness and hobbit-like lack of drive, need to spend a bit of time in, well, most of America. Most of the country is not LA, SF or NYC. Those cities only exist by virtue of the population being huge, which makes the population of dynamic people seem relatively large.

And in Australia, if life trips you over and you hid hard times, thanks to (sorta) socialised medicine and welfare safety nets, it's easy to pick yourself up and move on. America punishes misfortune hard. Just ask the PTSD-riddled Iraq vets living on the streets.

 

[Teyliana]

I love Australia, it will always be my home and while yes there are issues, like others have already said there will be issues no matter where you go it's just a matter of perspective.

My reason for wanting to more to America is similar to others here, it's something I've always dreamed about since I was quite young, it's a new adventure and honestly at this point in my life I'm single and turning 30 next year, in a job I don't really like and I've never put what I want first. So since I've been given a chance at this opportunity I'm going to take it and get to see more of the world and immerse myself in a new culture.

Life is meant to be lived and for once I'm going to do just that!

 

[EURO2014]

Well, if we apply this statement to Australia, it's not quite right. Australian taxes are very, very low by world standards. Even when compared to America. There might be one or two states with lower taxes. (CA and NY are not amongst them.)

And if you want your kids to go to the best possible college, you're statistically far more likely to do it in Australia. The country has two (sometimes three) schools in the global top 50. Another two (sometimes three) in the next 50. Almost all of its universities are in the top 250 in the world. Considering its population, that's a lot.

And the chances of getting your child into one of those two top schools is far, far greater than getting them into equivalently ranked universities in the US. Not to mention our universities do not have requirements for community service, sporting and extra curricular achievement and so on that filters out disadvantaged kids who've neither the time nor the resources to pad their resumes with these things.

In the States, there are a lot of schools at the top of the scale. But that's because there are a lot of schools and Harvard et al are the tip of the iceberg. Most of their schools do not even make the top 400.




I'd agree strongly with this.

I think some of the folks talking about the unpleasant underbelly of Australia and its stultifying conservatism, boringness and hobbit-like lack of drive, need to spend a bit of time in, well, most of America. Most of the country is not LA, SF or NYC. Those cities only exist by virtue of the population being huge, which makes the population of dynamic people seem relatively large.

And in Australia, if life trips you over and you hid hard times, thanks to (sorta) socialised medicine and welfare safety nets, it's easy to pick yourself up and move on. America punishes misfortune hard. Just ask the PTSD-riddled Iraq vets living on the streets.

Sorry, we would not even think about emigrating to Australia... Presumably the reason this forum is about DV for good old U S of A and possibly why so many folks from Australia seem to live in our neck of the woods...

 

[connectedspace]

Sorry, we would not even think about emigrating to Australia... Presumably the reason this forum is about DV for good old U S of A and possibly why so many folks from Australia seem to live in our neck of the woods...

Right. Of course. But universities and taxes are two things that Australia gets (mostly) right. At the moment, anyway.

 

[cj27]

Below is an interesting article from an american woman who lived in nz. In my opinion she is spot on. Some of the comments from others in the article link are hilarious.

http://e2nz.org/migrant-stories/chapter-4/an-americans-take-on-rip-off-new-zealand/

My story:

We moved out of nz because it was ridiculously expensive to do anything and the quality of living has gone right down. While beautiful and peaceful, the cost of living is so high compared to the wages. The price of housing is high.
Unemployment is high, dole bludging is high. If you try to get ahead with employment, you get looked at in a negative way.

The weather was more sideways rain and wind than sun. Took 3 days to dry clothes.

People where I am from are proud to be lazy, unemployed slobs. They wear pajamas to the supermarket, or a bath towel (yes, this was common attire).
It is so sad to see this in my home town, very embarrassing. Now, I am a person who thinks it is important to maintain health, (the diet of most of my hometown is KFC or maccas so we have a lot of obesity) and I also have enough self respect to get dressed (into clothes, not pj's) before leaving the house. Hair brushed and freshened up.

If I put on make up or dressed nicely I would be asked by friends or colleagues "who are you trying to impress".
I was screamed at on the streets by some gangsta girls some awful names because I looked nice. I won't go into what names. At the local shops, I am always asked for money or cigarettes by
Thugs. When I visit, I feel like I have to dress down or I'll be looked at funny. It's a weird feeling since I am so used to looking my best for work (not a hair out of place and flawless make up).

There are a lot of decaying homes, no self pride or home pride. Lots of stray dogs and wannabe gang members.
Nz electric was about $450 per month even though we worked 12 hour days away from home and only used fire place for heating... Aus is around $300 a quarter, much better.
Wages are so low in nz and prices are high for everything!

We moved to aus 5 years ago and kiwis get special category visa and are
allowed to live and work right away.
We do love aus and feel it is a better place to raise kids, work and live compared with nz. But our hearts are in the states. We have to follow our hearts.

It has always been our dream (mine since I was a kid) to move to usa! We love how Americans are enthusiastic, friendly, proud of their achievements, encouraging and so welcoming! Every time we visit we feel at home. A great quote I heard is: "Live your life as a dream, if you can dream it, you can live it."

Anyway I have gone on a bit now, any questions just ask

 

[OnTheGo]

taxes are two things that Australia gets (mostly) right

Australian taxes are very, very low by world standards. Even when compared to America.

I don't see that, looking at the tax tables for individual income tax:

AU: http://atotaxrates.info/individual-tax-rates-resident/ato-tax-rates-2016/
US: http://taxes.about.com/od/Federal-Income-Taxes/fl/Federal-Income-Tax-Rates-for-the-Year-2015.htm

In the US, you pay 25% tax on earnings between $37,450 and $90,750, with the portion between $9,225 and $37,450 being taxed at only 15%.
In AU, you already start paying 33% tax on earnings from $37,001, 37% on earnings between $80,001 to $180,000.

In the US, you pay still only 28% on earnings between $90,750 and 189,300, and the maximum tax rate on personal income tax in the US is 39.6% and is applied only after earning $413,200 or more, whereas it is 47% in AU from $180,000.U

As for corporate/biz profit taxation, I would imagine it is better in the US, too.

 

[guestgulkan]

I don't see that, looking at the tax tables for individual income tax:

AU: http://atotaxrates.info/individual-tax-rates-resident/ato-tax-rates-2016/
US: http://taxes.about.com/od/Federal-Income-Taxes/fl/Federal-Income-Tax-Rates-for-the-Year-2015.htm

In the US, you pay 25% tax on earnings between $37,450 and $90,750, with the portion between $9,225 and $37,450 being taxed at only 15%.
In AU, you already start paying 33% tax on earnings from $37,001, 37% on earnings between $80,001 to $180,000.

In the US, you pay still only 28% on earnings between $90,750 and 189,300, and the maximum tax rate on personal income tax in the US is 39.6% and is applied only after earning $413,200 or more, whereas it is 47% in AU from $180,000.U

As for corporate/biz profit taxation, I would imagine it is better in the US, too.

Support @connectedspace in this discussion. Having lived in the States I know a direct comparison of Federal Tax rates is very misleading as it doesn't include other taxes such as state income tax (which is zero in Australia) and GST. In America "Social Security" (ie Dole/Old Age Pension contribution) is a separate line item whereas in Australia this is bundled into the income tax total. Even your local council charges a GST on your food.

Anyway I'm happy with this source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_tax_revenue_as_percentage_of_GDP

 

[neko83]

Australian taxes are very, very low by world standards.

Personal income tax is 8% above the OECD average, and 17% above the global average.

Even when compared to America.

Australia's top personal income tax rate is 49% and is effective at $180,000. Americas top personal income tax rate is 39.6% and doesn't kick in until $600,000.

Australian taxes are some of the highest in the OECD world, and statistically look even worse when compared to the global average. We also have the luxury of operating one of the most complex and convoluted taxation systems in the world.