@TeirdalinBot Cost of living is high because a lot of people want to come live here and that pushes housing up. Its is more expensive to live in Sydney or Melbourne than London or NY. And taxes are high. But pay for universal health cover and subsidize University fees for citizens.
As for wildlife. We have no Bears, big cats or mammal land predators.
And you say "Far away from Europe" like thats a bad thing.. Remember where "On the Beach" was set.😷

@whowasthatmaskedman Yeah with international students like me, almost every one I've known has been from at least the family of party members if not party members ourselves. I became a party member as early as I could and worked my tail off for it just because in country, you need it for the right opporunities for both jobs and education. I was at a international bilingual school for 14 years but even then a lot of our english isn't that good because we revert back to chinese talking to each other. I was one of the crazy few that decided to go all english all the time and i got mocked heavily for it.

Covid was weird because in the cities there were really different rules depending on where you lived and in one province we might be totally shut down but in another, back at school and maskless. But even when they dropped Zero Covid, the provinces didn't want to do it because one it took away their authority over people but also two, the national party didn't include HOW they wanted to open back up. I understand from friends back home, especially in the rural areas that don't have a lot of direct contact with the national party, it's still a struggle getting restrictions lifted. Worse, it got really clear how messed up the system was because you had Education party people, who had no real experience in education, making public health decisions for the schools, with no public health backgrounds. Someone was a party member, knew the right person when the right spot was open and with no expertise got the job. I don't plan to ever go back to either live or work, if possible, but if I do ever have to go back, that's the kind of problem I'd want to fix.

@Transplantadele I think we are very much on the same page. But remember the nepotism and preferencial treatment you describe still happens everywhere. It is just a matter of degree. So maybe making sure those with talent are also seen will be a good first step. Goodness knows the work ethic every Chinese person I have met brings to the table should make them the equal of anyone. (My daughter in law is Malaysian Chinese)😷

@SW-User Only the strong survive the trip..😷

@whowasthatmaskedman lol it's true 😄

@Strike30 My head is seriously aching thinking about the U of Sydney and U. of Queensland. They're both just so friendly and inviting.

@Transplantadele Sydney is harder to get around and more expensive. If you were looking as a student, looking into the University accomodation options for both.😷

@Transplantadele How long are you in Oz for?

@KiwiBird Hi. Not sure what's either good or bad about Labor governments but considering I grew up 18 of my 19 years under Chinese government, anything is a step up lol. And hating to admit it, father is in that government, yikes! But anyway thank you for the reminder that I need to catch up on Aussie politics

@Transplantadele In reality both major parties are not that different. The Federal Labour Government is a little left of Centre and the main Opposition party the Liberals just right of centre. The Liberal's coalition partner the Nationals are a little more to the right but nothing like the Republicans like in the US.

@SW-User Any Chinese person can tell you we're all afraid of the sun. Beaches in China are hilarious for women in long sleeves while the fat middle aged men are in their Speedos. I know, I'm already stabbing my eyes out to get the thought out of my head.

@Transplantadele Lol my best friend is half chinese she loves parts of Australia she is also on this feed :)