[///M-pressed]

Hi guys,

I thought that this might be the place to ask for opinions on this. I am currently 32, and have been debating about moving to the US for a few years now. My reasoning? Here goes..

I was born in Sydney, Australia and whilst Australia is a great country to live, I always feel like I am missing out on something. I've been running my own business for five years, and I feel as if the harder you work in this place, the more the government just takes, takes and takes. Our system seems to be that, if you're a complete moron and don't wish to succeed and laze about all day, the government looks after you. Further to that, the operational cost of a business here is very high coupled with a high cost of living.

We also miss out on a lot of things that the rest of the world gets, because we're too damn far away and unimportant. Travelling is also ridiculously tiring and expensive because of the great distances.

I've visited the US four times. 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Each and every time I have been there, I get this great vibe and energy that I don't get here in Australia. So whilst I am still relatively young and do not have a family, I want to have a go in the US otherwise I will regret it, and life is too short for regrets.

In regards to advice, what I am looking for is what is the American business culture like and what is it like to run a business over there? Is it a take take take culture like here or do you actually get to put money away rather than always be crushed by the system? What are employees like? Is there a lot of red tape to conducting business? I've always seen the US as much more capitalist than Australia, but in saying that I've had zero experience in anything relating to corporate law, consumer law or any other areas about running a business in the US.

Would love to hear some general feedback.

[Tuxedo]

I give my mind without asking a dozen or so followups, it's never easy if it's work after a few years of business ownership. It changes, it builds, gain capitol rinse repeat. If I could walk a mile in your shoes this is what I'd do. Sell your business or accept the offer you've contemplated. I'm an avid backpacker when I was 33 began thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. 34 moved to Chicago, 36 finished my section hike of the AT.

Practice or trade, own a franchise it's like buying a marriage. Taxes here will be high but I've also lived were they are lower, the services included with higher taxes have seemed worth it in my eye.

I wanted to move to Chicago, hindsight 20/20 wish I'd done it at 24 not 34, I love my Chicago area life. You've been to the states so move where you've wanted to or been encouraged to move to. If you love it stay, if you don't you'd have a story.

[Humdizzle]

I dont know much about business as i'm in the medical field. But business growth is strongly encouraged here. there are lots of tax write offs for businesses as well. however the system can be cut throat as capitalism encourages competition.

All i know is if you're a car guy the US is the place to be. Cars are cheaper, we don't have speed cameras, gas is cheap. Cost of living really depends on location, coastal cities will be significantly more expensive than living in the midwest.

i think you should do it if you have the chance. haven't heard of too many people leaving the US to find a better life. usually its the other way around.

[roastbeef]

whatever you do- don't come to california. its a cesspool over here. i'm likely going to move to a different state when i retire that isn't as accommodating to lazy people.

what business are you in? planning on continuing the same business here? where in the US have you visited?

funny thing is, i perceive australia as being clean and friendly. to be honest, i don't know much about your culture or daily life, i guess we are just sick of the same social problems.

[c1pher]

I believe the US is the best country in the world. People come to this country all the time with nothing and become wealthy. No one is going to give it to you and there is competition but anything is possible.

[Slaney]

I'm a business owner. I'm a builder and my business is set up as an s-type corporation. No employees besides myself. It's a mixed bag. But definitely if you have a corporation the tax benefits are very good, it's just the paperwork and fillings that can be exhausting. Get yourself a really good CPA. I live in Texas as well which has a very good business climate unlike many states... California sucks.... It's like beauty and the beast there.

[///M-pressed]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.

Roastbeef - I am in the furniture importing business and I deal mainly with European product. The issue being an importer in Australia is our currency is so weak and even though we don't manufacture anything here anymore, we still pay duties on imports. I probably wouldn't try this business in the US as it's already saturated (but then again, what isn't). In regards to cities that I have visited: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco.

Australia is clean and friendly, but we just miss out on too much because we're too damn far away.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Attuale

Hi guys,

I thought that this might be the place to ask for opinions on this. I am currently 32, and have been debating about moving to the US for a few years now. My reasoning? Here goes..

I was born in Sydney, Australia and whilst Australia is a great country to live, I always feel like I am missing out on something. I've been running my own business for five years, and I feel as if the harder you work in this place, the more the government just takes, takes and takes. Our system seems to be that, if you're a complete moron and don't wish to succeed and laze about all day, the government looks after you. Further to that, the operational cost of a business here is very high coupled with a high cost of living.

We also miss out on a lot of things that the rest of the world gets, because we're too damn far away and unimportant. Travelling is also ridiculously tiring and expensive because of the great distances.

I've visited the US four times. 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Each and every time I have been there, I get this great vibe and energy that I don't get here in Australia. So whilst I am still relatively young and do not have a family, I want to have a go in the US otherwise I will regret it, and life is too short for regrets.

In regards to advice, what I am looking for is what is the American business culture like and what is it like to run a business over there? Is it a take take take culture like here or do you actually get to put money away rather than always be crushed by the system? What are employees like? Is there a lot of red tape to conducting business? I've always seen the US as much more capitalist than Australia, but in saying that I've had zero experience in anything relating to corporate law, consumer law or any other areas about running a business in the US.

Would love to hear some general feedback.

https://www.heritage.org/internation...onomic-freedom

"The grass is greener where you water it."


http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/#/11111111111

[bbbbmw]

I read an article recently about people selling everything in Australia, and moving to the US. Many had a very difficult time finding a job - they exhausted their savings, and returned to Australia with nothing. They were amazed at how competitive the job market was, despite our low unemployment numbers.

Not to say that would be your experience, but you may want to craft a very solid plan (with a backup plan or two), on how you're going to get/keep a job here.

We certainly have our share of layabouts in the US, and people who (inexplicably) vote for a layabout culture. Less than 50% of the population pays income tax, and we are dealing with 25+ years of being flooded with immigrants; you may find the issue to be as maddening here, as in Australia.

[Maynard]

Live here for a while, and you may get a feel for the upside of that 'take care of the "lazy" people' system. Here in the states we just arm them and let them forage for money wherever they can find it.

[Unknown_Car]

Depends what business you have and how much write off you can do. I know a guy who made about 200k last year and payed almost 60k taxes. They take crazy takes from people if you make 200k+.

[bbbbmw]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Live here for a while, and you may get a feel for the upside of that 'take care of the "lazy" people' system. Here in the states we just arm them and let them forage for money wherever they can find it.

We arm them with votes, and they forage from the earners...

[ASAP]

A couple of things I would highly recommend you know about our country-

1) This is not a socialist country and there are virtually 0 support services unless you are below the poverty line and have like 6 kids. In other words; no government service will help you with anything if you get into a predicament.

2) Healthcare is the most expensive in the entire world. If you don't have insurance, you are screwed... a single ER visit can easily cost $50,000. Again, anything that you have heard about Obamacare or only govt assisted healthcare, I would forget about it. With a business, you will have to self insure... expect up to $1000 a month out of your pocket for such a service.

3) This is the most competitive jobs / business market in the entire world. Virtually every single business line, market and industry exists here. There are players in virtually every single existing business and usually lowest cost wins here... not necessarily highest quality or best product / service.

4) If you need to find a job, it will not be quick... unless you know someone and / or someone can guide you. If you are truly starting a business; make sure you have a lot of cash to sit on that can get you through difficult times until your business picks up.

None of the above is meant to scare you; its meant to provide a realistic scenario of our country as it currently exists. This is no longer the 1980's where everyone comes and creates the American dream; those days are long over. Otherwise, this is a beautiful country with a lot to offer and see, albeit don't base anything on what you see on TV. By the way, LA, LV, San Fran and Ny are very poor representations of the USA as a whole. One is a party destination, the other 3 are the some of the wealthiest areas in the USA.

[tuco44]

Everyone has their own opinions, but I lived in the US twice. I spent almost 2 years in Houston, Tx in 1978-79; and spent a year in Denver, Co in 1983. I have lived in western Canada the rest of the time.

Would I move to the US again? Never. The cost of health care, the gun culture and the egomaniac madman president are huge negatives. On the positive side, the people I met down there during my stays were great, and I am still friends with a few of them.

To each his own...........

[upstatedoc]

What exactly do you plan on doing here? Need this info to determine how useful you will be.

[Memaxndapickel]

All I can really say about your situation is to just do it. If your mindset is to succeed then you will. If you don’t come to the USA, will you forever have the thoughts of “what if” for the rest of your life. If the answer is yes then you only have one choice.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

whatever you do- don't come to california. its a cesspool over here. i'm likely going to move to a different state when i retire that isn't as accommodating to lazy people.

what business are you in? planning on continuing the same business here? where in the US have you visited?

funny thing is, i perceive australia as being clean and friendly. to be honest, i don't know much about your culture or daily life, i guess we are just sick of the same social problems.

I am with you on the downsides of California (taxes, homelessness, catering to bums, etc.), but there is still no place I'd rather spend my life. I have lived in places with crappy weather my entire life and every time I go to SoCal I am just in awe by the weather and how many things there are to do. I am just counting down the days until I can settle down there.

You don't realize how good you have it until you live in a place with crap weather and/or nothing to do.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by tuco44

Everyone has their own opinions, but I lived in the US twice. I spent almost 2 years in Houston, Tx in 1978-79; and spent a year in Denver, Co in 1983. I have lived in western Canada the rest of the time.

Would I move to the US again? Never. The cost of health care, the gun culture and the egomaniac madman president are huge negatives. On the positive side, the people I met down there during my stays were great, and I am still friends with a few of them.

To each his own...........

Sort of how I feel about Canada. I go to Vancouver regularly (including this past weekend) and while it's a great place to visit I would never live there!

There's a reason why 2 hrs south of the border you have some of the most influential tech firms in the world where people from all countries are flooding to in order to strike it rich. What is the economy in Vancouver?

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by ASAP

This is no longer the 1980's where everyone comes and creates the American dream; those days are long over.

I have to disagree on this point.

People have gotten filthy rich in the right cities. I personally know people making a killing in the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, etc. Stock options are through the roof. People bought up properties in the Seattle area a few years ago and are cashing in big time.

One of my buddies went to college with me and is now doing well at Amazon. His parents came here from India poor and uneducated but they were able to set their son up to succeed in life. Same story with my mom 30 yrs ago. This is the greatest country!

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Sort of how I feel about Canada. I go to Vancouver regularly (including this past weekend) and while it's a great place to visit I would never live there!

There's a reason why 2 hrs south of the border you have some of the most influential tech firms in the world where people from all countries are flooding to in order to strike it rich. What is the economy in Vancouver?

Vancouver's economy is quite strong actually; although I don't live there.

I just gave the reasons why I would not move to the US again, not debate one city vs another.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by tuco44

Vancouver's economy is quite strong actually; although I don't live there.

I just gave the reasons why I would not move to the US again, not debate one city vs another.

Not trying to debate, just making the point that the opportunities in the U.S. are far greater.

[Rewted]

Come visit Canada to see if that would fit your standard of living.