Australia and ASD

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Australians and anyone who's lived in Australia,

I've been interested in moving there from the US for a long time. I'm curious to find out if what I have heard about Australia is true and what is it like to live there if you are on the spectrum. Here's what I find appealing about it:

1) warm weather
2) secularism (=less religious influence on politics?)
3) free or less expensive health care
4) free or less expensive universities
5) less emphasis on prosecuting victimless crimes such as drug use and prostitution (according to American visitors)
6) smaller percentage of tax dollars spent on military
7) generally more laid-back attitude (according to Americans)
less violence?
9) other political reasons

I've met several Americans who lived in Australia for a while. They all loved it, but one offered this warning: "It's a lot like Texas because it's also a former penal colony. You won't like Australia unless you like Texas." Now I live in Texas and I don't mind it, so I guess that's a positive statement.

So, are these things true? How do you like living in Australia? What are the different cities like? Are there certain parts that you think are better for aspies? Where are the best universities? What do you think are the worst things about Australia?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Very warm, some people have claimed a lot more then they expected and more then they can handle. I expect as you get further North the humidity gets heavier as well. (I hate heat + humidty)



Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Very similar to the US I feel. Most politicians are christian, and a prominent religious leader last year essentially tried to control a vote (I think on stem cell research or similar) by declaring that they would be banned from the church if they didn't vote against it. As far as I know they didn't all sway to him, but both our major parties are heavily religious and hold views on banning the same things. There is also a lot of anti muslim racism in the country atm I feel.



Our health care is apparently in crisis, with people dying on the waiting list, but yes to an extent its covered since I've never payed for a GP visit. I am however a full time student (which makes me a pensioner) so I'm not sure if that's why.



The government pays for the full fee and you have to pay back 1/3rd of it (interest free) once you pass an income threshold.



Really couldn't say, but brothels are legal (I think for about a decade now) and celebrities openly joke about drugs they've done on talkback shows so I guess your sources may be right.



It's impossible for such a huge continent to support a useful military for such a small population, so yeah it's fairly minimal.



I think so, but it's changing.



We never really have school shootings or anything, I think we have different gun laws.



I expect it's alot like the US and Canada, everybody in my generation is bought up on US tv.



There were penal colonies but it's not as if the convicts where starting famlies, there was also a lot of land and gold rushes etc which bought settlers. Going by how the media represents Texans I'd say Australia would be less conservative christian, and a little more tolerant. (again just going by the media, and I feel like an alien in my own country anyway)



The major cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, and I guess maybe Alice Springs. The "best" universities are part of "the group of eight" which are scattered around. see http://www.go8.edu.au/

I go to one of those and we have a much worse IT department (especially this year where they fired a large chunk of the staff and closed down half the faculty) then a nearby less prestigious uni, it's all just prestige not actually meaningful.

Thank you, RB! That's really interesting, and helpful.

The OP has now migrated to Melbourne following a month-long visit over the summer, and is loving it!

wow.

congratulation on achieving your goal. how was the flight, are you doing uni or did you finish that over there?