I once dreamed of immigrating to the US and working in the Bay Area... but it's become apparent to me now that there's something inherently wrong with that country. I guess I'll go to Australia or Canada instead.
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/04/nsw-po...
"New South Wales police are on the verge of securing “extreme” new powers including to impose curfews on citizens, restrict who they spend time with or limit their communications, if they suspect involvement in “serious crime-related activity”.
The new “serious crime prevention orders” (SCPO) are similar to the control orders used on suspected terrorists, but broadened to a range of other offences including theft, tax evasion, money laundering or homicide.
Those acquitted of serious offences can still be issued a SCPO, as will people deemed to have engaged in conduct “likely to facilitate” a serious crime, defined as one punishable by at least five years’ prison."
Welcome to my local police-state.
What the actual fuck? This is despicable no matter what. They just have to be "suspected" to be subject to these insane powers?
But, the real insanity is that a crime like tax evasion is included in this list. Seriously. Tax evasion? Now, I know that the thing these all have in common is that they're commonly purpetrated by the mob and all, but tax evasion just doesn't rise to the level of homicide or even money laundering.
But getting to the point, you really shouldn't allow isolated acts like this to influence you.
You're much more likely to be killed by the next earthquake in the Bay area then you are to be killed by dopey police officer.
What makes you assume he/she would base this decision on simple self-interest rather than principles?
I immigrated here from the U.S. and the only contact I have with the "government" is my annual tax filing.
Where previously I had nearly 6-monthly encounters with police just for (I guess) being a black/Muslim man. "Random" traffic stops escalating to inquiries into everything about my life.
Long live Australia.
[Edit: I DO routinely run into my neighborhood Australian police on Fridays, that's because we frequent the same local bar and catch up for drinks and games of pool.]
Not sure if you're being sarcastic here... In Vancouver, the summers are gorgeous without being sweltering. The winters are mild.
Affordability is definitely an issue, but if you work in tech then it shouldn't really be a problem.
Very happy to be back out west (especially with the glorious weather we've been having this month).
How so? Wolfram Alpha puts Sydney at ~1.2x the cost of living of LA: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=move+from+Los+Angeles+t...
Given that our GDP per capita is 1.25x US I think that we're about even. Also as someone moving from Melbourne to the SF Bay, there are areas within each country that are very far apart. Melbourne is far cheaper than the SF bay.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazi...