Funny, talking to my friends in Asia (to which I consider Australia/NZ to be a part of) it feels the exact same way!
I can tell them how I go anywhere without wearing a mask, some people make snide remarks but that's it - while they have to declare their address in restaurants, and face all kind of restrictions like not being able to return to their country without a quarantine.
> I’d much rather make a bit less money and live in a country with a functioning healthcare system
With money, in the US you'll get the best healthcare money can buy (or you can travel to Asia to get it cheaper)
For the rest (welfare etc), I really prefer the US way - it feels better to me to have people strongly incentivized to behave, yet free. I guess we are different.