I would have thought Australia was at least as free and as prosperous as the US plus better healthcare.
Are you sre you didn't just make the mistake a lot of holidaymakers do? That is, viewing your vacation destination through rose coloured glasses?
If you want me to justify my reasons for moving here, fine. Australia was starting to slide into a quiet recession(link below), and I was having serious issues with some of the decisions the government was making.
That and I had always been fascinated by the "American dream". We saw it in movies and theatre growing up and I wanted to check it out for myself. Is that so culpable?
http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/brace-for-a-white-c...
In Canada, there is less isolation/insulation. I've stated for many years now that I'd refused to move to the US until their country is fixed. Which is a damn shame, because there is so much cool, interesting shit happening.