I'm an Aussie expat in Berlin since November 2012 - you can apply for a working holiday visa if you're under 30, follow up with a self-employment visa, or if you want to work for a start-up, the visa process is ridiculously easy.

The U.S is the pathological case when it comes to visas.

I'm Australian, and on top of what atroyn said, you also have the option for a "blue card" (http://www.bluecard-eu.de/eu-blue-card-germany/) if you're a full-time employee somewhere. It's super easy to get, and it's quite liberal.