Hi Ronda,

I am from the US (North Carolina) and there are things I prefer about here and things I prefer about the US -- nowhere is perfect, of course!

Things I prefer about Melbourne: much better work-life balance, higher salaries, laid-back but helpful and friendly people. You will have to adjust your expectations of when things get done. The work-life balance means that people tend to work less than in the US so sometimes and immediate response isn't possible. You get used to that because they're not slackers by any means. Their honesty also means that you can get saved from a screwing because people who work at a shop will tell you "you can get it in the shop downstairs for cheaper" LOL That is much appreciated after you get over the shock that it's actually happened.

Things I prefer about NC: the weather (Melbourne is colder than I had anticipated, and wetter, actually), being able to get what I want when I want it (again, the work-life balance is affected here though), and lower prices for pretty much everything.

Our quality of life is much better here, but we can't afford a house. That's the only real downside.