Main differences between Canada & Australia

maybe i'm just not analyzing potential disasters with roundabouts, but how is it not as much of a hazard as a 4-way?

even if two drivers from opposing lanes were to enter the roundabout at the same time, they'd both still be moving in a clockwise direction through the roundabout, no?

i realize there's still room for some contact there, but i'd imagine there's more risk involved with two cars advancing a 4-way simultaneously, imho.

I've been in a 2 lane roundabout and had drivers drive in at full speed ignoring that I was already in the roundabout. If I hadn't hit the brake they would have t-boned me. Have had the same close calls at 4ways. My point is they're both just as dangerous if the other driver isn't paying attention.

I've only been in Sydney for a few months (from Ottawa) and I find the prices to be the same, after you account for the dollar. A mars bar costs about 1.50 here and 1$ in Ottawa. After you factor in the exchange rate it's all good.

I'm not a driver here yet (I wanted to wait a bit before I drove) but I do cycle and after a bit found it easy to get used to. I still make mistakes but at least I'm only on a bike, not in a 1 ton death machine ...
Oh not that it's a driving thing but people walk on the other side as they approach you. (this my wife really noted) and escalators are on the other side too (this one still gets me)

I've found the job market here slightly better than in Canada. If you've got legal status you should find it easy when compared to Canada because the recession hasn't hit here as hard (yet).

Racism is a bit subtle but it's here a bit more than in Canada. I'd say OZ is about 10 or 15 years behind Canada. (No I'm not saying it's bad here, but there are still some accepted racial slurs aboot, they are very subtle). I'd say as it's fine for all but the most sensitive. Just be aware it is there.


Better or worse, here or there. I'd say if my family was here I'd never leave. The people are the same (as far as niceness), actually I'd say even nicer. They seem to accept much more variety in the people, as it has a much larger pool of incoming peoples. I think most are more traveled then Canadians too. All this shows up in their view of themselves and the world. Not that Canada is by any stretch a bad place. This is just better IMHO.

-- Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:29 pm --

OH MY GOD I FORGOT TO MENTION COFFEE.
Flat white with two sugars. If you want a double double that's what you're going to have to ask for. It's not what you want but it's as close as you're likely to get. If anyone knows different I'd welcome the info.
OH and the flat whites take a significant amount of time longer to make then a cup of timmies.

I've only been in Sydney for a few months (from Ottawa) and I find the prices to be the same, after you account for the dollar. A mars bar costs about 1.50 here and 1$ in Ottawa. After you factor in the exchange rate it's all good.

You can't compare cost of living by a Mars bar But if you did, I'd love to find a bank that would exchange my 1 CDN$ for 1.50 AUS.

Re: Racism I think Oz is less 'politically correct' but that doesn't mean that they are racist.

I think it's a difference in the tolerance level of the two populations. I think a good example would be when I overheard an Australian colleage saying to an Indian fellow, "so are you going out with the other black-fellas" ie referring to other Indians. I asked the guy later if he was offended at that statement, and he said he didn't think about it at all. Perhaps some Canadians might have found that a bit racist (as I did initially).

I do find that some Australians are in general disparraging towards Aboringines, but then I hadn't had much experience with Canadian natives either until recently...and when I was working in those areas with high amounts of Canadian natives I noticed that many Canadians were just as disparging (if not more so). So as with anything I suppose everyone's own personal experience really determines what we are sensitive too and what we find offensive.

ps: this is a repeat post that i have already posted in another thread....
Having Lived Both the Countries I can confirm the following (THIS IS PURELY BASED ON MY EXPERIENCES OF LIVING IN TORONTO AND SYDNEY and having travelled other cities in both countries)

Weather - Australia, Clear Winner.
Beaches - Australia, Clear Winner.
Winter Sports - Canada, Clear Winner.
Living Standards - Better in Canada.
Schooling - Better in Canada.
Technological Infrastructure - Better in Canada.
Proximity to the Western World - Better in Canada.
Housing Quality and Affordability - Much Better in Canada.
Long term economic fundamentals - Better for Canada (oil reserves)
Friendliness - Both the Same.
Scenic Beauty - Better in Canada (unless you like desert).
Pollution - Both the Same.
Universities - Both the Same.
Traffic - Both the Same.
Public Transport - Both the Same.
Gas Price - Cheaper in Canada.
Shopping - Better in Canada and Much Cheaper too due US (economies of scale).
HealthCare - Better in Canada (only slightly)
Racism - Much more in Australia and openly practiced.
Food – Better and more variety in Canada.
Crime – Less in Canada (only slightly)

So I moved back to Canada and got my old job back..and didn't regret my decision