wants to move to states. questions?

[lash]

just trying to find out about moving from aus to the states. as i would love to live in the united states and i adore boas and corns,pretty much all the exotics and if i can't own 1 legally here in aus then i will have move to the states.
My Question is- what should i be expecting?
etc.is it hard for young people (im 23) to get jobs/accomodation what states would you's recommend or is there states i should avoid?? and is it hard to become an american citizen? sorry for the incredibly noobish questions and sorry if these q's have been asked before... lol i would love to own some leopard geckoes!!!or a ball python

[Zoo Nanny]

There really aren't any bad states to live in just bad areas in each state to avoid. Unemployment right now is pretty tough but there are jobs out there. It really is going to depend on what you are looking for. Each state has different laws regarding exotics and what can be owned. For an example in Massachusetts you can't own any crocodilians, monitors and a few of the big snakes. Here's a link to Ma Fish & Wildlife with a listing of animals that require a permit. Wildlife as Pets | MassWildlife (http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/fish-wildlife-plants/wildlife-as-pets.html) Unemployment rate in MA is around 7%. Rents will run you any where from $750 to $2000 a month for a one bedroom apartment depending on where in the state you are. In Rhode Island their laws on exotics is much looser, some of their rents lower and unemployment rate is around 8-9%. You're going to want to do some careful research on employment opportunities, crime statistics, cost of living and laws on exotics for each state before making a decision.
Becoming a citizen isn't too difficult. A few of my friends have become citizens in recent years. Be sure you have no criminal record and study some US history.

[smy_749]

its hard for us to get jobs hahahaha dont come here bro, you have it good in aus and we are on the decline. If we can trade spots Im ready to leave now

[MDT]

The coasts (think Calif and New England) cost of living will be higher than most of the interior states. What Zoo Nanny said about rent is true...the same $2000/mo would rent a VERY nice 3 bedroom house in Oklahoma/Arkansas/Missouri/Kansas, etc....
What are your job skills? Depending on your training and skills, finding a job may not be terribly difficult. Crime issues are also very population density dependent. Your chances of being crime victim in Chicago is a lot higher than in Branson, Missouri. Obviously, there is a lot more to do in the larger urban areas, so you gotta weigh costs (living/crime/job avail, etc)....personally, I like to visit the cities, but I like to live in the country. Good luck on coming to the states, we hope it all works out for you!

[smy_749]

I live in CT which is VERY expensive state to live in. My apartment is in a decent sized town, not rich but no distinct 'bad areas'. I pay like 1100 a month for a very small one bedroom apartment in a complex. A 2 bedroom will run you 13-1400 here. Cities are going to be absolutely ridiculous, my sister has a 2 bedroom house outside boston that she pays 2200 a month for. Don't forget the herp community in new england sucks and so does the weather and we have only a handful of species to find while herping.

Definitely consider some place with nicer weather and cheaper living conditions, like the ones that MDT listed.

[franks]

its hard for us to get jobs hahahaha dont come here bro, you have it good in aus and we are on the decline. If we can trade spots Im ready to leave now

Me too... I would move to Van Diemen's land.

[Pareeeee]

I have the answer. Come to Canada!

But seriously....WHY would you NOT want to live in Aus?!?!

[Stewjoe]

+1 for Canada! I would move to Australia before the States, I don't like the heat though (Canadian Blood).

I love Aussie Pythons and would take your selection over ours any day.

[Pareeeee]

I don't like the heat though (Canadian Blood).

Just your blood, LOL. I hate the cold and love the heat! I could live in the desert any day.

[smy_749]

I would move to canada if it wasn't crappier weather than New England.....and you might want to leave oz if you are super into herps and limited to about 10% of them, many you can find by taking a hike. You wouldn't be able to keep anything in your signature if you lived there :P Stewjoe would only have to get rid of the cresty though haha


I will be leaving the US soon it seems, just saving up for now.

[exwizard]

Iowa's a pretty decent place to live. Cost of living is reasonable, unemployment low, prevailing wages higher, crime rate lower and the people friendlier. If you don't mind extreme weathe (hot muggy summers, cold snowy winters), it certainly beats where I'm from (California). That said, state herp laws ban Retics, Anacondas, African Rocks, all venomous snakes and all Crocodilians. Everything else us fine if you end up in the right city. Good luck in your possible move.

[pdomensis]

If you want to work, try North Dakota. Loads of jobs up there at the moment for energy production. The downside is, it's North Dakota. I don't know what their herp laws are or anything about the logistics of getting a work visa. Good luck!

[lash]

thank you everyone for your help wow i have a lot to look into.its a big decision for me as i have to think about my reptiles i love them dearly argh
lol i honestly didnt think people from the states would want to move to aus
i dont have many skills i've worked in a few petstores though and have worked in the hospitality industry(aprrentice,dishy,fastfood etc), i love leopard geckoes,ball pythons ,cornsnakes when i first recieved my license i thought i was gonna be getting a cornsnake,ball python or bci or bcc until i asked about them a big no-no over here due to government rules an whatnot,don't get me wrong i love my aussie reps but you guys have them there too it seems and i would absolutely love to go to a reptile show we have them here but no-where near as big or as many people

[ErikBush97]

thank you everyone for your help wow i have a lot to look into.its a big decision for me as i have to think about my reptiles i love them dearly argh
lol i honestly didnt think people from the states would want to move to aus
i dont have many skills i've worked in a few petstores though and have worked in the hospitality industry(aprrentice,dishy,fastfood etc), i love leopard geckoes,ball pythons ,cornsnakes when i first recieved my license i thought i was gonna be getting a cornsnake,ball python or bci or bcc until i asked about them a big no-no over here due to government rules an whatnot,don't get me wrong i love my aussie reps but you guys have them there too it seems and i would absolutely love to go to a reptile show we have them here but no-where near as big or as many people

What?! No corn snakes or ball python?! Get your butt to the states! Lol

[smy_749]

Erik wake up and smell the coffee. To lash, try to find a roomate who will split rent with you once you get here and is somewhat down to earth. Will make it much easier to get by. Why not europe? They have pretty huge expos, and just about everything we have here. Dont wanna upset all the patriots here but america is on the decline. Google a few lists of best countries to live in, most are in europe and aus is always on there.

[Donnie]

If I had the choice of Australia or America it would be Australia for me every time but I have spent more (seen a lot more of) time in Oz then in USA so maybe that's part of my reasons.

[desipooh.12]

Do Not Come to California lol
Its nice for Vacation & site seeing but to expensive
To live!

[Deva]

South Florida has a high cost of living but if you have experience in the hospitality industry I would think it would be easy to get a job here. Winters cannot be beat as far as the weather goes, but summer is miserable.

As long as you are healthy and can stay employed, the U.S. isn't a bad place to be. Otherwise, don't come.

[lash]

thank you all for the information greatly appreciated(sorry don't know how to quote lol) I have decided to stay for now.., but i will probably plan a trip to the states in the near future

[Starbuck]

As long as you are healthy and can stay employed, the U.S. isn't a bad place to be. Otherwise, don't come.

bahahahahahahahaha BEST. STATEMENT. EVER. very sad that it is true :(

[Pareeeee]

I'd avoid any country that doesn't have a government at the moment.

:O :O :O

[smy_749]

I dont want to insult anyone but really mate, I've been to a few other countries, and I'd really advise you to think about going somewhere else lol

[Jim Smith]

If possible, why not try a visit first. I realize that the cost of travel can be very expensive, but you would learn so much about the different states and what area you'd like to live in (or not) as well as housing costs, employment opportunities etc. I live in Georgia which I find to be a great place to live. Summers are hot, but bearable and winters are mild. Lots of different places to live from Savannah down on the coast to the mountains in North Georgia. Very few restrictions as far as pets go and the cost of living is very reasonable. All that said, I strongly think a visit to the states is in order long before you make a move. Just one man;s opinion.

Jim Smith

[smy_749]

I agree with Jim. Find out where you'd most likely want to live and stay for as long as you can afford to visit. Visiting will change your perspective (for the better or worse) and you if you decide before you leave that you do like it, try to find a job.

[shaunyboy]

If I had the choice of Australia or America it would be Australia for me every time but I have spent more (seen a lot more of) time in Oz then in USA so maybe that's part of my reasons.

i would love to have moved to Australia back in the day.....

imo Australia is the best place to live on this planet,you got it good mate;)

cheers shaun

[LadyWraith]

I agree with others... avoid east and west coast. Midwest is really better for cost efficiency. Hasn't been effected as much by the economic downfalls either. You can generally make enough working one job and actually have free time. On the coasts, if you don't have a lucrative job or come from money, paying the bills requires spending most of your time working. I like the statement about being healthy and able to work... that's pretty much the key. No place is perfect and will meet your needs 100%, but for me personally, I can think of countries that provide more for the type of life I want.

[Chris72]

If possible, why not try a visit first. I realize that the cost of travel can be very expensive, but you would learn so much about the different states and what area you'd like to live in (or not) as well as housing costs, employment opportunities etc. I live in Georgia which I find to be a great place to live. Summers are hot, but bearable and winters are mild. Lots of different places to live from Savannah down on the coast to the mountains in North Georgia. Very few restrictions as far as pets go and the cost of living is very reasonable. All that said, I strongly think a visit to the states is in order long before you make a move. Just one man;s opinion.

Jim Smith

Yup,

That's a great idea. That visit should be a 6 or 8 month trip that includes finding work and getting a sense from settling in. My wife tried that in the US right out on Univ and came home after 9 months once she got a feel. (Texas)

On best places to live:
I'm sure every list is different, this is just the first one on a google search I did for best places to live in the world (or something like that)

> as usual various European cities.
> 3 Canadian cities
> 4 Australian cities

I would think long and hard about why you feel like you need to move away from Australia.

Living in North America will not feel the same as a US vacation and certainly not the way it is made out to be on US TV. (1/2 the Americans here have advised you to stay there....that should be enough to keep you there)

[kick10]

Some people might disagree but urban areas are not the way to go, you might get a higher paying job but it is cramped, cost of living is higher, not as much privacy, higher crime rates, etc. Suburbia or rural areas are the way to go imho. You'll get a nicer place and it will generally be more pleasant but again this depends on your desires, opinions, budget, requirements, and every city/town/village/neighborhood/street is different. You just need to find where you fit.

[Aaron_S]

I'd avoid any country that doesn't have a government at the moment.

:O :O :O

Shazzam! Best jab ever!

[Pareeeee]

Shazzam! Best jab ever!

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