Lived in Australia all my life.
I do love Australia as a country. It is a very lucky country. Extremely rich in Natural resources and it is a very pretty place. Cities are probably among the very best cities in the world - very clean, structured and they have the best infrastructure.
No land borders with other countries. It's an island continent.
It is a better country than the USA. it is way better than the UK.
Socially and economically, there are probably only a couple of countries that compare to Australia and they are probably Switzerland and a couple of the Scandinavian Countries.
Closest country Australia can be compared to, would have to be Canada. Australians and Canadians are more laid back than Americans are. Also a lot friendlier.
As for Football, news about European Football does filter through Australia now. There is a massive cable network owned by News Corp (who else but Rupert Murdock) which has dedicated Football channels and they show all the European games. They even show Cypriot Teams every now and then. The Football scene in Australia is also developing at a very fast pace, with a National competition that is popular and appealing to the masses. Average attendances are comparable to the top leagues of Europe.
Gastronomy, is probably second to none. Wine is of extreme high quality. Beer as well.
there is a lot of opportunity although not as plentiful as a few years ago as the GFC did cost Australia too, but overall Australia really did ride it out quite nicely without too much trouble as unemployment is virtually non-existent.
Society is affluent and people have done well for themselves generally. People are quite happy and Australians are very outdoors type of people. So much recreation space in all the cities.
Australians are very friendly. They are also quite nice. Won't find too many that will do bad to you as they are also quite naive. But yes there are bad people in Australia too.
Australians are not boring at all. In fact they are very outgoing. Generally more outgoing than Europeans. When compared to Cypriots, and despite all the stereotypes, Australians are far more classier than Cypriots as a people, bit more down to earth, rational and also measured. they think before they talk and act. Population is highly educated as the tertiary system is good, and everyone has a degree in something.
Australia is very sports crazed. The only country comparable to Australia with sports is the USA. So much sport and entertainment.
So much to see and do in Australia. So much to explore and yes it is pretty.
Politically, very well structured. Socially it is very liberal except in the country where it switches to very conservative. Best Australians are those who live in the country. They are just so lovely, tough, and resourceful,
Downside - there are not many. There are still social problems with Aboriginals that still live on the fringes and still have alcohol and drug issues. Despite Australia doing its best to address, all the programs have largely not made a great deal of progress in some areas. Starting to improve in the cities though.
What else? Well Australia should be a Republic probably. It was so cringe-worthy when a couple of the Royals came to Australia - some guy with red hair and an American half cast actor. I forget their names. Apparently their grandma is Head of State and she is so old and married to a Greeko.
Surprisingly high crime in some areas. Australia is said to have more crime than USA. For instance, there is a bit of crime in Sydney and Melbourne but overall Australia is a safe place to raise a family.
