But Scottie...we don't have coachloads of German tourists clogging the roads in summer! And we have lots and lots of golf courses! No blood pudding, tho! You got us on that one. There must be a reason why the Germans scuttled their entire fleet at Scapa Flow--would never have happened had they surrendered off Miami Beach--they would have cranked up the oompah band and be lined up in their sandals and socks.

Come visit!

If I can do 3 months in Orkney during wintertime with a hand-crank LandRover living off tinned sardines and Famous Grouse...

I'll put my vote in for the Charlotte, NC area. No, it is not near the beach, though Charleston is only 3 hours away, and the NC Outer Banks (some of the most beautiful scenery in the eastern seaboard) is 5 hours away. Charlotte, however is bordered by two lakes; the smoky mountains are only 1.5 hours away; the winters are mild, the summers are long (but hot and humid); the city is clean, safe and very livable; AND you can have a five-bedroom house with a yard for that $2,000 a month.

Charleston area is nice, but do not move TO Charleston: the old town is beautiful, but the rest of the city is, unfortunately, in a sad state (almost slum-like); this is something that most tourists do not see. Charleston also has the highest housing costs in SC; you'd never get a house in Charleston for 2K a month.

Good luck!

Juan

Hmmm...I'm not sure if you can do either skiing or wake boarding in Witchita. The State of Kansas (which is where Witchita is located) is more known for their corns and wheats...but you can definitely try wake boarding on those :rofl:

Thanks Juan, NC is an area that had been suggested to me...having always lived by the water, I am not so sure that we can be that far from the coast.
Sarasota is an area that has been suggested also...are there any problems there apart from tornados and alligators (just a big lizard). How about schooling for my 15 year old son...is it safe or should he carry a weapon to school???? It is amazing the rubbish we see on Television over hear!!

Thanks

Witchita ?? :confused: As in Witchita, Kansas? Dude, I don't think you could pick a place in the U.S. that is any FURTHER from water then there :wow:

When I think Kansas I think wheat fields, very flat, and tornados :dunno: Definately not hot :tsk:

Yeah, Wichita...you don't happen to work in the aviation industry, do you?

I would recommend you take a look at the Hampton Roads/Newport News/Virginia Beach area. My folks are in semi-retirement down there, and it's nice. Bay, rivers and ocean- plenty of water, 3 hours from the culture of DC, and nearby Norfolk is a huge urban/suburban area.

JV

For the most part, yes! The fact is, most of the US is a wonderful, peaceful, and safe place to live and raise your family. Stop watching CSI, ER or Hill Street Blues... oh yeah, and Cops! lol

It's fact that only bad things make news and "good" TV shows. It's also a fact that a great majority of crimes in the US involves people who know each other or are hanging out with people who are doing something illegal. So, if you hang out with good, decent, law-abiding people (as most Americans are), chances are, you'll be OK. :)

Juan

Aviation...how'd you guess...I am hoping that I will NOT have to reside in Wichita. I will have a look at Virginia Beach area, like the idea of having some culture of DC...just don't want to end up in a retirement village area like Fort Lauderdale!!!
Another Question...The US tax system? What is the highest federal tax rate and are there additional State income taxes on top??

Highest tax rate (federal) is 36% .... or is it 33%, now...? I think "W" lowered it to 33%. Yes, on most states (FL being the exception) you do pay state tax as well. It varies with each state. I know we have a couple accountants here that can give you a more educated answer. You will surely pay less taxes here than you pay in AUS now, though.

Juan

Awww.... come on guys. Wichita isn't that far from the beach. Two hours (by Boeing) will get you there easily (4 hrs if you want to go to Cali). ;)

Can't figure out why you'd want to move from Aus to the U.S. though.