Monkeyboy, I've been in Australia during a recession (2001/2002) and believe me, a recession is the same wherever in the world you are. The weather is not much good to you when you can't pay your rent. So don't pat yourself too hard on the back.
Never ceases to amaze me - the smug attitude of the recently-departed emigrant.
I dont quite follow your point: My alleged smugness pails to your apparent bitterness!
My point is that there is NOT a recession here at the moment, quite a way from it actually, with obvious skill shortages across the board. I had 3 interviews lined up after an hour of sending out my CV. ( seriously no exageration !! )
My GF has taken longer ( 3 weeks! ) to get her 2nd job after a 3 month contract ended but the pay is the same as at home and 9% employer pension paid on top - Not the same at home ! ( all jobs this applies to )
Im all to aware of what can happen up ahead from touching base at home and watching closely our economy for the last 4 odd years. For that reason and lessons learned, Im putting a lot more away than I ever did. ( some thing I could not be doing at home right now and not at no strings rates of 8.5%) , this fact is made easier by lower relative costs, comparable and more wages and belive it or not the weather does have a huge difference...
Eg. Day out with friends on the beach, surfing, sunning, footy and BBQ, socialising with BBQs in the park, bring your own (alcohol) restaraunts are the norm, good weather encourages so much more outdoor actiivity also - which is free !
No need for a "foriegn" holiday also. Just a 1 hr "Ryanair" style flight or a few hours drive up the coast, even does it in the winter.
So how will the recession affect me personally, it ill force me to adapt, which I have achieved.
Better to be facing the prospect of a recession here in a year or 2, than at home NOW.
Its an employees market and anyone around 20-30 with a good profession really should look into it here.
I make my points not out of any smugness but because I only came over, as a mate went over ahead and fed back the same info. If I did not hear it 1st hand I may be at home still.