Well I get $29/hour for assembling Toyota Camrys all day long. Not what one would call highly skilled labor but you do need certain skills. All in all a good job that doesn't require any education other that being able to speak english. I think it is pretty good. I can afford to make payments on my mortgage (I pay a little extra too) and also enjoy this hobby all on my single income. Not complaining one bit.

I don't pay property tax??? I do pay council rates which are $1200/year. Not sure if that is the same thing???? VAT???? Is that like import tax? If it is then everything bellow AU$1000 coming into the country is free of tax. Fuel is one thing that we get screwed on. We pay lots more for it that you guys in US do. Today I filled up at 134.9 cents and liter. Since a US gallon is 3.78541178 liters then times the 134.9 cents by that and you get $5.10 roughly a gallon of fuel. Just to make it easier for you guys to relate to that. I think that is pretty darn crap. Also food seems to be a lot cheaper in US. I have been looking on the net and seems like there is a fair bit of a price difference there in favor of you guys.