AMA: An American citizen living in another country

Archivalist

I was born and raised in the United States, and in 2007 I moved to Australia. It was something I didn't plan to do until the opportunity arose in 2006 when I was made redundant at my place of employment. Things I have been asked in conversation over the years is how difficult was the process (Visas, etc.); how much did it cost; what preparations did I have to make; can I still vote in the USA; do I have to pay U.S. taxes; how did I move my stuff, etc. Anyway, feel free to ask me anything ...

Auberon Moderator

I am very curious about all of the past questions you mentioned, if you'd care to elaborate.

Is there anything about the US that you really miss that you can't get in Australia? (Not just physical things, but places, experiences, etc.)

Sanne Moderator

What's the weirdest but simultaneously greatest discovery you made about Australia and/or the culture?

Archivalist Topic Starter

Auberon wrote:

I'll address the questions I sort of pre-loaded, but to answer your question, I do miss my hometown of Seattle Washington. I miss little things, like Dick's Drive-in and summer festivals like Seafair., and also good clam chowder in the Pike Place Market. Clam Chowder is one thing that is not a thing here in Australia. You can get 'seafood' chowder, but it is different. Having spent most of my life around the Puget Sound area and on the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains, there are a lot of places I miss as far as mountain hiking.

Sanne wrote:

What's the weirdest but simultaneously greatest discovery you made about Australia and/or the culture?

I'll start with something weird that happened to me early on. I had been driving cars for years, and my skeletal conditioning from me always looking back over my right shoulder when reversing was caught out the first time I went to back my wife's car out of the driveway. I was in a right-side-drive car for the first time and I naturally wanted to look over my right shoulder. I then went to look over my left shoulder, and it was like it was foreign to my neck. I put more effort into it and I got the biggest neck crack and crunch of my top vertebrae it made my ears ring. It felt 'weird' and at the same time refreshing, even if I had to sit a minute and let it settle.

The greatest discovery was the indigenous culture. Ancient, and it had suffered terribly from British colonization... worse than the North American indigenous people. (I could go into all that, but my commentary would likely fall outside the parameters of the RP Repository rules) Their artwork is a world treasure, and their vast history is amazing.

As a combination of weirdest and greatest discoveries, it was the my ordering a hamburger with 'the lot' at a café in Warialda New South Wales. Along with the usual cheese, tomato, lettuce and pickles, the addition of egg, beetroot, pineapple, and carrot on a burger was 'weird'. I ate it, but after that I made sure I specified what was to go on my hamburgers.

Answering the Questions

How difficult was the process (Visas, etc.)?
It was a ... process. it wasn't easy, but for me, it went fairly smoothly. The key was to have financial ability to afford a good migration agent, and to have complete documentation and be ready to undergo a thorough ... *ahem* ... examination of your life.
How much did it cost?
A bit. The migration agent was north of $3k AU, and it was another $3k AU paid to the Australian immigration department upon filing for temporary residency. Then there were the smaller costs for things like having to pay to get myself finger and palm-printed at a police station and have them sent to the FBI in Washington D.C. for clearance; a health check, etc.
What preparations did I have to make?
Initially, getting a passport (I never had one until 2006) and registering an electronic travel authority with Australia (in place of a tourist visa). My initial plan when I left the USA was that I was only visiting. It wasn't until later that the decision was made to stay. Once the decision was made, I was back in Seattle, and I went and got several certified copies of my birth certificate and other documents. Being I had someone in Australia that I had become partners with, the relationship had to be proven genuine, so a lot of phone and email and other communication records would be required.
Can I still vote in the USA?
Yes. Every U.S Citizen has a right to vote even if they don't live in the country. The process varies depending on where your last place of residence in the United States was. For me, Washington State and King County has made the process fairly easy to do, and it is quite safe and secure. Overseas voters are covered under the Military voter rules. Some counties in the state, and some states, don't make it so easy, but as far as I know, no jurisdiction prevents U.S. citizens living abroad from casting a ballot.
Do I have to pay U.S. taxes?
Yes. The U.S. IRS keeps their hooks in U.S. citizens at all times. Living outside the USA, you have an automatic two-month extension of the filing due date without penalty (so, June 15th). There is no 'short form' as foreign income and place of residence rules mean you have to do the full 1040 with various schedules. Even though my income isn't enough to hit the threshold of taxation, I pay an ex-pat tax accountant to prepare my returns. So it costs around $350 US every year. There are a lot of pitfalls to be aware of. My cashing out my Australian superannuation account (similar to a 401k in the U.S.) in 2022 to help buy a house, though tax free in Australia, triggered a 'lump-sum windfall' tax by the IRS. I'm still paying that off. The other thing I will mention here is the requirement to file an 'FBAR' (Foreign Bank Account Report). On the Australian side, the bank is required to ask if I have American citizenship.
How did I move my stuff?
The short answer is I didn't. I took with me what two full-sized travel bags, a full-size backpack, and a small daypack could carry. My old life was left behind, and a new life was starting.

If anyone wants to know more details of these steps, feel free to ask.

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