Eric and Greg

I am from Australia and living in the USA and have aso lived in Europe. It is only the cost of some things in Australia that are higher.

Cars, shoes, gasolene, clothes, computers are all higher than the US, relatively speaking.

However, in the US, insurance, healthcare, property taxes, and the lack of tax deductions increase the cost of living. If you take $100,000 (US or A$) and examine the quality of life, I believe it comes out about the same wherever you live, UNLESS you are unfortunate enough to live in Europe where salaries are low and the cost of living is high. Whatever you do here in the US, just don't get sick because healthcare prices are beyond belief!

Back to the original thread for auto insurance, I pay $US 1560 per year for a 4 year old ML320 which I think is expensive. I pay the same for a 6 year old Range Rover which I think is outrageous! Most of the high insurance costs are due to the Attorneys and the constant therat of litigation for even a minor fender bender.