> On the other hand most companies don't offer health insurance, etc as perks
IMHO as someone who's worked in the US and now lives in Australia, that's a good thing! I'd argue that one of the major causes of the current health insurance fiasco in the US is the history behind health insurance being offered as a perk for good jobs. My health insurance (medicare & private) in Australia is completely separate from my employer and my employment status, and I very much like it that way.
Exactly. That is one thing I hate in the US. You leave a company and they cut all your health benefits. Left on the street. And when you do find coverage you end up paying nearly 1K per month for mediocre coverage. In comparison in Australia I remember paying $100 per month (5 years ago) for private coverage on top of medicare (free).
In the US at my previous gig, I remember hearing older folks with health issues afraid to get made redundant because they would loose their health coverage. None of those fears exist in Australia.
IMHO as someone who's worked in the US and now lives in Australia, that's a good thing! I'd argue that one of the major causes of the current health insurance fiasco in the US is the history behind health insurance being offered as a perk for good jobs. My health insurance (medicare & private) in Australia is completely separate from my employer and my employment status, and I very much like it that way.