I’m a expat who moved to Aus. Been here most of my adult life now. It’s a great place to raise kids tbf. But the distance from everything always kills me. I’d agree, Aussies have an unhealthy obsession with housing but the world is catching up on that. Career (or lack of) kills me too.
I agree with the live and mortgage mentality. The housing market here is a mess. We gave up on a house because it would mean a very large debt hanging over us every single month until our late 60s. Not much room to pay off either. Everyone of our friends just seem to accept this. It’s absurd.
Australia is becoming an Asian country. You can see it slowly happening due to immigration.
However, Australia is still a bloody decent place compared to a lot of places expats recommend. No place is without its faults. But if you want culture, proximity and lots of things to do then there’s better places imo.
We will raise the kids here and retire elsewhere. Probably Europe.
Australia has always been tolerant to a police state so I’m not sure why you are worrying about it because it’s already happened. It’s one of the most policed places I’ve been in my life.