but I'm still doubtful whether you are always going to be better off in the US..
If you compare the house price of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (within 1 hour drive of the airport), to the house price in the USA and the cost to by a car in the USA, financially, working for a major airline in the USA would win hands down.
I'm lucky as I don't have to worry about paying off my home loan, but it's a worry when an old house full of asbestos a hour's drive south of Sydney Airport is 6 times a Qantas/Virgin 737 FO yearly income.