lol @ California. Move out to the midwest! Cheap housing, guns, nice people, but cold winters.

When my wife first landed it was brutal sticker shock on most everything. Now after being here for awhile she has done some very careful assessments and of course reports it back to her sister.

Relocating from one place/ culture to another will always be a little bit tricky. But how much it will be a shock depends on factors such as how adaptable people are and how different the new culture is.

I'd imagine moving from urban Bangkok to urban multi-cultural Australia will be a smaller difference than moving from rural Texas to Californian Silicon Valley. Those who are more open-minded and flexible tend to find it easier to adjust to a new environment.

Having met the OP and his lassie, I have no doubt that they will do fine where ever they will be.

FYI, sticker shock refers to prices of goods.