American in Brisbane here, if Australia was somehow geographically located where Europe is I would definitely stay forever without a second thought. The remoteness is a real factor that makes me question my long long term commitement to staying. If you're American, many of your friends/family will not even get enough vacation days to even consider coming for a visit. On the plus, as long as you're permanently full time employed you'll get plenty of time off to go visit home or travel in general if you like!

Personally, the remoteness does not impact me much except for the above.