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Living in Melbourne, Australia:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

40 local experts
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If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Melbourne, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked 40 people living in Melbourne what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

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40 comments on “Melbourne”

If you’re moving to Melbourne, check out all the museums and restaurants and markets but be careful when going to Frankston or Dandenong or the inner city at nighttime.

Austin, says: 2024

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and has a population of 6 million people. It’s a massive area of about 10km square. It has everything you could imagine…. great beaches, night life, sporting venues of world standing, 5 star hotels and thousands or restaurants. Melbourne is very multicultural with 134 different nationalities, so you won’t feel out of place coming to Melbourne. Best city in the world.

William, says: 2023

It’s really only warm for five months of the year. The remaining seven months can be cold or constantly giving you the hope for warmth, but never quite achieving it. Therefore it is perfect for people who like distinct seasons, but not for those who expect solely heat. Choosing the area you live is important as Greater Melbourne is huge. It can take an hour and a half to drive from one side to the other. Therefore, deciding on inner city living, beach, hills, or endless suburbia is something you will need to get right. There’s a lot going on in the city, so you won’t be bored.

Melbourne is a city which is renowned for its coffee culture. The city offers people a wide range of caffeinated beverages from espressos, cappuccinos to mouth-watering affogatos. All the cafes compete to provide coffee goers a greater experience then the other. In the end the consumer wins, so come on down to Melbourne and enjoy the sights and smells our barristers serve up daily.

Melbourne is a wonderful city when it comes to culture, people and things to do. However, people considering moving to Melbourne should know that the price of living is relatively high and that house prices are exorbitantly high. It is a city that many people wish to live in, so there are compromises for living in such a great place.

Melbourne is a beautiful city with amazing street arts in the Victorian State, Australia. There is a large diversity of community living in this wonderful place. It is the second most popular city in Australia. This city is famous for its excellent dining options for those of all budgets.

Melbourne is a busy city. There are many restaurants and pubs throughout Melbourne. People are dedicated to their work routines and always helpful to those who need help. There are number of historical places and monuments for tourists. Public transport is decent enough to travel around the city.

Kirstie, says: 2020

The public transport system in Melbourne is unreliable. There have been many times when I have been late to school because my train was delayed or cancelled as I was standing on the platform.

Melbourne is a wonderful city, full of culture and cafes! Cafe culture is an integral part of life in Melbourne and anyone moving here must be prepared to try coffee. Melbourne rightly considers its coffee culture to be one of the best in the world and most streets have at least one cafe on the corner. For Melbournians, cafes are simultaneously both a place to work, socialize, and unwind.

Deborah, says: 2020

If an individual moves to Melbourne, they should understand the public transport system. This system is a very complex system and can become very frustrating at times. A way in which this individual could understand the system is by researching the different tram lines, trains and buses. This is important as certain places require the use of both a tram and a train to reach the destination.

Patrick, says: 2020

Melbourne is an extremely modern city. With an exceptional public transport system, getting around is extremely efficient. The people here are friendly, life is easy going, and you’re always five minutes from grabbing a delicious coffee. The energy in the city is always thriving with incredible bars, pubs and cafes. I love Melbourne.

Brodie, says: 2020

Melbourne is known for its four season in one day. If you like rain, hail and shine move here. The trans are passable, as in they won’t slow down to let you on, they’ll just drive straight past. Not to say it’s horrible, Melbourne is lovely enough.

Sandra, says: 2020

Melbourne is the coastal and the capital of the state of Victoria in Australia. It is vibrant as a cultural and sports hub. The Boxing Day Test, the Australian Football League, the Australian Open and the Australian Grand Prix are important sporting events that occur annually in Melbourne. Melbourne International Film Festival is one important event in the global cultural calendar.

Weather is one of the main thing you should familiarise yourself with. You could see as many as four weather changes in single day. It could be freezing cold in the morning, sunny/windy in the afternoon, raining in the evening and then cold again during the night.

Someone moving to Melbourne should know the weather in this city is continually changing and is highly unpredictable. Therefore, a person moving to Melbourne should consider investing in clothing for a range of climates, both cold and warm, as it will ensure they’re prepared for any day.

Melbourne is known for its somewhat erratic and unpredictable weather, with conditions sometimes cycling between heavy rain and sunshine all within the span of a few hours.

Those moving to Melbourne should keep in mind that the weather is cool for most of the year. Summer is the only season with consistent sunshine, and that comes with the sweltering 40 degree heat that burns through your skin. Regardless of the weather, it is a beautiful city with so much to see and even more to eat. After all, it is the world’s second most liveable city!

Lizzie, says: 2020

The most important thing they should know is to buy a myki card or get a myki pass. This allows them to travel on most public transports. Remembering to top it up with money, and touching on/off is also crucial to not get fined. Melbourne weather is quite changeable, so carrying an umbrella and some sunscreen or sunglasses might help.

Melbourne is a populated and bustling city; a place some people might find to be too crowded with an overwhelming atmosphere. If you have lived in the city most of your life, then Melbourne would be a good fit for you. There are a lot of business opportunities here, so if you are coming here for work, you might find Melbourne to be the best place for you.

The cost of living in Melbourne is very high. House prices in the Melbourne region average around $850,000, with average salaries being around $70k. A regular-sized cafe latte could cost between $3.50 and $5.00 and a loaf of bread, between $1.50 and $6.00. The suburbs are very diverse, with some in urban areas feeling very cramped, and others in the outer suburbs on larger bush blocks with lots of trees.

Estefania, says: 2020

Melbourne weather is usually fantastic, however summer can be extremely hot. Sunscreen would be advisable during these times when going outside. Also, you must buy a myki card and top up as you need it to travel on trams, trains and buses. One other everyday thing to know is that, while on escalators you should stay on the left if you are standing but go on the right if in a hurry and walking.

Very diverse city with citizens leading very fast-paced lives, it seems to never sleep no matter what time it may be, sometimes the feeling of escaping it forever is very real but the thought quickly dissipates when you realise how much you miss it. A city like no other, really.

Hailey, says: 2020

If an individual moves to Melbourne, they should know it is in the southeast of Victoria, where the weather is very temperamental. It often rains and gets quite cold in winter, unlike its westerly counterparts. It is also worth knowing that there is a big coffee culture here, and a big emphasis on individuality.

Sabrina, says: 2020

Someone moving to Melbourne should know food, brunch in particular and drinking coffee are a big part of the city’s culture. There is a cafe on almost every street corner and many of the people of Melbourne consider it to have the best coffee in the world.

Daniel, says: 2020

Melbourne is Australia’s second most populous city and was labelled the world’s most liveable city seven years in a row by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2017 Global Liveability Index. It is right down the bottom of Australia in the state of Victoria and is known for its multiculturalism, you could spend years exploring the mouth-watering foods and shopping opportunities this city provides! Melbourne is right on the ocean, hence has a number of stunning, pristine beaches to explore.

Pranshul, says: 2020

Before moving to Melbourne, be aware of the constantly changing weather. In one day, one is likely to experience sunshine, wind, rain and sometimes storms. Melbournians often refer to this situation as “having four seasons in one day.” However, Melbourne is a beautiful city to visit with close proximity to beaches, mountains and a lively urban scene.

Ruksana, says: 2020

Currently, our public transport system is under extensive construction work. This can make it difficult to get around the metropolitan areas as so many vital train lines are not in use, and extra time should be allocated when relying on public transport. Construction is estimated to be completed by 2023 and is expected to provide much-needed relief during peak commute times.

Shanmugavalli, says: 2020

Someone moving to Melbourne should consider that the weather here is terrible. In the space of an hour, Melbourne will experience both rain and sunshine. You may think this is not worthy of consideration. In which case, I would challenge you to find something appropriate to wear for the day.

Dianne, says: 2020

Despite the wide advertising of Kangaroos in Australia, you will not see them hopping around the city streets and we do not ride them. If you travel to the suburbs, particularly areas of new development, you will be likely to see them in their natural habitat. They gather in large groups called “mobs” and are more afraid of you. If you get too close, they will hop away.

Hannah, says: 2020

Melbourne is very vibrant and a land full of opportunities. Anybody moving to this city should consider the living standards and expenses associated with living in a hi-tech city; unless one is simply moving over to study at one of their prestigious universities. As a student, one should aim to enjoy and travel around the city while learning as much as possible.

Carolyn, says: 2020

Melbourne has previously been voted the most livable cities in the world. It is multicultural and diverse with many music and food festivals accordingly. You will not go wrong with food options here with there being cuisines of all kinds. There is also entertainment to suit all new-comers with various sightseeing spots, parks, museums and theatre options available.

Lauren, says: 2020

Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia. It hosts numerous gourmet restaurants and cultural venues. A disadvantage of living in Melbourne is that traffic has become horrendous in recent years. I love the abundant parks and riverside spots, and the native fauna. In particular, there is a colony of fruit bats nearby, which I love to visit when I can.

Dianne, says: 2020

Melbourne is a tremendously beautiful city. In fact, it so happens that Melbourne has been rated as one of the most livable cities in the world. For those that don’t live in Australia, though, one might expect warmer weather. Sadly, it can get rather cold in winter.

Mrigal, says: 2020

Someone moving to Melbourne should get to know the coffee shops. Melbourne is the coffee capital of the world, it has quaint little cafes nestled in adorable cobbled side roads. In order to get around and discover this vibrant city, it is crucial to get to know the tram schedules, or enjoy the sights, smells and atmosphere, by simply walking.

Ariane, says: 2020

Melbourne is the most “liveable” city in the world and features many astounding landmarks. Some of these landmarks include the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Federation Square and the Old Melbourne Gaol in which make for a splendid day out. Although the weather can be unforeseeable, there is always a variety of seasons within a week!

Sabrina, says: 2020

Someone moving to Melbourne should know that housing prices in the different suburbs of Melbourne can differ from 600 dollars a month in rent to over 3000 dollars. Traffic can be either at a standstill or it seems you’re the only one on the road.

Kirsten, says: 2020

The prices of housing in Melbourne are increasing exponentially. if considering the move here, you best come with money saved. Melbourne could be considered the coffee capital of Australia. The coffee connoisseurs of congregate annually for the Melbourne International Coffee Expo, in which experts in the field taste and develop knew and exciting coffee blends for consumption by the general public.

Shruti, says: 2020

Melbourne is a lovely place that is a haven for those who are interested in arts and culture. It is a multicultural hub that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. It’s a place that combines modern facilities and conveniences with the heritage of its colonial past.

Vaishnavi, says: 2020

Melbourne has a highly diverse economy and population leading to a huge variety of cuisines, attractions, and nightlife but it also benefits from a warm climate and brilliant provision of public services. Melbourne is the sports, arts and cultural capital of Australia, offering stability with healthcare, environment, education, and infrastructure for a population of 4.9 million and growing.

Carrol, says: 2020

Melbourne is known for its great weather fluctuations within a short amount of time. Therefore, a person moving to Melbourne must remember to check the weather forecast every morning, and bring a variety of clothing that can be layered on top of each other. Melbourne is further known for its high cost of living. It is hence recommended that one saves up before moving here.

Ailand, says: 2020

Comments are closed.

Names of respondents may have been changed.

See other cities and towns in Victoria.

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