Melbourne is a major city known for its vibrant city lifestyle and is often praised as a highly liveable city. In this guide, we’ll break down the top 10 neighbourhoods where you can experience this fantastic city life. We’ll discuss essential factors like rent costs and highlight more affordable options. So, if you’re looking for affordable suburbs and high quality of life, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and discover the best that Melbourne has to offer!
Why Melbourne?
A city that encapsulates the best urban living and natural charm, Melbourne is ideal for those seeking convenient and dynamic living. Businesses planning office relocations or families from other regions who want a different pace of life could find Melbourne interesting. From its bustling city life to its abundant outdoor spaces, this lively suburb offers a perfect balance for an active lifestyle.
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Move to Melbourne now and experience these:
Convenient Location
Situated in a prime location, Melbourne provides easy access to various amenities and services, making daily life comfortable and hassle-free.
City Life
Embrace the excitement of city life as Melbourne buzzes with cultural events, shopping districts, and a thriving nightlife that ensures you’re always able to do things.
Outdoor Spaces
The city boasts a range of beautiful parks, gardens, and scenic spots where you can escape the urban hustle and bask in the tranquillity of nature.
Active Lifestyle
Whether you’re into sports, fitness, or recreational activities, Melbourne offers numerous opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
Job Market
Boasting a robust job market and diverse industries, Melbourne provides ample career opportunities for professionals in various fields.
Entertainment Options
The city’s thriving entertainment scene includes theatres, cinemas, music venues, and cultural festivals, ensuring a lively and enjoyable experience.
Multicultural Community
Melbourne’s welcoming atmosphere embraces a multicultural community, offering a rich tapestry of cultures, cuisines, and traditions to explore.
Lively Suburb
Each Melbourne neighbourhood has unique charm and character, contributing to the city’s lively and dynamic vibe.
Quality of Life
With excellent healthcare, education, and public services, Melbourne consistently ranks high in global quality of life indices.
Melbourne captures the essence of modern living with its convenient location, lively atmosphere, and myriad opportunities. Whether you’re drawn to its progressive city life or outdoor splendour, this city promises a fulfilling and diverse lifestyle that caters to various preferences and interests. Thanks to good road networks, you can also move to Melbourne seamlessly, even from another city such as Sydney.
Best Neighbourhoods in Melbourne
Now that we’ve discussed why Melbourne is such a desirable city let’s look at the top ten areas that embody its distinct charm and lifestyle.
Chapel Street, South Yarra
Chapel Street in South Yarra is a bustling thoroughfare known for its vibrant energy and trendy atmosphere. This iconic street serves as a hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, offering diverse experiences. Chapel Street has everything, whether you’re exploring stylish boutiques, savouring gourmet cuisine, or indulging in the latest cultural events. Moreover, the area benefits from excellent public transport connections, making it convenient for those seeking easy access to the city centre.
Port Melbourne
Nestled along the bay, Port Melbourne is a charming beachside suburb combining a laid-back coastal ambience with modern urban amenities. Residents relish the luxury of stunning beaches right on their doorstep and the tranquillity of leafy streets. With many recreational options, from strolls along the waterfront to engaging in water sports, Port Melbourne offers a balanced lifestyle that captures the essence of relaxation and city living.
Albert Park
Emanating an air of sophistication, Albert Park is a sought-after suburb that harmoniously merges lush green spaces, including the iconic Albert Park itself, with the allure of nearby beaches. A favoured choice for families, the area is known for its quality of life and affluent surroundings. Its prime location, close to the city centre, enhances convenience. At the same time, exceptional schools guarantee an excellent educational environment for residents’ children.
Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Fitzroy Street, nestled within the vigorous neighbourhood of St Kilda, is a dynamic hub of creativity and excitement. This inner-city suburb is celebrated for its artistic flair and pulsating nightlife. The street comes alive with various cultural activities, making it a favourite haunt for locals and visitors. The street’s eclectic mix of restaurants and cafes cater to diverse tastes, ensuring that every culinary desire is satisfied.
Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Brunswick Street is at the heart of the bohemian Fitzroy neighbourhood, a renowned destination for those seeking a unique blend of creativity and diversity. This popular suburb is known for its charming boutiques, captivating galleries, and eclectic eateries. As a centre of artistic expression, Brunswick Street draws in individuals who appreciate its dynamic atmosphere and the freedom of self-expression that thrives here.
Flinders Street Station Area
Steeped in history yet embracing modernity, the area around the iconic Flinders Street Station is a captivating mix of old-world charm and contemporary amenities. Positioned as an inner-city centre, this locale offers seamless access to Melbourne’s cultural attractions, including the esteemed Melbourne Museum.
The presence of picturesque parks, such as Brunswick Park, adds a touch of serenity amidst the bustling urban landscape. If you plan on moving here, you could also have your cultural furniture delivered to have a contact of history in your new home!
Caulfield Park, Caulfield
Caulfield is a leafy suburb cherished for its serene ambience and the natural oasis of Caulfield Park. Residents relish the peacefulness of this expansive green space, making it an ideal location for leisurely walks, picnics, and outdoor activities. Alongside its natural allure, the area boasts a strong sense of community fostered by an array of excellent schools that provide a nurturing educational environment for local families.
Bay Street, Brighton
Nestled within the affluent suburb of Brighton, Bay Street exudes a captivating blend of elegance and relaxation. Lined with charming boutique shops, inviting cafes, and restaurants, the street is a testament to a refined beachside lifestyle. With picturesque beaches and well-maintained green spaces nearby, residents enjoy the quintessential coastal experience.
Luna Park, St Kilda
Not only is St Kilda home to the iconic Luna Park amusement park, but it’s also a vibrant hub of diverse entertainment. The area is distinguished by its strong Greek community and a rich tapestry of cultural diversity. From exciting festivities to engaging cultural events, St Kilda showcases a lively and inclusive atmosphere that caters to various interests and backgrounds.
Eau Gallie, Melbourne
Eau Gallie is a burgeoning cultural centre within Melbourne, epitomising the city’s artistic spirit. This area shines exceptionally bright during the annual Eau Gallie Arts Festival, where galleries, studios, and local artisans come together to celebrate creativity. With many Italian restaurants adding to its charm, Eau Gallie is a haven for those seeking artistic inspiration and delectable culinary experiences.
You’ll find the perfect match for your lifestyle preferences in this diverse array of neighbourhoods. Experience Melbourne’s unique charm on full display by strolling through the bustling city centre to the leafy suburbs. Once you move here, you’ll discover that the city offers something for everyone to revel in.
Cost of Living in Melbourne
Melbourne’s magnetic pull as a favoured destination for migrants is no secret, and a contributing factor to this attraction is the city’s cost of living. If you want to save money when moving, consider the cost of living at your new home in Melbourne. Here’s a general idea of the expenses you might encounter while living in Melbourne:
Accommodation
While Melbourne leans towards the pricier end among Australia’s capital cities, the allure of vibrant activities at every turn awaits you.
Unsurprisingly, residing near the CBD comes with a heftier price tag compared to the suburbs.
Within the inner city, an average shared house room costs around $243 per week, a serviced apartment runs about $390 weekly, and having a one-bedroom unit to yourself will set you back around $675 per week. Still, it would help if you also were approved for rent. For a more immersive experience, you can opt for a homestay with local families, which averages around $335 weekly.
In the suburban fringes of central Melbourne, a one-bedroom unit is more budget-friendly at an average of $450 per week. Sharing a house or apartment with roommates will run you around $225 per week, depending on the accommodation size. Aside from the rent, you should add about $159 for the boxes and packaging materials costs to help with your move.
Meals
If you’re inclined to cook at home, you’re looking at approximately $3 for breakfast, $5 for lunch, and around $11 for dinner. These costs are subject to your personal grocery choices.
Dining Out
Melbourne is renowned for its culinary culture, beckoning locals and visitors to explore its laneways, charming cafes, and world-class restaurants. It’s prudent to allocate a weekly entertainment budget to indulge in the city’s gastronomic delights.
A café breakfast typically ranges around $20, with an extra allowance for Melbourne’s signature coffee. Lunch expenses will likely fall between $16 and $20, while dinner costs may hover around $25 per meal.
Australia’s hospitality staff receive a fair minimum wage, reflecting slightly higher food prices than other places you’ve encountered, like the United States. Moreover, tipping is optional here, though some establishments might inquire if you’d like to tip.
Public Transport
For comprehensive travel across Melbourne and its outskirts, obtaining a Myki card is essential. This card covers train, tram, light rail, and bus travel. It costs approximately $6 and can be purchased at various locations, such as staffed train stations and convenience stores (excluding tram stations).
Entertainment
Specific entertainment venues may impose a cover charge of $10 to $20, which can often be avoided by arriving early. While there, expect to spend about $10 to $15 on a glass of wine, beer, or cider. Spirits can range from $12 to $25, contingent on the venue and your drink choice.
For live music or sporting events, a ticket in Melbourne might demand $50 or more. Larger acts in stadiums or arenas might warrant over $100 per ticket. Dance and theatre performances generally carry a cost of $50 or more.
A movie outing to one of the city’s cinemas usually requires around $21 per ticket, which might seem steep compared to the convenience of home-based options like Netflix.
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