Dreaming about planting your roots in Melbourne? With its effortlessly cool culture and endless dining precincts, it’s no wonder hip Melbourne is Australia’s fastest-growing capital.
If you’re considering making the move to Victoria’s capital, check out the advantages and disadvantages of living in Melbourne before you start packing.
In a rush? Skip to the info you need:
- Pros and cons of living in Melbourne
- Best Melbourne suburbs to live in
- Moving to Melbourne from other cities
- Melbourne’s dining scene
- Culture in Melbourne
- Melbourne’s climate
- Getting around Melbourne
Living in Melbourne: Pros and Cons
From its quirky fashion to its street art, Melbourne has a lot to offer. But just like anything (except this turtle eating a strawberry), the city also has its drawbacks.
Pro: It’s the sporting capital of the world
Melbourne has been named the world’s sporting capital several times, making it the go-to for sports enthusiasts. Whether you’re mad about the footy or you never miss a tennis match, the sports-loving culture of Melbourne will have you feeling at home and barracking for your team in no time.
Con: The weather kinda sucks
If you love Australia for its sunny, blue-sky summers, Melbourne may not be the spot for you. Known for feeling like all four seasons in one day, Melbourne’s weather is pretty unpredictable. If you’re after that crisp sun nearly all year round, we’d recommend seeing if the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast is more up your ally. In saying that, if you’re trying to escape the sticky summer heat, this could be your ideal destination.
Pro: There’s always plenty to do
Whether you’re looking to get back to nature, get your culture fix, or indulge in some retail therapy, Melbourne has a lot to offer to keep singles, couples, and families entertained. From its great shopping and nightlife to its beautiful parks and museums, you’ll never be bored in this exciting city.
Con: It’s expensive
As the second most expensive city in Australia (Sydney takes the top spot), living in Melbourne will cost you. From rent to groceries, you can expect to pay more here than other capitals in the country.
Pro: There’s a daytrip for every weekend
Seriously, living in Melbourne will have your weekends sorted. Whether you’re tasting wine in the Yarra Valley, taking in the stunning scenery of the Great Ocean Road, or meeting penguins on Phillip Island, Melbourne will have you ticking endless daytrips off your bucket list.
Best Melbourne Suburbs to Live In
From quiet outer suburbs to the bustling city centre, Melbourne has the perfect spot to accommodate every lifestyle.
Richmond – inner suburb
Home to trendy boutiques and a melting pot of delicious cuisines, Richmond is known for its great shopping and dining scene. With several schools, it’s a great place to raise a family while enjoying all the city has to offer. It also has five train stations, tram and bus routes, and a bicycle trail, making it easy to get around Melbourne. Our Richmond storage centre is nearby and available to keep your goods secure while you make the move across.
Southbank – inner suburb
Just 1km south of the CBD, Southbank’s stunning riverbank district offers endless dining options and unrivalled views. This hip suburb has plenty of funky retail stores to wander, and is home to a number of secondary and tertiary institutions as well as the Arts Centre and its theatres. Sounding like your kind of vibe? Our local South Wharf and South Melbourne storage centres can offer convenient cost effective solutions as you settle into Melbourne.
Northcote – North Melbourne
Perfect for young families, Northcote has several schools and plenty of convenient public transport for getting around. It also features a shopping centre and a wide range of restaurants for those nights you don’t feel like cooking.
If you’re considering the move, consider our Northcote storage centre when planning so we can take your goods off your hands while you go home-hunting.
Bentleigh – South Melbourne
With two train stations, three schools, and a handful of parks and playgrounds, Bentleigh is a great pick for families. It also offers plenty of shopping and dining experiences on Centre Road, including restaurants, cafés and boutique retail stores. Bentleigh is just a 10-minute drive from Brighton Beach.
Mount Waverley – East Melbourne
Handy to the Monash Freeway to the CBD, Mount Waverley is a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle without making a visit to the city an inconvenience. It’s home to several public and private schools, shops and restaurants.
Kensington – West Melbourne
Just 4km from the CBD, Kensington has two primary schools and a high school as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. Home to lovely trees and gardens, this leafy suburb is known for its friendly village feel.
Moving to Melbourne from Other Cities
Making the move to Melbourne from another Aussie city? We’ve done the groundwork for you here.
Moving from Brisbane to Melbourne
- Journey time: 5hr drive or 2.5hr flight
- Brisbane to Melbourne removalist cost: $2,375 – $3,325
- Housing costs: The median price of a house in Melbourne is $168,000 more expensive than the median price of a house in Brisbane ($653,000 vs. $485,000)
- Rent: Renting in Melbourne is roughly $20 more expensive than renting in Brisbane ($430 vs. $410 median weekly rent)
- What you’ll miss from Brisbane: The “big town” feel
- What you’ll love about Melbourne: The culture
Moving from Sydney to Melbourne
- Journey time: 9hr drive or 1.5hr flight
- Sydney to Melbourne removalist cost: $2,000 – $2,800
- Housing costs: The median price of a house in Melbourne is $162,000 more affordable than the median price of a house in Sydney ($653,000 vs. $815,000)
- Rent: Renting in Melbourne is roughly $110 more affordable than renting in Sydney ($430 vs. $540 median weekly rent)
- What you’ll miss from Sydney: The ferries
- What you’ll love about Melbourne: The fashion
Moving from Perth to Melbourne
- Journey time: 36hr drive or 3.5hr flight
- Perth to Melbourne removalist cost: $3,005 – $3,730
- Housing costs: The median price of a house in Melbourne is $183,000 more expensive than the median price of a house in Perth ($653,000 vs. $470,000)
- Rent: Renting in Melbourne is roughly $110 more expensive than renting in Perth ($430 vs. $320 median weekly rent)
- What you’ll miss from Perth: The stunning beach sunsets (and beach weather)
- What you’ll love about Melbourne: The coffee
Moving from Adelaide to Melbourne
- Journey time: 8hr drive or 1hr 20min flight
- Adelaide to Melbourne removalist cost: $2,375 – $3,325
- Housing costs: The median price of a house in Melbourne is $213,000 more expensive than the median price of a house in Adelaide ($653,000 vs. $440,000)
- Rent: Renting in Melbourne is roughly $120 more expensive than renting in Adelaide ($430 vs. $310 median weekly rent)
- What you’ll miss from Adelaide: The slow-paced lifestyle
- What you’ll love about Melbourne: The nightlife
Moving from Hobart to Melbourne
- Journey time: 1hr 15min flight
- Hobart to Melbourne removalist cost: $3,875 – $5,425
- Housing costs: The median price of a house in Melbourne is $226,150 more expensive than the median price of a house in Hobart ($653,000 vs. $426,850)
- Rent: Renting in Melbourne is roughly $65 more expensive than renting in Hobart ($430 vs. $365 median weekly rent)
- What you’ll miss from Hobart: Cheaper cost of living
- What you’ll love about Melbourne: The job opportunities
Removalist costs are based on the average cost of moving the contents of a 3-bedroom home. Prices will vary depending on your needs.
We have cost-effective and convenient storage solutions through the state, see our Melbourne storage centres here when making the move!
Melbourne’s Dining Scene
Known for its booming dining scene and some of the best cafés in Australia, eating out in Melbourne is a must-do experience for all locals and visitors. From fine dining to tasty takeaway, these dining precincts in Melbourne will have you licking your lips for more.
Brunswick St – Fitzroy
The city’s oldest suburb, Fitzroy has something for every family and serious foodie. From elegant Parisian-style dining to casual share plates, colourful Brunswick St is dotted with endless options to suit every craving and budget.
Lygon St – Carlton
Famous for its authentic Italian eateries, Lygon St has more to offer than pizza and pasta. Here you’ll find a variety of cuisines and cafés for every meal of the day. Dine alfresco and enjoy some people-watching with your meal.
Southbank – South Melbourne
Whether you’re in the mood for steak, seafood or some ethnic cuisine, Southbank will serve you up a delicious dish alongside some of the most spectacular views in the city. Visit the South Melbourne Markets on a Sunday to pick up your fresh local produce.
Culture in Melbourne
As the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne’s art and culture scene doesn’t disappoint. These hotspots are sure to bring some drama to your life in the best way possible.
Princess Theatre – 163 Spring St, Melbourne
This stunning historic building is one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks. Seating almost 1,500 people, the Princess Theatre hosts world-class stage productions and is known as Australia’s home of musical theatre. The building itself is reason enough to pay a visit, with the original chandelier and other features still in place from the 1850s.
Arts Centre Melbourne – 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Arts Centre Melbourne has been wowing audiences with local and international performing arts for almost 30 years. From musicals and opera to ballet, cabaret and circus, no matter what you’re in the mood to see, you’ll find something exciting at Australia’s largest and busiest performing arts venue.
Melbourne Museum – 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
Rich in culture and history, Melbourne Museum offers an inspiring and educational experience for adults and children. With permanent and temporary exhibitions from Australia and beyond, highlights include the Forest Gallery, the Science and Life Gallery, and the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Melbourne’s Climate
While Australia may be famous for its blue skies and sunshine, Melbourne can be the exception. Known for its unpredictable weather, locals tend to dress in layers and pack an umbrella to be prepared for all seasons in one day.
Summer
Summer in Melbourne is not like the rest of the country. Melbourne’s average temperatures throughout summer range between 14 – 25°C, although it can experience hot spells for several days where temperatures can reach 30°C and beyond.
Autumn
With average temperatures between 11 – 20°C, autumn in Melbourne starts to bring the chill. You can expect clear, sunny skies with light winds toward the end of the season.
Winter
Cold and cloudy, winter in Melbourne brings average temperatures of 6.5 – 14°C. Nights can bring frosts, and North-East Victoria experiences snow.
Spring
Spring weather in Melbourne is notorious for its fickleness. Average temperatures range from 9.5 – 19.5°C, and you can expect plenty of rain in October, Melbourne’s wettest month of the year.
Getting Around Melbourne
With the world’s largest tram network, getting around the city and surrounding suburbs is pretty easy (especially if you have a Myki card, a reusable prepaid travel card that can be used on trams, trains and buses in Melbourne and regional Victoria). You can also use a convenient pocket-sized street map, the City of Melbourne TravelSmart map, for information on the networks.
Tram
As a large part of Melbourne’s culture and identity, chances are you’ve seen a tram or two on travel advertisements.
Commuters and tourists can easily move around the city with the Free Tram Zone. Other trams travelling to outer suburbs can be accessed using your Myki card. The City Circle Tram is a free service that travels the perimeter of the city and takes passengers past some of Melbourne’s major attractions.
Bus
Melbourne offers an extensive bus network for getting around the metropolitan area and beyond. The Night Bus network runs on Fridays and Saturdays, departing every 30 minutes from six locations in the CBD.
Train
With over 200 operating railway stations, Melbourne’s suburban network of trains runs from around 5am to midnight, making it easy to get where you need to be from early morning to late evening.
Taxi
Melbourne features plenty of designated taxi ranks around the CBD and busy tourist areas. Wherever you are in Melbourne, it’s easy to order a taxi online or by phone.
Make your move to Melbourne a little easier with these 10 tips.
Moving to Melbourne soon? We’ve got several storage centres here to house your stuff while you settle in. Discover our affordable, flexible options here and book today.
