I want to re-locate - where should I go?

Question

I live in a small country town - I need to get out and get a life!! I have a 1 yr old, so Iwant to go somewhere that will have opportunities for both of us -oh, I hate the hot weather - I was considering Melbourne - what do you guys think?? (AUSTRALIA)

Answer 1

G'day

Melbourne!!! Wellll... where should I start?
1. First of all... some people do not like the weather in Melbourne (you can have 4 seasons in one day). However, if you read the first article from The Age newspaper, you will find out that the weather is still more preferable than the other cities. Sure you can have 42C day like last month, but almost immediately you'll get a much cooler weather pretty soon afterwards. It is very rarely that you got 2 or 3 consecutive days of hot weathers (unlike Sydney, Brisbane or Perth).
2. Melbourne is a city of diversity. If you are a newcomer, and you do not look 'Anglo-Saxon', you do not feel like an 'alien', since you can find almost every race in the world walking in the city. They are both immigrants and overseas students.
3. THE FOOD!! Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai, All-you-can-eat, African, Lebanese, Mexican, Sea Food... anything else? All available and lots of them in a very-very-very affordable price
4. Pretty good public transport system. With one ticket, you can switch from train, tram and bus. They do not always come on-time, but still reliable and improving (www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au).
5. SHOPPING!!! Original branded clothing sold very cheap. There are even shopping tour, where the participants are taken to retails outlets just for shopping. Big temptations for ladies.
6. Crime rates... just read the second article on the bottom.
7. Cost of Living... I'll say it's second most expensive city after Sydney. Altho I have to say that some cities in Queensland can be more expensive to live.
8. Night Life... hmmmm... I'll say the centre of nite activities will be Crown Casino and Docklands. Altho there are still plenty of cafe's and clubs scattered around the suburbs as well.
9. Tourist attraction. This is the area that I think Sydney is better than Melbourne, since it has most of it's attraction within its suburbs. Most Melbourne attraction are pretty much out of Melbourne, such as the gold mines in the cities of Bendigo and Ballarat, The Great Ocean Road, Lakes Entrance, Grampians, skiing in Mt. Buller etc.

Living closer to the beach will be the suburbs of Altona, Port Melbourne, Williamstown, St. Kilda, Elwood and Brighton to mention some that are pretty close to CBD. You can cross reference with some real-estate websites to know the rental costs (www.realestate.com.au or www.domain.com.au).

Running out of ideas, but I hope that I can at least give you some more informations that have been provided by the answerers before me.

Good luck and welcome to Melbourne. I've been living in Melbourne for 16 years, visited some other capital cities in Australia and still giving Melbourne 10/10 for the best city in Australia.

Answer 2

Melbourne, Melbourne, Melbourne, and Melbourne... That's all I can say. Do it, do it, do it, do it. There will be heaps of stuff for you to do with your child in Melbourne, the weather, although cold at times, can get hot, but not as hot as Brisbane or Perth, or Darwin.

I live in Perth and have been to Brisbane, and the heat is hot and dry and often, in Summer. Winter is can get cold, but not often, and is Mild most Winter.

Sydney is a wet-heat, so it's usually very uncomfortable. I love Sydney anyways, so I don't go there for the weather.

If you're not after hot and humid then stay away from Darwin.

I would go for Melbourne. I love the city, it's awesome. I lived there for 5 years. Althought I live in Perth I am thinking of moving back to Melbourne ASAP. The culture, food and lifestyle, and the weather is never as bad a people say, it's just a ploy so the Melbourne-ians can keep Melbourne their own little secret.

At the moment, realestate is relatively cheap, and there is so much to do. Do it. You'll thank me later.

The only colder place you could get is Tasmania, but there is not a lot to do down there, and a lot of the rest of Australia would mock you, so don't move there.

Answer 3

I live in Melbourne and love it. We do have hot weather through summer, but it's never the same weather for long, you may have a nice warm day, maybe two hot days and then it will piss down raining for a day.
What I love about Melbourne (and why I have never moved) is that we are close to a lot in the suburbs, it's usually an hour to the beach one way and an hour to the mountains in the other direction. Most suburbs have a good shopping centre, and cinemas ect are usually in close distance.
I grew up for a few years in a small town, and hated it, everyone knew everyone elses business, and it can be such a clicky community (which can be good - or can be bad)
Good luck with your decision, and if it doesn't work out you can always go back to your small country town.
Oh forgot to mention - you said about opportunities - great schools in Melbourne, lots of childcare if you are working and lots of jobs as well.
Goodluck!!!

Answer 4

Melbourne is an absolutely beautiful city and one of the most livable in the world. It is not expensive to live in, in comparison to Sydney, and very easy to get around. I have lived there for 24 years and recently moved to the USA. I miss Melbourne every day. The city centre is abundant with 1000s of shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs and galleries.
Summer in Melbourne can be just as warm as any other parts of Australia, but the seasons are separated with a distinct spring, summer, winter, autumn.
Depending the type of area you would like to live, I would recommend Collingwood, Abbotsford, Armadale, Windsor, Richmond….for inner city suburbs that aren’t too pricey. Fitzroy and Carlton are perfect, yet the rent is higher and you will be competing with students for the cheaper housing. St Kilda, Elwood, Port Melbourne and Albert Park are beautiful beach side suburbs, however they more expensive and can be overrun with tourists and day-trippers in the summer months. Inner East like Camberwell, Mont Albert, Blackburn are gorgeous areas, close to the city with plenty of schools around… but the rent may be higher.
The Dandenong Ranges are about 45 minutes east of the CBD. If you don’t mind driving, these are absolutely gorgeous leafy suburbs to live in through the hills, and raise a child. The rent is more affordable as it is away from the city, but the area is thriving with more and more people looking to move further out into the forest.
Going to have to disagree with Batako on the status of nite life. Try the inner CBD, Brunswick Street, Smith Street, Lygon Street, Chapel Street and Acland Street….for tones of places to go out and about to.

You should totally move to Melbourne, you won’t regret it.

Answer 5

yeah melbourne is awesome. There is a lot to see and do. It has a good cultural vibe, great food, great public transport. Its cheaper than sydney (And nicer) there are lots of places to see around melbourne, like philip island, the great ocean road, the yarra valley etc.

I don't really belive the stereotype that melbourne has terrible weather and it doesn't rain all the time.

Answer 6

Melbourne is to cold and wet, and expensive to live, if u want nice weather and cheaper living expenses try Adelaide or Perth.

Answer 7

The very best place in Australia is newcastle NSW-It has everything you could want-climate, beaches, genuine , friendly people and attractions abound everywhere

Answer 8

If you want to avoid hot weather, and you want a whole new experience, try Maine. (USA)