Everything you need to know about living in Melbourne

Melbourne is a charming city, in my opinion the most dynamic and vibrant in Australia. Streets have a slight European air, with notable multiculturalism and people from many countries around the world with different ways of thinking and dressing. This diversity is reflected in the art, gastronomy, and customs. 

There is also a sense of organization and respect for rules that impresses from the very first day. Melbourne has consistently ranked among the best cities in the world to live in for many years, and I believe this makes perfect sense because it offers all the conditions for its residents to enjoy a high quality of life.

Architecture

Part of the charm is attributed to the architecture. Many houses in the suburbs retain their unique and traditional Victorian design. The facades are made of bricks, with rectangular roofs and a small chimney. Two-story houses have balconies with ornate metal railings forming flowers, which give them an air of elegance and sobriety.

The churches and some old buildings have an English Gothic style with high ceilings, pointed spires, and colorful stained glass windows. Additionally, many new buildings, called “skyscrapers,” have been constructed, creating a striking contrast between the old and the modern city.

Melbourne’s Laneways

If you visit Melbourne’s CBD, you'll find narrow little streets between some of the buildings called “laneways” or “alleys.” These laneways have been decorated with colorful graffiti and murals that add an artistic and alternative touch to the city.

One of these laneways, called AC/DC Lane in honor of the Australian rock band, is a major attraction. Hundreds of tourists walk through this laneway and take countless photos.

Within these laneways, there are hidden gems; for example, you might walk down a narrow alley and see an old, unremarkable door, which suddenly opens to reveal a luxurious bar or restaurant. This is, to me, Melbourne’s greatest charm.

Cultural Scene

Melbourne has a vibrant theater scene and is a hub for fashion, visual arts, and design. You’ll notice that there are constantly film festivals from various countries, such as the Spanish Film Festival, or Melbourne Fashion Week.

There are also museums and art galleries with constantly changing exhibitions, sometimes featuring works from other countries for a certain period to delight Melbourne’s audience.

Street artists greatly enhance the experience of visiting the city center. Singers, musicians, and performers from all over the world put on impressive performances, surrounded by an appreciative audience.

Cost of Living

Melbourne is not the cheapest city to live in Australia, but it is not the most expensive either. I’ve had the opportunity to visit other Australian cities like Sydney and Perth, and I’ve found that some groceries and household items can be less expensive in Melbourne. We all know that inflation is quite high globally; however, the good news is that salaries in Melbourne are also good.

Job Opportunities

As you’ve probably noticed, there’s always something happening in Melbourne. Throughout the year, there are sports, tech, educational, or entertainment events that open opportunities for employment with companies or restaurants for various roles.

Education

This is probably the aspect that interests you the most, and Melbourne is known for its range of courses and quality of education. The government invests and provides many scholarships to advance in fields such as technology, agriculture, and sciences.

Students from many parts of the world come to complete their university or supplementary studies in this city, adding a very pleasant student atmosphere to the experience.

Suburbs

Each suburb has its own identity, partly due to multiculturalism. Many migrants from different parts of the world have settled in various suburbs, leading to diverse cultural influences reflected in the local gastronomy and way of dressing. 

For example, there is a suburb called Carlton, where the dominant population is Italian. Here, you’ll find Melbourne’s Italian culinary scene at all levels.

Gastronomy

Since Melbourne is home to people from all over the world, you can enjoy cuisines from everywhere, whether in the suburbs, central city restaurants, food festivals, or weekend markets.

In Melbourne, you can find food at all price ranges, from a piece of sushi for $4 AUD to a meal at an elegant restaurant for $40 AUD or more per dish.

Green Spaces

While green spaces are common in Australian cities, Melbourne boasts spectacular ones. Even within the city, there are large, well-maintained parks and gardens like the Royal Botanic Gardens, perfect for walking or having a picnic.

There are also many bike paths available to cycle from the suburbs to the city, whilst surrounded by nature.

Coffee Culture

Melbourne takes its coffee culture very seriously. People drink an average of two to three cups a day, and due to high demand, the standards are very high, with both the raw materials and preparation.

Being a barista is a respected and well-paid profession, so if it interests you, you might explore this path.

Beaches

Let’s be honest. Melbourne is not known for its beaches, and other cities like Gold Coast, Brisbane or Perth deserve the credit for that. However, there are very beautiful beaches near the city with clear water and white sand. If you’re looking for waves to surf, then at only one to two hours drive from the city there are spots for this, some examples are Phillip island or  Apollo Bay. 

In summer, people go to the beaches to spend the day, set up a tent, relax, read a book, swim, and then sunbathe. You’ll find it easy to go and spend a day at the beach from where you live.

Day Trips

Outside Melbourne, and a bit farther from the beach, there are also interesting plans. You can visit vineyards that produce wine, renowned for their taste and aroma. You can take a tour, do wine tastings, and also have lunch in this picturesque area.

Other options include seeing kangaroos, penguins,visiting national parks, hot springs, the Twelve Apostles (rocks in the middle of the ocean), or going to the mountains for skiing or snowboarding during the snowy season (three and a half hours drive away).

Climate

Melbourne is known as the city of four seasons in a single day. The weather is very variable, and not everyone enjoys this. Generally, it is a city where it’s colder than warm. But honestly, it’s not that bad for me, as I enjoy the cold.

In winter, there’s a very cold wind coming from the South Pole that feels like it cuts through to the bones. It’s not a concern if you have a good jacket and boots; some people buy thermal clothing to wear under their everyday clothes to better regulate their temperature.

Safety

Overall, Melbourne is a calm and safe city. People respect the rules, and everything runs according to established laws and regulations.

Something that surprised and pleased me was the sense of honesty among the people. On several occasions, I forgot personal items once on a tram and another time in a shopping center, and they were always returned. However, as in any part of the world, it’s important to stay cautious, especially at night.

Markets

Fresh produce markets are a major attraction in the city. Visiting the Queen Victoria Market is quite an experience. It’s the most famous market, dating back to 1878, where you’ll find a display of fresh fish, chicken, meat, and vegetables of good quality and competitive prices.

You’ll also find cheeses, cold cuts, and pickles from various countries. You can spend hours exploring all this variety. At the end, you can reward yourself with a delicious borek (Turkish pastry) or a coffee and a pastry.

To Conclude

Honestly, you have to visit Melbourne in person to realize how spectacular it is. I hope these reasons help you in making your decision, and if you come to Melbourne, I hope you enjoy your stay to the fullest.