As the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, Melbourne is the antithesis of Sydney - it's an incredibly European city, from it's climate to its architecture. And that's exactly the way the locals like it - the Melbourne community are incredibly patriotic when it comes to their city.
When considering whether to move to Melbourne, its worth noting that it rates highly in education, health care, sport and entertainment. In comparison to London, people moving to Melbourne will enjoy more disposable income, better weather, lower pollution rates and cheaper property. It also is becoming something of a tech hub, with lots of companies setting up their headquarters in the city. It's easy to see why Melbourne is a popular choice for expats looking to move abroad to Australia.
Melbourne is the furthest south of any Australian city, so getting in and out can be expensive. However, those who decide to move to Melbourne and make it their home fall in love with the lifestyle and people, so going the extra mile is worth it.
Shipping to Melbourne
Melbourne is one of Australia’s main coastal port cities. It is closely linked to Tasmania in the south and the main shipping and cruise line routes connecting it to the rest of the world. If you are planning to ship your items to Melbourne, get estimates for the cost and timescale for moving abroad with our International Moving Cost Calculator.
The waterways of the Yarra River thread through the city and its suburbs, ensuring that catching a boat or ferry becomes a normal way of life to get around.
Where to Live in Melbourne
Melbourne is surrounded by suburbs, each offering something different to their inhabitants. South Yarra, Brighton, Toorak and Prahan are all vied for by budding Melbournians, popular with newcomers as well as the locals.
According to liveability ratings, South Yarra has retained the top spot for six years. Wide open spaces, balanced between the city and the beach, and with lots of cafes, restaurants and shops no wonder South Yarra tops the most wanted list. However, crime rates in the area are up and the volume of traffic can be a turn off.
Armadale is well-connected for commuting into the city, but it’s an inner city suburb and you’ll need to love city living.
Life in Melbourne
Referred to as Australia’s capital of culture, the Arts Centre and Federation Square offer the very latest in artistic creations. Melbourne has been recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature. As well as the written word, the music scene in Melbourne has been impressive since the 1940s, with both big bands and local acts showing off what they can do. Add to this the increasing popularity of craft stalls and shops, and the beautiful street art - it becomes clear that Melbourne has a lot to offer to those in search of the arts.
Melbourne is noted for the significant amount of persevered Victorian architecture, and Flinders Street Station, the main railway station that was originally built in 1910, still boasts vast glass vaulted ceilings and yellow brick walls characteristic of the Victorian era.
Over the Yarra River, Fitzroy Gardens offers locals and visitors a quiet respite from the lively city, with green lawns, winding walkways and cool shade under its dense woodland.
For shopping, Melbourne’s centre is dotted with high street brands, but the city is also home to boho chic and drives fashion trends in Australia with its very own Melbourne Fashion Week.
If you’re a sports fan, Melbourne will feel like an instant home. It is the capital of Aussie Rules Football, and fans are devoted to their teams. It was the Melbourne teams of Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne and South Melbourne that originally created the Australian Football League in the late 1800s.
Melbourne Property Prices
House prices in Melbourne have continued to rise for the last four years - the median price in 2017 was $795,447.
If you are moving to Melbourne to rent, you’ll find the average monthly rental cost of a 2 bedroom property about $2340 per month.
Moving to Melbourne with Children
Australia’s Naplan scores can help you to assess which school to send your children to. The website www.myschool.edu.au has been set up by the Australian government so that you can search schools and find out their performance; you can even search by suburb and postcode.
For more helpful advice about moving internationally with children, take a look at our guide to moving abroad with kids.
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Updated September 2017