Living in Melbourne, Australia – Interview With an Expat

What’s it like to move to and live in Melbourne?

Melbourne has been one of my favorite cities for years. If it wasn’t so far away from my family and friends in The Netherlands I could easily see myself moving to Melbourne.

Melbourne has been voted one of the most liveable cities in the world for many years now. So it’s understandable that people from all over the world want to move to Melbourne.

In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad. And to share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad, plus information about the city, town or country the expat lives in.

Living in Melbourne

Name: Joe
Age: 27
Hometown: Manchester, UK

His Story:

“I had quite a regular life prior to falling in love with travel. Happy but regular.

I’d lived in Manchester throughout my school and college years and then when it came to university, I decided to head elsewhere, a 1-hour train journey east, to Sheffield. At the time, this was a big deal for me!

I loved university, but the time had come to move back to Manchester once it ended.

I started a career in a bank, something I thought I would really like. That wasn’t the case, and after around a year, my head was turned elsewhere by the prospect of traveling.

After saving up money, I quit my job and jumped on a plane to Southeast Asia. I then spent 6 amazing months traveling around eight countries in Southeast Asia.

All good things come to an end though. Before I knew it, I was back in Manchester and back in a mundane office job I really didn’t want to be in.

Then, you guessed it, my head was turned by the prospect of traveling again. I saved some money again to travel around Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

I didn’t want the trip to end this time though. So I decided a way to extend the trip was to work in Australia on a working holiday visa.”

Why Did You Decide to Move to Melbourne?

“I did some traveling along the east coast of Australia, and Melbourne was my favorite city by a long shot.

I decided that Melbourne was the place I wanted to settle while I saved up for more traveling. It wasn’t my intention to live in Melbourne long-term, but this city had me hooked from the start.”

Also Read: Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience

What Do You Like About Living in Melbourne?

“An easier question would be what don’t I like about living in Melbourne. I love everything about this city.

If I had to narrow it down to three things I truly love about Melbourne, it would have to be: the nightlife, the coffee culture, and the street art.

The nightlife is arguably the best I’ve experienced in any city I’ve ever been to. In other cities across Australia the nightlife has been more or less killed due to lockout laws, but not in Melbourne. There’s even one club that is open non-stop for the weekend!

The coffee… Where to start. If there’s one thing Melbourne is known for, it’s being a city of coffee lovers. Being a coffee lover myself, I feel right at home.

Step into any inner-city suburb in Melbourne and you’re likely to come across some weird and wonderful street art. The people of Melbourne embrace street art, and I don’t think anyone here would consider it ‘graffiti’.”

What Do You Dislike About Living in Melbourne?

“If there was one thing I had to pick, it would be the weather.

Melbourne is often mocked for its poor weather by its other Australian neighbors. It isn’t as good as the likes of Sydney or Brisbane, but there are amazing summers here. Outside of that, the weather can be pretty dull.

However, I’m from Manchester, I’m used to rain, so it’s not a huge deal for me.”

Also Read: Things You Should Know Before Moving to Australia

Is Melbourne a Safe City to Live in?

”Yes, I definitely feel safe living in Melbourne.

Of course like any major city, it has its share of crime, but the overall crime rate in Melbourne is relatively low compared to many other cities.

And if you look at lists of the safest cities in Australia, you’ll always find Melbourne on there.”

Is Melbourne an Expensive City to Live in?

“Melbourne definitely isn’t the cheapest place to live, but I wouldn’t say it’s outrageously expensive either. It really depends on your lifestyle and where you choose to live.

Housing is usually the biggest cost. If you want to live right in the city or in trendy inner suburbs like Fitzroy or South Yarra, you’ll pay a premium. Rent drops quite a bit if you’re happy to be further out and commute, though public transport costs can then add up.

Groceries and eating out are a mixed bag. Everyday items like milk and bread can be pricier than in Europe or the US, but the quality is excellent.

Eating out is where Melbourne really shines: yes, you can splurge in fancy restaurants, but there are also countless affordable cafés and multicultural eateries. You can eat really well on a budget if you know where to go.

Utilities and transport are fairly standard compared to other big cities. A Myki card for trams, buses, and trains is pretty good value, and if you’re living in the inner suburbs, you’ll probably find you don’t need a car at all.

So overall, Melbourne is on the expensive side compared to many cities around the world, but it offers a high quality of life. The variety of housing options, food, and entertainment means you can usually find a balance that suits your budget.”

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Melbourne?

“This is a tough question!

If I had to pick just one favorite thing to do in Melbourne it would be spending time strolling around the city, checking out all the different street art.

The northern and eastern suburbs have some really great masterpieces spread around the alleys, especially Collingwood and Windsor.”

What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Melbourne?

“There’s a suburb which is just outside the city called Fitzroy, pretty much anywhere there! There are a ton of bars, restaurants, and cafes that I could spend all day in.

If I had to pick one place where I love to hang out in Fitzroy and in Melbourne in general it would have to be a bar called Naked for Satan. It’s a rooftop bar with stunning views of the whole city. The beers are great and so is the food!”

What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Melbourne?

“There’s a huge number of Irish and English expats in Melbourne, so it’s difficult to feel homesick.

That doesn’t mean to say that there are so many people from back home that you might as well be back home. I have a mixed group of friends from different nationalities, including English, Irish, Australian, German, and Italian, just to name a few.

Melbourne really is a city with a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities and that’s one of the reasons it’s so great!”

Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Melbourne?

“If you’re not from Australia or New Zealand, moving to Melbourne permanently isn’t the easiest.

If you’re from one of the countries eligible for a Working Holiday Visa (and under the age limit), I’d highly recommend starting there. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience life in Australia for at least a year while being able to legally work. This gives you the chance to test out whether Melbourne really feels like home before committing long-term.

From there, employer sponsorship is one of the most common paths to staying longer. Not every profession qualifies for sponsorship, so you’ll want to check the official Skilled Occupation List to see if your field is in demand. If it is, focus on securing a good role, working hard, and building a strong case for sponsorship; it can open the door to several more years in Australia and eventually permanent residency.

For those who don’t fall into those categories, it’s worth exploring student visas (since Melbourne is a huge university city) or skilled migration visas if you have qualifications and experience that Australia is actively seeking. Many people also arrive as students, fall in love with the city, and then find pathways to stay through work or sponsorship after finishing their studies.

Beyond visas, I’d say be prepared for Melbourne’s competitive housing market. Rentals go quickly, and prices can be high, especially in popular inner-city suburbs. Having documents ready (proof of income, references, etc.) will help you secure a place faster.

Finally, take the time to really explore different neighborhoods before settling. Melbourne is very much a “city of villages,” each suburb has its own vibe, from artsy Fitzroy to beachy St Kilda to family-friendly Brunswick. Where you live can completely shape your Melbourne experience, so try a few areas before locking yourself in.”

Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country

Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to And Building a New Life in Melbourne?

“There’s a whole load of useful websites out there when it comes to building a life in Melbourne…

• Public Transport Victoria – a helpful website for train/bus/tram times etc.
• Myki Card – your Travel Card for all forms of transport in Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
• Vic Roads – will help out with obtaining a driving license.
• Medicare – free healthcare for citizens of certain countries.
• For places to rent: Flatmates.com.au & Gumtree.com.au.
• New to Melbourne – a Facebook group that’s great for meeting people or asking questions about life in Melbourne.

It’s got to be said, you will also find the answer to most things through word of mouth when you’re in Melbourne, or simply with a quick Google search.”

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Melbourne?

“There’s plenty you have to do and see while you’re in Melbourne. It’s very difficult to narrow this down to just one thing.

I would definitely spend the day exploring the city and the inner suburbs, while stopping off for brunch in Fitzroy and a drink at Naked for Satan.

One more thing I would recommend is a trip to the viewing deck of Eureka Tower (the tallest residential structure in the southern hemisphere).”

About Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city and the capital of the southeastern state of Victoria.

Melbourne’s skyline is a fascinating mix of modern cutting-edge building designs and heritage architecture. There are a range of galleries and museums as well as world-renowned universities and research facilities.

Its 5-million residents are both multicultural and sports-mad, which contributes to the city’s unique atmosphere.

Melbourne is home to people of 140 different cultures: Indigenous Australians, post-war European migrants, and recent expats and immigrants from all over the world.

The city hosts a range of major international sporting events such as the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup Carnival and Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Melbourne also features some of the world’s most popular art galleries and museums (National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Museum) and internationally acclaimed festivals (Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival).

Melbourne is well known for its street art, coffee culture, pubs, and live music… most of which can be found tucked away in a large number of iconic laneways.

On top of that, the city offers many gardens and parks and easy access to national parks and other stunning scenery (The Great Ocean Road, Grampians National Park, Phillip Island, Royal Botanic Gardens).

Whether you are thinking about moving to Melbourne or are just planning a visit, Melbourne is a great city!

Also Read:

• Interview With an Expat About Life in Sydney
• Things to Know Before Traveling to Sydney
• What to See, What to Do & Where to Stay on a Long Weekend in Adelaide
• Interview About Living in Brisbane
• Interview About Living on the Gold Coast

 

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