Hmmm, he's coming from Scotland - its gotta be better than that surely.

Sounds like summer in Glasgow

Winter in Melbourne is like mild November in the UK that lasts for a few months.

Averages out at 13 C but the worst thing is it gets very dull/windy. It's like the same every day. Overcast and dull.

August 2010 had one day of brief sunshine, every other day rained/clouds.

It's nothing any Brit can't bare, mind. And makes plus you get that nice feeling when the weather begins to gradually improve

Wouldn't say it was that bad. There are times of overcast weather, but there are also clear blue days. I'd peg it at late March/April in the UK personally - certainly less overcast days than the months you get not seeing the sun in the UK.

http://www.wunderground.com/history/...q_statename=NA

It was! LOL.

But yeah I'm not trying to scare anyone, just being realistic. On a more positive, there will be many many many sunny days when the winter is gone.

Cold (subjective) and wet (past couple of years) I give you but dull - never - always something going on

Having spent six winters in Melbourne, I disagree. Possibly only one was dull on more occasions than I would have liked....
In fact the first one was mostly sunny and around 14-16oC.
However, if you didn't want a winter, you probably wouldn't move to Melbourne.

I actually prefer seasonal weather! But, still dull, but hey-ho haha.

Totally different subject, I like that website of yours. Where'd you find the inspiration for that? Any success?

Thanks! Always loved my kids' artwork and wanted creative ways to display it However, it seems not many feel the same, or, they do like the concept but can't find the time to dig out old artwork or get their kids' to create new - coupled with the 'giants' introducing same ideas to their lines (Rabbit Photo, Kmart etc) at reduced costs. Then my OH decided to train to be a cop and there goes his artistic (ex graphic designer) input = no go at the mo!!

Should try Facebook

Are there many glasweigans in Melbourne? I worried about having to adjust my accent(which I will have to) would be nice to have a pint and and have someone understand me when I first arrive

Indeed...it has been a few years since the mercury dropped below 3 here.

And when it does, it's literally 3 times a year(!)

Melbourne is cold in winter; jumpers and fleeces. But it's not really cold. And in weather terms, significantly warmer than London - you could add 7 degrees comfortably. An overnight low is more likely to be 7, and 13 is the max.

The two classic phrases used in the Sydney Vs Melbourne debate :

"Melbourne. If you don't like the weather, wait for 30 minutes"
"Sydney. It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there."

Both phrases complete stereotypes of course, but they always give me a giggle whenever I hear them

The other one is that Sydney is a one-night stand and Melbourne is a relationship, OR, Sydney is the girl you shag and dump, Melbourne is the girl you marry, whichever way you choose to phrase it.

BB

There are plenty of suburbs in Melbourne that occasionally get minimum temps near or below 0C in winter. Most of them are inland, bayside suburbs rarely get frosts because of the moderating influence from Port Philip. I've seen temperatures as low as -4C recorded in some outer Melbourne suburbs.

The last few winters have been relatively mild. This winter and the winter of 2009 were right at the upper scale of warm winters. Melbourne city even had a 23C day at the start of August this year which pretty much equaled the all time record for mid winter.

Melbourne can get long dull and cloudy spells over winter and frequently drizzly as well, however there are also decent sunny spells in amongst it so it is not that dire really.

As for Sydney v Melbourne. Sydney has a brashness and glitzy aspect to it that barely exists in Melbourne. Melbourne is in the style of a European city, more refined and sophisticated, takes art and cultural events more seriously, more impressive Victorian era architecture, four season climate and environment, European street and park trees etc. where as Sydney is more of your modern, North American style in my opinion.

There is a legitimate argument that Sydney is more of an LA style city and Melbourne is more of a Paris style (not comparing Melbourne to a city like Paris but by Australian standards it is the closest thing).

Having said that, the Sydney metro area is probably a more exciting place than Melbourne, far more diverse geographically with the harbour, sea cliffs, a bit hillier and a greater area of wild bushland close to the city. Most of the Melbourne urban area is very flat and ranging from swampy bog and sand to volcanic plains.

The Melbourne area has some fantastic environmental areas as well, but more so outside the metropolitan boundary than is the case with Sydney.

I definitley prefer Melbourne over Sydney, to live.

Here's my brief overview:

Sydney - is the sort of city you might want to stay near the center if you were fairly young and rich. Can see it being popular with the ~30's young professional crew. Other than that, it has nothing other than a few nice beaches.
For example Kings Cross. This would be considered a bit of a no-go shit hole by European standards, yet it's classed as a good night out. In reality when the sun goes down it's filled to the brim with prostitutes and bums. Melbourne doesn't seen to have it's own Kings Cross.

Melbourne - much more European(still has nowhere near the culture of Europe) and much more liveable. Awesome public transport. Could see myself raising a family in the 'burbs there one day. Has some really nice side streets.

Both: Nights out in both do not compare to *any* decent city in the UK for the amount of choice you DONT have in Aus. Backpacker bars are where it's at for the young. I'm not sure what the older folk do...probably nothing as alcohol is so expensive.