Hi, I'll be arriving in Melbourne next week on a SS visa. I don't have a job yet so I'm looking for some accommodation for the initial weeks of my arrival. Victoria have sent me a welcome pack which contains links to hotels but I was wondering if any of you guys had any inside information on somewhere reasonably priced from which I can job hunt.

Regards,

John

Your thread will likely be moved but while here, you can get single rooms in youth hostels from about $70 www.yha.com.au Oasis/Chapman Gardens [north Melbourne - CBD fringe] if that is what you're after, A Guesthouse, St. Arnaud in South Yarra, just near Botanical Gardens and a nice 20 min. walk to CBD about the same price or google Arden Motel, also in NM, possibly about $90 these days.
www.wotif.com is a good way to search re any discounted prices and you can submit a price range to find out what is available.

If you do not mind the hostel scene and sharing, The Nunnery is not too bad or even King Street Backpackers, Cnr. King and Little Bourke Streets, walking distance from Southern Cross Railway Station where Airport Bus stops at.
If going further they have a free shuttle.

Great, thanks very much for your help.

Tell me your range? how much can you pay every week for rent. As i am living in melb as a student i can help you out.

I'm not sure. The cheapest private room I could find was $440 a week. A dorm is around $180 a week.

$440 a week??? isn't that way too high?

Definitely. That's about what I paid for a months rent in England. The list that VIC have given me contains some VERY expensive places.

What was this you were saying aliash?

Contact hostels and ask them if they have a weekly rent, they don't always advertise that on internet sites, and thath can work out a little cheaper than paying for 7 nights separately.

Saying that though if you get a room in a hostel for $50 - $60 a night then you are doing well unfortunately.

Thanks for your advice. I was thinking of looking for a guesthouse on the outskirts of town in the hope of finding somewhere cheaper although I don't know VIC at all.

I'm looking for work so I'd like to avoid 'party' hostels. I've been offered an interviews so I'll have to make a quick decision.