Sparkley

I'm visiting Melbourne soon for 3 months with the view to moving there soon after (if visa goes according to plan). My other half is from there so has told me quite a bit about it, but I'd love an unbiased view from someone who isn't 'encouraging' me to move there! Anything and everything... day to day life, weather, scenery, things to do, the people, shopping, restaurants... pros and cons, whatever.

Thanks

Sparkley

renth

MELBOURNE: chocko capital of australia, even sydney chockos from leichardt and lakemba think melbourne wogs are too woggy.

http://www.fatpizza.com.au/tvnews.php?id=36

dotty

You sound like a bloke with his eyes wide open, right I have never lived in Melbourne, however it is my fave bit of OZ, because it has a bit of life to it. (8 visits so I do know a bit).

However my first visit there would have sent me screaming back to the plane if I was emigrated there, parts of it are no less glam than Hackney or Brixton. But it has plenty of lovely bits too and it grows on you, I love it but it was a shock at first. The only part of OZ I would choose to live in fact. But I am not concerned by the weather there, in other words I am not looking for sun.

Climate def a mixed bag, winters like UK. Summers can be boiling but it cools down in between heatwaves.

Houses not particularly cheap, but cheaper than sydney (which also has some Hackney Brixton bits by the way). Traffic is pretty bad but not as bad as London or Sydney.

Entertainment, variety and things to do is tops, go for it, but just dont expect to be hit by its beauty or anything paradisey.

Its also nicely placed for other cities, by plane, canb, syd, mountaiins etc plus Tas if you fancy a bit of time out.

Think the reason its not so popular with Poms is weather and expensive housing. That attracts the Perth/Bris mob.

MrsDagboy

I hate Melb, disgusting weather, over-crowded, expensive & way too much traffic. Thinking about moving to the UK though .

Badge

I'm going there to start with but won't stay for more than a few years as I find it too European ie I have no interest in arts and theatres etc and I'd rather somewhere more Aussie in character!!!

badge

Sparkley

Thanks but I'm a girl actually LOL

Cheers for the feedback people - my eyes are indeed wide open - I obviously WANT to like it and hope that I do, but I have no illusions.

bondipom

In Sydney they call it Mexico but do not expect an unbiased opinion from a Sydney sider. From what I hear the Mexicans are retiring in Queensland in their droves.

Can anyone from the Melanoma State confirm that?

sa11yanne

"four seasons in one day"

"beaut cakes"

"good cappucinos"

"trendy shopping - beats Sydney in my opinion"

"cycling crazy city"

recently voted the best city to live in Australia (as per British TV Programme!!!)

good luck.

MrsDagboy

Have you seen their number plates? They say "Victoria - on the move". Unfortunately its to Qld.

I heard something like 60,000/year or some crazy figure like that ?

bondipom

At that age I bet they wish they were moving. Maybe it is the fresh fruit they are after.

Jaykay

Hi Sparkley

I've now been back in Melbourne for just over 2 weeks after spending the last 10 years in the UK so here are some of my thoughts on Melbourne now.

Traffic:

Traffic in Melbourne beats UK traffic hands down. I had to drive from Kilsyth to Mount Waverley this morning (about 20 kms) in peak hour traffic, leaving home at 7.45am. On all the roads that I drove on, they were either 2 or 3 lanes wide. I always got through the 1st set of traffic lights (never had to wait for them to change again). I even drove through some roadworks, but in all that time, I was constantly moving, sometimes quite slowly though. It took me about 50 minutes of comfortable driving. I was calm and not at all stressed when I got there due to the ease of the drive. Normally I would be f**ing and blinding all the way to work because of the idiot drivers, but they seem much more civilised over here.

People:

I've found that some Australians seem a bit rude, not intentionally but they just come across that way in how they speak on the phone and how they put themselves across to you. Then saying that, some of them are really nice and will go out of their way to help you if needed. Perhaps I've just picked up a few manners since I've been in the UK??

Supermarkets:

Yes most of them are definitely smaller than your normal Sainsburys store, but they certainly have everything you need in them (and how many yoghurt or cheese varieties do you really need anyway??). One thing I have noticed is the great variety of breads you can get here. Aussies just love their bread. Noticed also that it is very hard to find the calorie controlled bread like Weight Watchers and Nimble. Haven't seen anything like that yet. Good range of meats and sausages and I've even noticed some pre made foods like Lasagne and Ravioli, but they definitely don't have the rows and rows of ready meals like in the UK.

Parks/Kids Entertainment:

Plenty of parks around. I have 3 within about 400 metres of where I live. Lots of things for the kids to do. Indoor Soft Play Centres, Roler Skating Rings, Bowling, Indoor Swimming Pools, lots of clubs and activities, and the emphasis is definitely on kids and their sports. So many to choose from.

Restaurants:

Lots of pubs locally who serve decent food at decent prices. Also some pubs who serve decent food at not so cheap prices. Just depends on the atmosphere and where the place is. Most pubs have indoor kids playrooms and some have outdoor play facilities too. Most pubs have kids menus as well. Restaurants are a plenty here. Up town you can choose from any type of food that you like. Different areas specialise in different foods (usually because the local community will be of a specific origin).

TV:

Crap. Nothing more to say really. Haven't watched much as there's not much to watch so have been slowly reading through my Dad's collection of John Grisham books.

Weather:

Yep it's very tempermental. Today was lovely though. Sunny for most of the day with a light wind (good clothes drying weather). But rain and hail are forecast for the next couple of days with a max temp of 14 or 15 degrees. I've found it cold at night, but taking a hot water bottle to bed has kept my feet warm and a warm cardy and a pair of moccasins has kept me warm in the morning (can't keep turning the heating up full as my Mum and Dad are used to this weather and they start complaining that I'm wasting money on gas as the place is like a furnace).

Scenery:

Well I'm living at the foot of the Dandenongs so I just look over the back fence and there they are in full view. Everything is very green at the moment due to the amount of rain (and the lack of sun over the winter) but I'm sure as Summer approaches everything will start to turn a shade of brown (which is normal). I'm used to it now, but I'm sure anyone just over will really notice the change in colour from Winter to Summer.

Work:

Well I've just started to apply for jobs so I'm not really sure what the market is like. Have applied to two temp agencies and am going to another on Friday. I've stipulated that I don't want to start until Monday so I'm not sure if there's actually work available for me. Will have to wait and see. Best place to look is definitely on the internet. Bought a copy of The Age and there was hardly any jobs in it at all (in my field anyway) but the internet is advertising lots more jobs than are in the paper.

Hope this helps a bit. Lots more to tell but I'd keep going for ever.

Regards

hevs

Thanks for taking the time to do that J.
I'm even more excited now, roll on the 21st!

noodle

[Originally posted by Jaykay


Cheers Jaykay, much appreciated for all those, like myself who have never been.

Noodle

Andiii

Melbourne is a beautiful city and has a distinctly different feel to it than Sydney, which tends to have a corporate, almost conservative feel to it.

Melbournians, generally, often have a casual, quiet confidence about them. This is particularly noticeable as you walk around the city.

Walking around Melbourne city at night is wonderful. If you're walking along South Bank on a Friday night, you'll be greeted by an array of cafes, entertainment acts, music, sights and sounds. Not to mention a very unique fire show every week of the year.

It has been suggested Sydney has, for the most part, better weather than Melbourne. Well, that does depend on your opinion of "good weather". If you're like me and like dancing in the rain; seeing leaves fall and flowers bloom; and enjoy catching the cold liquid of a melting ice-cream with your tongue whilst walking on St. Kilda beach all in one day, then Melbourne is for you.

Also, Melbourne has a lot less homeless people tugging at your clothes for money than Sydney. I don't know about you but just that puts my mind at ease.

Melbourne is a very seductive spouse. I can't stay away too long from her. Having said that, I'm not quite sure how I'll cope in Poland for a few months without her!!!

I wish you all the best!

Sparkley

Gosh, I'm really quite emotional and overwhelmed after reading all that - particular thanks to Jaykay and Andii for those v thoughtful replies.

I'm from N Ireland so I'm well used to weather of all sorts and not afraid of cold and rain To have any kind of consistent-ish / regular sunshine for a few months of the year will be a luxury for me.

My brother moved there a while ago and think he's found it quite difficult, perhaps because he hasn't found work yet (though his wife has) and has only been there in winter so far. He was previously in NZ which I think he preferred.

And I've heard SO much praise from my b/f and his cousin (who introduced us and is one of my closest friends!).

It's really great to get unbiased views though - thanks a million. Six weeks today til my 3 month holiday! Then, fingers crossed that we get our De Facto.