Melbourne?
 

We were originaly wanting to move to Perth but it is looking like melbourne is more likely due to husbands profession in I.T.
Doesn't Melbourne have a climate more like Britain? Also when I look it up there seems little mention of beaches and more about shopping:thumbdown:
So what are the good points?

Olivia

Re: Melbourne?
 

There are so many good points :D

Lots of beaches, a round of the world surfing championships is held at Bells Beach each year.

Climate is not as cold as UK, http://www.melbourne.com.au/climate.htm gives you a range of the temperatures here.

People do find it cold in winter due to the fact that most houses do not have double glazing and a lot of the older ones are not insulated very well.

If you lived in a newer house on a slab its fine.

We have central heating and air conditioning in our house.

I personally would not live anywhere else in Aus and love Melbourne.

As the other post said third most livable city in the world used to be no 1 but our transport lets us down now, that is because so many people want to live here now :D Have a look on wiki

Re: Melbourne?
 

No Melbourne doesn't like to talk about our beaches:sneaky:

Re: Melbourne?
 

I think the beaches actually inside Melbourne beaches range from dreadful to average but the state of Victoria which Melbourne is in probably has the best beaches and and most scenic coastline in OZ, such as the great ocean road and Wilsons prom and gippslands region. Therefore there is miles of fantastic beaches great for swimming surfing and sunbaking but you have to drive around 45 minutes-1 hour or more east or west just outside Melbourne to get there. Compared to most of the other cities the winters are colder in Melbounre, for example it snows in the mountains outside Melboune and the summers usally are'nt as hot but last summer there was a heatwave where it got to 46c degrees, so you ca'nt say the climate is the same as the UK. Atleast half the year it would be too cold to go swimming in the pool or at the beach, but Perth also gets cold in winter.

Re: Melbourne?
 

is that the beaches in melbum! :thumbsup:sweeeeeeeeeet! i selling up then !

Re: Melbourne?
 

Looks like they were taken in summer, they would'nt look so good in winter now,

Re: Melbourne?
 

Its still winter here and yesterday I sat on the porch drinking coffee in jeans and a T-shirt. There weather is nowhere near Britain.

The rent a new house advice is very true, we rented a weatherboard and it was freezing , it was warmer out-f**king-side the house than in.

Melbourne also has fantastic restaurants.

If you want to live near a beach in Melbourne you will pay though the nose to do so.

Re: Melbourne?
 

The weather is on average 10'C warmer here in melbourne than in the UK, but after a few years you aclimatise and it does feel like winter. However, after a couple fo 40'C summers you almost look forward to the Winter and a breather from the endless summer nights on the beach (yes, we have them. yes, they are just fine thanks)

Melbourne has the best of all of seasons.

Al

Re: Melbourne?
 

Melbourne has a climate more like the south of France. However if you think that it's always hot and sunny all year around in the south of France then that comparison is not very helpful.

It has 4 seasons. The winter is short and not overly cold. You won't be scraping ice off the windows and it's extremely unlikely that you'll see frost. Spring and winter are usually changeable with rainy days interspersed with sunny blue sky days. Summer usually starts off cool (Christmas is often cool) but usually gets very hot during Jan/Feb. Most days in summer will be mid to high 20s but you do get 40+ days from time to time. The biggest surprise in summer is that the temps can change so dramatically. Often, on very hot days, a cool change can come through in the mid to late afternoon dropping temps by 20-25 degrees. (This is actually a welcome relief.) Autumn is the best season and resembles a good British summer. All year around the nights are generally cool. There won't be many nights when you don't need a duvet (see note on cool change above).

Melbourne is on a large bay, so the beaches nearest the city are bay beaches (almost no tide, small waves unless stormy and slow fall off) which are great for kids but not much good if you want waves. The more adventurous ocean beaches are more than 1.5 hours from the CBD. There is a cold current around the Victorian coast so swimming without a wet suit is advised for most people during the summer and early autumn.

Shopping is (apparently - not a big shopper myself) one of Melly's good points which is why you're seeing that. Cafes are another plus point. I like the trams but they can be a pain for some when driving. It has a great cycle network on and off road. It has a lot of cultural stuff (theaters, art galleries, libraries, museums, etc...) that is very good. It doesn't really have any world iconic structures like the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge but it does have lots of great and diverse architecture.

Victoria's plus points include changeable landscapes and interesting coastlines. Wine regions, snowy mountains (in winter), gourmet food, and a wide range of boutique breweries. It also has lots of small to medium towns within easy reach of the capital. It even has a desert out to the west but I've not been there yet.

Re: Melbourne?
 

They probably looked like that yesterday. Very blue skies and warm (for winter). Today it would look very damp and cold :)

Re: Melbourne?
 

I'd second that.

OP - What you have to remember is that people up North (Sydney, Birsbane) will always tell you that their climate is better, their beaches are better, etc. Which is all true, but what use is that when there is nothing else to do? Melbourne is the Sporting capital of the southern hemisphere (possibly the world), simply everything is done here. Pretty much every major sport can be watched easily, cheaply and with the whole family in a safe fun environment. The entire bay is pretty much beaches all the way around, with serious coatsal surf (if that is what youre after) about an hour away. There are countless bars, cafes, restaurants and theatres. Concerts, art exhibits, ballet, you name it. Skiing is just 3 hrs away (we went to Buller for a long weekend the other week and had a great time) in the Winter.

Melbourne has a lot to offer and there is more to life in Australia than sun and warm beaches. Don't get caught up with the product brochures, think about what makes you happy when you're not at the beach and come to a decision.

Al

Re: Melbourne?
 

Actually some of them were taken July (middle of winter) hence no people on the beach. This is one of the surprises we found is the winters were still bright versus grey.

Yes it does get cold but in comparison to UK? Have yet to get ice on my car when parked on the drive. You need some cold to get the snow:p

Those pictures are 36km from CBD, most people will end up living 20km to 50km away from the city anyway. Its pretty evident in Dec/Mar that the beaches are fully utilised by people returning from work during the week.

Re: Melbourne?
 

Not really.

Summers are extremely hot, hottest I have ever experienced in the world.
Winters are mild. Snow only in the mountains, 2 hours from Melbourne.

Re: Melbourne?
 

There are nice beaches starting from St Kilda going all the way East right around the Mornington Peninsula. Depends if you want a busy city beach to somewhere a little quieter.

I suppose the weather here is like Britain's in that you can say it's 'unsettled'.If you don't like the look of the weather check back in 15 minutes :p

I think the reason why Melbourne points out how it has good shopping is based on that a lot of Australia hasn't. I was talking to a couple of engineers who had flown down from Sydney to do a bit of work here. One said how he was nipping out early because he had to go shopping. I asked him don't they have shops in Sydney? He said that there are a couple of things here which are hard to find back home (he didn't say what exactly). And then I've heard of people flying down from Darwin to go shopping for a weekend.

Re: Melbourne?
 

We had a family arrive last week and they were actually down at the beach swimming in the sea yesterday, whilst the Ozzies were walking past in Jackets, Beanies and scarves and looking at them as though they were crazy.
I can remember when we first arrived it was winter and we were walking around in T Shirts and thought how warm it was, now years on, come winter we have definately acclimatised and think it is freezing. We were up in Darwin a few months back and the heat and humidity were unbearable, I could not live like that for 12 months of the year. I would be happy with a constant 24 degrees.:thumbsup:

Re: Melbourne?
 

great post... Melbourne is a superb place. It's a little bit cold and grey in winter, but as bigAPE suggests, you have to balance this out with the other things that a place offers. Palm island in Qld has great weather, but we're not all rushing to move there.

Re: Melbourne?
 

I would probably say that Melbourne is the best/ most vibrant city in Australia.

Re: Melbourne?
 

There is no probably about it, Sydney has done nothing since the Olympics and has little soul, and many Sydney-siders will now agree due to the lack of decent cafes, lane ways etc in their city. All fur coat and no knickers.

As for Melbourne's weather, you would have to be mental to say it is similar to the UK. Grey days are actually pretty rare and in any case they are not that low claustrophobic cloud that the UK gets. There is hardly any rain and the climate is easily suitable for outdoor living 9 months of the year.

Re: Melbourne?
 

No doubt. (Inner) Sydney is beautiful, but it's like a Miss World entry, beautiful to look at but scratch the surface and there's not much there.

Re: Melbourne?
 

Only been in Victoria a short time and most of that time has been during winter. My experience is during winter is the weather is good enough to sit out and drink coffee/beer about 3/4 days a week. Autumn is stunning with temps of mid to high 20s with an odd day reaching into the 30s and no sign of any rain. I have found the winter here similar to summer in Scotland.

Melbourne from my limited experience is a superb city full of great food, art, culture, sport and exciting nightlife. Yes the shopping looks good too, but that’s not the main focus of life here. General vibe of the place is good as the people are generally friendly and up beat.

Beaches are plentiful and of a high standard, I live in Torquay 1 hour West of the city and love the beaches. The Great Ocean road has some special spots on it with stunning beaches and lovely little towns to stop off at along the way. We have friends in Mordialic, which is in the city limits of Melbourne nice suburb in general with a decent beach; Williamstown also has a nice beach.

Overall it’s a vibrant and for the most part attractive state with a great capital city

Re: Melbourne?
 

Melbournes beaches are way down on the list of priorities of whats great about this city. It's the City itself that is the best thing about it. The Vibe and buzz sells Melbourne on it's own. The fact that it has some of the best coastline in Aus at it's doorstep is just one of the bonus points. With Wilsons Prom to the East and the Great Ocean Rd to the west, add that to the fact that beaches are way down the list when people start talking about what is great about Melbourne, then you may have an idea why this City just grows and grows and grows on you.

Melbourne always pops up in the Twenty top Cities in the world, occasionally it makes top spot. You have to live here for a while..... Then travel to appreciate really why.

In fact if there is anything negative about living in Melbourne, it's the fact that it makes every other Cities faults glaringly apparent when one travels.

BTW.... I'd guesstimate I'm just over 1 hour from the great surf beaches along the great ocean rd... Including Bells... whereas right now... I'm less than 20 mins from 6 Major shopping centers... and a multitude of diverse shopping strips (in fact one is 2 mins walk up the road) which I'm just about to visit to buy the wife a last minute Bday present, for her Bday tomorrow... Besides that would have well over 200 restaurants within 20 mins of my house.... probably more..... Including about 50 up the road, within 10 mins of my house. All depends on what is important in your life.

Re: Melbourne?
 

We lived in Melbourne in 2005 and loved it sooooo much that we started putting things in place to get a visa asap. I am very jealous of you!!!

It is completely different to Perth though, obviously. There are some great beaches in and around Melbourne. The things everyone else has covered above basically says it all. You do get 4 seasons in one day but not to the extreme you get in Britain. I have heard people complain a little about the weather in Perth always being hot and the same all the time so maybe starting out somewhere that is a litte tiny bit (but not much really) like the UK in the fact that the weather changes MIGHT help ease the homesickness.

Anyway, good luck with your decision. I wish we had a job to go to in Melbourne so we could just head off now...

Re: Melbourne?
 

Yes there are great beaches as good as the rest of OZ but they are not right in the city like Perth you have to travel 45m - 1 hour to get to the really good beaches.

Re: Melbourne?
 

Very true !

Re: Melbourne?
 

Well I guess if you have't a job the best place is to have a beach close by then:p

Re: Melbourne?
 

except maybe rats. and roaches!!

Re: Melbourne?
 

Partly disagree mate, Melbourne's beaches are waaaaay better than Brisbane's mud flats. One of the reasons we chose Melbourne over Brisbane was better beaches.

The beaches of places like Bribie Island and parts of the Gold Coast are lovely but they are as far from Brisbane as the Great Ocean Road is from Melbourne.

Buzzy

Re: Melbourne?
 

The Great Ocean Rd is the same time as Bribie? Does Melbourne turn you all delusional....I think you need to add "drug taking capital of the world" to the "capital of the world" lists you all seem to keep down there :rofl:

Re: Melbourne?
 

I would agree with that....if it was true...

Re: Melbourne?
 

errr Bribie island is about 90 mins drive from Brisbane. The Great Ocean Road is about 90 mins drive from Melbourne.

Can't see what's delusional about that.....

Buzzy

Re: Melbourne?
 

From great ocean rd website:

Travelling by car from Melbourne
The Great Ocean Road is a 2-hour drive from the heart of Melbourne with dual lane highway conditions for most of the journey and excellent signposting.

90 mins!!! Bribie is almost a suburb of north brisbane. About 60 mins from CBD.

Gold Coast is 45 mins.

Can be almost in Bryon Bay, NSW in 90mins.

To top it off you can actually swim in them all year round. Got sunburnt this winter swimming over at Stradbroke Island. Freeze your knackers off in Melbourne if you tried that in the middle of winter...sure its a great city but don't get carried away :D

Re: Melbourne?
 

They're both about the same distance, about 75 mins depending on how fast you drive. I'm basing this on New Farm - Bribie and South Melbourne - Torquay.

The people on the Great Ocean website must drive at a snails pace or maybe they're referring to much further along the road, closer to Lorne maybe.

Re: Melbourne?
 

Doing the legal limit Melbourne collins street to Torquay is 1 hour 20 or 80 mins (similar to your 75). Took me about the same from Charlotte street Brisbane too Bribie.

But Torquay is not the start of the GOR is it?

I agree with Buzzy on both the beaches and the time frames. Easy to distort based on off peak or very one off drive experiences.

Re: Melbourne?
 

No, it's just the beginning :esoteric:

Re: Melbourne?
 

I think it comes down to where one can get the best job with the best income and whether its beachy or not is insignificant as the beach does not put food on the table. :D

Re: Melbourne?
 

Would you live in Alaska for 60 000$/year instead of Melbourne for 40 000$/year?

Never been to Melbourne but this thread is full of great info :thumbup:

Re: Melbourne?
 

Torquay is indeed the start of the GOR according to the sign on the Surf Coast Highway!

I have no idea if the beaches down here are better than the stunning looking ones up North with the see through water but I do know beaches down here are beautiful plentiful and within easy reach of Melbourne.

It took me 1 hour on the nose to drive from Williamstown to my front door in Torquay at 2.30pm on Tuesday. Add another 20 minutes at the weekend for the Melbourne traffic coming down this way to enjoy the beach.

Its also worth pointing out the beaches at Barwon Heads / Ocean Grove which are a little closer to Melbourne and in my view even nicer than Torquays beaches. I would also agree with the swimming in the water comment its for summer only as the temp is too low at this time of year.

Re: Melbourne?
 

The beach puts food on my table when l go fishing:thumbup:

Re: Melbourne?
 

Hobart and Canberra are the two cities where it gets really cold in Winter Melbounre is'nt that bad.

Re: Melbourne?
 

Torquay takes no longer to get to than those. It takes me about 60 minutes to get to Torquay, although I must say I prefer Mornington to the GOR because you have a greater choice at lesser distances.

As for Melbourne being the sports capitol of the world:rofl: