Jacko86

Hi all,

I'm after some general advice about living in or around Melbourne or Victoria in general.

For some context:

Myself and my wife are planning on emigrating on a 189 visa sometime in mid-2019. I'll be looking for work as a social worker, she as a primary teacher. We'll be leaving the UK in late 2018 and travelling for 6 months or so before arriving in Melbourne to hopefully find work and settle. When we arrive we'll be 33 and 30.

Question 1. Would it be best to stay in a cheap hostel when we arrive before having a look around some suburbs and estate agents etc for a longer term rental? Or would it be better to try and organise a rental before we arrive? We will hopefully have enough money for the bulk of a deposit as well.

Question 2. Can anyone recommend suburbs of Melbourne or any other areas of Victoria that would be suitable for a couple like us? We won't have a huge budget and don't mind being quite a way from Melbourne provided there is decent transport links. But we'd like to live somewhere pleasant and suitable to eventually bring a family up. What are places like Geelong, Frankston and Mornington like?

Thanks in advance for any replies or advice :-)

Bermudashorts

You won't be able to organise a rental before you arrive, you are required to view in person. It also make a lot of sense to, you won't get a feel for the mediate area from a photograph and photographs are often misleading on the Aussie real estate sites.

No idea on suburbs sorry, I am sure someone that is familiar with Melbourne will be along soon.

jad n rich

We rented some temp accomodation for 2 weeks while finding a rental. It cost $1500 but was worth it, some rentals are absolute dumps and you wonder where they got the photos from.

Like jobs, buying a house, land, renting is very competitive, incredibly so if the place is decent. We had to submit every personal detail from bank balances, superannuation accounts, business detalis ( interstate ) passports, drivers licences and offer above the going rent up front 6 months, to get the new property we wanted. The night we moved in the unit next door was burgled.

I would say the job situation, weather, some areas were nothing like we had read about. An area I love you may hate. If you have the time to travel then travel melbourne, 300+ suburbs and you need to look at them. Look day and night, and travel times.

If your looking at areas up to an hour commute out, then you will have plenty of choice, but be aware my experience of more inner suburbs is that property goes way way above what its guide price is, something in the 600,000 would typically go more like 800+, and that would be a dump.

I doubt the competition would be quite that bad further out.

Take climate into account, heating, cooling essential, when looking to rent or buy.

ozzieeagle

I was going to say I dont like the outer 'burbs at all. But I've spent a bit of time around Belgrave recently as I visit friends there, I can see why a lot of people who live there say it's like going home to a holiday home. It's got a great little shopping strip with all the bars that we get in the inner burbs, to boot... which surprised the hell out of me... I dont think there are too many outer places like that.

However in terms of transport and times and traffic queues, you may as well be living in Northampton and travelling to London.... The train takes exactly one hour !!

Kiwikaye

Hi,

We've been in Frankston now for about 6 months and love it. I work in the city, so the commute is the worst thing about living down here - its about an hour on the train, plus whatever travel time at each end. We love being close to the beach, and having access to the Morning Peninsula. There's heaps of parks and bike trails as well.

Frankston CBD does have a reputation for being a bit dodgy. That said, we haven't had any problems so far, but I wouldn't recommend hanging around there at 2am! There's good shopping, bars, restaurants, cinemas, etc.

It's one of the few places you can still buy a house in Melbourne for less than $500k, too. Happy to provide any more info if you need it.

jad n rich

Same with us, rent in a reasonable - ish that is surrounded by dodgy areas. Great places in the day for markets and ethnic restaurants, buy holy hell you take great care at night. Few streets in the wrong direction and hellooo

Neighbour knocked on our door to let us know the current 'thing' is daytime burglaries. Few months back it was car thefts, street by street.

Yet a decent- ish house would start around 650,000 now, many way upwards of that. But handy for trains to city, about 25 mins direct. We need to be easy to airport so choice was limited for renting.

I hate the trains now, far too many human wrecks. Could not do 10 hours a week commuting on them. Plus too many disruptions, or maybe I have been unlucky.

Kiwikaye

Yes, things do get a bit dodgy if you travel a few streets over, but there are some really good bits too.

Depending on what you want, Frankston itself (discounting Frankston North) prices for a decent place start from about mid $400k upwards for a 3 bed house. You can of course pay much more than that in some parts.

I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised with the trains. Not too many ferals at all. Maybe I'm travelling at the wrong time

quoll

Blimey you are ahead of the game! A lot can change in 3 years! Just get holiday accommodation for a month to get you over your arrival. Find a job then think about where to live. Getting a job could be your biggest worry - social worker perhaps not so much as there are always going to be CP vacancies as there is a high burn out rate but primary teaching - think about a career change if you want to live and work in a nice metropolitan area. There are enough reasonable places to be living on either side of the city but you could, equally, find yourself offered a job anywhere between Ararat and Bairnsdale (further out you go the better the prospects for a teacher).

Buzzy--Bee

Holiday accommodation doesn't need to cost that much. $500 a week would secure you a modern furnished studio apartment close to a train line.

BB

Jacko86

Thanks for all the replies. Really helpful and informative

Think we'd definitely look to get a rental for a month then and do some travelling around to the various suburbs as well as looking for jobs. I work in adult social work specialising in mental health. It's on the CSOL for Victoria. Looks like the main employer is the health associations (hospitals etc). Looks like there are agencies that employ social workers and primary teachers.

3 years seems like a long time but sure it'll fly by! I'm just doing as much research and homework as I can about every aspect so when the time comes I'm ready to apply and get sorted. Melbourne appeals due to the climate and the culture with the sports etc. I've even started watching some AFL

Buzzy--Bee

Maybe come here for a reccie in the next year or so as you have plenty of time until you plan to emigrate?

BB

Jacko86

Yep could be an option. Would be expensive though. Sister-in-law in NZ though at the moment so would factor in a trip to see her if we managed to get across.