I've noticed this too Diane.
Most of the complaints I have heard are either about missing home which would happen wherever you are or that it's too big (not a problem for me).
I haven't heard one complaint about the weather from the people that live there (apart from gets a bit cold in winter). Most of the weather complaints seem to be from people who don't live there. I guess there's always Queensland for a winter holiday.
Another thing I have noticed is that there is not the bitching on the Britvics site that you get with some of the other regional sites. Melbourne obviously attracts a better sort of expat

Can I join this one? We are in NE Victoria and they let us visit for the Melbourne meets . We have been here about 18 months now and are settled, just got to save up for a house now .
Nicky

We've been here in Melbourne just over 7 months, we havent managed to settle though, like many people that dont settle in Melbourne, we feel its just too big, (we came from a relativly small town in the Uk). It's a lovely city, the beaches are great, theres tonnes to do any day of the week, it's just not us though, We're moving to Adelaide next month and cant wait!!

Good I hate bitching
So hopefully i'm going to the right place
I hope Melburnians are a friendly lot aswell as the expats who are there and going there.

Jen

Just out of interest, did you consider any of the regional towns rather than another city?
Good luck with your move to Adelaide.
Nicky

I was just wondering that. There are lots of lovely villages around the Dandenong Ranges (and elsewhere, I'm sure) - I feel well removed from 'city' life, but we are only 40 mins away from the CBD (and actually visit often, as I love the city).

R

I'm in Elsternwick, and been here for two fantastic years.

Got here in Jan 05 on a temp visa, which turned into PR in the July.

Elsternwick is a great suburb....2 kms from the sea and 8kms from the CBD.
Very 'European' in character, as has a large Jewish/Eastern European community.
It has every shop/ammenity down one street...Glen Huntly Road - including trams and train station - with quiet residential roads off it.

Some very good schools in the area too.

And me (that may be seen to be a problem by some )

If you want more specific info...then PM me

Hi

We're hoping to move to Melbourne by the end of this year, visa application in, just waiting!

We were both in Melbourne 9 years ago and loved it. We considered Perth, but decided that overall Melbourne had everything we wanted. Can't wait to get there!

Dolly

Yours will be quicker than mine then!

Lol I was hoping it would be quick but I have this feeling it's going to drag out.
Think ours might be the first ENS to take months to get lol. I'm quite a patient person (I am honest ) But this whole things doing my head in now.
I'm one of those ppl who once you've said ok lets go i'd rather be there tomorrow than have months to dwell on who I hav to leave behind, wether i'll make friends out there or end up a recluse, worry about will my furniture be ok getting out there, will the kids settle ok, financially will it work out - yes my parents should have made my middle name worrier lol though to be fair this addiction to worrying started nearly 9 years ago when my son was born I developed cotton wool and hovering syndrome lol

I have never been to any other part of Australia though on the Wanted Down Unders I always likd the look of Queensland. I do like Melbourne


Jen

We are ping-pongers heading back to Melbourne in May (fingers-x'ed...not yet finalised but I'm hoping so). I'm having an 'excited' day today so thought I would post (some days I'm scared stiff ).

Not sure where we are going. We lived in Kew last time but can't afford to go there now. I'd love to live somewhere like Mt Eliza but I think that will be too far out of CBD for us. So, prob looking somewhere like Beaumaris, Carnegie, Mentone.

Anyone going with babies/toddlers? One of mine will have just turned 3, and the other one 13 months.

Hi guys,

We'll arrive in Melbourne on 30th March!!!!! We'll be staying with friends for the first 2 days then at the Abode appartments in St Kilda for the next 10 days or so while we sort out a 6 month rental. We're hoping for Clifton Hill/Brighton/Beaumaris/Hampton areas to rent and later to hopefully buy in.
Sooooooo exciting. Wishing the time to fly by now but trying to take the time we have to arrange everything that needs doing. Shipping company came last week and took all our stuff and the dog gets his blood tests next Wednesday. It all happens very fast as soon as you get that visa grant!
I've got an interview lined up for when I arrive in Melbourne as well.
Still can't believe it's really hapening.

*pearly*

CONGRATULATIONS

Yes, we're going with 2 toddlers, both will be just over two years old when we arrive in Melbourne.

When did you last live in Melbourne hidden paw?



Buzzy

When I was younger and wrinkle-free....I mean child-free. 2002-2003 for 18 months. Been away 3 years and had two children since then. So going this time round is completely different....so many things to think about for the Little People!!