Hi all, We are moving from Perth WA to Melbourne in Mid Feb and we are wondering where the best place to stay would be and if the rentals are fully furnished.

Rentals anywhere are rarely fully furnished unless you're looking at holiday rentals which are more expensive and shorter term. Fully furnished are about but few and far between.

http://www.moving-to-melbourne.co.uk...mmodation6.htm

This website provides a good map of Melbourne to assist with getting your mind around where too stay - alot depends on where you will be working.

Although most rentals long term (greater than 6 weeks) do not provide furnishings there are plenty of short term rentals that provide furnishings at a reasonable cost. Some also provide cars free of charge while you stay and things like computer access for the much needed BE contact.

There are a few short term rentals (furnished) that also do longer term rentals, you should enquire with Kate who runs the website - she is very helpful and a good source of knowledge.

We have been in Melbourne for a little over 18 months (from the UK). Where you want to stay really depends on where you are going to be working. I work in the CBD and live in Frankston, which is the end of the railway line on the East side of the bay. My commute is about 1 hour by train and about 45 mins by car.
When we arrived we stayed in Mordialloc, slightly closer to the city. We rented a fully furnished 3 bed house on the seafront, which had all utilities including sat TV, telephone and internet provided.
I think the company was called Balcolm Appartments or something very similar and I fully recommend them.

Could you give an indication of costs?

- CDM

We would be looking to live closer to the city where there are hopefully more fully furnished flats/apartments. Would want to be renting a holiday apartment, it would cost a fortune.

Cheers, How do I contact Kate?

Try the 'Contact Us' page on their site.

Just to let you know Dec to March is the most expensive time to visit Melbourne due to the tennis the Grand Prix and numerous other international events. This means finding accomodation close to the city will come at a premium if you can find it.

What sort of budget are you working too? I take it inner city hostels would be out of the equation?

We are looking to stay for up to a year so would be looking for a nice house/flat. We are bringing some furniture across with us. We would be looking up to $450 per week range

try www.australianhomeaway.com.au we stayed with them in one of their central flats when we first arrived which was about $250 a week for a 1 bed flat. With your budget I'm pretty sure you could afford one of the bigger/ nicer places.