Hi, I know this has been asked before but my requirements are slightly different to other posts I've seen...

I am moving to Melbourne on 457 visa in early August and am after some advice on areas to help narrow down my property search (finding the choice a bit overwhelming!)

I am looking to live within a short commute of city centre (job is top of Elizabeth Street in CBD), I'd like a new-ish furnished 1/2 bed apartment, walking distance to some cafe's/shops so I'm not too isolated, as am going to see if i can manage without a car.

The only areas I've visited before are bayside South - Sandringham/St Kilda etc, and I've always thought that I'd like to be within walking distance to a beach...but that said, I don't know North/East/West Melbourne at all.

Ideally I'll find temporary accomodation in an area that I can 'try for size' before finding a rental. Any areas that fit the bill?

Any advice would be gretly appreciated!

Thank you.

If you're after a beach then I think without a car St Kilda would be the nearest. Loads of cafés, bars, restaurants etc and direct trams into the CBD.

Agree with Jilliebee. Another option might be South Melbourne - direct tram into the CBD on route 1 towards East Coburg - this route goes up Swanston Street and the stop at La Trobe Street (Melbourne Central) is one block away from Elizabeth Street.

South Melbourne has plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants, together with a great fruit & veg. market. Perhaps look at both St. Kilda and South Melbourne when you get here and see which you like the best, as they are different.

Good suggestions. A few others to throw into the mix - Beacon Cove/Port Melbourne which has similar attractions to South Melbourne and is on tram route but closer to beach - Docklands - walk/cycle/tram to work; plenty of cafes, not so many shops, more high rise accommodation than other suggestions, not near a beach as such but tram down to beaches.

I lived on St Kilda Rd when I was in Melbourne and that seems to tick the boxes, a short tram journey to the CBD and St Kilda and walk-able to the cafes of Prahran.

It depends on how much you want to spend on rent & how much time & money you want to spend on commuting?

I've been back in Melbourne for 5 years (time flies!!), I work in the city and live in South Melbourne. I love it, it's quiet & safe, lots of cafe's, restaurants & pubs, shops & the market. It's a 15 minute cycle to the beach, 15 minute walk into the city/work, the botanical gardens are at the top of my street & Albert Park Lake is round the corner. I have a car but it's really only used for weekend trips to escape out of the city.

In saying that, if you live in the inner suburbs of Melbourne you'll never be too isolated. Each area generally has it's own thing going on with cafes and restaurants and bars etc. I've got friends living in Port Melbourne, Fitzroy, Carlton, East Melbourne, Ascot Vale etc & they love their spots as much as I love mine..... it really just depends what you're after. For me, it was keeping my daily commute time down and having easy accessibility across the city....... the main train station is only a few tram stops away, so I can generally get anywhere with no dramas.

One thing I will say is that furnished places can be harder to come by. The norm for Oz is that rentals are generally unfurnished but if you hunt around you should find something.

Good Luck!