RedDragon2008

or

Go to your boss and say your package affords me to live here (ABC)

I intend to live here (XYZ)

Give me a package increase to meet my expectations

elice_in_oz

I live down Eltham way and the commute is an hour door to door to North Melbourne (train and tram) so I am guessing St Kilda Rd would be same. You will be hard pushed to find a 3-bed house for less than $600,000 these days anywhere near a train station around here. It is a lovely place to be though. Nothing within 30 minutes commute will fit your price. Sorry.

RedDragon2008

Look up 3145 Malvern East/Chadstone can be a 20 to 25 minute journey - and accessible by tram, which will save having a 2nd car.

Forget worrying about buying, your more going to rent for first 12 months anyway. Your budget and income will change over that year, not to mention house prices

rld1177

I've been in Melbourne about 8 months now. Live in the CBD with my girlfriend. I know the CBD is often overlooked but depending on where you will work it isn't a bad choice for 6 months to a year as you get settled. It takes time to learn the burbs, explore, figure out what you like and don't like. A number of people I work with (one of the big banks) live in the CBD with children - there are plenty of options for parks etc and things to do, and if you work in the CBD you can be home in 5 or 10 minutes. I literally can walk home in ten minutes for example so even come home for lunch at times.

That said, commuting in this area is excellent compared to a lot of cities. I lived in london for years and even some of the worst train commutes here are about an hour. I know people that live near the end of a few of the train lines - Belgrave for example - and they say good things. I do know driving in can be a hassle depending on working hours so you may want to consider proximity to a train station if you insist on living in a burb and doing longer commutes.