Gill73

we have a RRV having lived in WA for over 2 years in 2008 to 2011. We moved back to UK but are now considering a move to Melbourne. we've never been there so I like to know what people like and dislike about living in Melbourne?

Margaret3

I like the fact it gets cold

RedDragon2008

Likes:

Seasonal weather
European background and diverse cultural aspects
Great Ocean Road
Plenty of regional spots to escape to for a weekend break


Dislikes:

Main concern people have is its very expensive place to live.
Normal winges on relocation:
Finding housing, schools, jobs etc

commonwealth

melbourne is nice but i wouldnt leave sydney for melbourne.

Kiwikaye

Likes:
Cafes and restaurants
I find it an easy city to live in
Shopping
Beaches within relatively easy reach
We can manage living here on one wage
Its a good half-way house (for us) between NZ (my family) and UK (his family)

Dislikes:
Travel distances for some things
Housing is expensive
The public transport - it is good on our line, but I find it expensive

ozzieeagle

Likes

Cosmopolitan, embraces overseas tastes and trends
Diverse population
Great restaurants/cafes.... It really is a food city
always something happening
Possibly the least red neck and most liberal city in Australia
Generally very freindly population, especially to people from other cultures.

Dislikes
Lack of really decent public transport..... no East West links to speak of, only City and back out again.
Poor road infrastructure, in as much instead of bridges you get railway crossings everywhere.
Summer can be horribly dusty and dry, although the last two years have been good.
Winter being dedicated to AFL.... personal gripe.
Bland suburbia.... but thats everywhere in Aus... and Melbourne is probably better than most.

OzTennis

Agree on most of the above likes and dislikes although what is a dislike to some may be a like to others (eg AFL) Just on housing prices maybe the impression given wasn't fair. Sydney, Darwin and Perth outrank Melbourne for median house prices.

Perth - House $560,780 Unit $365,132

Sydney - House $656,415 Unit $475,314

Melbourne - House $526,281 Unit $475,314

Brisbane - House $433,302 Unit $356,293

Adelaide - House $432,309 Unit $283,291

The exchange rate doesn't help when making comparisons of course but hey, have a look at London prices or any megalopolis.

If OP lived in Perth previously will actually find houses are cheaper and units are more expensive in Melbourne. Perth had the biggest capital city rise in median last year and Melbourne prices fell in a lot of suburbs. Perth used to be like Brissie and Adelaide - much cheaper than Melbourne.

Pomster

Likes:

it is green (grassy type) city
It is easy to navigate
It is child friendly
There is always loads going on- festivals galore, theatre. concerts, sport
If you live near a train or tram, public transport is fab (rubbish otherwise)
Most burbs have a fairly distinct character
Food quality os great but much more expensive than before our 2 year stint to UK (ie around 2010)

Dislikes:
Bloody AFL and the way every piece of media eats breathes and sleeps AFL from March to October.
House prices and stamp duty- seems higher than other states.
Westgate freeway which jams up if someone has so much as a cold.

Buzzy--Bee

Don't have many dislikes.

Likes: Beaches, watersports on our doorstep, great city with loads going on, lots of restaurants, cafes etc, amazing countryside, wineries etc very local. We just spent a fabulous long weekend camping and boating near Melbourne with friends.

Most important like: Good work availability so we can afford to do all the above.

BB

RedDragon2008

Depends on what line of work you're in......

commonwealth

are there plenty of accounting jobs in MEL?

RedDragon2008

yes

but not quality accountants

Gill73

My husband is a mechanic and I work in shipping/logistics. I couldn't get a job in WA but as Melbourne has a busy import/export port, I'm hoping I have more chance of employment there. Would anyone agree or disagree with this?

Buzzy--Bee

Not just a busy port.... the busiest in Australia. So your chances here would probably be better than anywhere else in Australia. Toll and TNT would be good places to start perhaps?

BB

derab

If you are willing to go into a Freight forwarder at $40-50K ish and work your way up, there are heaps of jobs in Melbourne. the Freight forwarders of all flavours are mostly near the Airport and the Shipping companies are near the Seaport or in the City.