As an expat choosing
accommodation in Melbourne, the
area and suburb in which you make your home is often an important driving force in the way you live
your life. It becomes your immediate community and the factor that can determine where your child will receive an
education, or what
restaurants and
shopping options you frequent most often.
When choosing housing in Melbourne a good starting point is to consider the kind of lifestyle you’re looking for: convenient CBD living, beachside sun and sand, family-oriented comfort or an alternative, lively area. In diverse Melbourne, this can be more useful than choosing from the usual ‘north, south, east or west’ city divisions – although locals will likely tell you that their ‘side’ of the city is undoubtedly the best!
City Dweller
Docklands (inner west)
Docklands is a very new suburb comprised of architecturally stunning apartment buildings that tend to be relatively expensive to rent or buy. This is primarily a suburb for young professional singles and couples; largely catering to the high-flying business types who work late in the CBD and need a home close by complete with a gym and all mod cons on site. The area is within walking distance or a short tram trip to anywhere in the city, and makes up for its slightly soulless steel-and-concrete style with some sensational water views and optimum convenience.
Port Melbourne (inner south)
Port Melbourne is a fairly recently renovated suburb that offers inner city bay side living for the executive set looking for class and convenience. One of the more expensive suburbs in Melbourne, it attracts a lot of young couples and singles who find that the apartment lifestyle affords a convenience that’s well worth the rental cost. You can walk or take easy public transport to almost anywhere in the city area, but there’s really no need - everything you could possibly want is right here in Port Melbourne. If the thought of cocktails on your balcony while gazing over your water views on a summer evening is appealing, then the Port Melbourne lifestyle might be for you.
Family Friendly
Hawthorn (east)
Although it lies only 5 miles (8km) from the city centre, Hawthorn has a distinctly refined suburban feel to it. It's a stunning leafy suburb with plenty of large Victorian homes tending towards mansions; and as it's a university suburb (hosting the main Swinburne University campus) it also has some less expensive housing and shopping options. It's a clean-looking suburb, with some edgy elements void any hint of grunge.
Sandringham (south)
A leafy bay side town about 9 miles (15km) from the city, Sandringham has a relaxed, friendly, family feeling tempered by a touch of prestige. The houses are often gorgeous examples of fine old architecture and lavish layouts that the last century demanded. You don’t have to leave the suburb for great food, and the handy little shopping village looks like it’s been lifted from a country town. Plenty of fine schools are nearby, so it’s a good place to set up house if you have school-aged children.
Coburg (inner north)
About 5 miles (8km) from the city centre, Coburg is a suburb with a lot to offer. Once upon a time Coburg was shunned for being an industrial area, but now only light industry remains and it has become a popular suburb for professionals and families. Coburg boasts an impressive array of architecture, from Victorian and Edwardian houses through to trendy apartments, but the area is best known for its friendly multicultural vibe and collection of excellent Middle Eastern and European shops and restaurants. Housing and rental prices are affordable compared with many other suburbs this close to the city.
Beachside Living
Williamstown (west)
On any sunny summer’s evening in Williamstown it feels like everyone’s on holiday; the beachside park fills with locals and nearby residents, all out to make the most of the long days. This seaside suburb is just 15-20 minutes west of the city by train, but it feels like you’ve left the urban sprawl far behind. Historic buildings and impressive old homes add to the ‘country town’ feel of Williamstown and also add to the housing costs, which are quite a bit higher than the average bargain-priced western suburbs home. The suburb has a great family atmosphere, but the cute cafes and eateries also make it a popular area with young professionals who want to live somewhere a bit removed from the city hubbub.
Altona (west)
To get to Altona you need to travel past kilometres of oil refineries, which is off-putting enough to have kept housing prices low in this area. But once past the ugly industrial areas, this seaside town has a lot to offer: a burgeoning cafe culture, a pretty beach suitable for swimming and a family atmosphere. Altona is sometimes still looked upon as Williamstown’s ugly sister, but it has a character and an appeal all of its own and Altona residents tend to be a bit protective of their often-overlooked suburb. Over the course of the 25-minute drive or train ride from the CBD you’ll feel like you’ve escaped it all despite such an easy commute.
Brighton (south east)
The favoured home of many Australian sporting celebrities and a few excellent private schools, Brighton is a crisp, clean, conservative and refined suburb. Brighton is a beachside area 12km southeast of the CBD, well served by public transport and exceptionally safe. House prices are hefty, whether renting or buying, but Brighton residents are generally all too happy to pay to live in what is often considered one of Melbourne’s best suburbs. If you’re looking for lively and funky, you won’t find it here - but if you’re seeking a chic and sophisticated beachside suburb with no surprises, Brighton is one of your best options in town.
Young and Hip
Brunswick (inner north)
Well suited for singles and couples, Brunswick is an edgy but unpretentious suburb with plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars. Situated just a few miles from the city centre, Brunswick residents tend to shun cars and opt for the convenience of tram travel. Brunswick is a hive of creativity and unconventionality, which means it's sometimes gritty but never boring. The small Victorian-style houses and terraces are charming but usually small, but in West Brunswick you'll find larger homes and a more of a family atmosphere.
Richmond (inner east)
For the convenience of city living but the friendliness of suburbia, Richmond is a hard suburb to beat. Parts of Richmond are walking distance to the CBD, and the whole suburb is well connected by public transport to anywhere you might want to go. Richmond is a large suburb filled with fantastic eateries and shopping, and it attracts a variety of residents from young professionals and small funky families to tattooed and pierced students. Occasionally, you’ll have to compromise and accept that cramped quarters and impossible parking are part and parcel to the convenience and lively living available in Richmond. Still, if you want to be in the beating multicultural heart of Melbourne, there’s no better place.
Yarraville (inner west)
Just over 4 miles (7km) west of the city, Yarraville is part country town, part cool urban corner. With a selection of outstanding restaurants, cafés and gift stores lining the tiny, narrow streets of the central shopping area, this is a place that attracts creative types and professionals looking for a safe but funky environment. With its art deco independent cinema and a wine bar worth repeat visits, it’s easy to fall for Yarraville. The small houses and impossible parking of the central parts of the town give way to more spacious homes on the fringes, and rent is sometimes steep but still falls far short of the prices attracted by suburbs this close to the city on the east.
