Both expats relocating from New Zealand and those moving to Melbourne from farther afield  will find themselves in one of Australia's most multicultural cosmopolitan centres. Nearly half of the city’s residents have been born overseas, almost one-third speak a language other than English and over 140 nationalities are represented within its borders.

Waves of immigration have led to the establishment of ethnic enclaves for the Italian, Greek and Vietnamese communities. Each has its own unique character rich with distinctive customs, festivities, foods and art.

There are three pastimes that stir Melbourne’s inhabitants to great animation. They are sport (particularly Aussie Rules Football), fashion and festivals.

The good news is that for upcoming professionals, the city is young at heart, with half its population falling within a median age of 35 years. Not to mention it is also a good-looking city with beautiful historical buildings, cobbled European-style picturesque lanes and equally eye-catching public parks and gardens.

And like any urban hub attracting those well below middle-age, Melbourne thrives on the accoutrements of the good life such as a vibrant café culture and hip nightlife; a huge selection of shopping malls and eateries, as well as art galleries and specialty stores. It is not only the preferred Australian shopping destination, but also the country’s fashion capital with a wealth of high-end boutiques.
 
Melbourne rests a few kilometres inland from Port Phillip Bay, with the main part of the city on the northern bank of the Yarra River. The city is laid out in a large rectangle with a tidy grid of streets. Melbourne's expatriates prefer the leafier outlying suburbs with their quiet streets and proximity to schools.