Melbourne

Areas to Live in Melbourne

Inner City Melbourne (Central Business District

Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) is the business centre for the state of Victoria and home to a significant amount of retail stores, restaurants, and cultural entertainment of all variety. Melbourne has experienced a resurgence in inner city living during the past decade with the addition of more residential high rises, and the conversion of historical buildings into luxury flats.

The CBD, includes both sides of the Yarra River and is bounded by Victoria Street to the north and the M1 (West Gate Freeway) to the south. While it has recently grown to include the South Bank Promenade, the original CBD (north of the Yarra River) is characterised by streets and laneways laid out in a grid-like pattern.

The CBD is very popular among expats for its proximity to most offices of multi-national corporations and availability of luxury apartments with fantastic views.

Schools and Education
No schools for those under eighteen. There are some private business schools as well as several University campuses.

Supermarkets
Surprising amount of choice. Major chains and close access to the Queen Victoria Market for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Restaurants
Many. Check our “Restaurants” section for more details.

Entertainment
Theatre, dance, festivals, arts, clubs and enough bars and pubs to pickle your liver a hundred times over.

Sporting Facilities
Cycling and walking tracks, rowing, Melbourne Cricket Ground, multiple gardens and tennis courts walkable from the CBD.

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Inner City Melbourne – Southbank

This area is a long promenade abutting the Yarra River on the southern side of the CBD. A lively area frequented by tourists and lined with cafes, restaurants, shops, hotels, offices and luxury high-rise apartments. It is home to one of the tallest residential towers in the world, the prestigious Eureka Tower – which rises 88 stories above the precinct.

Residents are predominantly young, highly educated, and affluent. Household incomes in Southbank are some of the highest in Melbourne.

Schools and Education
None

Supermarkets
The area’s main shopping and dining is located within the Southgate complex.

Restaurants
Many. A wide variety of styles, budgets and decors.

Entertainment
The area is Melbourne’s cultural epicentre and houses the Melbourne Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and more.
There is also a wide variety of dining and entertainment options available at the breathtaking Crown Casino.

Sporting Facilities
Cycling paths and walking trails in the nearby Kings Domain and Royal Botanical Gardens.

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Inner City Melbourne – Docklands

Melbourne’s Docklands is a relatively new addition to the city of Melbourne, all planned and built within the last ten years. It is a waterfront suburb with restaurants, marinas, quays and luxury residential apartment towers. Home to some of Australia’s largest financial campuses and most modern architecture, it is slowly becoming known among Melbourne’s business elite as an area where you can live in a luxury apartment, and still only be steps away from a private slip for your yacht.

Docklands is located to the west of the CBD, on Victoria Harbour and has very easy access to main roads, transport networks and the airport freeway. The area is also home to one of Melbourne’s most prominent sporting arenas, Etihad Stadium.

The residential population of Docklands is predominantly young couples without children and almost all of the accommodation is luxury high rise apartments. Docklands is currently in the first of five building phases planned over 20 years, and is slowly becoming recognised as a viable market for cafes and small businesses.

This area is home to a few expats that can afford to live here or keep a holiday apartment close to their yacht.

Schools and Education
None

Supermarkets
A new major chain supermarket has recently opened, but its questionable if the relatively small population in Docklands will be able to sustain it.

Restaurants
Several but growing. Mostly in the mid-high price range.

Entertainment
National Winter Olympic Training Facility, open to the public for ice skating year round.

Sporting Facilities
Several small gyms, as well as the Olympic training facility mentioned above and Etihad Stadium.

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Inner Suburbs – East

• Armadale
• Abbotsford
• Camberwell
• East Melbourne
• Hawthorn
• Kew
• Prahran
• Richmond
• South Yarra
• Toorak

All of these suburbs are very close to the city with excellent access to public transport, and a wide variety of options for shopping and dining. Most can be characterised by their older, grand residences and wide, tree lined streets. South Yarra and Toorak are the inner suburbs’ most distinguished, established, and exclusive enclaves and are home to some of the most expensive addresses in Melbourne. The other suburbs listed above may be more accessible for those who want to move to the area and enjoy its abundance of amenities without spending a fortune each month on rent or mortgage.

In addition to being a fine, leafy inner city suburb, East Melbourne is home to the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the largest sporting stadium in Australia, and the birthplace of Australian Rules Football.

Because of their close location to the CBD, abundance of established restaurants and boutiques, numerous schools, and prevalence of larger, older homes, many expats with families chose to live in the eastern suburbs.

Schools and Education
Many. Melbourne’s most prestigious private and Catholic schools are concentrated in the Eastern Suburbs.

Supermarkets
Several large chains, however many smaller neighbourhood markets, butchers and produce shops provide residents of these areas with great access to quality food.

Restaurants
More than you could eat at in one lifetime. A well-known concentration of Vietnamese eateries along Victoria street in Richmond, as well as some scattered high-end eateries in South Yarra and Toorak, operated by world-renowned chefs.

Entertainment
Several cinemas spread throughout. Richmond is home to several bars (such as the Corner Hotel) that are famous venues for live music, usually featuring international artists touring Australia alongside local acts.

Sporting Facilities
East Melbourne is home to many of Australia’s greatest and most historic sporting facilities including: The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rod Laver Arena (home to yearly Australia Open tennis matches), the recently completed AAMI Stadium (soccer and rugby), and the facilities of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

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Inner Suburbs – North

• Brunswick
• Carlton
• Carlton North
• Collingwood
• Fitzroy
• Fitzroy North
• North Melbourne
• West Melbourne

Some of these suburbs (North Melbourne, West Melbourne, Fitzroy, Carlton) are very close to the CBD and offer quick access on foot or with trams. The others are still relatively close, but will require regular tram or train commutes for those working in the CBD.

These neighbourhoods are characterised by their humble beginnings as former working class suburbs. Fifty years ago, North and West Melbourne were full of warehouses and industrial facilities, with their workforces living in the other suburbs listed above. Smaller, single family residences are typically traditional in these areas, with more slick, recently refurbished and converted warehouse style flats making up the majority of the housing in North Melbourne and Fitzroy.

Fitzroy and Brunswick are by far the most bohemian suburbs of Melbourne, both having large communities of artists and musicians, an equal population of hipsters that follow them, and the type of shops, cafes and pubs that cater to both groups.

As all of these areas were formerly inhabited in overwhelming majority by immigrants (mostly of Greek, Lebanese and Italian decent), there is some fantastic dining to be had in the Northern Suburbs.

With many share and student housing options, as well as independent communities and quick access to the city, these areas are immensely popular with young, single expats from many different countries.

Schools and Education
Plenty. A mix of public and private primary and high schools, with several in each suburb.

Supermarkets
Plenty, as well as discount outlets and produce sellers. North Melbourne is also home to the historic Queen Victoria Market with its famous deli shops and the freshest meat, seafood, and produce in the city. Many of Melbourne’s finest restaurants source their ingredients from suppliers at this market.

Restaurants
Abundant, but don’t expect fine dining. Although prices tend to be low, quality is generally high and the best authentic Lebanese and Italian food in the city is found here.

Entertainment
Lots if you like live music in sticky-carpet venues.

Sporting Facilities
Local parks and playgrounds as well as council run gyms, pools and tennis courts.

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Inner Suburbs – West

• Ascot Vale
• Flemington
• Footscray
• Kensington
• Kingsville
• Newport
• Seddon
• Spotswood
• Williamstown
• Yarraville

Though further from the city than inner suburbs in the East and North, the relative proximity to the city, access to speedy public transport, low cost of housing, and diversity of cultures are attractive features of suburbs in the West. While areas such as Kensington, Flemington, and Williamstown have been viewed as affluent areas for the last decade or so, there are many other suburbs listed above that are changing rapidly, and seem primed to rocket in value in coming years.

Home to large populations of recently arrived immigrants, these areas are unmatched in their diversity. While nightlife is not prevalent in these areas, there is a wide range of ethnic cuisine and markets to be sampled and enjoyed.

Housing in these areas range from large historic mansions (in seaside Williamstown and hilltop Flemington), to older subdivided townhouses, single-family brick homes, and new apartment blocks.

The range of housing options available and its comparatively low cost, as well as large communities of recent immigrants make this area popular for expats with families that wish to be part of a community based on their nationality or ethnicity.

Schools and Education
Many. Mostly public schools with a guaranteed mix of students from different cultural backgrounds.

Supermarkets
Several major chains, as well as specialty ethnic markets. Footscray is also home to the Saigon Market if you are in need of a whole pig or several ducks, and the Footscray Market for fresh produce.

Restaurants
Tons. A large number of Vietnamese and Chinese eateries, as well as a recent influx of African establishments. Very tasty and generally great value.

Entertainment
Not much. Besides the Sun Theatre in Yarraville (a grand old cinema), the west in mostly devoid of nightlife.

Sporting Facilities
World famous Flemington Race Course (home of the Melbourne Cup), as well as council run pools and gyms in each suburb.

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Bayside Suburbs

• Albert Park
• Elwood
• Port Melbourne
• South Melbourne
• St. Kilda

These suburbs are situated between the CBD and the bay, and some of them such as St. Kilda and Elwood ooze with beachy charm. Residents here are predominantly young professionals, and the housing reflects this. Homes along Beach Street / Beaconsfield Parade / Marine Parade (the same beachside thoroughfare, but with changing names in Port Melbourne, Saint Kilda, and Elwood respectively) tend to be slick, modern sea-facing abodes. Further from the bay large, attached town homes, new high-rise apartment buildings, and recently restored single-family houses make up the majority of dwellings in these suburbs.

Schools and Education
Several, mostly public, however Elwood is home to some well-known private schools.

Supermarkets
Several major chains have large branches in these neighbourhoods. The South Melbourne Market provides fresh produce.

Restaurants
Many, ranging from fish and chipperies to very fine dining. Several exclusive waterfront eateries are concentrated in St. Kilda.

Entertainment
Several cinemas (including the historic Astor), iconic Luna Park (carnival games and rides) in St. Kilda, and Melbourne’s most famous live music venue The Espy (Esplanade Hotel, St. Kilda)

Sporting Facilities
World famous Albert Park Raceway (Formula 1 Racing every year), as well as the popular St. Kilda Baths (gym and swimming pools).

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Outer Suburbs

Moving further away from the city (and suburbs mentioned previously) there are an abundance of self-contained communities that ring Melbourne. Most of these suburbs are made up of newer homes, built within the last 20 years, and have an abundance of large shopping centres and newly built public schools. Generally much more affordable for a family sized house than the inner suburbs, these areas may be a good choice for someone relocating to Melbourne with a family, who doesn’t mind a long commute each day.

Access to public transport can be limited or non-existent (although the state government has plans to expand the train network to most suburbs by 2030), and most of those who live in the outer suburbs drive to work each day.

Schools and Education
Many, but generally very spread out. Be prepared to travel distances to take your child to and from school each day if bus service is not available in your neighbourhood.

Supermarkets
Major chains have large branches in all of the outer suburbs.

Restaurants
Few and far between. Generally concentrated in strip malls, and more often than not of the ‘take-away’ variety.

Entertainment
Sparse. Some larger shopping centres will have cinemas.

Sporting Facilities
Parks abound outside of the city. Much green space for little ones to run or recreational sports leagues to play. While many of the outer suburbs are still new (or continuing to grow), some of the more established communities will have gyms or council run sporting facilities.