Work & Settle Abroad | Permanent Resident

Settle in Melbourne

Melbourne has been crowned as the World’s most Liveable city for seven years in a row. The vibrant metropolis renowned as “Australia's cultural capital” is known for its captivating atmosphere, stunning architecture, and unparalleled quality of life. It is celebrated for its iconic coffee, seen as the world’s best. It is also recognized for its great cuisines from fine dining gourmet to cozy cafes and electric nightlife. As Australia's athletic hub, Melbourne is a sports enthusiast's paradise. From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, the city hosts world-class sporting events annually.

Melbourne, Victoria's capital and Australia's second-largest city, is surrounded by Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra River, and the Dandenong, Macedon, and Mornington ranges. Westward lies the Western Plains. This diverse landscape offers stunning coastal views, lush greenery, and a unique blend of urban and natural beauty

Moving to Melbourne offers a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Be it your dream of studying in foreign universities, working abroad, or just a new start to your life - Melbourne is the destination for you.

Considering a move to Melbourne but unsure where to begin? Don't worry, we got your back! We've made a comprehensive guide to make the move easy for you. Let's dive into it!

1. Finding the right stay for you

The city of Melbourne is divided into north and south by the Yarra River. Each side has its unique charisma and beauty. The question that arises is which one is best suited for you? Let's explore together!

Northside of  Melbourne- Bohemian haven

The northern side of Melbourne has a lot of artistic impression to it. It has electrified music, art sceneries, heritage buildings, beer gardens, hidden laneways, terrace houses, and everything wrapped around with creativity. The northern suburbs of Melbourne include Ascot Vale, Broadmeadows, Brunswick, Bundoora, Coburg, Epping, Hume, Ivanhoe, Moonee Ponds, Nillumbik Shire, Northcote, South Morang, and Tullamarine.

Melbourne's South: A Touch of Luxury

The south side of Melbourne has an upscale vibe. It is known for its gourmet dining, designer studios, and luxurious apartments. This side of Melbourne offers sea breeze and waterfront views. If you appreciate celebrity sightings and day-long sea breezes, this is the ideal choice. The popular south suburbs of Melbourne are St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Toorak, South Melbourne, Prahran, Windsor, and South Yarra.

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While the north and south sides offer distinct experiences, Melbourne's beauty lies in its diversity. The truth is, there's a perfect neighborhood for everyone, regardless of which side of the Yarra River you choose.

2. Laneway Gems

Not sure how to start exploring the city? Just try going through the artistic laneways where you will be amazed to find graffiti on each wall perfect for your Instagram shoot, basement turn bars, rooftop cafes, hidden courtyards, designer stores, and boutiques. 

These narrow alleyways offer a unique and intimate experience. Take a leisurely stroll and immerse yourself in the city's creative energy. Melbourne has something to offer to everyone. The popular laneways in Melbourne are Hosier Lane, Centre Place, Degraves Street, Hardware Lane, The Nicholas Building, Manchester Lane, Union Lane, and Crossley Street.

3. Melbournes Public Transport: Your Guide to the City

Melbourne has a well-connected transport system. Melbourne's public transport system, known as Public Transport Victoria (PTV), is renowned for its extensive coverage and ease of use, making it a breeze for both locals and visitors to get around the city and its surrounding regions. 

Essential Travel Tool: The Myki Card

Before embarking on your Melbourne adventure, be sure to obtain a Myki smartcard. This essential travel pass grants you access to all modes of public transport, including trains, trams, and buses. Simply top up your card with value and tap on and off at designated points to pay your fare.

Tram Culture: A Melbourne Icon

Melbourne boasts the world's largest operational urban tram network, a testament to the city's enduring love for this iconic mode of transportation. Since 1885, trams have been a familiar sight on Melbourne's streets, and they remain a popular choice for locals and tourists alike.

(Know More: How to apply for a Working visa Holiday in Australia?)

Free Travel Options in Melbourne: City Circle Tram and SkyBus Link

Experience the city's iconic landmarks and attractions at no cost with the 35 City Circle Tram. This heritage tram offers free audio commentary, highlighting key points of interest such as the Melbourne Museum, Parliament House, State Library Victoria, Docklands, Federation Square, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, and the Princess Theatre.  

For visitors staying in Melbourne's city center, the SkyBus Link offers a complimentary shuttle service between Southern Cross Station and eight conveniently located hotel stops. Each stop has been carefully selected to accommodate over 100 hotels, ensuring easy access for travelers.

4. Melbourne: A Global Melting Pot

Melbourne is a true multicultural land. It boasts a rich history of cultures and traditions. It has an incredible diversity of nationalities, languages, and communities. With a significant population of British, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, and Greek heritage, Melbourne offers a unique blend of cuisines and cultural experiences in its true sense.
The city hosts all types of people with their mainland cuisines because of their vast immigration population.

Beyond its food scene, Melbourne's multiculturalism extends to its religious diversity. With numerous ethnic, multicultural, and religious festivals and events, the city welcomes people from all walks of life.

Melbourne is the city of dreams and it offers warmth and a home feeling to you, no matter where you come from.

5. Melbourne: The Cultural Tapestry of Australia

Melbourne's reputation as a cultural hub is well-deserved, with a thriving arts and entertainment scene that showcases eccentricity, innovation, and a deep appreciation for creativity. From theater shows and comedy clubs to live music, street performers, and fashion shows, the city's cultural pulse is undeniably vibrant.

The city has great places to educate visitors about its beautiful culture and art like - The National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, etc.

6. Melbourne’s Iconic Coffee

Melbourne is often called the "coffee capital of the world". Its coffee is renowned as the best coffee in  Australia and some consider it the best in the world too. The coffee culture in Australia is to die for. The city has an abundance of trendy cafes, each offering unique blends, brewing methods, and barista expertise. The history of coffee lanes down from the arrival of immigrants from World War II. Coffee spots emerged as a social gathering hub back in the 19th Century and the city has kept the love for coffee growing.

7. Melbourne’s Educational Excellence

Melbourne is a global hub for education. Being home to several world-class universities, Melbourne offers a diverse range of academic programs and opportunities for students.  Melbourne's universities offer a wide range of academic disciplines from arts and humanities to science and technology, ensuring that students can find the perfect program to suit their interests and career goals. The universities in Melbourne consistently rank among the top in the world. Some of the famous universities in Australia at Melbourne are mentioned here:

• The University of Melbourne is ranked 27 in the Best Global Universities. It was founded in 1853 and is Australia's second-oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. 
• The RMIT University  (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) was established in 1887 and is famous for its excellence in education, research, and engagement with industry and communities. 
• Monash University, founded in 1958, is the second oldest university in the state of Victoria and the largest university in Australia. Monash University is known for its popular programs in arts, design, education, engineering, information technology, and law. It is highly renowned for its fields of pharmacy and pharmacology and ranks 10th in the world for this field.
• Victoria University is known for its high-quality education and state-of-the-art research facilities. 
• La Trobe University is known for its rankings in several areas, including nursing, business analytics and Psychology.  
• Swinburne University of Technology is known for its quality research, teaching, and graduate outcomes. It has an international reputation for connecting science and technology with business and the community.
• Deakin University is known for its teaching, research facilities and innovation. It’s also known for its flexible learning options and welcoming atmosphere for international students. eakin is ranked in the top 1% of universities for research impact.

8. Melbourne: The Ultimate Student City

Melbourne's universities are known for their inclusive and welcoming campus cultures, fostering a sense of community and belonging among students. The city has a diverse population from various ethnicities which allows students to interact with people from all walks of life. Melbourne not only offers education but also networking and connections which are the keys to access in this century.

The city is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, offering students ample opportunities to gain practical experience, network with industry professionals, and launch their ventures. Melbourne also has a strong independent economy which leads to a large job market offering graduates a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors. From technology and finance to healthcare and education, the city boasts a diverse range of industries, providing ample job opportunities in Australia for professional growth and advancement.

9. Sports and Entertainment in Melbourne

Melbourne is always action packed with events catering to sports as well as entertainment enthusiasts. The city hosts some of the world's most prestigious sporting events including the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam, the "race that stops the nation" Melbourne Cup held during spring Carnival, the high-octane Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the national AFL Grand Final featuring several Melbourne teams, and cricket matches that showcase the city's love for the sport.

Melbourne's vibrant arts scene boasts world-class theater at the Melbourne Theatre Company, hilarious stand-up at the Comedy Theatre, and electrifying concerts at venues like the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Forum. Throughout the year, festivals like the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Melbourne Fringe Festival bring the city alive, while prestigious museums like the National Gallery of Victoria showcase artistic treasures.

Note: Are you planning to settle in Australia? Then, check out which time is the best to immigrate to Australia.

10. Wildlife in Melbourne

Despite being a bustling metropolis, Melbourne offers opportunities to encounter wildlife. Koalas and kangaroos can be found in parks and reserves. Seals and dolphins inhabit the nearby waters. Phillip Island is renowned for its penguin parade. Birds like kookaburras and magpies are common sights. For a closer look, visit Werribee Park and Zoo or Royal Botanic Gardens. Melbourne's diverse habitats are a reason for having extensive wildlife. Melbourne gives you the chance to experience wildlife in a busy city life.

11. Explore the Victorian Countryside

Are you a weekend getaway person? Once you settle in Australia at Melbourne, you always have the option to explore more of Victoria, the countryside, and the great tourist spots await your arrival. Some famous spots in Victoria are:

• Great Ocean Road: It is known for its incredible wildlife, surfs and rainforest.
• Grampians National Park: You can go on a journey to discover the mountain range where you see wildflowers and rock art sites.
• The Twelve Apostles: These are a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. 
• St Kilda Beach: St Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia is known for many things, including its gentle waters, colorful bathing boxes, and wide range of activities.
• Ninety Mile Beach: Renowned for spectacular sunsets and boasting one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world, Ninety Mile Beach is an almost never-ending paradise.
• Wilsons Promontory National Park: Wilsons Promontory is a refuge for an array of native wildlife including kangaroos, emus, wombats, echidnas, and vividly plumed birds like rosellas.

Conclusion- Melbourne is a city that offers it all

Whether you're seeking great education, a vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, or a thriving job market, Melbourne has something to offer everyone. From its iconic coffee culture and diverse culinary scene to its world-class sporting events and breathtaking landscapes, Melbourne is a dream destination for anyone. It has people from all ethnicities and all walks of life which makes it more welcoming for people from all around the world. Hoping that this article has cleared a lot of your doubts, feel free to research and explore more.