Moving to Melbourne
Moving to Melbourne
My hubby and I (& 1 year old daughter) are emigrating to Melbourne in about 3 - 4 months. We've decided to sell up lock stock and start a new life afresh over there. We're both very happy with our lives together and as a family but feel we would like something else / more in our lives.
Anyway, we haven't been to Melbourne, only the east coast of Oz several years ago so apart from the research we've done on the internet, we're going there fairly blind. DH is a carpenter and being sponsored by the state of Victoria to go there although they do not provide a job, he has to find one on arrival.
I would really appreciate any tips from people who have been to that part of Oz, or anyone who has emigrated themselves and can offer advice. We know we have plenty do do before going (setting up Oz bank accounts etc.) and loads on arrival (getting a tax file number, Medicare etc.) but any advice would be appreciated.
We are planning on living in an outer suburb of Melbourne or even a satellite town. We have to go where the work is really and jobs for dh are mainly centered around Melbourne (he fits windows so the job involves travelling). We won't be living in central Melbourne as neither of us are city people.
So here's to our big 2005 adventure!!!!
Answers:
Hello!
No major advice from me, only to say good luck! I am planning to work in Melbourne for a year starting in August on a working holiday visa, I am 27 so it is a bigger step in some ways than if I was going when I was 18 or something.
I am really excited about it! Well done for you on making a change, and not for the wrong reasons like hating where you are or being unhappy - sometimes it is just about making things even better.
Anyways, enough about me (yawn) good luck and I will be looking in this thread with interest!
Sbx
Answers:
I LOVE Melbourne! It's a fab city and I'm sure you'll have a great time. The city isn't too big, and it's only a 10 minute tram ride to St Kilda which is the beach area. Melbourne is big on restaurants and eating out, so that plays a big part in socialising, and St Kilda has some great ones.
The one thing I would say about moving to a "satellite" is make sure you know where it is! Over there I knew people whose drive to work would maybe be 2 or 3 hours in each direction :eek: I certainly wouldn't fancy that.
If it was me, I'd live closer to the centre for a while until you figure out which bits you like, how the trains run, etc.
I think there have been quite a few Melbourne threads, so if you do a search, something will pop up.
ETA - If you're going to be driving, make sure and get a copy of "Melways" - their A to Z equivalent. The southern hemisphere shot my sense of direction to pieces, so I was consulting my Melways half a dozen times a day easily (and I've got a good sense of direction here!). Also, Melbourne has the most wonderful invention of "hook turns" whereby you have to turn right at some major junctions from the left hand lane. It can be pretty baffling when you see it at first, but it's easy once you get the hang of things. Melways tells you everything you need to know about them, including which junctions are hook turns, so you can avoid them (like I did for the first few weeks :D )
You may also see "CDB" written in places. This is the central business district (I didn't know that before I went) and is the main hub of the city.
Answers:
Can I breifly hijack and ask where in the city would be a good place to live?
When I first got to Bristol, someone did a circle in a map and told me that was where to look.
Answers:
Well, if you could afford it, I'd definitely say St. Kilda. There are loads of bars, shops, coffee shops and restaurants, it's a really funky area, right by the sea, and it's only 10-15 minutes from Melbourne by tram (if you've ever seen "The Secret Life of Us" that's set in St Kilda).
A quick google threw up realestate.com.au and they have 1 bed/studios from around $100 pw (that's about £34 in straight £ to $ conversion, and about £50 in real terms (i.e. compared to what you'd be earning)). Of course, that's not saying anything about location or state of the apartment!!
Otherwise I'd stick to as close as you can get to the city, and close to a tram line or train station as you can.
For instance, I worked in Ringwood, which is a suburb about 45 minutes' drive away from the centre. It's DEAD at night and weekends. No bars, restaurants, etc. Very residential and very family orientated - e.g. big indoor malls and multiplex cinemas, and not much else. You wouldn't want to be stuck there if you're trying to find your feet and make friends, etc.
My hubby and I (& 1 year old daughter) are emigrating to Melbourne in about 3 - 4 months. We've decided to sell up lock stock and start a new life afresh over there. We're both very happy with our lives together and as a family but feel we would like something else / more in our lives.
Anyway, we haven't been to Melbourne, only the east coast of Oz several years ago so apart from the research we've done on the internet, we're going there fairly blind. DH is a carpenter and being sponsored by the state of Victoria to go there although they do not provide a job, he has to find one on arrival.
I would really appreciate any tips from people who have been to that part of Oz, or anyone who has emigrated themselves and can offer advice. We know we have plenty do do before going (setting up Oz bank accounts etc.) and loads on arrival (getting a tax file number, Medicare etc.) but any advice would be appreciated.
We are planning on living in an outer suburb of Melbourne or even a satellite town. We have to go where the work is really and jobs for dh are mainly centered around Melbourne (he fits windows so the job involves travelling). We won't be living in central Melbourne as neither of us are city people.
So here's to our big 2005 adventure!!!!
Answers:
Hello!
No major advice from me, only to say good luck! I am planning to work in Melbourne for a year starting in August on a working holiday visa, I am 27 so it is a bigger step in some ways than if I was going when I was 18 or something.
I am really excited about it! Well done for you on making a change, and not for the wrong reasons like hating where you are or being unhappy - sometimes it is just about making things even better.
Anyways, enough about me (yawn) good luck and I will be looking in this thread with interest!
Sbx
Answers:
I LOVE Melbourne! It's a fab city and I'm sure you'll have a great time. The city isn't too big, and it's only a 10 minute tram ride to St Kilda which is the beach area. Melbourne is big on restaurants and eating out, so that plays a big part in socialising, and St Kilda has some great ones.
The one thing I would say about moving to a "satellite" is make sure you know where it is! Over there I knew people whose drive to work would maybe be 2 or 3 hours in each direction :eek: I certainly wouldn't fancy that.
If it was me, I'd live closer to the centre for a while until you figure out which bits you like, how the trains run, etc.
I think there have been quite a few Melbourne threads, so if you do a search, something will pop up.
ETA - If you're going to be driving, make sure and get a copy of "Melways" - their A to Z equivalent. The southern hemisphere shot my sense of direction to pieces, so I was consulting my Melways half a dozen times a day easily (and I've got a good sense of direction here!). Also, Melbourne has the most wonderful invention of "hook turns" whereby you have to turn right at some major junctions from the left hand lane. It can be pretty baffling when you see it at first, but it's easy once you get the hang of things. Melways tells you everything you need to know about them, including which junctions are hook turns, so you can avoid them (like I did for the first few weeks :D )
You may also see "CDB" written in places. This is the central business district (I didn't know that before I went) and is the main hub of the city.
Answers:
Can I breifly hijack and ask where in the city would be a good place to live?
When I first got to Bristol, someone did a circle in a map and told me that was where to look.
Answers:
Well, if you could afford it, I'd definitely say St. Kilda. There are loads of bars, shops, coffee shops and restaurants, it's a really funky area, right by the sea, and it's only 10-15 minutes from Melbourne by tram (if you've ever seen "The Secret Life of Us" that's set in St Kilda).
A quick google threw up realestate.com.au and they have 1 bed/studios from around $100 pw (that's about £34 in straight £ to $ conversion, and about £50 in real terms (i.e. compared to what you'd be earning)). Of course, that's not saying anything about location or state of the apartment!!
Otherwise I'd stick to as close as you can get to the city, and close to a tram line or train station as you can.
For instance, I worked in Ringwood, which is a suburb about 45 minutes' drive away from the centre. It's DEAD at night and weekends. No bars, restaurants, etc. Very residential and very family orientated - e.g. big indoor malls and multiplex cinemas, and not much else. You wouldn't want to be stuck there if you're trying to find your feet and make friends, etc.