Areas and suburbs in Melbourne

The best places to live in Melbourne

Finding the right area or suburb to live in is an important step for all new arrivals in Melbourne. An expat’s neighbourhood becomes their immediate community and will shape day-to-day experiences such as commuting, shopping, entertainment and, for those with children, schooling.

When choosing housing in Melbourne, a good starting point for expats is to consider the kind of lifestyle they’re after: convenient city living, beachside sun and sand, family-oriented comfort, or a more lively bohemian area.

City-dweller areas in Melbourne

Docklands

Docklands is a bustling riverside suburb comprising trendy apartment buildings and impressive architecture. The area is popular with young professionals, particularly high-flying business types who work in the adjacent Melbourne Central Business District. Apartments in Docklands are typically pricey but make up for it with facilities such as gyms and other mod cons on site – not to mention the unrivalled views of the Yarra River.

Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne combines inner-city bayside living with sleek convenience. Despite being one of the more expensive suburbs in the city, Port Melbourne attracts young couples and singles who don’t mind forking out for the lifestyle the area offers. Residents also have easy access to public transport to almost anywhere in Melbourne.

Beachside living in Melbourne

Black Rock

The community of Black Rock is known to be friendly and welcoming, and expats are sure to feel at home in no time. This family-friendly suburb is a great place to raise children, thanks to the excellent schools and the active community.

Black Rock has countless options for healthy outdoor activities, be it a walk on the beach, running in the local parks, making use of the various sports facilities or taking on a local walking or cycling trail. There’s also an abundance of trendy cafés and restaurants in the area.

Williamstown

On any given sunny summer 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, warm days. This seaside suburb is just a short train ride away from the inner city, but it feels like the urban sprawl has been left far behind.

Historic buildings and impressive old homes add to the ‘country town’ feel of Williamstown, although they also add to the high prices of local housing. The suburb has a great family atmosphere, but the cute cafés and eateries also make it popular with young professionals who want to live somewhere a bit removed from the city hubbub.

Young and trendy areas in Melbourne

Brunswick

Well suited to singles and couples, Brunswick is a laid-back suburb with plenty of cafés, 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, packed with culture and diversity.

Richmond

For the convenience of city living with the friendliness of suburbia, Richmond is hard to beat. Parts of Richmond are within walking distance to the CBD, and the whole suburb is well-connected by public transport.

Richmond is a large suburb filled with fantastic eateries and shopping, and it attracts a variety of residents, from young professionals and small families to students. The area is rapidly gaining popularity, and there’s frequent construction work, which can be inconvenient. Still, for those who want to be in the beating multicultural heart of Melbourne, there’s no better place.

Family-friendly areas in Melbourne

Hawthorn

Although it lies close to the city centre, Hawthorn has a distinctly suburban feel to it. It’s a stunning, leafy suburb with plenty of large freestanding homes as well as cheaper apartment options. The proximity to the main Deakin University campus gives it the status of a university suburb and means housing is more affordable, although property prices have been on the rise recently.

Sandringham

A leafy bayside town only a few miles from the city, Sandringham has a relaxed, family-friendly feeling tempered by a touch of prestige. The houses here are often gorgeous examples of fine old architecture with lavish layouts. Expats don’t have to leave the suburb for great food, and the suburb’s handy little shopping village looks like it’s been lifted from a country town. There are plenty of fine schools nearby, so it’s a good place to settle for those with children.

With its impressive architecture and beachside properties, this suburb is one of the more expensive areas in Melbourne.