Where to Live in Melbourne
City Of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne covers the CBD and a number of immediately surrounding inner-city suburbs, including Carlton, Fitzroy, Southbank and Docklands. It has one of the city's youngest and most internationally diverse populations, with a strong concentration of students, young professionals and apartment residents. The area is particularly well suited to people who value restaurants, cafés, nightlife, culture and being able to walk or use public transport rather than drive. It is home to major universities, hospitals and employment centres, with excellent tram, train and bus connections. The obvious advantage is convenience and lifestyle, while the trade-off is that housing can be expensive for the amount of space you get and some areas can feel busy, particularly around the CBD.
City Of Yarra
Yarra covers some of Melbourne's most popular inner-north and inner-east neighbourhoods, including Richmond, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Abbotsford. It attracts a mix of young professionals, creatives, students and established residents, with a particularly strong café, restaurant, arts and nightlife culture. Schools are available throughout the area, while trams, trains and cycling routes make getting around relatively easy. Yarra is known for its village-style streets, restaurants, live music, shopping and proximity to the CBD. The main downside is that popularity comes with higher housing costs, smaller properties and relatively busy streets in some pockets.
City Of Stonnington
Stonnington is one of Melbourne's established inner south-east councils, covering South Yarra, Prahran, Malvern and Toorak. It has a mixture of young professionals, families and established higher-income households and is particularly popular with people wanting a combination of lifestyle, schools and proximity to the city. The area is known for Chapel Street, excellent restaurants and shopping, beautiful period homes and some highly regarded schools. Public transport is generally excellent, particularly around South Yarra and Prahran. The main consideration is price, with some of Melbourne's most expensive housing found in the area, while some streets can become quite busy.
City Of Boroondara
Boroondara covers Melbourne's established inner-east and includes Hawthorn, Kew, Camberwell and Balwyn. It is particularly popular with families and professionals, with a strong reputation for leafy streets, parks, shopping villages and access to highly regarded government and private schools. The area also has good tram and train connections, particularly closer to Hawthorn and Camberwell. Boroondara is known for its larger homes, established neighbourhoods and strong family appeal. The downside is that housing can be expensive and some parts further east are more dependent on cars. Melbourne's official metropolitan guide also highlights Boroondara's cultural diversity, restaurants, markets and tram network.
City Of Bayside
Bayside stretches along Melbourne's south-eastern coastline and includes Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham and Beaumaris. It is predominantly established and family-oriented, with a mix of professionals, families and retirees. The area is known for its beaches, coastal walking tracks, sporting clubs, parks, cafés and larger homes, while schools are a major drawcard for families. Train services provide good access towards the CBD, although some pockets are more car-dependent. Bayside offers an attractive combination of beachside living and established suburban amenities, with the obvious downside being that property prices are generally towards the higher end of the Melbourne market.
City Of Port Philip
Port Phillip covers the inner bayside and includes St Kilda, Albert Park, Port Melbourne and Elwood. It attracts a broad mix of young professionals, families, downsizers and apartment residents, with a particularly strong lifestyle focus. The area is known for beaches, cafés, restaurants, parks, nightlife and easy access to the CBD, with trams and buses servicing most of the major suburbs. There are a number of respected schools and plenty of recreational facilities. The main advantage is the combination of beach and city access; the downside is that some areas are busy and property prices can be high.
