WARNING - First impressions of Melbourne - not good

..for me this thread has been interesting to read as Buck gave his very first impressions and his initial feelings..ofcourse it's right that one place people can hate and others love..i absolutely love Perth..i grew up as a child there and have lived there with my own family, but i have heard people say they wouldn't live there..it's boring..i find it a beautiful place with plenty to do, but each to there own..i can also see why some would worry that a thread like this might unsettle and worry those just about to embark..that's fair but i don't think it will stop anyone who truly wants to do it..i am looking forward to seeing how Buck and his family progress and i hope it just gets better for them as time goes on, as i think this will give people some insight into the emigrating process..they might give it a go and decide it's not for them, and for some that is also part of it..all the best again to you Buck and family..
Pingpongor Tess

[Lucia]

For God's sake does it really take 7 whole pages for everyone to come to the same conclusion...'each to their own'?

I followed this post with interest and totally respect Buck for having a pair (so to speak). I also respect those people who have shared their differing experiences...but I am going to scream if I see one more post that states 'we are all entitled to our own opinion...' - I'm asking for it, I know! lol

[SBREW]

Hi Buck,
Just to say I think your post was very interesting and I have had such a giggle reading some of the responses it has been fab.

I can only speak from my personal experience and I liked the parts of Melbourne I managed to see, and I did some house hunting when I was there and found it great that you can purchase your plot of land then get any of the housing agents to build the house you like on that land, Beats the tiny plots you get in the UK with new homes and at least you get more choice in the home you want. I enjoyed time in Williamstown (has a quiet beach), Hoppers Crossing Shops, Werribie Shops, The City Centre had a wicked Market, I also visited some nice retaurants in Williamstown Automic Bar being one.

I wish you the best of luck with it, I am sure once you get exporing and make some friends you will feel a lot better, my impression of Melbourne was that the people were very very friendly which I think goes a long way to making a home. Good luck with it

Congratulations on having the longest thread I have seen and the most responses.

[Bordy]

Loved your thread to Buck, hope you got your guide dog out of quarantine by now.

[chuchu]

Ok, ive sat and read all these posts and i feel really compelled to write this!!!

I have lived in Melbourne for 6 months now...I live in suburbs and weekend by the beach, so i reckon i know a bit about my surroundings!!

For anyone coming to aus from any english city to call it shi**y is just laughable...maybe people look back with rosetinted glasses...a 2 week trip back to England will sort that out.

Who has been to a city that is graffiti/low life free?! if there is somewhere on earth...where is it?! honestly!!! poor old melbourne seems to be being slated for being a 'proper city'. i really think that people believe Aus is some some sort of back water with no industry at all!!!

The suburbs all vary...some bloody lovely, some a bit crappy, but having lived in shi*e areas of leeds and manchester, they are fine!!

MAS...no good beaches?! that actually made me laugh out loud!!! what an irresponsible thing to say when there are people on here making life changing decisions based on others opinions/experiences! i have travelled the whole of Aus and the beaches in Victoria would rival ANY. As would the hospitality, standard of living/lifestyle etc..

I think the problem many people have is that the come over here thinking it will be totally 'worry and hassle free'. ill give you the tip...no where is!!!! but seriously...here is bloody closer than England, so stop picking and start enjoying!!!!

[chloew]

I'll raise a glass of VB to you Chuchu!

Maybe we should keep the Victorian beaches to ourselves..........Wilsons Prom, Great Ocean Road.......

[hammfam]

I understand a little about what you are saying. I live in Melbourne and have been here for the past 18months. When we first landed I wondered what we had done but I think the emotions of making that move and the tiredness can be overwhelming and when you don't land in paradise, but just another city it can be a real come down.

We started off by staying in Burwood, which is a suburb towards the east but not the kind of place where we wanted to stay and I was a bit fed up.

However, once you know where to go, where to live, where the restaurants are and that shopping in the city isn't all that great anyway you will begin to love it. I would not move back to England and feel priviledged that I now live in Melbourne.

At night the city is great, I feel safe and have never once felt uncomfortable. The people are very friendly, the life for the kids is great and there are some great places to visit. If you are able to ,move away from the city. Visit places live Mornington Pennisula, the Yarra Valley, the Great Ocean Rd, there are loads and loads of things to do and with a little bit of time I am sure you will come to like if not love living in Melbourne.

[Andrew&Karen]

We landed 01/01/08 and spent a couple of nights near the airport which was fine to recover from the flight (anything more then I would be back on the first flight). We then toured the Port Phillip bay from Geelong to Frankston, a total of 6 weeks. I was shocked taking the train into Melbourne from either place (thinking what the hell have we done?). "I" thought it (Melbourne) was dirty and covered in graffiti but had come from a very small rural area in the uk so never thought that a big city like Melbourne would be my cup of tea, but as they say, give it a go!! I would never go to live in London so never thought that Melbourne would be my home. Explore Victoria and you will find that there is more out there. We have now settled in Sale in Gippsland which suits us down to the ground. It is a beautiful place with lots to do but other people may find it a bit too small. It all depends on what we are all looking for. Perhaps we went to the same places as the OP but I would never live in a big city in the uk and out in oz is no different. What I will say is that everyone I have spoken to are really friendly and that makes you feel good no matter where you are in the world.
Karen

[Les & Woz]

Originally Posted by buckbuchanan

I'll start this thread by saying that I have only had 6 hours of broken sleep on the plane in the past 40 hours, just to set the scene.

We arrived in Melbourne at 7:15 this morning. Was a bit excited, even with the sad farewells still lurking in the back of my mind (oh, and nothing will ever prepare you for that - not even this warning!!). Got a taxi from the airport to our house (not in the best of areas, admittedly). I would say at this moment in time that it is one of the worst places I have ever been (and I have travelled lots). The chance of finding a bit of concrete which doesn't have graffiti on it is slim. The place is just horrible. I'm no snob - I was brought up in the middle of nowhere.

We then took the graffiti ridden train up to Flinders street (had to jump on with no ticket as unmanned station ticket machine not working - probably vandalised). Spent the following 4 hours walking round the CBD trying to find somewhere semi respectable to have a meal - failed miserably. The CBD in Melbourne is a total slum. The long streets have a variety of random pointless shops. The streets are full of litter. The place is dirty. Fag butts everywhere (wife ended up with one in her shoe). Restaurants are all disgusting looking. The only decent looking ones (of which there were 2) were closed (this was Thursday afternoon).

Went to the bank to pick up cards - got sent wrong way by a taxi driver - when I discovered this turned round but got to the bank at 16:10 only to find that banks close at 16:00!!!

I have spent months on this site in the build up to arriving here thinking it would at least be "ok" - it's not. We all hate it. 6 yr old said he hates it and wants to go home (having spent months talking about it). 4 yr old keeps asking when are we going home.

To say it is a disappointment is an understatement. Having said that, we are now looking for somewhere else to live, and will not change our plans just yet (although wouldn't take much persuading).

Don't want to sound like a "whingeing pom", which is why I will keep this to myself outside of this site, but I think people coming here need to be aware of this. How can anyone in the past not have posted a thread like this? How can anyone have found good words to say about this place? Don't think you are coming to a nice place - it is disgusting. We will be going into the suburbs on the weekend so will keep you all posted of what we find and if my mood improves!!!!

PS... on a positive note, all the people are unbelvievably friendly. Anyone and everyone will happily stop and talk. Maybe this is the charm that people have seen in the past to post positive comments about Melbourne??

I may be eating my own words in the future, but this is how I am feeling right now and I am wondering why I have put everyone through this.

Hi
First of all, I am so sorry to hear how disappointed you are. Like everyone says, after the initial build up of excitement in going and then the dreaded flight you are probably not in your usual state of mind.

I was in Melbourne last Oct and we are coming to live there as like you have the state sponsored visa. We didn't find it horrid at all although we do prefer Brisbane we just can't get there yet.

You just need to find the right area, have you thought of looking away from the city altogether in places along the coastal roads, there are some lovely places. Please don't get down things WILL improve and you will grow to love it there and have a wonderful life. You can get out of Victoria before the 2 years is up if you get offered a job in another state the Vic Government will usually let you go but give it a go first you can't possibly see much in just a few days. It's like anywhere you live, you will have places you love and places you hate. We don't intend to live near the city we have been looking at Geelong.
Hope you feel much more positive soon, let us all know and keep happy for the kids.
Will be thinking of you and hoping you are finding your feet.

Lesley xxxxx

[itskaren]

Hi Lee and Woz Just to say I know exactly how you feel! We too feel the same and I have not told anyone back home only on this site due to the fact all the stress and build up to coming here. Not as expected. We are living in Mooroolbark however, not the best place to live. Need to find somewhere soon! You are not alone!