WARNING - First impressions of Melbourne - not good
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.
Oh no ....I certainly hope you'll be eating your words soon, and you find some where nice!!
Are you tied to melbourne or could you try a different state.
I have no doubt you're trying to be positive but try to keep your chin up.
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I wanna get outta this place, if its the last thing i ever do!!:wubclub:
Hi... we are tied to Victoria for 2 years. I said we would never go back before the 2 years is up, but now there is no way we will stay that long. Like you say though I really do hope I will be eating my words. I have upset so many people by moving here, and spent so much money and time, and at the moment it looks like it was not worth it.
Thanks for your reply.... I hope I haven't shattered your dreams, but this is my honest thoughts right now!
No you haven't we're heading to Adelaide !! lol !!
We were going to melbourne though!! We know of some folks in Mount Martha, they are snobs, and they say they love it!!
Not really sure what to advise, other than get some sleep, try to stay away from cbd for a few days, or at least until your head is clear, have some nice days on beach, looking around etc and maybe it will start to look different !!??
Hope it starts to come together for you all. xxx
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I wanna get outta this place, if its the last thing i ever do!!:wubclub:
I was in Melbourne in May and you description definately does not sound the Melbourne I was in. I dont know where you have been in the CDB but I found loads of nice restauarants. Streets were very clean and the only place I saw graffiti was along the railway. Southbank has loads of lovely restaurants and bars to sit outside. Wasn't any litter around either.
We had decided to go to Melbourne but a last minute change of mind had us heading for Adelaide. We had the absolute journey from hell - people being moved around the plane so I could have space to lie down, doctors being located, you name it.
We were met by the sweetest, kindest couple you could imagine who drove us down the scruffiest streets I have seen in many a moon. We were driven to our accommodation which was in the middle of a housing trust block, surrounded by druggies and alcoholics. I could not believe I had spent 2 days travelling for this. I was devastated. Emily, my 14 year old, moved the chest of drawers in behind the door saying she wasn't going to be raped by a dingo - I knew this was unlikely but equally I knew how she felt....
We had a blissful weekend, went to get our bank cards except no-one at the bank knew anything about us as our money had not been transferred from the UK by a certain transferring company.
Almost a year later, we have settled in a quiet family suburb, away from the grubbiness from our first arrival. I still think the streets along from the airport are horrid but don't live anywhere near them so it doesn't worry me. My girls are settled and happy and so far things have picked up.
I am going back to the UK in Sept and have bought return tickets so it can't be that bad if I am coming back!!
I do hope things pick up for you and your family....thinking of you
I must have had a dismal life - I always love my trips to Melbourne and I think the city centre is way better than Sydney. Love all those little cafes and bars. Maybe it's the caffeine, the Belgian beers and the cakes that cloud my perception of the place.
Take your time - don't judge Melbourne or Australia after just a day or two. It grows on you.
Location: South East London at the moment - moving to Melbourne in May 2008!
Posts: 142
When I've got to Australia before after a long flight.........I don't like anywhere, anyone or anything! The jet lag completely throws you...after a few days and sleep things will seem brighter!
I know Melbourne quite well as my sister lives there and I must say, I don't recognise it from this description! I can't comment on the area your house is in, because I don't know where it is but one of the reasons we are seriously thinking of moving there is for the clean pleasant city with great shops and restaurants!
I replied for two reasons - one, I don't want anyone else thinking of going to be worried by this and two, to bear in mind that you are jet-lagged, emotionally upset and disorientated. If you find a nicer area to live (and believe me there are some lovely areas!) I'm sure you will settle down. And there is no need to go into the CBD if you don't want to.
