emu

Fitzroy is 10m by tram not even from the CBD. U can walk there. Better for u to go on Ptv website to check travel times to get an idea of distances. Fitzoy is quite hipster and arty and noisy. You said you have a young kid? It might not be the ideal location. I guess is better if u explain what u after? All suburbs have very diferent identities specially inner-city. ps - you a consultant?

Forgot to mention if u check the website for Quest u will find inner suburbs that are 10m by train to the CBD and at least u will have nice parks around, markets etc check the ones in Prahran, Windsor and South Yarra for example ...

Ok I'll try to reply to some of your questions. ptv website is good for public transport distances etc all the suburbs u mentioned will have that cafe foodie culture going on. If you check out on Instagram the #melbournefoodie tag u will see u not alone! I understand your dream of wanting to work in a cafe, but unless is your own cafe I wouldn't do it. U will get paid 800-900 a week working very long hours and u won't have time or money to have the lifestyle u want. U both have careers and jobs that pay well, better stick to that. Reason I said that, I also followed my heart and worked in coffee briefly and it didn't work out. For many reasons but the low salary was one of many problems. There are many companies making people redundant in Melbourne, some are on the news other u hear via friends. So unfortunately lately that seems to be a problem and is making people cautious.

also been here 6 years and for the first time considered if I should go back to Europe here it feels u very far from everything and 20 days holiday a here is not a lot when u want to go to Europe ... Plus most employers don't allow u to take more then 2 wow at a time ... ive lived in Adelaide for 3 and Melbourne for 3. Agree that is very difficult to make Aussie friends, they all have their friends from school and they not open to include u. Unless your partner is Aussie and u get to be friends with their friends ... sorry not helping either ...

It will be tight in that salary but ok, as long as your wife starts working later. I have been told that is a good salary for a chef. Someone with about 10 years experience and a CV working with top restaurants does earn that. You don't need to go that far out, if you look at a bit dated properties and units you can rent in places like South Yarra (2 bed) for about $400 a week, St Kilda, Balaclava, Elwood, Elsternwick, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and even around Albert Park. By the way Albert Park is a very nice suburb.

Anywhere in the CBD is safe. The CBD is quite small compared to European cities, so you might want to consider later living in a inner-city suburb. Quest is a good option. Look on realestate.com.au for apartments in the CBD you will find some serviced apartments.