chris999 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Hi guys its my first post here so go easy!! I am on the verge of making a move to Melbourne from the UK and I would like some advice please on living cost/budget........ I wish to live in the CBD as I am 30, a single male and will be living alone. After paying rent on a place I would like to live I will have approximately $400 a week left to spend. Apart from internet/gas/electric/water/mobile phone etc what other outgoings am I missing? Is there a council tax or equivalent? (I wont be having a car) Is living off $400 a week going to be tight? Thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozmaniac Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Welcome to the forum. Er... food? Fares? Contents insurance? Council tax is included in your rent and in some places, water will be too. $400 won't go far unless you're doing a fair bit of cooking/eating at home or if you're a big drinker and socialiser though. Most people would manage on $400 but you definitely won't be eating out more than 2 or 3 times a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris999 Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 Thanks for the welcome and reply. So council tax is included in the rent.....That's kind of what I meant by outgoings the things that are mandatory to be paid so you don't have issues while living there. For example if I got there and found out council tax was an extra $100 dollars a week then obviously it wouldn't be feasible. food was kind of a given and I doubt I would be eating out too frequently and I'm not a heavy drinker.... is there anything else im overlooking? What is meant by fares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzy--bee Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Thanks for the welcome and reply. So council tax is included in the rent.....That's kind of what I meant by outgoings the things that are mandatory to be paid so you don't have issues while living there. For example if I got there and found out council tax was an extra $100 dollars a week then obviously it wouldn't be feasible. food was kind of a given and I doubt I would be eating out too frequently and I'm not a heavy drinker.... is there anything else im overlooking? What is meant by fares? Fares = public transport. Very cheap here compared to say London. The other bill the landlord pays is water standing charge. BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Trams are now free in the CBD so you may not need fares unless you venture further afield. If I lived in the CBD I thing I would try not to have a car. No council tax if you are a renter just your utilities. $400 should be enough to get by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris999 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Thanks again guys, ive looked into public transport and I think a dual zone monthly pass was around $160 and I would be hoping the train to work. $400 would actually be the minimum I have per week due to bonuses but I just like to work things out from basic salary. whats a water standing charge? Where is your short term rental situated buzzy-bee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engaus Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Thanks again guys, ive looked into public transport and I think a dual zone monthly pass was around $160 and I would be hoping the train to work. $400 would actually be the minimum I have per week due to bonuses but I just like to work things out from basic salary. whats a water standing charge? Where is your short term rental situated buzzy-bee? Where in the CBD are you planning on living? I lived in Melbourne for 24 of my 26 years and living right in the CBD is not something I would choose. I'd be looking at suburbs around the CBD e.g Brunkswick, Fitzroy. But I guess it depends what you want to get out of living in Melbourne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris999 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Hi Engaus thanks for the response. The main reasons for leaning towards the CBD is as im a single 30yo guy coming alone so I assume this is where the hub is. Also I thought it would have the best transport links and then I want to live in a apartment in a high rise building with a good view/balcony. Also I was planning to get the train to work in Brighton and the route stops in various places in the CBD then Richmond, South Yarra, St kilda etc etc so I would prefer to live as close to a station as possible. What are your reasons for not wanting to live in the CBD? I don't think any suburbs match my needs from what ive read. Most rentals ive looked at the lease is for 6 or worst case 12 months so if I did hate it then it wouldn't be the end of the world, but this is the reason I started this thread as for as much information you read you can't beat information from people that have lived or live there so ANY opinions are welcome!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 If you are going to be working in Brighton then look at Prahran, Balaclava, Elsternwick, they are on the Sandringham line so could take the train to work. Also look at Elwood, St Kilda to live, good areas for the young. I lived in Elwood before I was married also lived in Balaclava and its close enough to enjoy the city but also has a lot going on around there as well. Consider sharing a flat there are a lot of flat share sites. Cheaper for you and meet people as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engaus Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Hi Engaus thanks for the response. The main reasons for leaning towards the CBD is as im a single 30yo guy coming alone so I assume this is where the hub is. Also I thought it would have the best transport links and then I want to live in a apartment in a high rise building with a good view/balcony. Also I was planning to get the train to work in Brighton and the route stops in various places in the CBD then Richmond, South Yarra, St kilda etc etc so I would prefer to live as close to a station as possible. What are your reasons for not wanting to live in the CBD? I don't think any suburbs match my needs from what ive read. Most rentals ive looked at the lease is for 6 or worst case 12 months so if I did hate it then it wouldn't be the end of the world, but this is the reason I started this thread as for as much information you read you can't beat information from people that have lived or live there so ANY opinions are welcome!!!! Well because you are single 30yo you should be looking outside the CBD. The CBD is where the business hub is (hence the name - CBD =Central Bushiness District). You want to be looking in the suburbs just outside - this is where I spent most of my time going to clubs, pubs, cafes, restaurants etc. I barely went into the CBD except for work. There was nothing going on there except for a few clubs. I didn't know a single person who lived in the CBD. They all lived in suburbs on the outside. Would you not be better living in a share house with other people of your age so you can make friends etc? I moved to London where I didn't know anyone and the worst thing I could have done was move into a studio apartment. Most of the good friends I made were people I lived with. They took me out and then I met their friends etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris999 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Hi Petals thanks for the input, I will look into those areas and see what I think some of those places I have never even heard of so its food for thought. Engaus - I thought the centre of Melbourne although its called the CBD and obviously that means business district it was still full of bars, restaurants, cafes and things like that? Also it seems to be where the most high rise accommodation is..... As far as house sharing goes its not really my cup of tea although I have friends here that do it and they enjoy it. I have always lived alone so its not something I want to consider at the moment till im desperate haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
engaus Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 The CBD is a COMPLETLY different feel to the suburbs just outside it. I was never drawn to it - there were much better bars, restaurants etc outside the city. But it given you are looking to live in a high rise building we obviously have completley different tastes haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamffc Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 As a 32 year old single guy last year I lived in St Kilda, paid $330 a week for a furnished one bedroom apartment. It was very small (25 sq m) but I could probably have got something a bit bigger had I not needed a furnished place. I earned $75k working in the CBD and was able to save about $500 a month. Financially I felt I was about the same in Melbourne as London. Saving slightly more but not having any holidays, whereas when I was in London I went to Oz for a few reccy trips plus had the odd long weekend in Europe. So in short you can live in a nice place and not bankraupt yourself, unless you earn less than $65k, that would have eliminated any savings and either left me short or force me to live in an area that wasn't nearly as fun. I lived in a houseshare at first but that was $260 a week, great from a social point of view but only saves you about $200 per month. I agree with the above poster, you wouldn't want to live in the CBD. At weekends theres only tourists and Bogans who get limos in from the burbs. Think Leicester Square or the city for a London comparison. The places to go out are the suburbs just outside the CBD...Fitzroy, Richmond, Prahran, St Kilda, and Port Melbourne. If you're working in Brighton, Prahran would give you an ideal commute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris999 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Haha different taste is what makes the world go round.... No I really appreciate your comments its good to get every ones take on life and areas. So where would you recommend as a place to live? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamffc Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Sorry damn thing posted before I hand finished writing it, please see edited reply above! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris999 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 As a 32 year old single guy last year I lived in St Kilda, paid $330 a week for a furnished one bedroom apartment. It was very small (25 sq m) but I could probably have got something a bit bigger had I not needed a furnished place. I earned $75k working in the CBD and was able to save about $500 a month. Financially I felt I was about the same in Melbourne as London. Saving slightly more but not having any holidays, whereas when I was in London I went to Oz for a few reccy trips plus had the odd long weekend in Europe. So in short you can live in a nice place and not bankraupt yourself, unless you earn less than $65k, that would have eliminated any savings and either left me short or force me to live in an area that wasn't nearly as fun. I lived in a houseshare at first but that was $260 a week, great from a social point of view but only saves you about $200 per month. I agree with the above poster, you wouldn't want to live in the CBD. At weekends theres only tourists and Bogans who get limos in from the burbs. Think Leicester Square or the city for a London comparison. The places to go out are the suburbs just outside the CBD...Fitzroy, Richmond, Prahran, St Kilda, and Port Melbourne. If you're working in Brighton, Prahran would give you an ideal commute. Thanks very much for this sounds quite similar to my situation, the more information I get the less attractive the centre is and if I was to live just outside then the commute to work would be quicker Before coming on here I had heard good things about St Kilda and South Yarra which are also on the route to work, I just would to prefer to live in the hustle and bustle with everything on your door step. Im not so much into clubs mainly bars, cafes, shows etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamffc Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 I don't know where you're from but inner Melbourne is not the size that inner London is. Those places mentioned would only take 15-20 minutes to get into the CBD by tram or taxi, considerably easier than going from say Clapham, Fulham, Hampstead etc into central london. Balaclava which someone mentioned above is basically St Kilda and is on the Brighton train line. St Kilda and Prahran have the best cafes and bars too. The CBD is high end restaurants and clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzy--bee Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Where is your short term rental situated buzzy-bee? Hi Chris, it is in a beachside suburb called Mordialloc - the details are here if you are interested - http://www.lifeinvictoria.com/forum/accommodation-available/2700-self-contained-studio-apartment-near-beach-south-east-melbourne.html BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronyaur Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Thanks very much for this sounds quite similar to my situation, the more information I get the less attractive the centre is and if I was to live just outside then the commute to work would be quicker Before coming on here I had heard good things about St Kilda and South Yarra which are also on the route to work, I just would to prefer to live in the hustle and bustle with everything on your door step. Im not so much into clubs mainly bars, cafes, shows etc etc Hi, check this area out, Park street and Dorcas street run between St Kilda Boulevard and Kings Road, lots of apartments there mostly about 13/15 storys. south Melbourne is a 10 minute walk, good pubs and restuarants, The city is a 15 minute walk to federation square. Trams run down to St kilda and Brighton from the end of Park and Dorcas streets. Its like being in the city but just a tad outside. Rents around $400 a week for a 1 bedder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris999 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Hi, check this area out, Park street and Dorcas street run between St Kilda Boulevard and Kings Road, lots of apartments there mostly about 13/15 storys. south Melbourne is a 10 minute walk, good pubs and restuarants, The city is a 15 minute walk to federation square. Trams run down to St kilda and Brighton from the end of Park and Dorcas streets. Its like being in the city but just a tad outside. Rents around $400 a week for a 1 bedder. Thanks for this information I will look at this area, the distance to the city i.e. walking distance is definitely what I am looking for. Have you lived in this area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronyaur Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks for this information I will look at this area, the distance to the city i.e. walking distance is definitely what I am looking for. Have you lived in this area? Hi, yes, spent a year in this location back in 2008 on Dorcas street, think the name of the property management company was MICM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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