Moving to Melbourne

[kelv]

Hi everyone

We are moving to Melbourne on the 3rd January.

Just wondered what’s first things you need to do to get started living the Aussie life

[KiwiKaye]

Hi,

Welcome.  We've been living in Melbourne for almost 6 years this time around.  Happy to help. Whereabouts in Melbourne are you heading to, and what visa? A bit more information will help people to help you. ?

[kelv]

We have a sponsorship 457 work visa and I will be working in port ingles, Melbourne (awaiting PR outcome) My partner will be looking for a job when we arrive. We have a booked a stayz for the first 5 weeks in North Williamstown while we find our feet and figure out where we want to live. Our 2 small dogs are coming with us too. We know we want to live as close to a beach as possible and in dog friendly areas, but within reasonable commuting distance to work. With only five weeks to figure out where to settle, and also get a rental, it would be good to get some idea on possible areas to concentrate our home search on. We are both in our mid 40s btw, like eating out and long walks with pups [emoji4]thanks

[KiwiKaye]

Well, it doesn't sound like you are worried about schools, so that makes it a bit easier.  Williamstown is a lovely place to live,  but expensive to buy in.  Commute if you are working in Port Melbourne should be ok, but bear in mind that if you are driving the West Gate Bridge can be a nightmare in peak hours.  There is a train from Williamstown to the city and then a tram to port Melbourne, but depending on where you need to get to, that total trip could take up to an hour.

As for other things, once you get here you will need to organise Medicare, tax file no., and bank accounts.  The bank accounts you may be able to do from the uk, but the others I believe you actually need to be here for.  

Williamstown does have lovely Cafes near the waterfront, and some beautiful walks.  Are you looking to buy eventually or just rent? If looking to buy, your potential budget will dictate where you should look.  You will need probably at least $1 million in Williamstown, but some surrounding areas could be slightly lower price wise, eg. Newport, Altona, Yarraville.  I like the beaches on the other side of the bay, and it is where we live, but the commute to work would be much worse.

[kelv]

Hi great thanks for your reply.
Yeh no kiddies just dogs don’t know which are worse .
We will be looking for long term rental as it all depends if we get PR then we can look at buying then hopefully.so is the commute around Melbourne hell on wheels like everywhere else .

[starlight7]

If you can get the train, the commute is ok.  If you are driving it very much depends on where you live.  Think London- expensive parking, angry drivers and lots of fines!

[Petals]

Getting accommodation with animals can be a little harder, they have laws that allow you to have pets but its the landlord who makes the final decision.   Also dogs are not as free here as they are in the UK, they are not allowed in pubs or shops or on transport unless they are guide dogs.   In the summer they can go to the beach before 9am and after dark in the evening but on a lead unless the beach is leash free.   There are dog parks around though where people take their dogs to exercise etc.   Houses are more expensive to rent than apartments.   Have a look on realestate.com.au for rental in areas such as Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Prahran, St Kilda Elwood these areas are handy for Port Melbourne.     Also look at the public transport site for Melbourne and follow the Frankston line out as it runs along the beach if you want beach.