Before making a big life change like moving to a new nation, it's crucial to have a firm grasp of what you'll be facing. There are a number of benefits and drawbacks to living in Melbourne that may not be obvious at first. The weather, which ranges from humid to frigid depending on the season, is Melbourne's biggest selling point. The fact that it is one of Australia's biggest cities also has the potential upside of making it simple to get a job. But there are also drawbacks, such as a greater cost of living compared to other Australian towns and heavily polluted levels throughout the summer. The Australian city of Melbourne is well-known for its multicultural population. This essay will discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of calling Melbourne home, as well as the many exciting things you can do here. The climate is the first thing that new residents and visitors to Melbourne will notice. Temperatures in the summer can reach 113 degrees Fahrenheit, making the weather uncomfortable for some (45 degrees Celsius). In contrast, temperatures throughout the winter months often drop below freezing, with January often recording a low of 31 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees Celsius). This means that you should always have sunscreen and gloves on hand, no matter what season it is, in case of unexpectedly high temperatures or icy blasts.
Pros And Cons Of Relocating To Melbourne
Want to start a new life in Melbourne? It's no surprise that trendy Melbourne, Australia's newest and largest metropolis, is also one of the country's most popular destinations.
Those thinking about relocating to Victoria's capital should first weigh the pros and cons of making Melbourne their new home.
Pros
It’s The Sporting Capital Of The World
Melbourne is the place to go for sports fans as it has been designated the "sporting capital of the world" multiple times. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or a tennis fanatic, you'll quickly feel at home in Melbourne's sports-obsessed society.
There’s Always Plenty To Do
There's plenty to do in Melbourne for solo travellers, couples, and families, whether you want to reconnect with nature, learn something new, or go shopping. There's no way to get bored in this vibrant city, which boasts excellent dining options, a thriving nightlife, stunning green spaces, and fascinating museums.
There’s A Daytrip For Every Weekend
Your weekends will be set if you live in Melbourne, no joke. Wine tasting inside the Yarra Valley, the Sea Road, and penguin encounters on Phillip Island are just a few of the day adventures you can do from Melbourne.
Sporting Frenzy
Melbourne is often regarded as the global centre of the athletic industry. It's no secret that Melbourne is a city that loves its sports; in fact, the city is home to 18 different AFL (Australian Football League) teams. The city was the first in Australia to host th Olympic Games and lays claim to the biennial Australian Open tennis tournament in January.
Attractions And Activities
A wide variety of outdoor pursuits may be enjoyed in Melbourne, from water sports to hiking in the wilderness. It's also a city rich in culture, with a number of museums and galleries to explore. Melbourne's vibrant nightlife features a wide variety of festivals and concerts that showcase local talent throughout the year, in addition to hosting major international musical and cultural performers.
The City's Design
Melbourne's grid structure and tram system make it one of the world's most user-friendly major cities. The city's trams, which operate all day and are free to ride, are another perk. The city of Melbourne is split in half by the Yarra River, which is crossed by a number of bridges to connect the northern and southern parts of the metro area.
Café Culture
Cultural diversity in Melbourne is reflected in the city's culinary scene, with a wide variety of tantalising dishes from around the world. A popular place for Melbournians to go for a cup of joe is a trendy, hipster-style cafe. Melbourne is at the forefront of culinary innovation, therefore you can expect to find a wide variety of dishes and beverages on the menu.
Con
The Weather Kinda Sucks
Melbourne is not the best place to live if you're drawn to Australia because of its warm, clear summers. Melbourne's climate is very changeable, often including all four seasons within a single day. Check out the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to see if the year-round sunshine and warm temperatures are what you're after. That being said, this may be the place to go if you want to get away from the oppressive heat of summer.
It’s Expensive
Living in Melbourne is not cheap, as it is the second most valuable city in Australia after Sydney. Everything from rent to food is more expensive in the capital than in the rest of the country.
The Weather
The city's weather is frequently cited as a source of dissatisfaction. Despite its reputation, Melbourne is not the most climatically favourable of Australia's capital cities. Due to Melbourne's erratic climate, a warm and bright beach day could quickly turn cool and rainy.
It’s Not Cheap
Although Sydney does have the reputation of being Australia's most costly city, that's not the case. Prices for both buying and renting property in Melbourne are among the highest in the world.
Remote Location
Melbourne, the second biggest city in Australia (behind Sydney), is nevertheless relatively removed from the rest of the globe. But because of their location, Melburnians may anticipate paying more than Perth residents for flights to Europe.
Beaches
You should probably not settle in Melbourne if you're coming to Australia for the warm weather and sandy beaches. Although there are beaches in Melbourne, they are not as attractive as those found further north along Australia's eastern coast.
Excellent Reasons To Live In Melbourne
The capital city of Victoria, Melbourne, is a fantastic place to visit if you enjoy cafe culture and excellent cuisine. Some of the best reasons we can think of for overseas students to attend university in Melbourne are listed below.
Melbourne Is One Of The World's Most Liveable Cities.
Right now, Melbourne is the most desirable place to live in Australia and the second most pleasant city in the world. Numerous public transportation choices, low crime rates and an abundance of employment opportunities all contribute to Melbourne's reputation as a desirable city in which to make a permanent home. In addition, it has excellent schools and a relaxed way of life in the arts and culture.
World-Class Research Facilities Can Be Found In Melbourne.
Several of Melbourne's universities are consistently named among the world's best. Studying in Melbourne will inspire you to think outside the box because it is a creative city with top-tier universities and a thriving startup culture (and around it, above it and below it, too).
Melbourne's Laneway Culture Is Diverse, Vibrant, And Exciting.
The twisting lanes of Melbourne are so enchanted, you would think you've entered a real-life Wonderland. The city's laneways are famous throughout Australia for their eclectic mix of busy shopping arcades, strolling musicians, live music, calm street-side book cafes, and the occasional hidden street party.
Center Place is a vibrant area with many restaurants if you're hungry. A stroll down Hosier Lane, which is covered in graffiti, is enough to inspire any budding street artists. Don't go home without your camera!
The Coffee Is Incredible
Can’t exist without your daily caffeine hit? Good news for you, coffee aficionados: Melbourne has a thriving café culture. Melbourne cafés serve some of the greatest coffee in Australia, if not the world, thanks to the city's world-class baristas, welcoming neighbourhood atmosphere, and fervent support for local businesses.
It’s Australia’s ‘cultural Capital’
Melbourne is well-known for its eccentricity, innovation, and appreciation of the arts. The National Gallery of Victoria, and Australian Centre for Fine Arts, and the Australian Centre again for Moving Image are all excellent places to take in some of Melbourne's rich cultural heritage. And the city is also home to a wide variety of alternative art scenes, including zine fairs (keep an eye out for Festival of the Photocopier), artist communes, record stores, dance classes clubs, and so on and so forth.
The Community Is Hugely Diverse
Many distinct cultural events take place in Melbourne because of the city's diverse population. There are a variety of festivals to choose from in Melbourne, including the Chinese New Year, Melbourne Italian Festa, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, TET Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Antipodes Festival. Also, don't forget to explore the residential areas just beyond the central business district. In each, you'll come across people from all over the world.
The Trams Are A Lot Of Fun
One of the most recognisable symbols of the city of Melbourne is the tram. As a result, the tram system in Melbourne is very dear to the hearts of the city's residents. In addition, the trams in Melbourne may be just as vibrant as that of the city itself thanks to Art Trams, a programme started in 2013 by the Melbourne Global Arts Festival in collaboration with local artists.
The Airport Is Super Accessible
The convenience of a nearby airport is well-known among international students, who can use it for both domestic and international travel. The airport in Melbourne is conveniently located near the heart of the city (around 20-35 minutes each way).
Melbourne Is A Great Place For Start-Ups
Moving to a town like Melbourne might be a good idea if you're a foreign student interested in establishing your own company. Small company grants are widely available in Melbourne for proposals that show originality, innovation, commercial preparedness, financial sustainability, and advantages to the city. What do you think? Does that seem thrilling? It might as well be you!
It’s ‘australia’s Best Student City’
Melbourne is the third best college city in the world, and has been crowned Australia's "best student city" on multiple occasions. This indicates that Melbourne is the best option for students in terms of cost of living, business growth, attractiveness, and student opinion.
So, if you're the type of person who thrives on novelty and exploration and who longs for the intellectual stimulation of city life, Melbourne may be the location for you to settle down and pursue your interests.
Melbourne Is Growing At An Unsustainable Pace
One-third of all commutes take place during the morning rush hour, when traffic is at its worst. The outlook is bleak, and things are only going to worsen.
Infrastructure Victoria predicts that, in the future decades, city traffic will become so congested that the average pace would decrease to just 31km/h during the morning peak. And that's despite the fact that billions will be spent on improving transportation infrastructure.
Already, getting from Chelmsford to the city centre takes around one hour. Add another 45 minutes to your weekly commute time in 20 years, and you'll spend more than a full workday stuck in traffic.
This will result in enormous expenses. There will be clear repercussions, like missed productivity or leisure time, and less evident ones, such increased psychological stress. One study found a correlation between traffic and poor mental health, with the authors going to the extent of suggesting that unusually heavy traffic could promote spousal violence.
Crime Is Rising Rapidly
This has made it seem, and also be true, that Melbourne is no longer as safe as it once was. The number of crimes committed per one hundred thousand residents in Victoria increased by 9.4 percent between September of last year and September of this year, and is currently 23 percent higher than it was four years ago.
Assaults, theft, burglaries, and other forms of potentially harmful behaviour have all seen significant rises. As a result of adolescent justice system failures, this has become a major political issue that threatens to bring down the Andrews government.
An IPSOS poll taken in February of this year found that 52% of respondents were concerned about violence, making it the top issue for Americans. This percentage had doubled since the election in November 2014, making it the highest it has ever been.
Housing Affordability Has Plummeted
A twenty percent down payment on a median-priced Melbourne home is now almost $121,000, up from just $69,000 a generation later.
According to Infrastructure Victoria, up to 100,000 families in Melbourne have given up hope of ever finding an affordable place to call home. The number of unoccupied homes is decreasing as rents have been rising at an unprecedented rate.
When it comes to housing, Melbourne has evolved into a city of the haves and the have-nots. Even with the upcoming home affordability plan from the Andrews government, the situation is not anticipated to change dramatically, as the state continues to see an annual influx of around 123,000 people.
Many State Schools Are Struggling To Cope With Demand
While Victoria licence plates tout the state as a "education state," this isn't reflected in the level of funding or resources provided to the state's schools.
Recent estimates from the Productivity Commission suggest that Victorian students get about $2,000 less in federal and state support per student than the national average.
The current state of overcrowding in many public schools undoubtedly lowers teaching quality. One million kids are expected to enrol in Victorian schools during the next three years.
There has been a need to stagger school start hours and lunch breaks in some locations, especially those with rapid population expansion and densely populated inner suburbs. Modern portables are often two stories tall and include elevators for the disabled and elderly.
Plans for 42 additional schools in the next 5 years have been revealed by the government, but that is not nearly enough. According to the Grattan Institute, Victoria could use as many as 220 additional schools in the coming decade.
Many worried parents appear to be coming up with ingenious solutions to enrol their children in schools outside of their zone that have proven to have higher academic standards. Naturally, this is making the already bad traffic situation during rush hour in Melbourne even worse.
The environment in Victoria has become worse. Recent research conducted by the state's EPA concluded that rising populations have "deep repercussions" on the environment, leading to higher levels of garbage, louder traffic, and dirtier air.
Melbourne's Psychology Is Built Around The World's Most Liveable City Claim.
The Economist Intelligence developed this metric, however it is primarily intended for use by the well-to-do as a means of comparing cities.
We hope It don't sound too negative. There is still no better location to live than in Melbourne. It's true that the city is expanding swiftly and becoming more expensive and troublesome, but otherwise it's no different than any other major metropolis. Unsustainable population growth is a root cause of many of these issues. Our issues will only worsen unless we start paying attention.
Conclusion
One of Australia's most visited cities is Melbourne. It's been called the "sporting capital of the world," and that's saying something. Day tours and nightlife are just two of Melbourne's many interesting attractions. However, there are costs to consider, such as a higher general cost of living. Melbourne hosts the Australian Open tennis tournament every two years and is home to 18 different AFL (Australian Football League) teams.
The city's tram system and grid layout make it one of the most accessible megacities in the world. If you're drawn to Australia because of its bright, clear summers, this isn't the greatest spot to settle down. Behind only Sydney in terms of economic importance, Melbourne is Australia's second most expensive metropolis. Rents and home prices in Melbourne are extremely high compared to the rest of the globe. Melbourne is not known for having Australia's best weather, but that is not how things actually are.
Unhappiness with the city is often attributed to its climate. Australia-wide visitors flock to Melbourne's laneways to see the city's unique blend of bustling shopping arcades, strolling musicians, live music, and sidewalk book cafes. Cafes in Australia are known for serving some of the best coffee in the world, courtesy of their expert baristas. Melbourne has been named the "best student city" in Australia on several occasions and is the third greatest college city worldwide. During the morning rush hour, when traffic is at its worst, one-third of all commutes take place.
The future seems gloomy, and things are only going to get worse. Between September 2016 and September 2017, the rate of crime in Victoria, Australia, rose by 9.4 percent per 100k inhabitants. The Availability of Affordable Housing Has Declined Drastically. Up to one hundred thousand families have given up looking for an inexpensive place to live. According to research conducted by the Grattan Institute, the state of Victoria may require as many as 220 extra schools within the next decade.
Many parents are coming up with creative ways to enrol their children in schools that are outside of their district's boundaries. Many of these problems may be traced back to one underlying cause: an ever-increasing human population.
Content Summary
- Melbourne has many hidden pros and cons.
- Melbourne's best feature is its weather, which can be humid or cold.
- Its status as one of Australia's largest cities may make job hunting easier.
- Melbourne is noted for its multiculturalism.
- This essay discusses Melbourne's pros and cons and its numerous engaging activities.
- Melbourne, Australia's newest and largest city, is a top tourist destination.
- Melbourne residents should examine the pros and downsides before moving there.
- Melbourne has been called the "sporting capital of the world" several times.
- This dynamic city has great food, a lively nightlife, gorgeous parks, and fascinating museums.
- Melbourne has 18 AFL teams, proving its passion of sports.
- The city hosted the first Australian Olympics and the yearly Australian Open tennis competition in January.
- It has many museums and galleries.
- Melbourne's cuisine is diverse, featuring international delicacies.
- If you like Australia's sunny, clear summers, Melbourne isn't the ideal location to live.
- Melbourne experiences all four seasons in a day.
- Try the Gold Coast and Sunlight Coast for year-round sunshine and pleasant temps.
- However, escaping the summer heat may be possible here.
- Melbourne is Australia's second-most expensive city after Sydney.
- Rent and food are more expensive in the capital than elsewhere.
- Melbourne has world-leading home prices.
- If you're visiting Australia for the sun and sand, don't settle in Melbourne.
- Melbourne, Victoria's capital, has great cafe culture and food.
- Below are some of the best reasons for international students to study in Melbourne.
- Melbourne Is A World-Class City.
- Melbourne is Australia's most desired city and the world's second-most pleasant.
- Coffee lovers, Melbourne has a vibrant café culture.
- Melbourne is known for eccentricity, creativity, and art appreciation.
- Melbourne's cultural heritage may be seen in the National Gallery of Victoria, Australian Centre for Fine Arts, and Australian Centre for Moving Image.
- Melbourne's diverse population hosts many cultural events.
- Melbourne trams are iconic.
- Thus, Melbourne citizens love their tram system.
- International students use neighbouring airports for domestic and international travel.
- If you're a foreign student looking to start a business, moving to Melbourne may be a fantastic choice.
- Melbourne has been named Australia's "best student city" many times.
- Melbourne is top for students in terms of cost of living, business growth, attractiveness, and student perception.
- If you like novelty and discovery and crave the intellectual stimulation of city living, Melbourne may be the place for you to settle down and pursue your interests.
- Melbourne Is Growing Unsustainablely Traffic is worst in the morning, when one-third of commutes occur.
- Infrastructure Victoria predicts that city traffic will become so congested in the coming decades that the average morning peak speed would drop to 31km/h.
- Despite billions spent on transportation infrastructure improvements.
- This has made Melbourne seem and be less safe.
- Victoria's crime rate per 100,000 residents rose 9.4% between September 2017 and September 2018, and it's 23 percent higher than four years ago.
- Assaults, larceny, burglaries, and other dangerous behaviour have increased.
- This political issue affects the Andrews government due to teenage justice system inadequacies.
- In February, an IPSOS poll indicated that 52% of Americans were concerned about violence, making it the top problem.
- Infrastructure Victoria estimates that 100,000 Melbourne families have given up on finding an affordable home.
- Melbourne is a city of housing haves and have-nots.
- Overcrowded public schools reduce teaching quality.
- Over the next three years, one million students will enrol in Victorian schools.
- The government plans 42 more schools in five years, but that's not enough.
- The Grattan Institute suggests Victoria needs 220 more schools in the next decade.
FAQs About Living In Melbourne
Here is the winning point: comparison of salaries in Australia and the UK. Salaries are on average 28% higher in Australia than they are in the UK. It means that much of the advantages that cheaper housing and food offer the Brits are wiped out by the lower wages and the lower purchasing power.
