Best Places To Live In Melbourne

Moving to Melbourne for your studies is an exciting adventure, but finding the right place to live can make all the difference in shaping your experience. As one of the most student-friendly cities in the world, Melbourne offers a mix of vibrant neighborhoods, each with its unique charm, affordability, and convenience.  

Whether you’re seeking a bustling area packed with cafes and nightlife or a peaceful retreat near green spaces, Melbourne has a perfect spot to match your lifestyle. Let’s explore the best places to live in Melbourne, tailored for students like you! 

Why is Melbourne an excellent place to study?

Melbourne is a dynamic and internationally acclaimed city, consistently ranked as one of the best places to study in the world. Attracting over 182,000 students from more than 120 countries, it offers a unique blend of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and vibrant city life. Here’s what makes Melbourne a top study destination:

• Home to Australia’s Top University 
• Multicultural City 
• Safe and Secure 
• Excellent Transport System 
• Abundant Job Opportunities 
• Diverse Student Population 
• Strong Educational System 
• Wide Variety of Courses 

Is Melbourne expensive for students?

The cost of living in Melbourne is around AUD 1800 per month excluding tuition fees. On average, the monthly cost of housing in Melbourne is around A$1,000, food will be around AUD 300 and transportation will cost AUD 250. 

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It is important to note that the exact cost of living in Melbourne for students depends on the kind of lifestyle the student decides to live. These can include where the student is living, the type of accommodation chosen by the student, food choices, and more. For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your average cost of living in Melbourne. 

What are the Best Places To Live In Melbourne?

As a newbie, you should look into finding the top places in Melbourne to live to help you narrow down the one that suits your needs. Find a location with easy access to your university, shopping centers, hospitals, bus or train stops. We’ve listed the ten best cities to live in Melbourne. You can look in each city and find student accommodation in Melbourne in one of these areas. 

South Yarra

South Yarra is one of the best area in Melbourne to live. It is only 4 kms away from the CBD, offering students easy access to universities, public transport, shopping areas and excellent quality of life. Many students consider South Yarra an ideal location due to transit options, sustainable lifestyle and being home to reputed universities.

• Cost of living in South Yarra: AUD 1,800 per month
• Distance to City Centre: 4 km (2 miles)
• Local Landmarks: Chapel Street, The Jam Factory, The Como Centre, Prahran Market, Toorak Road
• Transportation: South Yarra has two railway stations and tram stops served by the 58, 72 and 78 trams

St Kilda

St Kilda is only 6 km from the CBD, which is in the list of best place to live in Melbourne Australia. It has a significant population of young communities with a hip, lively and thriving culture. For students who love art, music, and cultural activities, there’s no better place to live and explore as a student. St Kilda is home to some of the top-notch universities attracting students from all over the world. These include Victorian College of the Arts, SAE Institute, Torrens University, Monash University and Melbourne City College University of Melbourne. 

• Cost of living in St Kilda: AUD 2,000 per month 
• Distance to City Centre: 6 km (4 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: Luna Park, St Kilda Pier, St Kilda Beach, Acland Street 
• Transportation: Served by tram routes 3a (on weekends), tram 12 from Collins Street, tram 16 from Swanston Street, and tram 96 from Bourke Street 

Carlton

Carlton is named The Most Livable City in the world, offering easy access to restaurants, attractions, entertainment, lively and multicultural atmosphere. This peaceful suburb also provides the best quality of life for residents, becoming the best place in Melbourne. 

Carlton has easy access to CBD- with only 11 mins of distance by train! This means the top universities in Melbourne are only a short walk away, where you can save money and time to attend classes. 

• Cost of living in Carlton: AUD 2,000 per month 
• Distance to City Centre: 3 km (2 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum, La Mama Theatre, Readings Bookstore 
• Transportation: Served by many of Melbourne’s tram routes. 

Fitzroy

Fitzroy is a suburb in Melbourne known as a cultural hub, particularly for its bohemian and artsy culture. It is a small and compact place with only 10,773 total population. Fitzroy is a perfect area for students to live in as it’s only 3 km northeast of CBD, so you can quickly get to universities by train or bus. This area has many student accommodations, close to many universities in Melbourne. With such efficient public transportation, getting to the center and other places is easy. 

• Cost of living in Fitzroy: AUD 2,500 per month 
• Distance to City Centre:  3 km (2 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: Brunswick Street Gallery, Gertrude Street, Smith Street, Brunswick Street 
• Transportation: 3 tram lines pass through Fitzroy. 

Richmond

Richmond, known as the sports capital of Australia, attracts students who love sports and entertainment. It is only 3 km east of CBD and benefits students studying at the University of Melbourne. Time Out magazine ranked Richmond as #10 on the list of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. It is a student city- with easy access to the town and social amenities- food, shopping, events, etc. 

• Cost of living in Richmond: AUD 3,300 per month 
• Distance to City Centre:  3 km (1.9 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: Richmond Town Hall, Burnley Park, Swan Street 
• Transportation: Served by tram routes 12 and 109, on Victoria Street, 78 on Church Street, 48 and 75 on Bridge Road and 70 on Swan Street. 

Brighton

Brighton is an expensive area and one of the most popular beach destinations in the country. Students are not only attracted to this place for its beaches but also for its cultural living, restaurants, and historic sites. It is half an hour from the CBD, but with easy transportation systems, you can quickly get to any of the universities in Melbourne. Being voted one of the best places to live in Melbourne, it is no wonder students flock there. It suits those who love beaches, outdoor activities, and green spaces. 

• Cost of living in Brighton: AUD 2,500 per month 
• Distance to City Centre: 11 km (7 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: Dendy Street Beach, Brighton Beach, St Andrew’s Anglican Church 
• Transportation: Serviced by the Gardenvale, North Brighton, Middle Brighton, and Brighton Beach railway stations on the Sandringham line. 

Hawthorn

Hawthorn is an inner suburb in Melbourne and home to the world’s giant cherry tree. So, you can imagine the beauty of this place! It is only 6 km away from CBD with easy public transportation connectivity. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in the city. It has a mix of urbanity and Victorian housing style with leafy streets. Many students choose to stay in this area because it’s convenient to travel to universities with the feeling of living in the suburbs. 

• Cost of living in Hawthorn: A$2500 per month 
• Distance to City Centre: 6 km (3.7 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: The Auburn Tower, Gardiners Creek 
• Transportation: Hawthorn has two railway stations and also served by tram routes 16, 48, 70, 72, 75 and 109. 

Claufield

Claufield is another area in Melbourne that’s an ideal location for students. It is also considered one of the best places to live in the city. It is quiet and has a relaxing atmosphere. It is about 10 km from the CBD, but with a suitable mode of transportation, it’s easy to go anywhere in and around the city. It is a multicultural city with a significant influence of Jewish community in the area. Being a livable city and a friendly community, it has many international students. 

• Cost of living in Claufield: A$2,500 per month 
• Distance to City Centre: 10 km (6.2 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: Caulfield Park, Monash University Museum of Art 
• Transportation: Two tram routes (Route 64 and Route 67) serve the suburbs. 

Brunswick

Brunswick is a well-known destination for its hipster culture. It has a reputation for its great coffee and brunch places. This city has much to offer for international students as it’s close to the town. It is only about 6 km away from the CBD. Due to this culture, it has rich arts and cultural resources for students to enjoy, such as museums, concert halls, and theaters. The first college established in this place was Bowdoin, established in 1794. 

• Cost of living in Brunswick: A$2,000 per month 
• Distance to City Centre: 5 km (3.1 miles) 
• Local Landmarks: Alex Gillon Oval, Raeburn Reserve, Brunswick Park, Clifton Park and Gilpin Park. 
• Transportation: Services by 7 Bus Routes 503, 504, 506, 508, 509, 510, Night Bus 951 

Conclusion

Melbourne’s diverse neighborhoods offer something for every student, whether you’re seeking a lively social scene, peaceful green spaces, or easy access to your university. From the bustling streets of Carlton and Brunswick to the serene charm of Hawthorn, each area provides unique benefits tailored to your needs. 

As you embark on this exciting chapter of your life, choosing the right place to live will set the foundation for a rewarding student experience. Take your time to explore your options, prioritize what matters most to you, and embrace all that Melbourne has to offer. Your Melbourne adventure awaits!