Melbourne, the largest city in Australia, is a beautiful metropolis of over five million people, with some truly exceptional parks and the Yarra River running through the city. Everything is within easy reach, and you can get around the city center on foot, by bike, or on the free streetcars. The city is one of the best cities in the world with the highest quality of life. That is why many people dream living in Melbourne. From the city center you can also easily reach some beautiful beaches or move around to admire beautiful landscapes.
And as for sports, everything is sports in Melbourne! Every sport you can imagine is played here. The Australian Tennis Open is held in Melbourne, and all kinds of water sports are played on the Yarra River. As for entertainment, there are restaurants, bars, theaters nightclubs of all kinds and some of the largest casinos in the world. Music is an integral part of the city, and many internationally known artists have made their first steps from here.
The flip side of the coin is that Melbourne’s public transportation system is inadequate. If you live in the suburbs, expect to take a lot of time to get to the city center. This leads to more and more people looking for accommodation in the center, which in turn drives up the cost of rent. In any case, there are bike paths and the bike could be a good alternative.
Melbourne is a cosmopolitan city where people of all races, origins and cultures live together in a harmonious and tolerant manner. Residents are welcoming and friendly and always willing to help newcomers. Australia is generally a very safe country with little violence, Melbourne is no exception in this regard.
It isan expensive city, the cost of living in Melbourne is high: food, services and especially accommodation are very expensive. The growing popularity of the city has led to a large number of immigrants coming to the city, which has driven up prices.
Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The public health service covers basic medical expenses and hospitalization, but other services are chargeable. For this reason, many also purchase private insurance. The level of public education is also very good. The government also provides loans to university students that can be repaid at the end of their studies.
The weather is warm. In summer it can be very hot, with temperatures that can reach peaks of 46°. Winter, on the other hand, is cold with wet and gray days. But the main feature of Melbourne’s climate is its sudden variability, the famous: four seasons in one day is not just a saying, but reality.
Speaking of work, there are excellent employment opportunities in Melbourne, as in the rest of the country. The work culture in Australia is not very hierarchical and there is a camaraderie among colleagues. This does not mean that people do not work; on the contrary, those who work hard without making a mark are highly respected.
Living and working in Melbourne – pros and cons
Living and working in Melbourne, pros
- Good job opportunities
- Lively city with many opportunities for leisure and entertainment
- Multicultural place
Living and working in Melbourne, cons
- High cost of living
- Congested traffic
- Changeable climate with cold winters
Sydney vs Melbourne
So which city is better? Sydney or Melbourne? When it comes to Australia, the comparison between these two cities is obvious. Sydney is a city that immediately catches the visitor’s eye with the beauty of the harbor and the Opera House with its futuristic structure.
To put it bluntly:
- The cost of living is higher in Sydney than in Melbourne
- As for the climate, If you love the heat, Sydney is for you, if you prefer the cold, Melbourne is for you
- As for the job market, for some jobs Sydney might be better, for others Melbourne
- The entertainment and cultural offer is better in Melbourne than in Sydney
- Both cities are extremely multicultural
In summary, many feel that Melbourne is a more authentic city, with more life and a soul of its own, while Sydney can not shake off the air of being a somewhat fake city that tries hard to appear as the most beautiful of them all.
So I would say if you like a quiet job and a relaxed lifestyle, Melbourne is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to live.
If you want to know how to move to Australia, you can read the article: Move to Australia
If you want to know how to work in Australia, you can read the article: How to work in Australia
