Where to live when you're a student in Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and Australia’s second largest city. With 8 universities and 300,000 students, it is Australia’s student city and a great destination for studying abroad. Over a third of the city’s students is from abroad! Often said to experience all four seasons in one day, Melbourne’s cultural and social scene is as diverse as its weather. With a great sense of community considering its size and a passion for all things sport (especially Aussie Rules), Melbourne is an exciting venture for anyone who wants a truly Australian student experience.
RichmondAn area encapsulating Melbourne’s tradition of diversity, Richmond is home to Little Saigon – a string of Vietnamese restaurants, shops and stores along Victoria Street. These are then mixed with Greek restaurants and Australian pubs! Richmond has a lot to offer – most of it fairly cheaply. Rowing, climbing or supporting the local football team nicknamed the Tigers are great ways for sports fans to connect with the area. There is also a great nightlife scene, from pubs to clubs, but this tends not to get in the way of residents with more tranquil lifestyles – so everyone’s happy!
NorthcoteNorthcote is an oasis of peace and calm in an otherwise bustling city; if you’re not one for the hubbub of the crowd, Northcote might be for you. Convenient for students of La Trobe, Northcote is also home to more families than other districts. Choose between cafes and farmers markets or cinemas and restaurants for that chilled out Northcote vibe. Properties tend to be bigger in Northcote, but the rents are pretty reasonable. It is not too central, but is still well connected and provides a lot of space compared to the packed central districts.
DocklandsAs the name suggests, Docklands is right on the water, and its riverside location is one of the biggest draws for the district. Bordering the city’s Central Business District and within easy reach of just about everything thanks to Melbourne’s excellent public transport offering, you’ll never be short of something to do. Sports, shopping and culture are all at your fingertips, and the Docklands are home to the Southern Star Observation Wheel. All this means prices are beginning to creep up compared to other areas, but this may be worth for the superb location.
Collingwood
Collingwood is the place to be in Melbourne if, like many students, you’re a fan of cutting edge entertainment, cafes and bars. There’s a strong biking and skating culture in the area, and the vibe manages to be authentic instead of pretentious. With Melbourne’s well known punk venue The Tote a big draw for the area and an abundance of street art, Collingwood’s cool credentials are second to none. It’s a short tram or bike ride away from the University of Melbourne and RMIT, and the rent prices are fairly good for Melbourne, making it popular with Australian and international students alike.
Melbourne is a fantastic city for students, and there are many more districts than these open to students. The local government even has a site welcoming international students to Melbourne, and the student community is big enough for you to find your place! With all of this to help guide you, you need to choose somewhere to live. Fortunately, Roomlala has a selection of spare rooms in Melbourne, as well as flatshares and houseshares in Melbourne for you to search through.
Author: Roomlala