Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is the capital of the Victoria Province in Australia, and it is located along the southeastern coast by Port Phillip Bay. The area has seen a rapid growth between the mid-19th and early-21st centuries, starting with the Gold Rush around 1850. This sparked immigration from all around the world, mainly newcomers from different Australian provinces and Britain. With the rapid population growth, Melbourne housed over half of Victoria's population by 1920 and reached a population of one-million not long after World War II. Immigration patterns to Melbourne and the Victoria province continued, as Australia was expanding industrially and creating new employment and education opportunities. Today, Melbourne is home to over three-fourths of the population of Victoria Province.

More expansion into suburbs happened with the rapid population growth. There are currently around 137,000 residents in downtown Melbourne, with an extensive Metro area of over one million residents. Australia's primary language is English, and its currency is the Australian Dollar (A$); one A$ equals $0.71 USD.

Location

Job Opportunities

With Melbourne being Australia's second-largest city, there are abundant job opportunities in any industry. From the creative aspect, many art and crafting studios are recognized with artwork and games worldwide. The design studios are recognized throughout Melbourne, with opportunities in graphic design and interior design. Screen filming is also popular, with a variety of plays, musicals, and other film studios around town. Melbourne is a very sustainable city, with positions in the energy technology field; employees have opportunities to research and develop new technology to promote a more sustainable areas locally. Melbourne is also home to over half of Australia's top 20 technology companies; fields in technology include data analytics, web development, marketing services, cloud services, and other information technology related services. One other notable industry is the medical technology area, with Victoria Province leading among the world's top researchers in medical technology and innovation. From working in university research to any start-up or global company, the medical technology industry is only growing in Melbourne. Overall, opportunities are available in every industry in Melbourne, ranging from business and information technology to medical technology research to creative and studio art experiences.

Cost of Living

Like many cities, living in the suburbs of Melbourne is more cost-effective than living directly downtown. If living in the city center, apartments range in price from 1,700 A$ ($1,280 USD) for a one-bedroom unit to 3,220 A$ ($2,425 USD) for a three-bedroom apartment. Living in suburban or exurban areas brings the cost down. Prices here vary from 1,385 A$ ($1,050 USD) for the smallest units to 2,225 A$ ($1,675 USD) for larger units.

Basic utility prices per month average around 200 A$ ($150 USD), including all electricity, heating and cooling, and water expenses. For internet and other cell services, including different amounts of data, costs average around 75 A$ ($57 USD). Buying a vehicle is comparable to other nearby cities and countries, as the lower end of brand-new vehicles falls around 26,500 A$ ($20,000 USD); gas prices may average 5.50 A$ ($4.15 USD) per gallon. Vehicle expenses depend on one's own preference of owning a car or using local transportation from the suburbs to commute downtown.

Transportation

The Melbourne population is scattered around city suburbs, so trains are used to commute into the city each day. There are 16 train lines around the city, going to all ends of town. For regular transit use, buying a Myki card for 6 A$ ($4.30 USD) is recommended; this gives users access to trains, buses, and trams around Melbourne and other parts of the Victoria province. This card is rechargeable, and rides are 4.50 A$ ($3.20 USD) one-way, with some variance depending on distance travelled.

For those interested in bus routes, Melbourne also has plenty to offer. There are over 325 routes around Melbourne and the Victoria region, which aim for both city center destinations and other attractions both in and out of the city. This also takes the Myki card. Other transport possibilities in Melbourne include trams, which are convenient for travelling to specific city sights; taxis for hurried occasions; and ferries to enjoy time on the water and see the Melbourne peninsula.

Recreation

Melbourne offers a great variety of outdoor activities. Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, referred to as 1000 Steps, is located in the Dandenong Ranges and is a three-kilometer walk. Located just a 45-minute drive from Melbourne, it is a great recreational activity for weekends. Phillip island is another option, with great wildlife viewing. There are seals, whales, penguins, and koalas to be found, and the island is also great for fishing and surfing.

While Melbourne may not have the professional sports of other cities, there are recreational centers and activities around town. Activities include swimming, netball, hockey, basketball, and soccer that can be played recreationally or competitively. For more historical aspects of the city, the Abbotsford Convent offers artistic and cultural glimpses into Melbourne. Established in 1863, there are food markets, movies, and other dining and concert performance events at the Abbotsford Convent. For a relaxing evening, the Eureka Skydeck provides panoramic city views. Reaching 297 meters high, enjoy splendid views of the city of Melbourne down below.

Climate

In Melbourne, each season has its distinct temperatures; however, there is not a massive difference between Winter (June through August) and Summer (December through February). In the Winter, expect the year's lowest temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s (13 to 15 degrees Celsius) with lows reaching the low 40s (6 to 8 degrees Celsius). Regardless of season, precipitation is somewhat consistent in Melbourne, averaging around 2 inches per month and totaling 25 to 26 inches per year.