Located at the heart of Port Phillip Bay on the Australian eastern coast, Melbourne is rich in cultural history, business, and tourism. Not only is it one of the world’s most liveable cities, the Victoria capital is a popular and vibrant corporate destination, major financial hub and centre for creativity.
If you’re relocating to Melbourne, here are 7 reasons why it is considered one of the most liveable cities in the world.
Public Transport
Kicking off with Melbourne’s robust infrastructure and public transport, the city is well organised and easy to navigate. It has one of the largest tram networks in the world that spans 245km, with 28 lines and 1,813 stops as well as many bus and train routes. To make things even simpler, the city offers a Myki smart travel card which can be used on all public transport. The night network provides 24-hour public transport on weekends with all night trains, trams, and late-night buses, meaning you can get around the city any time you need to.
If you have a full corporate calendar when travelling for business in Melbourne, the city’s transport system makes getting around a breeze.
Theatre, arts, and culture
Melbourne prides itself on its ever-expanding arts and culture scene, with a calendar full of major cultural events and festivals. From iconic street art to a range of galleries and museums, Melbourne is a very creative and innovative city. Fostering creative experimentation by encouraging and funding artists, Melbourne plays an important role in bringing art and people together in the hopes of supporting its citizens. Melbourne boasts more than 100 galleries, the top of which includes the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia – the world’s first major public gallery dedicated to Australian art – and the Buxton Contemporary, which are all worth a visit if you’re relocating to Melbourne.
The city is home to Australia’s only theatre district, the East End Theatre District. This area includes the Princess Theatre, Regent Theatre, Comedy Theatre and the Forum. Whether you’re moving to Melbourne or just visiting for business in Melbourne, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding how to spend your downtime.
Safety
If you’re relocating to Melbourne, you can rest assured as it is the 8th safest city in the world. Despite being the second biggest city in the 6th largest country in the world, Melbourne has incredibly low crime rates. This could, in part, be down to Australia ranking 16th out of 163 in the Global Peace Index, meaning you can always feel safe down under. If you’re planning on relocating to Melbourne here are some of the suburbs with the lowest crime rates:
- South Yarra: The Yarra Valley has beautiful landscapes and is located on the south side of the city.
- South Wharf: In this area you’ll find the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
- Carlton North: According to crime statistics, this is the safest area in the city. So whether you’re moving to Melbourne or exploring as a tourist, you can feel safe here.
Educational hub
Melbourne offers some of the best schools and universities in the world and is even ranked the world’s third best university city, home to Australia’s highest ranked university and largest university, The University of Melbourne. With more than 1,300 schools, Melbourne’s education has been rated ‘above world standard’, yet another reason it’s one of the most liveable cities.
Weather
Melbourne weather has been described as having all four seasons in a single day. The summer months (December to February) sees warmer, dryer spells, ranging from 15-26°C. Melbourne’s hottest months are normally in January and February where temperatures can pass well above 30°C.
If you’re moving to Melbourne, be sure to explore the beautiful beaches during the summer and soak up some sun. Melbourne has over 2000 hours of sunshine per year and, although there are some very hot days, the average temperature in the summer is comfortable. Autumn and winter (March to August) can drop as low as 6°C. The coldest and wettest months are June and July, with an average annual rainfall of around 649 mm, so it might be handy to keep an umbrella close by!
Leading Healthcare Facilities
With one of the best healthcare systems in the world, Melbourne offers a wide range of quality hospitals and clinics as well as state-of-the-art diagnostic and testing facilities. Provided through Medicare, public healthcare in Melbourne provides citizens with medical appointments, medications, and hospital care at low or no cost. If you’re relocating to Melbourne, you are eligible for free healthcare and can check out more information here.
Incredible food
As a culinary destination where some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world reside, Melbourne offers a variety of different cuisines and dining experiences. If you’re moving to Melbourne, remember that some of the best restaurants in the city can be stumbled on in the most unassuming suburban streets, hidden underground, or even on the top floor of a skyscraper. Some of the top restaurants include:
- Reine and La Rue: With French- style dining surrounded by the cathedral- like interiors of this heritage listed stock exchange building on Collins Street, this restaurant is a luxury experience. The queen scallops with truffle butter is a dish you have to try..
- Maha: Offering Middle Eastern flavours, Maha is an aromatic experience with its own interpretations of regional specialties.
- Chin Chin: With South-East Asian staple dishes, this restaurant has had queues out the door since opening in 2011. If you’re relocating to Melbourne and drop into Chin Chin, be sure to try the crispy skin duck with ginger, coriander, and black vinegar sauce.
- Florentino: This place has been bringing classic fine dining to Melbourne since 1928. The Italian food and wine, complemented by iconic surrounds with timber-panelled walls and heritage details has a true Melburnian feel to it.
With a range of restaurants and cuisines at different price points, Melbourne is one of the most liveable cities in the world for foodies and those keen to experience a range of cultural dishes.
It’s also worth checking out some coffee shops in Melbourne, considering it is known to have the best in the world. With coffee culture thriving, it has become an integral aspect of the city’s personality, with talented baristas giving the city its esteemed reputation. If you’re moving to Melbourne and looking for your go to coffee in the morning, some of the best coffee shops in Melbourne include Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters, Coffee Supreme and Core Roasters. If your looking for for something to do after you've indulged in a morning coffee make sure to check out the best things to do in Melbourne.
Melbourne is a vibrant and cultural hotspot with opportunity and innovation at the heart of everything it does. With a passion for maintaining and improving the quality of life of its citizens, Melbourne continually reinvests to become one of the most liveable cities in the world. If you’re relocating to Melbourne, make sure to check out our range of serviced apartments in and around the city as well as our corporate traveller guide.
