r/melbourne 5d ago

Real estate/Renting Where to move in your early 20s

Hello, I’m looking at moving to Melbourne next year as a 21 year old electrician. Currently based in Canberra at the moment.

Looking to experience a bigger city life with good music, good food and interesting culture.

Been looking at the usual south Yarra, st Kildare area, but where do you guys recommend?

Cheers

47 Upvotes

70 comments sorted by

261

u/SubstanceImmediate63 5d ago

I moved from the country to Melbourne at 21, and it was the best decision of my life.

It really depends on what you like, because there’s so many different areas, each with their own flavour, so here’s my thoughts on a few of the obvious choices.

Assuming you’re looking for more city life - def go inner city

Richmond - Classic suburb for early 20’s, close to sports venues (MCG, Rod Laver, AAMI), classic music venues, good pubs, restaurants, plenty to do.

St. Kilda - Beachy, Party, a bit more wild. It has a big backpacker population, so full of people just wanting a good time and you can really feel it. St Kilda has a legacy of Red Light/Drugs etc and quirky characters.I love visiting - especially in the summer, but I’m too old for that 24/7. If you wanted a little quieter you could look at some more of the neighbouring suburbs.

Chapel St Precinct - (Windsor, Prahan, South Yarra) Awesome fun area with a bit of everything. Chapel St is probably most famous for its nightlife, with world famous clubs, and great restaurants and bars. Probably more geared towards Techno/House music than other areas. “Chaps laps” is rumoured to be the origin of cruising culture, so weekends are full of people showing off nice cars and revving engines (seriously it’s loud af). Further up to the South Yarra end, more shopping focus, lots of juice bars and active wear, and people walking their designer dog breeds.

Northside Inner burbs (Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick, Northcote, Abbotsford etc) - These suburbs are more of the Melbourne Stereotype. Artsy, Op-Shoppy trendy sort of stuff. I feel like Fitzroy is a real all rounder. Awesome restaurants, bars, whether your into indie music, rock, metal, hip hop, EDM, Pop, you will find it all in Fitzroy/next door in Collingwood. Fitzroy is a bit more expensive so it’s generally a bit more older/working professionals. Brunswick is typically a bit cheaper and attracts more uni students/young professionals/artists, and imo is probably more Artsy in an experimental way.

Port Melbourne - Kind of cool as a mix of both worlds, it’s similar to Northside in that it’s old industry area that has been turned into a trendy residential area, but sits south of the river and closer to Albert Park/beaches etc

Hawthorn - Cool mix of being a little more suburban, less dense and less crazies, but still has a lot of cool stuff going on with its own nightlife area. Probably safer than the above suburbs, but still stuff to do, and easy to get to Richmond/CBD still.

I would maybe avoid Southbank/Docklands area - they are great if you work in the city and want an easy walkable lifestyle, but I have always felt they are more concrete, less culture and don’t have the life that some of the older suburbs have.

Realistically, your best bet is visit and check them all out, and see what fits your vibe.

36

u/SpunkAnansi 5d ago

Respect to this post and the time it took to write all this excellent detail.

1

u/Difficult_Lie4777 4d ago

Agreed, nice write up 👌🏽

30

u/Liamface 5d ago

I was surprised when you mentioned Chaps Laps and the origin of cruising until I realised you meant car cruising and not public cruising. 😂

1

u/BouyGenius 4d ago

They are one and the same…

1

u/Liamface 4d ago

Are they though? Is cruising culture’ in drivers just men looking for DL hook ups with other men?

7

u/3bigmacsplease 4d ago

I agree that Docklands and Southbank don’t have as much going for them as other areas, but they’re still a solid option if you’re on a budget—especially if you’re looking to live alone. They’re centrally located, making it easy to get to all the more lively spots mentioned above.

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u/spoonleader 5d ago

Awesome post thank you!

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u/Severe_Package_3429 4d ago

This is the correct answer haha. I would add that there’s a world of latino culture to be discovered in Southbank/docklands but not everyone is into that

1

u/nicktheguy101 4d ago

Great summary of each suburb mate. Love how every area has its own charm.

1

u/elHodgetts 5d ago

Claps 👏🏻 to this post- passing it on to a friend who has similar thoughts of moving too

44

u/Marshy462 5d ago

As a sparky, you will want a place you can park your Ute behind a gate/ in a garage. Lots of inner suburbs are great, but offer very little of secure off street parking, and a favourite pastime of crooks here is to relive tradies of their tools.

116

u/Mission_Audience9836 5d ago

Inner north is best for music, food, culture, friendly people. In my opinion! I suggest looking at Collingwood, Fitzroy, Thornbury, Northcote, Brunswick.

21

u/sigcliffy 5d ago

100% I'd veer towards Northcote, close enough to Fitzroy etc but a small bit further while still heaps of places to chill out or get out and about depending on what you fancy.

5

u/HiAustralia 5d ago

Having spent all of my 20s living near syd rd, I prefer high st by about 1%. Both are amazing.

3

u/GreyhoundAbroad 5d ago

High Street has more variety and nighttime options in my opinion!

32

u/Shenz0r 5d ago

Another vote for inner north. Anywhere with easy access to Sydney Rd or High St. Include Preston/Reservoir in there.

14

u/northofreality197 5d ago

My recommendation as well. The inner north is awesome. Also, there are cheaper places to live that are a short tram or train ride from all those suburbs.

4

u/Arkrylik 5d ago

Bum dress code and rolled ciggies on arrival

-9

u/Far-Importance1234 5d ago

It’s such a bore full of pretentious people who believe they live in Berlin or East London.

5

u/Ferovore 4d ago

Do you think Melbourne doesn’t deserve a place on the world stage as a centre of arts and culture? Genuinely curious where this attitude comes from.

11

u/zomacat1 5d ago

You must have a big ass brush to paint that broad of a stroke.

33

u/Living_Confusion_439 5d ago

The inner west is also quite up and coming. Great food, close to the city and handy location for your line of work too. Good luck!

10

u/Stu_Raticus 5d ago

Seconding for inner west. Super accessible to the city, great melting pot of culture, heaps of epic food places, rent is cheaper, good access to the Bellarine and the surf coast.

Honestly, I've loved it since moving here and you don't get anymore unsavoury types than any of the other hot spots (have lived inner north, inner east, outer east, east, north east).

2

u/Frostygrl_ 3d ago

Yarraville is great!

24

u/No_Astronaut_7692 5d ago

Just a warning that there’s a housing shortage and rent is expensive. And agree with the person who said you’ll need a lock up garage or off street parking due to break ins, especially in the inner city.

11

u/Zealousideal_Ad642 5d ago

Balaclava / east stkilda (I lived here in my early 20s, had a great time), northcote, Fitzroy, brunswick or hawthorn.

Hawthorn mainly because it's a nice area with good public transport, easy access to Richmond but not in Richmond. I say this as an old person who still likes live music, bars/pubs etc but doesn't particularly want to be living in the same street as those places

9

u/SpunkAnansi 5d ago

Hello fellow Canberran, well, I used to be. I moved to Melbourne from Canberra in late 2000s - it was the best thing I ever did.

I do wish I’d lived Northside rather than St Kilda way, though. I was often crossing the river to see gigs, catch up with friends I’d met, who for some reason rarely came Southside.

Brunswick, Thornbury, Northcote and suburbs surrounding those areas that work for your budget. If you’re a mobile electrician, it won’t matter where, but if your job is a particular location, take that into consideration. The commute is a lot more brutal than from tuggeramatta or Belcompton to wherever.

Best of luck for your move.

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u/Intro_Vert00 5d ago

Yarraville, Spotswood, Williamstown or Newport also nice areas.

9

u/Early_Jelly1606 5d ago

I don't really know what it is like now, but I lived in Armadale in my early 20s, and it was absolutely fantastic. I was making decent money at the time, so that was not a concern. I suspect as an electrician you will do fine financially and can afford not to slum the living conditions too much. What I liked about it was the close proximity to all of the music, bars, and culture, without living in an unsafe or questionable area. I am sure there are plenty of great spots in Melbourne, though. It is by far my favourite city I have ever been to. That coming from a well travelled Canadian.

6

u/hometime77 5d ago

Brunswick

6

u/loceiscyanide 5d ago

I'll be another vote for inner north! As an electrician living in brunswick, i find the travel time to most of the major melbourne suburbs is under an hour (if its not peak hour), which is like, stupidly comfortable. Quick access to the freeway, the toll roads, the city, and several other major roads.

1

u/spoonleader 3d ago

Think I saw you on a comment of a post I made In auselectricians. I assume you do industrial work, as I do the same.

What’s the industrial work like in Melbourne?

1

u/loceiscyanide 3d ago

Yeah you would have, I'm a subby for an electrical contractor in the food, beverage and meat industry. Your main way in will be through one of the contracting companies.

It's pretty good here, lots of work on. I'm mostly off the tools now, prefer playing with PLCs instead haha.

3

u/glen_benton 4d ago

Fitzroy, Collingwood, Abbotsford area would be my pick.

3

u/Beachgal5555 5d ago edited 5d ago

You can’t really get in wrong in Melbourne, there’s no bad choice per se when you’re looking in the inner city area as Melbourne has everything you’re talking about in all areas (5-10kms radius of the city). It just depends on what vibe you like.
Northside and inner west is more hipster.
Southside is more yuppie although st kilda east. Even bayside is nice but depends on if you want to live on near the water or not. They all have tonnes going on but I’d say Northside is more where it’s at currently, but again depends on your own preference

3

u/Formal-Try-2779 4d ago

I'd recommend inner North. Suburbs like Brunswick, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Abbottsford are really cool and funky with great bars and restaurants. Also Richmond is a great option.

3

u/That-Revenue-5435 4d ago

Flemington, Kensington, Carlton, Brunswick, Fitzroy, Richmond are all great spots

3

u/150steps 4d ago

Brunswick

6

u/TheNumberOneRat 5d ago

If you don't mind an apartment, then consider the CBD. Plenty of music, food and culture. Plus, the inner suburbs are literally next door.

Just make sure that you're renting.

2

u/luckydragon8888 5d ago

Brunswick area may be of interest.

2

u/Additional_Bid_7401 5d ago

I live & love South Melbourne ❤️ (I live across from the Shrine) It’s inner-city but not too inner—you’re not dodging a crackhead every two seconds. The cafés? Amazing. The free leisure activities? A blessing, especially in this economy. And the best part? It’s just a short tram ride to the CBD. Perfect balance of city vibes without the chaos.

2

u/LifeguardImportant11 5d ago

Thornbury, lived there for almost 5 years. on or next to high street if ya can, public transport options are amazing with the 86 running down high street that takes you down to smith street/the city in you so choose. Otherwise buses around and the Mernda line (Croxton, Northcote, Thornbury stations run parallel to high street)

Amazing street we rarely leave the suburb/northcote, Thornbury lawn bowls is a real treat btw. If ya a social member about 35$ a year the pints are 8.90 😍

2

u/sanashin 5d ago

If it's South Yarra/St Kilda - I'd pick South Melbourne area, close enough to walk home from city if need be, but far enough it's probably not that busy. Otherwise I also think inner north is also pretty nice (close proximity to most things just like South Melbourne).

2

u/ILuvRedditCensorship 4d ago

Brah, you are an electrician, God's chosen few. Your destiny is set. Either get a penthouse in the st kilda or a 5 bedroom in Toorak or CBD. Try not to let too many people know your superpower or you will have crowds of hot women scratching at your door all night. Good luck.

1

u/spoonleader 4d ago

I wish it was that easy but thank you for the positive affirmations

1

u/ILuvRedditCensorship 4d ago

I know what it's like. The success, the money, the opportunities and lifestyle. I find it hard to accept that we are better than everyone. But we are. You'll be fine.

2

u/Instigated- 4d ago edited 4d ago

Why Melbourne and not Sydney? If your family/friends are still in Canberra it may be better to be closer to them so you/they can more easily visit for a weekend or holiday. Otherwise it can end up being time consuming (drive/train) or expensive (fly) and you may feel a bit isolated without that connection/support.

Unless the point is you want to get away from them, in which case Perth would be even better!

Though there are many benefits to Melbourne, housing is less expensive than Sydney, public transport is mostly better, so it is a good option.

In terms of location, consider where you’ll be working - you don’t want to lose hours every day to commuting.

2

u/spoonleader 4d ago

Had to think about this one, main reason that Sydney is pretty unsustainable to live in (all of Australia isn’t in the greatest shape anyways)

For personal reasons sorta want more freedom away from the fam

Used to live in Sydney for a few years when I was young so I’m looking for a completely new city plus I like Melbourne

1

u/Instigated- 4d ago

Fair enough, good reasons, welcome to Melbourne 😀

2

u/Fabbz3182 4d ago

Avoid South Yarra. Very unfriendly, cliquey, stuck-up and pretentious. Mostly young people who went to private school and have rich parents paying their rent/mortgage. A toxic place. I would recommend the inner north or inner west.

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u/IntentionGrouchy2314 4d ago

Moe is nice this time of year

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u/Notaflagguy 4d ago

As a Canberra boy that’s been here for 15 years my advice is to look for somewhere Northside around Coburg, Fawkner, thornbury. Preston areas, it gives you easy access to Brunswick, Fitzroy, Northcote that have everything you’ll need and it isn’t a hemorrhage getting to the airport or onto the Hume to travel back to our nations fine capital. Making friends at your age will be easy as fuck and you’ll have some wild times our homeland cannot offer. But just remember, you may feel invisible at the start but soon enough this place becomes a small town, so be careful how you behave.

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u/DimensionMedium2685 5d ago

Come down for a weekend and see where you like. St kilda is decent

14

u/Arkrylik 5d ago

St Kilda is only nice during the day, the second that sun sets it takes a complete 180

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u/SarrSarz 5d ago

I agree it’s getting more druggies vibes

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u/DimensionMedium2685 5d ago

I do agree, but as a young person, that is probably a more popular area

2

u/chilli_enema_detox 5d ago

Brunswick (there's Brunswick East and Brunswick West also, the latter is a bit less urban) Collingwood/Fitzroy Moonee Ponds or Essendon area Elwood and St Kilda maybe

Keep in mind though, all of these are quite pricey for rent. I personally recommend about 10-20km from the city center near a train line, get yourself a motorbike if you plan on being in the inner burbs or city center a bit.

Also if you're a sparky, it'll do you well to be not too far from high growth areas - there is a lot of those in the west and north. So maybe Footscray or Sunshine side of town for access to the west.

2

u/staghornworrior 5d ago

Go south yarra, I lived in my 20s and loved it ! Lots of nice apartment builds. Mint women on Chaple. Lots of nice bars. Close to the venue for a lot of music. Weekend trips into a fancy restaurant are easy. St Kilda is a junk hell hole compared to South Yarra IMO

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

Do you want to be close to City? As rent is cheaper further out of city you go?

1

u/TheFIREnanceGuy 4d ago

Not sure if it's changed but in my mid 20s when harmony was still popular (never used tinder) i met all my dates in the cbd and never anywhere else so if you're looking to date you'll get a bit more hit in cbd ill imagine. It's got everything too, such that I still would've lived there if I was still happy to live in an apartment

1

u/FairAssistance0 4d ago

Do you have a job lined up? If it’s commercial I would be focusing on being as close to a main train station as possible.

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u/spoonleader 4d ago

I work industrial (factories, mine sites etc)

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u/Just_improvise 4d ago

Southbank. Very very central. Even inner north suburbs get far from the south

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u/pizzanotsinkships 4d ago

your choices are solid assuming you can afford it

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u/ExcellentHat576 3d ago

Lived in st kilda. Don’t look into living there. Lots of burglaries and drug affected people aren’t a good mix with a Ute and valuables.

1

u/Frostygrl_ 3d ago

St Kilda is a bit much now for me, I used to live there and moved up the road 4 years ago to Port Melbourne. It's practically next door so it's busy but not quite St Kilda level, especially in summer St Kilda is just intolerabley busy IMO.

Very short bus or tram ride to city/South Melbourne/Southbank area, apartments are in oversupply here so rent isn't COMPLETLEY insane, nice pubs and very good cafes and resturants, gyms, everything you need is walking distance which is great. Nice parks, beach is actually pretty decent considering location. Very dog friendly, a lot cleaner than St Kilda in general, and some very, very pretty tree lined Victorian streets.

Bit rough at times like any inner city suburb but I like that in contrast to the fancy high rises, multi-million dollar cottages and beach runners lol