Brought to you by ZOOM Removals

The Definitive Guide To Moving In Melbourne

Moving interstate to Melbourne for a change of scenery, career opportunities, or a new adventure? You’re going to love it. With a superb blend of culture, lifestyle, and natural beauty, it’s a city that has something to everyone.

But, just like any other long-distance move, the excitement quickly fades once you realise just how much there is to do. Well, no worries – our Melbourne moving guide is here to lay it all out for you in a simple way, so that you’re ready for the big day and beyond. We’ll be looking at the neighbourhoods, housing options, transportation, job market, and cultural scene – so grab yourself a coffee, and let’s dive in.

 

Key Takeaways

 

Why Move To Melbourne?

Melbourne consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable cities, and in 2023, it secured the runner up spot in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index for its stability, great healthcare, vibrant culture, natural environment, education, and highly developed infrastructure. 

Arts and culture:

Melbourne has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a whole host of galleries, museums, theatres, and music venues to visit, including the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Museum, and the Melbourne Arts Centre, to name just a few. 

The city’s cultural calendar is packed with events all year round, with the likes of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and the Melbourne Fringe Festival. You can read more on Melbourne’s Cultural highlights on the official website.

Food and drink:

Melbourne is a foodie’s heaven, with a truly diverse array of cuisines from around the world, together with a popular coffee culture that spans across countless cafes. Then there’s the bar and club scene, featuring all kinds of hidden laneway bars, rooftop terraces, speakeasies serving fancy cocktails and craft beers.

Sporting events:

Sports lovers will find plenty to cheer about in Melbourne, with year-round major events such as the Australian Open, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, and the Melbourne Cup. Melbourne is also home to several professional sports teams, including AFL’s Collingwood Magpies and Richmond Tigers, the NRL’s Melbourne Storm, and A-League’s Melbourne Victory.

Careers:

Melbourne’s economy is a major draw for working professionals from around the world, with high quality opportunities in sectors like finance, technology, healthcare, and education. The city is home to several major companies and organizations, including the National Australia Bank, BHP, and Telstra. Melbourne is also well-known as a supportive hub for startups and entrepreneurs, with a growing number of co-working spaces and digital nomads.

Nature:

For lovers of the great outdoors, Melbourne has it all. With parks, gardens, beaches, national parks and more, there’s plenty to see and do. Some popular destinations include the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, St. Kilda Beach, and Yarra Valley.

Public transport:

Melbourne’s public transportation system is operated by Public Transport Victoria (PTV). The expansive and convenient network includes trains, trams, and buses, and you can find details, on routes, timetables, and fares on the PTV website.

 

Preparing For Your Move

Choosing Where To Live In Melbourne

Any good Melbourne moving guide will tell you a little more about the different places to live, so let’s take a look at some of the more popular areas in Melbourne, and the things you need to think about when making your choice. 

 

Popular Melbourne Suburbs

Melbourne has an incredibly diverse range of suburbs, each with its own unique character and appeal. Here are a few of them:

For the full list of Suburbs that we can help you move to, take a look at our Melbourne interstate removals.

For different routes check out our Sydney to Melbourne removals, Melbourne to Sydney removals, Brisbane to Melbourne removals, Melbourne to Brisbane removals, Gold Coast to Melbourne removals, Melbourne to Gold Coast removals, Canberra to Melbourne removals.

 

Moving Timeline and Checklist

Moving interstate to Melbourne is no small thing, so it’s important to be logical, structured and systematic on how you go about it. Here’s an overview that you can follow and adapt to your situation:

Plan and prep: 2-3 months before moving 

Booking and packing: 1-2 months before moving

Final touches: 2-3 weeks before moving 

The big day and beyond 

For more on this, take a look at our article on the dos and don’ts of moving interstate.

 

Our Handy Interstate Moving Checklist

If you want all the above points and more in one place, take a look at our downloadable, and highly detailed interstate moving checklist.

 

Moving to Melbourne with a pet?

Moving with a pet takes some extra planning. For advice on this, take a look at our article on moving pets interstate.

 

Finding A Place To Live In Melbourne

Renting vs. Buying:

Choosing between renting or buying in Melbourne depends on your individual circumstances, financial goals, and lifestyle preferences. In the current market (2024), renting may be cheaper in many suburbs, but low interest rates can make buying a viable option (and smart investment) if you have the money.  

Renting:

Buying:

 

Tips for Finding Accommodation in Different Neighbourhoods:

 

Specific Neighbourhood Property Insights

Choosing Your Melbourne Removalists

The people you choose to move with can either make everything easier, or add stress and expense – so, it’s super important you make the right choice in regard to your interstate removalists. As part of our comprehensive Melbourne moving guide Here’s what you should look for, and what you need to ask:

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Removalist:

 

Questions to Ask Your Movers:

 

Getting Your Melbourne Moving Quote:

The quote for your interstate move to Melbourne outlines what services you’ll be getting, and how much it will all cost. It’s usually one of the main deciding factors for when you choose your team, so look at it carefully, and try to see the value, rather than how cheap it is. 

Compare the quotes carefully and choose a company that offers a balance of good service, reasonable pricing, and a positive reputation. Information to look out for includes:

Packing and Organisation For Your Interstate Move To Melbourne

Packing is one of the most labour-intensive aspects of an interstate move, and it’s very easy to underestimate the scale of the task, and the importance of doing it the smart way. Here’s how we suggest you go about it:

Boxing Up

Organising and Labelling

 

Getting Through Moving Day

The time has come for all that planning to pay off – and it will. But, you’re not out of the woods yet. The day itself can still be unpredictable and hectic, so make sure you keep the following in mind.

Do Your Final Prep

From the moment you wake up, double check that you have the date and time locked in with your interstate removals company. Then, take another look at your ‘essentials’ box to make sure you have everything you need, including chargers, water, and snacks for the long journey.

Give your home a final once-over to make sure nothing is left behind, and that no power or water is being used. 

Be Ready For Your Removalists

Now it’s time to prepare for the arrival of your interstate removalists to Melbourne. Make sure that all pathways, doors, and stairs in your house are clear of clutter and boxes, and that they have enough parking space for the vehicle – accounting for the fact that they will be loading up boxes with equipment.

There won’t be a need to micromanage, but do oversee the process, and call attention to fragile boxes. Agree the inventory with them, and make sure that you have details about their journey, and estimated arrival time. 

When You Get To The Other Side

Stay in touch with your movers to know when they’ll arrive, so you can once again ensure that they have space for their vehicle, and that they have good access to the property, and the spaces within. 

Review the inventory list with them to make sure nothing’s been left behind, and then let them get on with the unloading. Stick around to give any special instructions, or to highlight especially fragile pieces of cargo. 

Remember:

Moving can be very stressful, so look after yourself during this time. Stay keep, hydrated, and rested.  Maintain open communication with your removal company to address any questions or concerns – and then, once hands have been shaken, get started on the unpacking!

 

Settling Into Your New Home

Congratulations! We can officially say that the hard part is over. You’ve packed, travelled, sorted out the removalists, and had them unload your cargo. Now, it’s time to start your new life, and no prizes for guessing what comes first…

Unpacking And Organising

  1. Prioritise the essentials: Start by unpacking your ‘essentials’ box that you prepared earlier. Set up your bedding, unpack toiletries, put medication where you can find it, and sort out all the basics for the kitchen and bathroom.
  2. Go room by room: Don’t just open up boxes as you come across them. By taking one room at a time, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and won’t have to bounce from place to place.
  3. Arrange furniture: If you travelled with furniture, now’s a good time to place it all so that you know what space you have to work with.
  4. Declutter as you go: Even though you did this before, now that you’re in your new home, you might find even more opportunities to get rid of unneeded items.
  5. Closets and storage: Use closet organizers, shelves, and storage bins to keep everything tidy and accessible.
  6. Personalise: This comes right at the end, and is the most fun: Add personal touches such photos, artwork, and ornaments to make your new house feel like home.

 

Registering And Updating Your Information

When you move to Melbourne, there are a few essential registrations and updates you need to take care of as soon as possible:

  1. Change of address: Update your address with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to ensure you are enrolled to vote in your new electorate.
  2. Driver’s license: If you hold an interstate driver’s license, you’ll need to transfer it to a Victorian license within three months of moving to Melbourne.
  3. Vehicle registration: If you bring your car, you’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration to the Victoria area.
  4. Medicare: If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, update your address with Medicare to get your Medicare card at the new address.
  5. Banks and other services: If you didn’t already, update your address with your bank, insurance companies, utility providers, and other relevant organisations.

 

Getting to know Melbourne 

Now that you’re unpacked – or unpacked enough – it’s time to get out there and check out your local area, and wider Melbourne. Being new is always a little daunting, but here are some things you can try:

 

Events And Activities

Melbourne’s event scene is always packed with exciting activities. For a regularly updated list of events happening throughout the city, check the City of Melbourne’s What’s On page. To explore major events and festivals in the region, bookmark the main Melbourne tourism website. Finally, if you’re looking for all the happenings, from hidden gems to big-ticket events, Time Out Melbourne has you covered.

 

Transport In Melbourne:

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) is your one-stop shop for navigating Melbourne’s public transport system. Their website and app offer a wealth of information, letting you plan trips, check timetables, and purchase Myki cards for travel on trains, trams, and buses. 

For those enjoying Melbourne’s vibrant nightlife, the Night Network ensures safe travels on Friday and Saturday nights with all-night public transport services.

Here are all the main transport services:

 

Good Luck, And Welcome!

There’s no way around it – moving interstate is challenging. But with these Melbourne moving tips, you’ll stand a much better chance of getting it done with minimal stress. As we’ve said, the main thing to remember is that you want time on your side, so we’ll say it again: start planning early!

For more on how to navigate a long distance move, check out our articles on avoiding the challenges of moving interstate, moving pets interstate, and three never-fail interstate moving tips.

 


Experienced Interstate Removalists For Melbourne

ZOOM-Removals-Guarantees

ZOOM Removals is a leading interstate removalist service provider for homes and offices. Our five-star rated relocation services are renowned across Australia not only for its quality but also for the best prices when compared to other interstate moving companies. Our attentive furniture removalists can move your belongings from Melbourne to all major Australian cities for added peace of mind and a worry-free relocation, including:

Other Interstate Removalist Services

In A Hurry? Leave Your Number

Get Unlimited FREE Boxes

Learn more
It appears you're using an old version of Internet Explorer for safer and optimum browsing experience please upgrade your browser.