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A few months ago I posted on the blog my reasons for moving to Melbourne. Well, that post has since become Hayley on Holiday’s most viewed story. So since I have been living here for two months now, I thought I would do a follow-up. Here’s how the move to Melbourne has been, so far.
My thoughts on the move to Melbourne… six months later
Four seasons in one day
People aren’t kidding when they say Melbourne has four seasons in one day. I mean, I can sit at my desk and see it be sunny in the morning, raining and cloudy by the afternoon but sunny again before the day ends. Melbourne weather is unpredictable. But when it is sunny, man is it a beautiful place to live. It’s similar to Canada too, in that even in winter when the sun is out so are the people. It’s one of the things I remember most about my time in Vancouver – how everyone made the most of the sun and the outdoors on beautiful days.
So much to see, eat and do
Seriously, I am currently compiling a bucket list of everything I do want to see/eat/experience in Melbourne and it is LONG. Every time I scroll through Instagram I find another restaurant, cafe or bar to add to the list. I am excited to eat my way around the city, just like I did in Vancouver. There are also other suburbs I am yet to wander, street art I am yet to find and other activities I am yet to do. Lucky I have no deadline in my new home to see and do it all.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Melbourne, check out these posts for free things to do, 50+ things to do and things to do at night.
Travel made easy
Since I have been living in Melbourne I have travelled north to the Sunshine Coast for a wedding and south to Tasmania for a midweek break in Hobart. Everywhere in Australia seems so accessible now, especially because I live very close to Southern Cross Station. This means I can catch a certain Skybus with ease. Yep, I’m now that person who is signed up to receive emails about specials from Virgin, Tigerair and Jetstar (Check out Webjet too, which is basically Australia’s Skyscanner). I’m heading home in August because I got a return fare for $170, which is crazy. I also discovered today that Jetstar flies direct from Melbourne to Singapore. Country 26 perhaps?
Slowly meeting people
Before moving to Melbourne, I was at home on Magnetic Island and didn’t really socialise with anyone other than my family and their friends (lucky they are awesome). When I moved to Melbourne, the people I knew could be counted on one hand. This didn’t matter much to me as I had moved to Vancouver knowing even fewer people (a.k.a none). But since being here I have tried to get out and meet new people and grow my very small social circle. I visited Hobart with a friend, met up with an awesome fellow travel blogger and I have started attending some Meetup events. I am an absolute introvert, so attending Meetups is a big deal for me. But everyone is there for the same reasons — to meet like-minded people. I can’t recommend the website enough.
I love where I live
Before moving to Melbourne, I spent some time browsing websites such as Gumtree and Flatmates to see if there was someone advertising for a room to rent around April. I was fortunate to find a room in an apartment building in Docklands, which is just south of Melbourne’s CBD. It’s such a fantastic location as you are walking distance to the city, outlet shopping centres (plural, which is dangerous), a train station and a tram stop is two minutes away. Docklands is also classified as in the free tram zone, which means I can travel all around the city centre for free. It’s in a very convenient position for car-less me and the views aren’t horrible, either. How nice it is to just step out of the apartment and go for a walk along the Yarra River.
Here’s how to spend a day in Melbourne’s CBD
Career progression – an update
One of the things I listed in my previous post was the career progression I hoped to have in Melbourne. So far I am writing for the same clients I was at home. I have been looking for new opportunities, but patience seems to be key in the freelance business. Melbourne-related, I am writing for a local food blog called Feast Melbourne, but that is it so far. But the move has allowed me to add a new dynamic to blog content, which is always good.
Besides the writing, trying to find a casual/part-time position to help boost the funds was not easy. I must have applied for nearly 70 jobs before I finally found the right match: working casually across Etihad Stadium and Melbourne and Olympic Parks. Patience, again.
The one negative
My only downside (and I am unsure if this is Melbourne’s fault or just my rotten luck), but for the past month, I have been sick. First, it was a sore throat that saw me bedridden for an entire weekend. I thought I had fought it off, but then about a week later I started coughing all the time and couldn’t stop. This has gone on for nearly two weeks and as you can imagine, I’m over it. I never got this sick in Canada and it is obviously much colder there, but perhaps my immune system is just a little weak now? Sigh.
Melbourne, I love you
As you can tell, other than my immune system hating on me, the move to Melbourne has definitely been a good choice. I love the city life, the endless options and the place I call home. I am a wanderer, so being in one place with no travels on the horizon is hard for me. But right now I am settling on always having a plane ticket booked for interstate travel. I hope to get to Adelaide before the end of the year so I can officially say I have visited every Australian state and territory.
For others wondering whether moving to Melbourne is the right idea, I say yes! It has everything you would want and need in a city. I feel like this was the right choice for me as this point in my life. Although I have dreams of living the ex-pat life again, I am happy with where I am right this moment. How about you?
If you missed any Melbourne posts, head straight to my archive!
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It was so much fun to read this post, and the moment I read the heading I just had to click. Also because I have just moved to Melbourne and done a similar post on my blog, though it also has my take on moving during the pandemic. Am excited to explore this city like you, which I call home now! :)
Thanks so much – enjoy the city for me ❤.
Dear Haley, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and especially the Moving to Melbourne post. I have a question you may be able to help me with. I am planning a move to Melbourne, however, I am also a nature lover and find myself feeling rather uncomfortable if I’m not able to see trees or water, hear birds or get a general sense of nature on a regular basis. Based on your experiences of Melbourne so far, what would you say to someone like me in regard to Melbourne’s natural side? I realise people don’t move to Melbourne to be closer to nature :-) Thanks for your thoughts on this. Kindest regards, Emma.
Hey Emma, there are mountain ranges close to Melbourne that sound more like what you are looking for. Melbourne does have great parks but that is about it.
Thanks Hayley – Yes, the Dandenongs and some other areas are beautiful and great for a day trip. I’m also keen to find natural areas closer to home so it can be more of a daily influence. I’ll keep looking for those little green gems – thanks for getting back to me :-)
Just think of all the amazing adventures you are going to have…
I can’t wait, Emma! Thanks for stopping by :)
Just got to Melbourne a few days ago – I have one day (tomorrow) to see do a ton of stuff. I hope I can fit it all in! Then it’ll be a road trip up to Cairns. After reading your blog, I think I’ll have to come back down here to see more.
Yesterday, I went to Philip Island. Definitely a must-do during your time here! The Koala Sanctuary (!!!) and the penguins coming up onto the beach after dark are both spectacular!
Enjoy your road trip to Cairns. If you get the chance visit Magnetic Island and the Whitsundays in Queensland – my old stomping ground! Thanks for reading :)
From one expat to another, I was reading this list and noticing that I myself have a lot of these same thoughts about my recent move! It sounds like you’re having a great time there!
And yes, I’ve learned that patience in the job hunt is the only thing that makes me not go crazy! Things will all fall into place!
Thanks, Sara. Keep enjoying Ireland!
Wow, travelling for free in such a big city? How awesome is that?!! And I hope your health gets better!! I’m sure it’s just the different climate and adjusting to it…. Since I moved to Norway I seem to get a cold constantly….
Sooo awesome. It’s only a new concept but a great one at that! And my cough has finally subsided, thanks for the well wishes.
Melbourne sounds exciting! It seems like there’s so much to see, do and eat! And kudos to your for putting yourself out there and meeting people! That’s definitely something I struggle with!
Thanks, Justine. Good luck putting yourself out there in Cambodia. How exciting! :)
You’re so lucky to live in Melbourne – I love that city! I was on a backpackers budget when I visited a few years ago, so I’d love to revisit and eat at all the amazing restaurants and cafes. Good luck trying to narrow down your restaurant options – I feel like it would be next to impossible in a city like Melbourne!
Ha I know, it’s going to be a good foodie challenge. I’m looking forward to reading more about Edinburgh on your blog – I really need to visit there soon!
Good luck in your new adventure. They have told me that there is no city like Melbourne. I hope you make memorable moments and continue to learn in this new process!
Thanks very much, Isabel!
I have heard so many good things about Melbourne and from your post, everything I’ve heard is true! I would love to visit Australia one day. My old college roommate is Australian and now lives in Darwin. And I have a friend that moved to Bryon Bay for work and decided to stay there.
You know I still haven’t been to Byron Bay – I feel like such a bad Australian! I hope you get to visit soon, it’s a beautiful place. But hey, so is the US ;)
Hi Hayley! I enjoyed your post and can relate to moving far from home and all the challenges that come from that, especially as a somewhat introverted person. I am from Los Angeles and now live in Singapore (yes, come to Singapore for country 26!). I used to say that L.A. got all the seasons in one day too! It’s gotten a bit warmer and more uniform in temp there lately though. Anyway, thanks for sharing about Melbourne. I really want to visit Australia sometime so I like to learn about the sights there.
Thanks so much for reading, Karen. I am so keen to make Singapore the next country – I will definitely check out your blog for tips too!