TravelinSperry

Hello all,

I am going to stay in Melbourne for 6 weeks and up to 3 months. I have been there before but mainly stayed in the CBD. I am in my forties and single and like going out to restaurants, cafes, and bars and meeting people. So I'd want to be in an area where that is easy to do. I love walking so don't mind being 30 minutes walking away from stuff (although it would be preferable to be a little closer, i.e, 15-20 minutes).

Although I'll likely AirBnB it - I will most likely go out for lunch and dinner each day/night. So I need to be in an area where restaurants are plentiful. I can cook of course - but doing so all by myself is less fun than going out.

I recall Southbank being too empty/sparse for me. I also visited St Kilda for the music festival (so fun!) but didn't seem like a good spot either.

So, with some rudimentary research I've come upon CBD, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Brunswick as options. Are these good choices for me? Any others you might add for my search?

Mwenenzi

Have a look at serviced apartments google "Melbourne serviced apartments"
Will you have a car to park? Parking cost for a car may tend to approach the cost of a room for your self.

Fitzroy, Collingwood and Brunswick on the north (better*) side of the Yarra river is more edgy - down market - alive. A lot going on Restaurants & bars are common. Public transport (trams) are plentiful.

South of the river is the Chapel St / South Yarra area. More up market.

There are some very seedy streets in St Kilda and others that are more vibrant(safe).

Smith St Collingwood
http://smithstreetlife.com.au/
https://www.theurbanlist.com/melbour...e-smith-street
https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/ba...reet-bar-crawl

Brunswick St
http://www.brunswickstreet.com.au/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunsw...eet,_Melbourne
http://www.weekendnotes.com/brunswick-street/
http://www.australia.com/en/places/v...brunswick.html

For semi - regular social meet ups look at http://australianfrequentflyer.com.au/

* I live north of the river and hardly ever venture south of the river.

Annalisa12

St Kilda West is another great location. Lived there once and it is fabulous. Minutes from the beach, lots of funky little cafes near home, great restaurants and lots of people watching.

MSPeconomist

There's at least one reasonable serviced apartment place near the Univ of Melbourne campus, on the side with lots of restaurants, bars, etc., opposite of the side near the zoo. I think this would be east of the campus if downtown is south of the campus. Depending on your style, a forty-something might not like to be in a somewhat student neighborhood with the resulting noise and congestion, but it offers a variety of restaurants and shops, including a good very upscale Italian grocery and wine store. There's also the Victoria Market nearby and definitely within walking distance. The CBD is walkable; so is the SouthBank entertainment complex, but it's a bit farther.

I don't recall the name (perhaps something like Yarra or Yarbourne? Not St Kilda which is the beachside community) but there's an upscale area of Melbourne with some fancy boutique hotels, including some upscale extended stay suites and serviced apartments, but this area is likely to be expensive--more expensive than the CBD.

Mwenenzi

That's the Carlton area. As well as the university several large hospitals in that area. Is to the west - north west of Fitzroy (next suburb)

MSPeconomist

Thank you. I guess the presence of the hospitals, as well as proximity to the CBD, explains why you see people of all ages on the streets and in restaurants, with some restaurants being mostly filled with an upscale adult clientele.

Mwenenzi

Some streets in Carlton (inner city suburb) are a very affluent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lygon_Street,_Melbourne

MSPeconomist

The place I'm thinking of is a city neighborhood, not a suburb. It starts right across the street from the University of Melbourne campus.

Mwenenzi

Carlton is considered a suburb here.
www.lygon-street.com.au/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lygon_Street,_Melbourne
G map https://www.google.com.au/maps/place...MaCn8Q8gEIHDAA

TravelinSperry

Great tips - Carlton, Fitzroy and Collingwood all seem somewhat close to the CBD without being too far away (like Brunswick). What would one get going all the way out to Brunswick?

I do recall wandering around St Kilda West and yes, it did have a little cool vibe - but seems a bit far out (from CBD at least). As for St Kilda itself, it was too seedy. I like edgy (and I'm used to large cities like NYC so not worried at all about crime) just past the age where seedy is cool.

I also prefer to be away from the University - it's simply too young to be so close. But if an area like Carlton is mixed age - that could be cool (because as you say I would get a lot of restaurant opportunities).

What about CBD itself? Do people live there - or are these suburbs we are mentioning more where people live?

No car for me - public transit and foot power. I can always rent a car for day trips. So not worried about parking at all.

BSBtraveller

How about Windsor, Prahran off Chapel Street or Carlisle St Balaclava. Lots of restaurants and close to the beach. Carlton, Brunswick and Fitzroy are hot in summer (no sea breezes).

Nugget_Oz

You could also try South Yarra, there are also a few long stay apartment hotels/apartments in the area. Along with a fairly vibrant nightlife, close to the Yarra and Domain.

Also has convenient PT links with Tram and Metro.

Mwenenzi

That equals Carlton & Fitzroy.
Can walk to the city or take the number 86 tram
http://www.yarratrams.com.au/using-trams/route-guides/
https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/maps/

If you more up market -trendy - designer brands - hipster - new BMW's & Porsche's go for: Windsor, Prahran off Chapel Street or Carlisle St Balaclava.

Guvner067

This would be my suggestion (have lived in Melbourne for 40 years). Plenty of AirBnB places, close to the city, close to restaurants, transport, nice walks, parks etc.

mandolino

"neighborhoods" in US English = "inner suburbs" in Australian.

More people live there than in the CBD but the CBD's population of permanent residents is growing all the time.

I've lived in East Brunswick, Carlton North & Fitzroy North and commuted into the CBD from there. More recently, my son lives in Collingwood, Abbotsford and previously East Brunswick. There's plenty of life around those slightly further-out suburbs but if you're working in the CBD you might prefer to be closer in.

South Yarra sounds like it would suit you though.