Hi

As a long time emigrant to Melbourne (I emigrated from Western Australia in 1975 ) I have some ideas and opinions to put forward.

1, Melbourne

Interesting multicultural city with great architecture (including a great new ralway station with a wavy roof), lots of cheap, great restaurants and a strong sporting culture. It is sort of like a Paris in the South Pacific.

2. Australian Rules Football Club to follow

Follow St Kilda. Note - there is no bias here as I follow Nth Melbourne. St Kilda is a Bayside suburb with a strong French community hence someone Swiss should feel at home with the club (A lot of Swiss speak French).

3. Soccer Club (Football) to follow.

Don't bother - the standard of soccer in this country is relatively low.

4. Melbourne Rugby League club to follow.

This is easy - Melbourne Storm as it is the only Melbourne club in the National competition. Having said that not many people in Victoria follow the rugby.

5. Foreign Tv

I'ss assume you speak Swiss German. It is possible to get DW-TV (English/German) unencrypted with a satellite dish and decoder. If you speak French as I do you can likewise get TV5 (which includes some Swiss Romand programs), Tempo and Canal+ (free to air some of the time) with an appropriate setup. There is also subscription tv for those that speak French - see www.lbf.com.au

6. Climate

Temperate and variable. Can get very hot in summer but not cold enough for snow generally.

7. Major events during the year - Melbourne Comedy Festival, Melbourne Arts Festival, Melbourne Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup Day, Royal Melbourne Show

8. Best Shopping places - any of the factory outlets, Victoria Market, Richmond (clothing)

9. Recommended suburb (if you can afford it)

Glen Iris, Malvern, Camberwell, Balwyn - all leafy and green and quiet. Ideally get a house within walking distance of a railway station or tram

If you want a cheaper home but nice, buy at Boronia which is right next to Mount Dandenong. Its a long trip to the city but it is only 5 minutes to the Parks on Mount Dandenong by car.

10. Public transport - inner suburbs (good), outer suburbs - ok for getting to and from the city centre (downtown) if you are near a railway line. Otherwise you need a car.

cheers Peter