If Melbourne is the city of your dreams, you will probably try to figure out how you could move and continue your life there. We all have a favorite city and think about relocating there, but some people get a chance to make this fantasy reality.
If you are the lucky one and an opportunity has presented to you to work or study in Melbourne, then the time has come to learn as much as you can about this breath-taking place. Surely you are already familiar with some famous areas and tourist attractions, but what about everyday stuff? Yes, these are the most crucial ones, so in this article, we are going to discuss some of them. Since we will mention only some general aspects, our advice is to conduct more thorough research and visit Kevsbest.com.au to learn more about Melbourne’s life.
1. Finding accommodation
First things first – you have to find a place to live. This can be a bit tricky, regardless if you are looking for something temporary or, on the other hand, a place in the long run. Naturally, the prices greatly depend on the area of the city you choose – the closer you want to be to the central business center, the more money you will have to put in.
However, you have to be ready to fight for an apartment because competition can be quite fierce. It would help if you considered registering at the local real estate agency in advance because this way they will have the necessary information ready to go.
If you are on a tight budget, you can also look for private rooms that are cheaper, or even try to find roommates and split the cost. Whatever your choice is, you should start looking for accommodation beforehand, just to make sure that you have considered all the options and have found the best place for you.
2. Apply for Medicare
Another important thing that you have to figure out before moving is the health care system, and Australia has a great one. Regardless of the duration of your stay, our advice is to sign up for a Medicare card. First of all, it is entirely free of charge, and secondly, it will provide you with health services by specialists and doctors in some public medical institutions.
You should do this as soon as your foot touches the ground, because it may take a few weeks for you to receive your card.
3. Weather is unpredictable
Are you familiar with the statement that Melbourne goes through four seasons in a single day? However odd this may sound to you – it is absolutely true. The fact is that the weather can change in an instant. Due to this reason, you will have to master the skill of layering. You will also have to adopt the habit of checking the weather report every morning before starting your day and making sure always to have a jacket, sunglasses, and a compact umbrella with you because you never know which of these you will need.
One more thing, make sure to have sun protection. Oftentimes, temperatures can be above 40°C, but this doesn’t only mean that it can get too hot. It is suspected that the ozone layer above Australia is thin, meaning that the sun can cause some severe damage. Due to this reason, you should always apply sun protection and wear a hat.
4. Public transportation
When it comes to Melbourne’s transportation, you have three options – trams, trains, and busses. Still, in order to be able to use these, you will have to buy a Myki card. No, you cannot purchase regular paper tickets, because well, they aren’t used anymore.
The great thing is that you can get it any primary bus, train, or tram stations, or 7-Eleven stores. Its price is around $6, and it is a reusable smart card. All you have to do is tap it on the card reader, and that’s it.
One more thing, it might be challenging to find your way around when you first arrive in Melbourne since the signs aren’t always clear. Due to this reason, you should use a smartphone app that will help you understand which route to take to get to your destination.
5. Be smart about parking
If you have a vehicle or are planning to rent one, you have to be careful about parking because inspectors are, well, everywhere. It might not seem like a big deal to park the vehicle outside the specified zone, but believe us, it is. Not only will you be presented with a costly fine, but the chances are that your car will be towed. The same thing goes for parking meters. If you are a minute late, all you can do is wave goodbye to your car and pick it up later from the compound.
6. Coffee is everything
Putting in mildly, people love their coffee. Don’t believe us? All we are going to say is that Starbucks had to close due to harsh competition from local cafes. If you are a coffee lover, this city is your paradise. On the other note, if you are not, you will soon become one.
Cafes are on every corner, and the diversity of coffee that they offer is unbelievable. What’s more, several types were invented here, and you will have the opportunity to taste each one of them.
7. Smoking is too expensive
If you are a smoker, you will probably quit after only a few weeks of being in Melbourne. Why? Well, simply put, the price of cigarettes is way too steep. Australia has the highest tobacco duties in the world, and it is expected that the price of a pack will soon be around USD$40.
8. Happy Hour
You love Friday, don’t you? After all, who doesn’t? Well, you will love it even more upon moving to Melbourne and discovering the charm of the Happy Hour, which is every Friday between 4 pm and 6 pm. Most bars in the city offer discounts, which means that they are all packed with happy customers. Our advice is to use social platforms to track down the best deals, and naturally, go to a different place every week.
