The 10 Best Places To Live in Melbourne In 2025: Your Guide

Are you considering Melbourne this semester? Well, you ought to be. The city of Melbourne is becoming the next hotspot for international students in Australia. It is located around coastal land and is the capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, adding the best living experience for newbie students. Welcoming culture, lively food and sports events, and a great environment allow you to explore various career opportunities. But with this massive city, how does a fresher narrow down the best neighborhoods in Melbourne? Leave it up to us! We've curated a list to help you find the best area in Melbourne to live! Let's start by knowing more about Melbourne before we dive into the best places to live in Melbourne!

About Melbourne

If you are planning on studying in Australia, you will want to check out the country's best student city, which is Melbourne. Along with that, you must also want to know about the best areas in Melbourne suitable for students. Home to over 180,000 international students from over 120 different nationalities, Melbourne is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after study destinations, making it hard to find student accommodation here. However, these best places to live in Melbourne Australia to live in come with student accommodation options that are surely unmissable!

Living in Melbourne can be quite a pleasant experience for students, with reasonable living costs, a well-connected transport system, and several opportunities to discover the city's culture; make sure to check these 20 things to do in Melbourne! If you are looking to make some extra money, Melbourne also has quite a few part-time jobs that you can take up. So, let's have a look at some of the best places to live in Melbourne!

10 Best Places to Live in Melbourne

With the city quickly becoming Australia's next big destination for international students, where to live in Melbourne is the first question that will strike your mind. Well, we've eased the process for you with a list of the best places to live in Melbourne, Australia, and a guide to help you find the perfect student housing. To make your decision easier, we have also mentioned the average cost of living, tourist attractions, and transport options available in these best places to live in Melbourne! We also have a Melbourne student housing guide, which can help you settle in better.

‍1. Carlton

Nearby transport: Carlton ranks highly with public transport, with trams running along Swanston Street to Carlton North.
Tourist Attractions: The Readings Bookstore, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum, Cinema Nova
Most Suited for: Students seeking a peaceful, calm neighbourhood where they can focus on their studies.
Average Cost of Living: AU$ 1900 - AU$ 2,500/month
Carlton is one of the most lively and best suburbs near the University of Melbourne, well-known for the Italian cafes and restaurants of Lygon Street Italian. You'll find several famous cafes and restaurants lined up in one of the best neighborhoods in Melbourne and enjoy its traditional cuisine. Carlton is one of the ten best places to live in Melbourne, as it is also known for its beautiful Victorian buildings, leafy parks, and quiet gardens. It has a population of around 20,000 people. Students Living in Carlton would be a great option as this area is in a prime location that is only a few minutes away from universities such as RMIT or the University of Melbourne. This is one really good place to live in Melbourne and is well-connected to public transportation at all times.‍ 

2. St. Kilda

Nearby transport: Public transport operates through the main arteries of Acland Street and Fitzroy Street.
Tourist Attractions: Luna Park, Palais Theatre, St Kilda Festival
Most Suited for: Students who like to party and want to experience Melbourne's nightlife!
Average Cost of Living: AU$2,000-AU$ 2,600/month
Undoubtedly a popular destination for students wishing to live in Melbourne, St. Kilda is one of the best places to live in Melbourne, known for its abundance of cafes, live music, and cinema, as well as several festivals being held here. Students of Charles Sturt University will be glad to learn that this is one of the good areas to live in Melbourne and is just a few minutes away from their university. As one of the best areas in Melbourne for beach lovers, this area is most suited for those wishing to partake in Melbourne's vibrant nightlife. It is located about 6 kilometres southeast of Melbourne's Central Business district. Stick around in February for St Kilda's very own music festival, which confirms this place as one of the best suburbs to live in Melbourne for students. 

3. Richmond

Nearby transport: Comprises tram routes, train stations, and arterial routes.‍
Tourist Attractions: Burnley Park, Richmond Oval
Most Suited for: Students who are nature lovers looking for security without compromising their student lifestyle.
Average Cost of Living: AU$ 5,000 - AU$ 7,000/month
Just a short hop away from Melbourne CBD, Richmond is one of the best neighbourhoods in Melbourne, which has pretty much everything a student could wish for - food, shopping, sporting events, and even access to the city. Close to the bayside Yarra River as well as St Kilda's beaches, Richmond offers students living here the best of both worlds. It is amongst Melbourne best places to live due to its more established transport system. It is known for its celebrations, community events and even food diversity. Richmond also has a vibrant nightlife with numerous pubs, bars, and live music venues, offering a range of entertainment options for students.

4. Hawthorn

Nearby transport: Hawthorn is serviced by three railway stations (Hawthorn, Glenferrie, Auburn) and six tram routes (16, 48, 70, 72, 75, 109).
Tourist Attractions: Lido Cinemas, The Auburn Tower, Sir Zelman Cowen Park
Most Suited for: Nature lovers and students who wish to live in a suburb close to Melbourne CBD
Average Cost of Living: AU$ 2,100 - AU$ 2,400/month
If you've got a green thumb, you're bound to fall in love with Hawthorn. This is certainly one of the best places to live in Melbourne, recognised for its flora, public transportation connectivity, and vicinity to Melbourne CBD. A mere 6 kilometres from the city centre, Hawthorn is quite urban despite being located in the inner Eastern suburbs and has several excellent cafes and galleries, making it one of the best areas in Melbourne for students. Swinburne University of Technology's campus in the area is located quite close to this place, making it the best place to live in Melbourne Australia. 

5. South Yarra

Nearby Transport: South Yarra has its railway station and several tram stops served by the 78, 72, and 58 trams
Tourist Attractions: Chapel Street, Toorak Road, Prahran Market, the Jam Factory, Village Cinema, Palace Como, and the Royal Botanic Gardens
Most Suited for: Students who enjoy shopping and are looking for a locality that offers an excellent quality of life at a reasonable price.
Average Cost of Living: AU$ 1,500 - AU$ 2,000/month
A Victorian suburban village called South Yarra is located just 4 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. It creates the perfect student environment, making it one of the best places to live in Melbourne. With a lavish working-class lifestyle and a thriving shopping area, South Yarra is perfect for students planning on living in Melbourne. Major shopping venues, public transport, parks, schools and a thriving place for businesses are a few reasons South Yarra is among the best areas to live in Melbourne. It is close to several major universities, such as Monash University's Caulfield campus, and RMIT University and also the suburb is rich in cultural and recreational opportunities. 

6. Caulfield

Nearby transport: You can take a train from Caulfield Station, and the area is connected to the city centre via the Line 46 tram and the Line 605 bus.
Tourist Attractions: Caulfield Park, Caulfield Racecourse, and Monash University Museum of Art
Most Suited for: Older students who have outgrown their clubbing era and are seeking a quiet neighbourhood.
Average Cost of Living: AU$2,100 - AU$2,600 /month
Counted among the best places to live in Melbourne, Caulfield has a quiet, intrinsic area with a relaxing atmosphere. You won't feel like living in the middle of nowhere because it isn't too quiet or isolated from Melbourne's civilisation. There are lovely parks, sporting facilities, and modest community restaurants around Caulfield, whether you rent an apartment or live in communal accommodation. It is a posh area in Melbourne that attracts working professionals and families. Caulfield is a convenient location for students of Monash University (Caulfield campus), making it one of the most preferred places in Melbourne to live. 

Brunswick

Nearby Transport: Brunswick is served by the Upfield train line, Line 19 tram, and bus routes. Brunswick is also quite bike-friendly, with several bike paths and lanes on its roads.
Tourist Attractions: Black Dot Gallery, CERES, Brunswick Park
Most Suited for: People who enjoy spending time in nature and appreciate bohemian culture.
Average Cost of Living: AU$1,500 to AU$2,000/month

Beautiful nature is rarely far from your doorstep when living in Melbourne, and if you are living in Brunswick, you would be right on the Merri Creek Trail. Brunswick is effortlessly cool, with a hipster and intercultural vibe that puts it among the best places to live in Melbourne for students. Between buzzing pubs and music venues are hip vintage shops, art galleries, bookstores, and family-run restaurants. It is a free-spirited locality full of impressive art, activism, beautiful vintage shops, and delicious food, so living in Brunswick as a student, you will never have a dull moment.‍

8. Fitzroy

Nearby transport: Fitzroy is linked to the rest of Melbourne as it is serviced by three tram lines and rates highly in walkability. The area is also quite bike-friendly.
Tourist Attractions: Gertrude Street, Brunswick Street, The Fitzroy Swimming Pool, Brunswick Street Gallery, Sutton Gallery, Smith Reserve
Most Suited for: Students who enjoy art studios, art galleries, and street art exhibitions.
Average Cost of Living: AU$2,000 to AU$2,500/month
Adding to the list of the best places to live in Melbourne, Fitzroy is a rapidly growing area known for its cafe culture and bohemian vibe. It is one of Melbourne's most densely populated areas, with Victorian-era terraced housing and modern apartments. Considering it is among the best places in Melbourne to live, Fitzroy has a lot of personality and charm and hosts the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Easily accessible by public transport, it's a booming suburb with many possibilities, so living here as a student would come with the utmost comfort. 

9. Clayton

Nearby Transport: Huntingdale train station is just 10 minutes away from Monash University's Clayton campus by bus.
Tourist Attractions: World's Fair Pavilion, Historic Hanley House
Most Suited for: Students seeking out a multicultural neighbourhood with rent on the lower side of the scale.
Average Cost of Living: AU$1,800 to AU$2,200/month
Compared to the other best places to live in Melbourne, Clayton has a lower average cost of rent, which is perfect for students. Clayton is home to multicultural communities, so you will always have easy access to affordable but world-class food, which is why it is among the best places to live in Melbourne as a student. Also, a variety of local supermarkets where you can find products and ingredients you may not see at a typical Australian grocery store would be within your reach, which is another reason why this place is one of the best places in Melbourne to live!

10. Seaholme

Nearby Transport: Seaholme is well-connected to the rest of Melbourne, with its own railway station and several bus lines.
Tourist Attractions: The 100 Steps of Federation, Altona Pier, Altona Coastal Park
Most suited for: Students who wish to live a modern lifestyle at the heart of nature.
Average Cost of Living: AU$ 1,500 - AU$ 2,000/month
Located only 13 kilometres from the CBD, Seaholme offers students peace and abundance. Reputable colleges and universities, such as Victoria University and Greenwich English College, are also nearby; hence, living in Seaholme won't be a hassle and falls under the list of the best places to live in Melbourne. 

Factors to Choose Melbourne

1. Weather

Many people are drawn to Melbourne's mild climate, which offers a range of experiences throughout the year thanks to its various seasons. Melbourne has diverse weather. It offers bright summers for outdoor activities and warm winters for exploring indoor attractions and sipping hot chocolate.

2. Public Transportation 

Melbourne has a well-developed system of buses, trains, and trams that make it simple to travel around the city. The well-connected transportation infrastructure provides more convenient and sustainable urban living, improves accessibility and reduces the dependency on private vehicles.

3. Jobs

Melbourne is the second-biggest city in Australia. It has a number of part-time jobs available in a variety of fields, including finance, technology, and healthcare. Melbourne's booming job market offers plenty of opportunities for career advancement and growth, no matter what your level of experience is.  

4. Safety and Security 

Melbourne's low crime rate and reputation for safety provide people with a sense of security and peace of mind. Residents are free to explore and enjoy the city without worrying about their safety because of the city's effective law enforcement agencies and well-maintained public areas. These contribute to a safe atmosphere suitable for both daytime activities and nocturnal excursions.

5. Nature and Outdoor Spaces 

Melbourne provides its citizens with an abundance of green spaces and natural attractions, even though it is a busy metropolis. Melbourne offers possibilities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, enabling residents to escape the city and reconnect with nature. 

Seamless Booking with amber in Melbourne!

The best places to live in Melbourne for students also offer several student accommodation options. However, if you book at the last minute, it isn't easy to get the ones you like at extremely affordable prices. This makes it very necessary to book your student accommodation early, as you can choose from a wide range of options!

Amber will help you throughout the booking process! You can choose from an exclusive range of comfortable and chic student accommodation options in Melbourne, in some of the best areas, at pocket-friendly prices! With the added advantage of early Booking, you not only ensure a seamless transition but also unlock exclusive benefits such as discounted rates and preferred choices. 

Due to its large size, Melbourne has a very diverse population and multicultural communities across the city, so that you will fit right in as an international student. Living in Melbourne as a student is accessible and comfortable regardless of where you base yourself, ensuring you'll never be far from the bustle. Make a move and explore the fun and vivacity Melbourne has to offer. Known for its vibrant nightlife, make sure you check out the best clubs in Melbourne so that you don't miss out on any new experiences.