Top 5 areas to live in Melbourne
Are you a nurse considering a working holiday in Melbourne? As well as gaining essential experience at work you’ll also want to make the most of your free time – so finding somewhere to live that can lessen your commute is a wise move. As you’re likely to be working shifts then it’s ideal to choose somewhere near to the hospital that you’ll be working in, but somewhere that also has great amenities and attractions so you can get a real taste of life and culture Down Under! Here are our top picks for the best places to live in Melbourne to help you make the most of your free time away from the wards!
Parkville
This popular, leafy suburb of Melbourne is ideal for nurses and is home to major medical and research facilities – including the Royal Melbourne and Royal Children’s hospitals. It’s also a student hub, housing the University of Melbourne’s main campus. There is plenty to keep you occupied in the area. You’ll find one of Melbourne’s largest open spaces here – Royal Park, as well as Melbourne Zoo.
It’s a popular place to live – average rental prices are around $830 per week however with an abundance of students and young professionals, house shares are a popular option and a room should cost around $200-$360 per week.
East Melbourne
East Melbourne is an established, affluent area of the city – many of the homes are from the Victorian period, with most residents from the older generation however you’ll find a growing number of apartments occupied by young professionals. The popularity of this area is reflected in the average rental price of just over $960 per week for an apartment, or around $275-$500 for a room in a house or flat share.
The health services industry is huge in East Melbourne you’ll come across plenty of nursing and medical staff living in the area due to its proximity to major hospitals so there should be lots of opportunities to find the perfect flatmate! Hospitals in East Melbourne include Freemasons Hospital, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital as well as several private clinics.
Fitzroy
Whilst Fitzroy is close to St Vincent’s Hospital, most people don’t move here because of how close it is to work. People move to Fitzroy because it’s the coolest suburb in Melbourne. It’s definitely the place to see and be seen – full of quirky character; it’s the perfect place to relax outside of work with its abundant cafes, bars and restaurants.
Due to its popularity, property prices are at a premium for those looking to buy but rental properties and flat shares are much more affordable at an average of $300 – $500 per week.
St Kilda
St Kilda is known for its beautiful beachfront location, and picturesque beach huts, however it’s also an affluent suburb for young professionals and as a nurse you’ll find a number of hospitals and medical centres in the area including The Alfred and The Avenue Hospitals.
St Kilda also has a lively social scene, so on your days or nights off you can really get stuck in the mix. The average 1 bed apartment here costs $600 per week whereas a room in a house share is likely to be around the $200 mark.
Avondale Heights
Although most working holiday makers come to Australia for the lively social scene, sometimes you just want some peace and quiet after a long shift at the hospital. Whilst Avondale Heights is still within easy travelling distance of central Melbourne, its set far enough away to give you some much needed tranquillity. Spending time at home in a beautiful riverside location can really help to recharge your batteries.
There is a plethora of healthcare services in the locality including Sunshine Hospital and the Rhonda Davis Maternal & Child Health Centre and compared to other suburbs in Melbourne, rental prices come up much cheaper at around $380 per week. Property prices may seem expensive compared to the UK, however don’t forget that salaries are typically higher too.
The majority of working holiday makers tend to opt for the house share option – not only does this cut the cost of rent and bills dramatically but it’s also a great way of meeting like-minded people to spend your free time with!
Thinking about nursing during your working holiday in Australia? Australian Nursing Agency are welcoming nurses on Working Holiday Visas to join their books for flexible nursing work in Melbourne. Check our Nursing Jobs Board Get in touch today at recruitment@australiannursingagency.com[/fusion_text][/one_full][/fullwidth]
