Suburban in Melbourne

BBKen SG

I will be studying in Melbourne University next year. My family is coming along and so will need a decent place with reasonable rent to stay.

Thinking of the suburban areas not too far from CBD, e.g. Northcote, Thornsbury and Preston. According to info on web, these are about 20 - 45 mins tram ride to CBD.

Another important criteria is that it is a safe place, esp for Asians (heard so much about the negative attitudes of some Ausatralians toward Asians.)

Any recommendation or comment? Tks.

Simonmj SG

All the surburbs you mentioned - Northcote, Thornsbury and Preston are safe and located not far from the city.

They are mainly populated by European migrants and local Aussies, not many Asians there. Finding Asian food will be a challange. Other than that you'll be fine.

BBKen SG

Tks, SImonmj. Think the part about food is still "bearable". One year w/o char kway Tio and chicken rice, think can tahan.

As long as the place is safe. Thanks, once again.

Rooney9 SG

why dun u stay in the city? if its expensive, what about carlton, which is walking distance from Melbourne Uni?

ditzy SG

Your best bet is to fill your cargo with those boxes of prima deli pre made recipes. No, I'm not kidding, you want chicken rice and laksa, those are the best. If your parents are coming, even better, ask them bring a whole carton.

Not asking you to cook and eat chili crab or chicken rice everyday, Even one pack for a cook off per fortnight is great.

Sorry to say, you still need to supply the chicken and the rice from the local markets.

honeymouse SG

BBKen, food will be the last thing you need to worry about as asian food is easily available these days. Those prima deli pre-made recipes mentioned by ditzy are also available in the asian grocer. If possible, avoid bringing any food over to Oz so you don't need to queue up to go through quarantine station.

Anyway, to look for accommodation, you might need the website below useful. Good luck!

http://www.realestate.com.au/rent

Gedanken SG

If you're at Melbourne Uni, I'd suggest looking at suburbs that are along the axis formed by Sydney Rd, namely Brunswick, Moreland and Coburg, would make transport easier - the trams run straight to Melbourne along Sydney Rd. I lived in Brunswick for about 7 years, and in that time I never experienced any problems.

Forget Carlton and Parkville - prices there are absurd.

Honeymouse is right about the groceries. The nearest big Asian neighbourhood for you would be Richmond, but Box Hill's pretty good and not too far either.