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10 Best Places To Live In Melbourne For Students

December 13, 2024 •

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Melbourne is popularly admired as it is Australia’s student city that attracts a large population of local and international students. This is due to the presence of many prestigious universities, enticing neighbourhoods, varied accommodation options and a good quality of life. As a student, finding a comfortable place to live during your studies is extremely important. Melbourne has a wide array of suburbs and localities that are ideal for student housing in Australia. This blog post is all about helping you find the best places to live in Melbourne for students. We have presented a round-up of the top 10 localities that tick all the boxes right in terms of proximity to renowned universities, transportation accessibility, connectivity to nearby places and factors that make them perfect for students to reside in.

Best Places To Live In Melbourne For Students

Melbourne has emerged as one of the most sought-after cities by students in Australia. The academic excellence, comfortable student residences and fun things to explore contribute towards this preference. However, with an ocean of localities to stay in Australia, finding your perfect destination to call home might feel like a daunting task. We’ve made your search easier as we have presented a list of the Top 10 places in Melbourne to live for students:

Carlton

Carlton is located in the heart of Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city. The suburb hosts the University of Melbourne’s main campus which makes it an ideal location for students.

Carlton offers convenient access to the buzzing Melbourne central business district (CBD) along with a perfect blend of serenity through lush green parks and outdoor spaces.

The central location connects you to the city centre in less than 15 minutes by trains and trams which are easily available.
Carlton is also home to Melbourne’s “Little Italy” neighbourhood which features authentic Italian restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.
For students seeking an urban lifestyle in a city that also has a historic charm, Carlton is truly the best place in Melbourne for these preferences.

Albert Park

Located closer to the central business district, Albert Park is one of the best areas in Melbourne to live. The inner-city suburb features leafy streets lined with Victorian-era terraced houses and the Albert Park Reserve.

You will experience a serene countryside setting along with easy access to amenities and the lively city centre.
Albert Park features abundant cafes, restaurants and shopping outlets.
Housing options range from historic homes, modern apartments and purpose-built student accommodations for a convenient stay in Melbourne.

St. Kilda

St. Kilda is located just 6km south of the city centre along Port Phillip Bay. If you are the one who is intrigued by beachside life and a forever admirer of the “Beach Please” ideology, this is certainly one of the best places to live in Melbourne. You will find a seamless blend of art galleries, cafes and a bustling nightlife.

Bicycle trails and public transportation are easily accessible thereby offering connectivity to the CBD effortlessly.
Iconic attractions like Luna Park, St. Kilda Beach, Acland Street and the Sunday Esplanade Market offer opportunities to unwind after classes.
Student accommodation options range from stylish apartments, ensuites, studio rooms and more.

Richmond

Richmond is one of the best areas to live in Melbourne Australia as it offers seamless connectivity to the central business district.

With two major university campuses located nearby, namely the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University, Richmond provides top-notch education.
Beyond academics, you will find a wide array of restaurants, cafes, clubs and boutique shops.
From shared apartments to luxurious studios, Richmond offers diverse accommodation options to suit all preferences.

South Yarra

South Yarra is one of the prestigious neighbourhoods in Melbourne. The accommodations here range from ensuites, studios and shared apartments which are stacked with upscale amenities to elevate your student living experience.

It is located 4 km away on the south of the CBD which provides you the ease to reach your university and experience the buzzing nightlife and perks that central Melbourne has to offer.
Boutique shopping on Chapel Street features a hint of a village charm blended with a contemporary appeal.
If you are looking for one of the best places to live in Melbourne that exudes a hint of luxury, South Yarra is a great choice.

Brunswick

If you are one who loves to stay in awe of nature and Bohemian culture, Brunswick is one of the best areas to live in Melbourne Australia. If you are looking for a perfect balance between natural beauty along with an urban vibe, Brunswick has it all.

You get to experience cultural diversity, art galleries, bookstores and multiple food outlets here.
You will never have a dull moment in Brunswick as there is inspiration, adventure and fun around every corner of this lively suburb.
The Merri Creek trail provides direct access to nature right at your convenience.

Hawthorn

Located in central Melbourne, Hawthorn provides easy access to Swinburne University’s Hawthorn campus.

The leafy streets adorned with Victorian-inspired homes, a serene countryside-like atmosphere and the liveliness of the city centre make it one of the best places in Melbourne to live for students.
You will get easy access directly to Melbourne’s CBD via train and tram lines.
Finding accommodation in Melbourne for students is relatively easier with a wide array of options ranging from ensuites, studio apartments and shared accommodations. There is something for every budget and preference.

Fitzroy

Featuring an artsy vibe, Fitzroy presents contemporary culture and street art across the neighbourhood.

Home to prestigious art and design schools like RMIT University, Fitzroy appeals to Australia’s most creative minds.
You will get an opportunity to explore live music, uber-cool cafes, vintage clothing outlets and varied food options.
You can explore the local markets and cycle through the Yarra River trails and Merri Creek.
You get convenient access to trams and public transportation to get through the connecting areas within and around the locality.

Clayton

If you are looking for relatively affordable living, Clayton is one of the best places to live in Melbourne.

You get an abundance of global cuisine with options ranging from authentic Asian to Middle Eastern at student-centric prices. It offers easy connectivity to the major universities too.
Huntingdale train station is just 10 minutes away from Monash University’s Clayton campus by bus.
You get access to local shopping markets and all other essential amenities for a convenient student-living journey here.

Seaholme

Seaholme offers an effortless seaside lifestyle for students. Located closer to Altona Bay, Seaholme provides beautiful coastal walking trails and stunning views which offer students an opportunity to unwind post classes.

It offers easy connectivity to Melbourne via public transport.
You will get a plethora of cafes, shopping outlets and restaurants to visit.
For water sports lovers or the ones who want to feel the ocean breeze, Seaholme provides a tropical backdrop for students to escape from the hustle of the inner city.

Cost Of Living In Melbourne For Students

Expense	Monthly Cost ( AU$ )
Off-Campus Accommodation	596
On Campus Accommodation	1,460
Transportation	159
Food	754
Utility	160
Entertainment	66
Groceries	160
Clothes	110

As a student in Australia, you’ll certainly need to incur expenses on varied aspects beyond your tuition fees like accommodation, food, entertainment and others. Here’s a snapshot of the average monthly expenses you are likely to incur on diverse fundamentals:

Australia is one of the most sought-after countries by students from across the world due to the presence of leading universities and excellent quality of life. Melbourne is a thriving city in the heart of Australia that has some of the best localities that offer abundant housing options, culinary delights and a cultural diversity for students. This blog post highlighted the best places to live in Melbourne to be your ally in finding the ideal destination for you to reside. From academics, countryside living, a Bohemian spirit to an urban edge, Melbourne has everything you could possibly ask for.