You might be about to embark on a study journey in Melbourne, or maybe you’re already living in the city and looking to move elsewhere.
The great thing about Melbourne is that there are so many interesting places to live. The city is kind of like a bunch of villages strung together, meaning each suburb offers a distinct vibe.
What’s more, Melbourne’s amazing public transport, run by Transport Victoria, is easy, fast and affordable. With a comprehensive network of trains, trams and buses right on your doorstep, you’ll find it simple to get anywhere you want to go!
To work out any route, simply enter your starting point and destination in the Transport Victoria Journey Planner, and choose the option that suits you best!
From up-and-coming inner west areas to established student hubs, we’ve put together a list of some of the most student-friendly suburbs in Melbourne.
Top suburbs for city universities
If you’re looking for affordable living near the University of Melbourne, RMIT, or Victoria University in the inner west, there are a few great options.
Footscray
Footscray is a relatively affordable suburb in Melbourne’s inner west, which is home to two campuses of Victoria University. Here, the median rent for a two-bedroom unit is around $550 per week, while a private room in a share house starts from about $220 per week.
The whole west side of Melbourne is full of potential, with new cafes and bars popping up all the time. Footscray itself is full of Asian and African restaurants and grocers, as well as a number of other great cuisines from around the world. You can really sample a bit of everything in Footscray.
Plus, with regular trams, trains and buses connecting the area to the city and surrounds, you’ll find it’s convenient, too!
Seddon
Seddon is nestled between Footscray and the hipster haven of Yarraville. Seddon is full of character, with plenty of restaurants and cafes in its main shopping precinct, coupled with some quirky independent stores and relaxed streets.
In Seddon, the median rent for a two-bedroom unit is around $500 per week, and a room in a share house starts from roughly $235 per week.
Plus, Seddon is located just a quick train ride away from the city and within easy walking distance of buses and trams in Footscray, so you’ll have no trouble getting around!
Coburg
Coburg is just a few stops further north from trendy Brunswick. It offers a similarly eclectic vibe, with great restaurants, cafes and bars popping up around the area. Plus, it’s quite a bit cheaper than Brunswick when it comes to rent.
A two-bedroom unit is around $530 per week, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 weekly for a room in a share house.
From Coburg, it’s quick and easy to get into the CBD by bus, train or tram, making it a great option if your campus is in the city.
Thornbury
Thornbury is to trendy Northcote as Coburg is to Brunswick. It’s only one suburb up, but it’s still within easy reach of Northcote’s bar, restaurant and cafe scene – all it takes is a quick tram ride south.
In Thornbury, you can expect to pay around $520 per week for a two-bedroom unit. If you’d prefer a room in a share house, you’ll find these starting at about $250 per week.
Trains, trams, and buses will take you from Thornbury to nearly anywhere in the city. Plus, there’s a tram here that runs direct to La Trobe University in Bundoora.
Top suburbs for universities in the north
If you’re studying at La Trobe University, RMIT Bundoora, or one of the TAFE institutes in Melbourne’s north, there are some great options when it comes to suburbs.
Bundoora
Bundoora is a large suburb, with La Trobe at one end and RMIT at the other. The tram runs through the middle, and the area has enough supermarkets and shopping centres that you have everything on your doorstep.
Two-bedroom units in Bundoora are usually around $485 per week, while a room in a share house can start from $150 weekly. There are also plenty of managed student accommodation options in the area.
What’s more, public transport in Bundoora is excellent! Alongside bus and train options, the tram can take you from Bundoora to Preston, Northcote, Collingwood, and all the way into the city.
Preston
Preston has become somewhat of a hub for artists. Now, cafes, bars and restaurants are nestled among the traditional and quirky stores along High Street. It’s home to one of the Melbourne Polytechnic campuses too, so this is a great option if you want to live where you study.
Median rent for a two-bedroom unit in Preston is around $550 per week, and from $150 per week for a room in a share house.
Preston also has a train station, where you can catch a train straight to the city, and is also well-served by buses and trams.
Top suburbs for universities in the southeast
If you go to Deakin University, Monash Caulfield or Monash Clayton, or Box Hill Institute, there are plenty of options nearby.
Box Hill
Box Hill is a hub for Asian restaurants, grocery stores, hairdressers and banks. It’s also home to various cultural events throughout the year, including a huge Chinese New Year festival. The suburb is also home to Box Hill Institute, ideal if you want to live within walking distance of your campus.
In Box Hill, the median rent for a two-bedroom unit is around $610 per week, and you’ll probably pay anywhere from $200 per week for a room in a share house.
Box Hill is also well-equipped when it comes to public transport! Alongside buses, it has a tram line that runs into the city as well as Box Hill Station, which is serviced by two train lines.
Ferntree Gully
Ferntree Gully sits at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne’s east. You’re likely to have a lot of living space here, while still being in close proximity to various educational institutions in the southeast. Plus, the Dandenong Ranges is one of the best places to hang out on a weekend.
A two-bedroom unit in Ferntree Gully is likely to be around $520 per week. You’ll probably be spending anywhere from $220 per week for a room in a share house.
Ferntree Gully has its own train station, so it’s super easy to get anywhere! You can get to the city, Box Hill, Deakin University and either of Monash’s campuses from here in under an hour.
Clayton
Clayton is kind of like a mini Box Hill, with a number of great Asian eateries and grocery stores in the area. It’s also home to its own Monash University campus and relatively close to Monash University’s Caulfield campus. Plus, there’s an IKEA store just around the corner in Springvale.
The median rent for a two-bedroom unit in Clayton is around $550 per week, while you can expect to pay at least $150 per week for a room in a share house.
It’s just a 15-minute train ride from Clayton Station to Monash University’s Caulfield campus or a 15-minute bus ride to its Clayton campus. You can also get a train to the city in just over 30 minutes.
No matter where you live, work or study, it’s easy to get around with Transport Victoria. And, as an international undergraduate student, you could be eligible for an International Student Travel Pass! These 90-day, 180-day or 365-day passes can save you up to 50% on your annual transport fees.
