How is it like living in Richmond Victoria or its surrounding suburbs?

Question

We are moving to Australia in two months time. And all the feedback I am getting from friends and family who have gone there are positive so it is making us really excited.

But since they are family they might be a bit biased. So I would like to get strangers opinion.

How is living in Richmond or Melbourne?

What are things I have to beware off?

What should I be prepared for when we get there?

Answer 1

Richmond is great.  I lived there for over a year, and have often gone out there whilst living elsewhere in Melbourne.   It has great shopping on Swan St and Bridge Rd and also lots of cafes, pubs and restaurants.  It is also home to 'Little Saigon', Victoria St, which is has heaps of great Vietnamese restaurants and grocers. It is handy that it is situated in a great location that is central to St. Kilda, Prahran, Fitzroy, Collingwood and ofcourse the CBD - some of Melbourne's most popular 'going out' and shopping areas.  It is also very close to the MCG, Rod Laver arena, and some great parks like Fitzroy Gardens and the Botanical Gardens.  

Richmond is quite popular with young professionals and young families.  Only thing to beware of are around the housing commision flats and dark alleys near Victoria St.  I never had any problems here but you will sometimes come across a few 'rough sorts' in this area.  

All in all, I loved living in Richmond and can't wait to move back there.

Enjoy!

Answer 2

Richmond is an inner eastern suburb of Melbourne.  It is walking distance to the city and is well serviced by trams and trains.  Parking can be a hassle and traffic is bad, particularly at peak times.  There are a lot of restaurents there, particularly Bridge Rd. and if you like Vietnamese, Victoria St. (it is a 'little Vietnam').  The shopping is very good there (both boutiques and factory outlets).  There are a lot of pubs, some with live entertainment.  You will be very close to the MCG, Rod Laver Arena and several other sporting/entertainment areas.  Richmond is a pretty eclectic area as far as the people who live there and the types of housing.  There are still are lot of old Victorian houses, lots of terrace houses, lots of apartments and some housing commission flats, so there is a mixture of well off people through to new refugees.  It has become pretty fashionable for double income no kids people who like the closeness to the city/restaurents/entertainment in the last decade or so.  It is quite expensive to buy into now.  There is not too much to be aware of, maybe the odd low life/drug addict/alcoholic that hangs around any big city.  If you intend working in the city I would suggest either walking (through the Fitzroy Gardens) or cycling along the bike track by the Yarra River.

Surrounding suburbs include Kew, South Yarra, East Melbourne and Hawthorn.  They are all very nice - they tend to have bigger properties, leafier streets and no housing commission and maybe a bit quieter.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.