Thinking of making the move from Adelaide to Melbourne? You aren’t alone! Melbourne is Australia’s fastest growing capital city, with many South Australians choosing to relocate to the coffee capital.
At Allied, we have a wealth of experience in successfully relocating families and individuals from Adelaide to Melbourne - with a dedicated Adelaide moving team and Melbourne moving team for a streamlined move.
To equip you with everything you need to know before your move, we’ve created this handy and helpful guide. Read on to learn more or simply get in touch for any questions regarding your next move from Adelaide to Melbourne today!
Living in Melbourne
Coffee shops, hidden laneways, and a fierce love of AFL, there’s no shortage of stereotypes about Melbourne. But, what is life really like in Melbourne and how does it compare to Adelaide? We outline the essentials you need to know below.
HOUSING
The housing market in Melbourne is more competitive and slightly more expensive than in Adelaide. The median house price in Melbourne was $915,005, while Adelaide’s median was approximately $702,390. Renting is also more expensive in Melbourne with Budget Direct estimating the monthly cost of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre at around $3,168 (compared to Adelaide’s cost of $2,572).
FINDING WORK
If you are excited to move to Melbourne for lifestyle reasons, you will find a range of job opportunities. Melbourne has many industries to choose from, including tourism and events, the creative arts, digital technologies, education, and healthcare and medical technologies. The hospitality sector is also bouncing back after a difficult few years caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns.
CLIMATE
Say goodbye to the predictable and pleasant Mediterranean weather in Adelaide as soon you’ll be experiencing Melbourne’s temperamental weather. In winter, temperatures drop down to at least 13℃ during the day and a chilly 6℃ at night. Warming up in the summer, the average temperatures range from 14℃ to 25℃ with the occasional over 30℃ day. We recommend getting into the habit of bringing an umbrella with you as Melbourne experiences an average of 139 days of rain a year and unexpected downpours are frequent.
TRANSPORTATION
Melbourne does have a rather comprehensive existing public transportation system made up of tram, train and bus services and is continuing to expand. To travel on public transport, nicknamed ‘PTV’, you will need a Myki Card to pay your way. Trams are a particularly popular way to get around, with the comprehensive network covering large sections of the city. There is also the ‘free tram zone’ which offers free transport within the CBD. The train system is ideal for those commuting into the city from the suburbs. The bus system tends to cater to areas not serviced by trams or trains, but keep in mind that it can be less reliable compared to other public transport.
With many bike lanes and dedicated bike paths, cycling around Melbourne is a convenient option to get around. In the outer suburbs, ownership is popular, although traffic can be bad during peak hours as people drive to work. After living in Melbourne for six months, you will need to transfer your South Australian licence and vehicle registration to Victoria.
THE CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
The culture and lifestyle of Melbourne is a huge drawcard! The flourishing local dining and drinking, dance, theatre, music and arts scene means there is always something new to discover, wherever you are based! Coffee culture takes on a new meaning in Melbourne, they are serious about their flat whites and alternative milks here. You can try ordering the mysterious Melbourne Magic coffee.
One stereotype about Melbourne is true - they are serious about Aussie Rules Football (or AFL)! Join in the fun by adopting a Melbourne team (or honouring your roots by supporting the Adelaide Crows), attending a game or two, or even giving it a go yourself by joining a local club.
Planning your move to Melbourne
You’re excited about living in Melbourne so it’s time to begin planning your move from Adelaide. Here is what you need to do before you make the move!
PACK BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE
Although packing can be a tedious and boring task, it’s best not to leave it to the last minute. Your belongings and furniture will need to travel over 729 kilometres so ensuring they are packed properly can be the difference in your valuable belongings being damaged, broken or even lost in the move! We recommend using a professional packing service so you can rest assured that your precious items are properly packed using the right materials and boxes by the experts. If you’d rather pack your things yourself, you can use specialised moving boxes from your moving company.
CONSIDER STORAGE
If you’re unsure about what you want to take with you to Melbourne, it’s ideal to use storage. You will reduce the amount of belongings you need to transport with you, without sacrificing any sentimental or valuable items. Short-term storage is the best option if you need some more flexibility in your move before Allied delivers your stored items directly to your new home when you need them. If you want to ensure that your items are safe and kept in prime condition in purpose-built storage facilities for extended periods of time, choose long-term storage.
MOVE YOUR CAR OR VEHICLE
If you are thinking of moving your car from Adelaide to Melbourne, you’ll need to decide whether you will drive it yourself or use a vehicle transportation service. The drive is at least eight hours so if you don’t have the time or desire to do it yourself then we recommend getting the professionals to handle it. The relocation experts will ensure that your vehicle (including cars, trailers, caravans, and motorbikes) is taken care of so you can focus on the rest of your move.
PREPARE YOUR PET
Moving can be highly stressful for everyone, pets included. Before you move, ensure that you take your pet to the vet and that their microchipped and identification information is up to date with your new address. Using a pet relocation service can make the experience a whole lot easier and more organised so your pet can settle into your new home sooner.
CHOOSE BETWEEN REMOVALISTS VS DIY
As you prepare for your move, you’ll need to choose whether you use a removalist company or attempt to do the move yourself. As an interstate move involves many moving parts and logistics to keep track of, it’s not an important decision to make. Usually, the decision is made on whether it is better value to use removalists.
Trusting a moving company with your relocation has the benefit of being highly convenient and can sometimes be very cost-effective.
There are a variety of costs involved with a D-I-Y move, such as petrol, packing materials, time to pack and move yourself, renting a truck or van, and any other incidental expenses. Plus, there could be additional costs required for any items damaged during the move as well as the added risk of injuring yourself while moving. You also need to account for the time taken to organise and execute the move, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
A moving company has the considerable benefit of being able to provide numerous moving services, such as secure storage and transit insurance, at a more competitive rate than if you are using many service providers. This makes professional removalist services great value!
By using a team of professional movers, you will save significant time and energy. They will provide the right experience, a high level of training and proper equipment to handle your move to Melbourne. All this provides you with more time to settle into your new home and enjoy your new city!