![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Kathleen.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMoving to Melbourne can feel a bit like being added to a group chat where everyone already knows each other.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll get to know the rhythm eventually, but it can be a lot to take in at first. Between the coffee culture, unpredictable weather and an endless list of things to do\/see, it\u2019s a city that keeps you on your toes in the best way possible.<\/p>\n
After speaking with two international students, Kathleen from the UK, and Jayesh from India, here\u2019s what they wish they\u2019d known before making the move.<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Jayesh.jpg\")
\nFrantically checking your weather app will become one of your main pastimes<\/p>\n
The phrase \u2018four seasons in one day\u2019 describes Melbourne’s weather perfectly. It really can go from torrential rain to bright sunshine in the span of minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat truly caught me off guard was Melbourne\u2019s famously unpredictable weather. It really does feel like you can experience all four seasons in a single day,\u201d Kathleen says.<\/p>\n
Jayesh had the same experience. \u201cOne day it\u2019s sunny and beautiful, the next it\u2019s cold and raining, sometimes all in the same day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Melbourne locals will tell you every time that the key to surviving is always always wearing layers. We don\u2019t care if it looks like a beautiful summer\u2019s day outside, pack a cardigan or spray jacket in your backpack and thank us later.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s always something to do (and you can\u2019t do them all)<\/p>\n
Melbourne doesn\u2019t really do \u2018quiet weekends\u2019. From live music and art exhibitions to major sporting events, the city thrives on activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s always something happening, from live music and art exhibitions to major sporting events,\u201d Kathleen says.<\/p>\n
For Jayesh, it\u2019s the city\u2019s energy that stands out. \u201cIt was really the vibe of the city that got me. It\u2019s that kind of city where you\u2019re never bored, and I loved that about it from day one.\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u201d<\/p>\n
With that many things on, it\u2019s impossible to get to everything, so we recommend marking in your calendar any events you\u2019d like to check out, and then seeing what you can fit in around study and work schedules.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cost of living will humble you<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no way around it; Melbourne, even compared to other major cities, can be very expensive. Rent, food, and even your daily coffee habit can add up quickly (and the coffee in Melbourne is GOOD).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cost of living, especially rent and eating out, is quite high, so I would have planned my budget more carefully,\u201d Kathleen says, when asked about what she wished she\u2019d known more about prior to moving.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of ways you can reduce your cost of living \u2013 living in shared accommodation, reducing how much you eat out, and taking public transport are all great ways to cut costs. Even making your morning coffee at home will save you a few dollars a day (this one\u2019s optional, though\u2026 Did we mention how good Melbourne coffee is?).<\/p>\n
Finding a job takes time (and that\u2019s normal)<\/p>\n
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you\u2019ll land a job immediately. In reality, it often takes time, patience and a lot of effort.<\/p>\n
Jayesh says that the key is not to panic. Using that time to settle in, explore the city, and start building connections are all great ways to start building your new life in Melbourne, and you might stumble upon work as you do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cMelbourne is full of incredibly interesting people from all walks of life, and some of the best advice and opportunities I came across came simply from having genuine conversations,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
Networking isn\u2019t optional<\/p>\n
If there\u2019s one thing both Kathleen and Jayesh strongly agree on, it\u2019s that networking matters. A lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding connections early, both socially and professionally, really helps you settle in faster and creates more opportunities,\u201d Kathleen says.<\/p>\n
Jayesh agrees, saying, \u201cNetworking is everything here. A lot of opportunities come through referrals and word of mouth, so putting yourself out there and meeting people is just as important as your qualifications.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other words, talk to people whenever you can, even when it feels awkward.<\/p>\n
Homesickness might hit harder than you\u2019re expecting<\/p>\n
No matter how exciting the move is, being away from your family can be tough, especially in the beginning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first few months were tough. You\u2019re homesick, you miss the people you grew up around, and you\u2019re starting completely from scratch in a new environment. Making new friends takes time, and until you find your people, it can feel quite lonely,\u201d says Jayesh.<\/p>\n
Kathleen encountered similar feelings of homesickness. \u201cOne of the biggest challenges initially was being away from family and adjusting to life on the other side of the world. However, over time, I\u2019ve built a strong network of friends and a routine here, which has made Melbourne feel like home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Give yourself time to build a new routine and find your people, and don\u2019t feel bad if you find yourself wanting to call home more than you thought.<\/p>\n
Where you live can shape your entire experience<\/p>\n
Accommodation isn\u2019t just about having a place to sleep. It\u2019s about having somewhere to call your own; somewhere that you can come home to after a long day of uni or work and immediately start to unwind.<\/p>\n