Melbourne is a world class city. It is vast. There are many zones to this vast city The inner city is serviced by trains, buses and trams. The outter areas just trains and buses But you will need a car or MC to get around. Their is a part of the city that is 'Dry'(no pubs) Generally there are pubs every mile or so. Shops and Deli's everywhere. Vast malls every 5 miles or less. No need for cooking either. Takeouts in the 1000's. Huge local muso scene also Vast housing choice including city cellers. Melbourn is still a very safe city to walk around at all hours even for women. But be mindful, there is always truble if you seek it. One poor aspect of Aussie culture is bar fights after heavy drinking sessions. My advice is leave when groups get loud and angry. Pubs do not stop heavy drinkers until they become fully tanked and then they just throw them out. Oz used to be about 3 to 5 years behind the US and EU. Today they are at the same speed Just lately energy has become very expensive. Start wearing heavy winter clothes to save on power bills. Melbourne is a drier climate than Sydney and Brisbane. Perth is the driest climate in summer. In winter Melb can get wet and windy for weeks on end with icy cold air. Melbourne has a huge Greek, Italian and Vietnam communities If you like their cuisine you're in luck. Melb hands down has the world's best Kebab shops!! Sports anyone? Take your pick, even Grid Iron!! Beaches? They are so so. Water is cold all year round. Perth water is much warmer and bigger surf. Arts and crafts? All bases covered also. Produce choice? Pretty good but restricted because of very tight Bio Security measures.(let's all keep it that way please!!) Parks and forests?? Well consider this thought. From the city in winter you could shoot off to a ski resort in just over 2 hours, pack up after lunch and go water sking or be in a desert by late afternoon. Now that's some choice. Finally a clip on water quality. Several years ago a test was performed on which bottled water was the best. Out of 200 samples most judges picked Melb tap water between 4th and 8th spot!! It's almost pure enough to pour straight into car batteries!! One final warning. Do not speed or drink drive anywhere in Oz. The police can see you everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE. Melboune has over 30,000 street cameras. Police central has a 10 floor building with 100's of staff watching 1000's of screens!! Fines are massive. It's actually cheaper to do jail time to pay down fines!!