The 9 Suburbs to Check Out if You Want to Live Near Melbourne CBD
You’ll be in the heart of the action and not too far from work with our round-up of the best places to live in Melbourne, close to the CBD.
Surrounded by trendy restaurants and cafes, pretty parks and excellent transport links, these nine Melbourne neighbourhoods offer an unmatched lifestyle within striking distance of the CBD.
Coburg
The northern suburb of Coburg has seen some serious transformation. Known for the former Pentridge Prison – now a dining, retail and entertainment precinct – it sits just 25 minutes by train to the CBD. Coburg attracts creatives and young professionals looking to soak up the suburb’s flurry of new cafes, notable pubs and cheap eats. There are Saturday farmers’ markets at Coburg Primary School and scenic cycling along the Merri Creek Trail.
Richmond
Defining easy, inner-city living, Richmond is all about lifestyle. In fact, it’s one of the most well-connected suburbs in Melbourne, less than 10 minutes by train into the city centre. Back-to-back cafes sit alongside homeware and design stores, venerable music venues and cult pubs, full to the brim come game day. Despite its gentrification, Victoria Street retains its reputation as “Little Saigon” and continues to dish up the city’s best Vietnamese cuisine.
Carlton
Popular with students and young professionals, Carlton is sought out for its dining, nightlife and unique character. The suburb’s Italian roots can be relished on Lygon Street, with its profusion of authentic Italian eateries and cake shops. There are bookstores, cinema and popular wine bars celebrating all things culture, while the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens and Carlton Baths have become summertime staples. The suburb is effortlessly connected via trams and buses into the CBD.
Docklands
Those seeking high-end apartments with luxe resident amenities are making the move to Docklands. This compact suburb lies on the cusp of the CBD, offering professionals a leisurely stroll into the office or quick ride on the free City Circle Tram. Docklands has well and truly evolved from its industrial roots to become a hotspot for waterfront dining and entertainment and offers local parks, gardens, a library and weekly markets.
Yarraville
While feeling as though it’s a world away from Melbourne, Yarraville sits just 8km from the city centre. This attractive suburb is dotted with heritage and art deco architecture, such as the iconic Sun Theatre. It offers a dynamic culture and arts scene, much-loved Yarraville Gardens and a good mix of multicultural restaurants and cafes. From the train station you can arrive at Flinders Street within 20 minutes.
South Yarra
Stylish South Yarra. It’s one of Melbourne’s most popular neighbourhoods for a reason. Just 4km from the CBD, the affluent neighbourhood showcases a mix of heritage homes, art deco apartments and Victorian terraces. The postcode is home to the famous Prahran market, a sophisticated café culture and Australian designer fashion along Chapel Street. Locals keep active on ‘The Tan’ around the Royal Botanic Gardens, while cyclists can enjoy a seamless commute along the Yarra.
Collingwood
Cool, cultured Collingwood. The once blue-collar suburb has today emerged as one of Melbourne’s hippest addresses. It’s just 3km from the CBD, with easy train, tram and bus links. Still gritty in parts, Collingwood offers endless entertainment luring revellers for its pubs, wine bars and live music. Fine diners sit alongside burger joints and bakeries, giving the neighbourhood plenty of character. Its streets are a medley of workers cottages, industrial-style lofts and modern apartment blocks.
Albert Park
A 15-minute tram ride into the CBD, the prestigious postcode of Albert Park offers residents a polished yet convenient lifestyle, which comes with the hefty price tag to match. The neighbourhood is known for its leafy parks and gardens flanked by impressive terrace houses and charming boutique shopping village along Bridport Street. It boasts the sandy bay on one side and picturesque lake on the other, with plenty of room for locals to spread out.
Abbotsford
Popular among families, creatives and young professionals, Abbotsford may be small in size, but it certainly packs a punch. From cafes, beer halls and bars to the blissful Yarra River and abundant greenery, the suburb offers inner-city living at its finest. On weekends, Abbotsford Convent and Collingwood Children’s Farm is a hive of activity hosting creative workshops, exhibitions, live music, markets and more. Abbotsford is roughly 15 minutes by train into the CBD, from either Victoria Park or Collingwood stations.
