Moving from the United States to Melbourne...help with where to live??

South Yarra is considered one of the best suburbs in Melbourne, so you really can't go wrong there. Elwood is also very nice, but a step down from South Yarra IMHO. It really depends a lot on your budget as well. Are you looking to buy or rent? Is being close to the beach an option? If so look into Albert Park and Middle Park as well. Expensive, yes but again depends on your budget. Melbourne CBD is way too 'city' like for most people, and there are better surrounding suburbs like those you have mentioned.

Also look in Canterbury, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Kew and Balwyn. All are great suburbs, close to Wesley and have amazing public transport...but also pricey. Happy to keep fielding the questions, just ask!

AJ, thanks so much! We are looking to rent, as we really have no idea of how long we'll be in Australia. Think we've decided that Kew, Balwyn, etc. are a bit too far out for us. We'd prefer to be a bit closer to the city action. We are looking at a few townhouses this week in South Yarra, on St. Kilda Rd in Melbourne, and a place in Elwood. Looked at a few places in Brighton earlier in the week and a place in Middle Park. It's hard to know from pictures online and to get a real sense of what neighborhoods are all about, so I appreciate your input. (By the way, is it true that there is no longer a train/tram in Elwood?)

Great, closer to the action is always better. I live in Port Melbourne, which is only 5 minutes away from the city and I love it, so great choices!

South Yarra is fantastic, although St Kilda Road IS a major road. Many people do live there, but it is 2 minute tram ride to St Kilda (heaps of bars, restaurants, a lot of people hang here in summer) and the CBD which again is where everything goes on.

Elwood is a little further out, and it is more of a leafy suburb. Has a little bit of a bohemian feel to it, but nothing over the top. Nice for families as well. I personality LOVE the Middle Park and Albert Park areas (neighbouring suburbs to Port Melbourne) although expensive as you are living by the beach. If you can afford it, I would look at these 2 suburbs, they just tick all the right boxes for me...beach, cafes, public transport, nightlife etc etc.

Also be sure to search for the suburbs on this site and read the reviews of the locals. You can't get a better feeling for those areas that from the people who actually live there. HEre some links:

Albert Park (I took a lot of those photos myself)
http://localvoices.realestate.com.au/albert-park-port-phillip-melbourne-greater-victoria

Middle Park
http://localvoices.realestate.com.au/middle-park-port-phillip-melbourne-greater-victoria

Elwood
http://localvoices.realestate.com.au/elwood-port-phillip-melbourne-greater-victoria
(Not sure about the train\tram situation sorry)

South Yarra
http://localvoices.realestate.com.au/south-yarra-melbourne-melbourne-greater-victoria

Just so you know, all the places you are looking at...I would live in all of them, so you are on the right track.