Loic Mamet

Despite the similarity in the name of the suburb and being directly adjacent to each other, St Kilda West and St Kilda are completely different.
St Kilda West is 99% residential with large tree lined avenues, grand period homes and is pretty much an extension of Albert Park/Middle Park. Once you cross Mary street on the east part of St Kilda West, you are almost in St Kilda (border is Fitzroy street) and the demographic and feel is completely different. If you want to live the 'beach lifestyle' that Albert Park/Middle Park has to offer but can't necessarily afford these suburbs prices (rent), then St Kilda West is the perfect hack.

The title of my review of Port Melbourne sums up pretty well the vibe of this suburb.
Port Melbourne has always been known as traditionally having more in common with the industrial inner west suburbs than the fancier suburbs of Albert Park, Middle Park, south Melbourne. This changed in the mid 1990s when many apartment developments started going up in the area. The suburbs proximity to both the city and the bay and the influx of apartments/shops/cafes/restaurants quickly changed the entire vibe of the area.The locals can enjoy walking, running or cycling for many kms in either direction along the Beach. Bay Street is great for shopping, bars and cafes. There is the monthly Farmers' Market at Gasworks Park which is very popular.
Evans and Station streets are beautiful tree-lined avenues on the reserve/park alongside the light rail line (tram to the CBD) which is the main (and most popular) form of public transport in Port Melbourne.
Port Melbourne really ticks all the boxes when it comes to a balanced lifestyle (work, social, health).

Victoria avenue is simply the continuation of Bridport street towards the beach...
The only shopping strip in Albert Park (including Bridport street), the primary school right across the road from all the cafes, shops and restaurants make Vic Ave a perfect 'stop-over' for all mums and dads post-school drops or pre-school pick-ups. My favorite restaurants would have to be Kamel (middle-eastern) and Misuzus (Japanese) and are directly opposite the school. Recently, Country Road opened up and their coffee is to die for... Down the road towards the beach you can find many more cafes, hairdresser and other small businesses that have been established in Albert Park for many years.
Victoria avenue never gets too noisy/busy at night which suits perfectly ther residents of this suburbs who can enjoy a quiet walk back home in the evening.

You only need to go for a drive through the streets of middle park to understand the kind of lifestyle on offer... Nestled perfectly between Albert Park lake and the bay, Middle Park is like a peninsula separated from the CBD by Melbourne's largest and most renowned lake, Albert Park Lake (also home to the Australian Formula1 Grand Prix). Middle Park is a low to medium density micro-suburb (bordered by Mills street on the west border and Fraser street on the east side) in which each of its residents take enormous pride of their address (this can be witnessed by simply driving past and seeing how well manicured all the house facades are). With St Kilda hustle and bustle (east), the beach (south), the lake and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Center (North), Middle Park is simply an extension of the suburb of Albert Park (hence the same postcode). Middle Park's only shopping/restaurant/cafe hub is located on the north end of Armstrong street and despite its small size has everything one needs to be entertained, fed or groomed. Middle Park primary school is one of the best in the state (scored 92/100 in 2015).

Armstrong street is the main shopping/cafe/restaurant precinct in Middle Park. Perfectly positioned between Albert park lake (north boundary) and the beach (south boundary), Armstrong street is home to one of my all time favorite pubs/restaurant 'The Middle Park Hotel' (with their famous every day happy hour from 4 to 7pm), or the best Indian restaurant on the south side "The Roti Man" where the owner Sunny and his team will make you feel so welcomed that you won't want to order a curry anywhere else anymore. You will also find the local IGA, health food store (Gum Tree Good Food - with their amazing cheeses), nail shop, hairdresser, Australia Post etc.
For the fitness fanatics, there is a free outdoor/body weight gym at the end of Armstrong street next to the beach.
If you are considering moving to Middle Park, Albert Park, Port Melbourne or South Melbourne, please feel free to contact me for any tips.

As an experienced property manger, when asked to write a review on Fitzroy my first reflex was to read other reviews to make sure I wasn't simply repeating what had already been said.

Everyone who knows a bit about Melbourne would have heard of Fitzroy, it's funky atmosphere, the best cafes in town, the street art, live music and choice of fantastic restaurants...
When someone wants to potentially move to Fitzroy (renter or buyer), what is often not disclosed is how to get the best from the lifestyle without stretching the budget too much.

My very first advise would be : "If you do not have a car or do not need a car for work, DO NOT go for a property with a car space!"
I explain:
Fitzroy is one of the most expensive suburbs per SQM and on street car parking is far from being the best in Melbourne (narrow streets with limited parking permits available). To give you all an idea of price, a rental property with a car space would lease for approximately $170 - $250 more per month than a property without off-street car parking. Also, occupants of apartment buildings built after 2007 cannot apply for on-street parking permits which contributes greatly to the rising rental value of the car parking.

On the flip side, the tram network in Fitzroy is first class with tram lines on Nicholson street (Fitzroy west), Brunswick street (Fitzroy central) and Smith street (Fitzroy East) and a short 20 min walk (10 min by bicycle) and you are in the center of Melbourne CBD.

If you are contemplating moving to Fitzroy, do not buy a car as IT IS NOT NEEDED! Save yourself $200 per month in car parking rent and re-invest this money in your lifestyle (restaurant/bars/live music/ etc) as it is one of the best in Australia...