Suggestions for finding a house to rent in Melbourne?

Hi Manly,
Any property within 10km of the CBD will be expensive to rent, as there is a shortage of rental properties throughout Melbourne, due to 1500 people coming here each week. If you want to be near the water, try areas south of St. Kilda and inland from there, all the suburbs in that area are great, good transport links, parks, schools, etc, and plenty of streets with nice well established trees. Good luck.

Monty is right that $300-350 sounds impossible to rent a house near CBD. I live in Caroline Springs (approx 22 km from the city). It is a safe place to live. The suburb is located on the north west of Melbourne. With the money you have, you can afford a house there. Public transport is not very convenient, if you have a car then you should be fine. There is a train station within 10 minutes drive.

Hi Manly,

So I've done a little research for you on what I think would be the best options. The short answer is that you will be able to find something no problems. Some things to get out of the way first though:

1. Toorak is well and truly out of your price range, however there are some options listed below.
2. The options listed below are all great suburbs.
3. The options all have great access to public transport.
4. I don't have any info on your situations eg. wife and kids?
5. All are bayside and will satisfy 'Sydney' needs :)

So these are your best options imho:

Choice A: ELWOOD

Pros:
Amazing suburb, fantastic culture with plenty of places to head out at night. Also very much an up and coming suburb from the past 10 years. Very close to the beach, and a bit more in your price range compared to St Kilda without much compromise.

Cons:
None that I can think of?

Listings:
Plenty - http://bit.ly/9qSQp5

Choice B: PORT MELBOURNE

Pros:
Stunning suburb, close to the beach, very safe, great nightlife (if you want it), very peaceful and it one of those suburbs that is what you make it. 10 minutes at most to the CBD (more like 6 minutes) and everyone is very friendly.

Cons:
Expensive to live AND rent. While it offers a great lifestyle you really do pay for it.

Listings:
Not too much, but if you can stretch your budget? - http://bit.ly/aPttip

Choice C: ST KILDA

Pros:
Again a fantastic suburb. Not as secluded as Port Melbourne, and there tends to be more of a bohemian crowd, however depending on your own demographic, you may love it. You can find cheaper places to rent here and based on what you have said so far, this is probably your bang for buck property wise. The main reason people live here? Beach, nightlife, younger culture and a little cheaper than surrounding suburbs.

Cons:
If you are a little older with kids, I personally wouldn't live here. To raise a family, I would probably do Middle Park, Albert Park or Elwood. There are some very dodgy streets in St Kilda. I have been down Fitzroy Street late at night, and let's just say it was not pretty. Not a deal breaker though.

Listings:
Quite a few - http://bit.ly/bZWrbY

My advice? I'd go with Elwood. It has the best of both worlds in terms bayside living, great culture and price. If you can stretch your budget a little, I think you can do very well in Elwood.

Any questions, please feel free to ask!!

AJ

Hi, I lived in Point Cook and it has beaches reasonably close as williamstown is not too far from here. It is a perfect twon for children with some of the best and biggest parks also being a very very safe neighbourhood.

Hi Manly,

How did you go in the end?

AJ