Australia is a true melting pot of different cultures, peoples and ideas, and nowhere better demonstrates that than Melbourne. Other than being one of the primary places to seek out if you want some seriously incredible auction results, it's truly the cultural heart of the country. Anyone looking for real estate in Australia that's right at the centre of sports, music and art should be keeping Melbourne at the top of their list.
A more refined nightlife
Good food and good company make Melbourne a foody paradise.
While the nightlife in some other cities can be rowdy, the Melbourne evening is filled with slightly less raucous behaviour. The latest Australian Night Time Economy (NTE) Report from the National Local Government Drug and Alcohol Committee reveals that food sales made up the majority of all evening activities in 2013, while alcohol sales fell, despite there being an increase in visitors and new residents.
"As we continue to work towards a more diverse and welcoming NTE, alcohol sales in Melbourne have declined from 15.7 per cent of all NTE sales in 2009 to 13.1 per cent in 2014," said Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle.
"This is further evidence that our policies to normalise and activate the city after dark are working: 1am is the new 11pm."
And it isn't just quantity when it comes to Melburnian food either, it's quality too. Last year, Victoria picked up a slew of trophies for best in category at the 2015 Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence. Good food and good company make Melbourne a foodie paradise.
A sporting community
This spells a community that is never short of a spectacle, a match or a team to root for.
Whether you're a fan of boating, motorsports, AFL or gymnastics, Melbourne has you covered. Often called the most sports-loving place in Australia, this city is home to the Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Australian Gymnastics Championship and, of course, the Melbourne Cup.
This illustrates a community that is never short of a spectacle, a match or a team to root for. Even rugby league, which does not have as much representation in Melbourne as other capital cities, still has a strong fan base among Melburnians.
The populace doesn't just leave it up to the professionals though, with two in three Victorians recorded as being active in a sport in 2013 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Whether you want to be part of one of the most significant AFL communities in Australia or just fancy a quick game of beach cricket, Melbourne is the place to be.
A musical note
This is just the start of the initial achievements, and only the beginning of the programme.
However, if the a tinkle on the ivories or a strum of the guitar is more your scene, then the Victorian capital is certainly a place to have on your radar. The city already has a world-famous music scene, and this is supported even further by the Melbourne Music Strategy 2014-2017. This strategy, which covers everything from boosting the profile of live music to increased musical education, is intended to make Melbourne the music capital of Australia.
And it appears to be working. In its first year, the Melbourne Music Strategy delivered the Melbourne Music Symposium, a $30,000 small business grant for a recording studio and a newsletter dedicated to the music industry. This is just the start of the initial achievements, and only the beginning of the programme.
Over the next few years, you can expect more musical research, performances and government-backed programmes that will change Melbourne into a truly musical city: though Melbourne Music Week is already a powerful addition to this reputation!
A city of culture
These are just a few ways that Melbourne has developed a truly fantastic cultural landscape. Uniquely-styled real estate, a long tradition of opera, theatre and street busking, plenty of parades and fairs: The Victorian capital is one Australian property market you should investigate if you want to experience a diverse range of cultures, both Australian and otherwise.
