Is There Any Good Cheap Accommodation in Melbourne for International Students?

For student who just received the admission letter and is about to fly to the southern hemisphere, how to find a "safe haven" in Melbourne full of artistic atmosphere but with high prices, where you can study peacefully without your wallet shrinking instantly, is the first compulsory course in your study abroad journey. Today, I will help you sort out an all-round guide to affordable housing in Melbourne.

Suitable Accommodation Options for international Students:

The accommodation options for international students mainly fall into three categories: purpose-built student accommodation, private rentals (shared houses), and homestays. For new students who are just arriving, choosing a reliable overseas student accommodation Melbourne is often the best compromise between cost-effectiveness and safety. Here is a detailed introduction to the different types of accommodation:

• Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA): This type of accommodation is specifically designed for students. It usually offers individual rooms or suites with furniture, as well as facilities such as common lounges, gyms, and study areas. The advantages include high safety, numerous social opportunities, proximity to the school, and the rent usually covers all bills (water, electricity, gas, and network). The disadvantages are that the price is relatively high and the choices may be limited by the cooperating universities.
• Private Rentals (Shared House/Apartment): This is amother popular accommodation options among international students. You can share an apartment or house with friends or new roommates, sharing the rent and living expenses. This method offers high flexibility and a wide range of choices, and is usually more cost-effective than PBSA. However, it is important to note that finding the right roommate and property requires time and effort, and may involve communication with the landlord or agent. 
• Homestay: For students who wish to quickly integrate into the local culture and improve English skills, a homestay option is a good choice. You will live with an Australian family and experience their daily life. The cost usually includes accommodation and meals, but there may be certain restrictions on living habits and freedom.

Cost-Effective Rental Areas in Melbourne

Melbourne expands radially from its CBD (central business district). Most universities for international students are located in the CBD (such as RMIT, Monash's central campus), Parkville (the main campus of the University of Melbourne), Clayton or Caulfield (the main campus of Monash University). If you want to find an affordable room, it is a tip to leave the CBD and look for areas with convenient public transportation and reasonable prices.

North Melbourne: Another Choice for international students of Melbourne University

North Melbourne is located close to Melbourne University and the CBD. It only takes a few minutes to walk or take the tram there. Compared to the expensive Carlton area, the rent here is usually about 20% lower. There are many Victorian-style small houses and modern low-rise apartments here.

• Living facilities: The famous Queen Victoria Market is right at your doorstep. You can go shopping for fresh and cheap fruits, vegetables, and meats every week, which can significantly reduce your food costs.
• Transportation: The dense tram lines allow you to avoid purchasing expensive monthly tickets.

Footscray: A "Treasure Area" with Extremely Low Prices

If you are studying at Victoria University (VU) or attending campuses in the CBD but have a limited budget, Footscray is definitely worth considering. It is located west of the CBD and it only takes about 10 minutes by train to reach the CBD.

• Consumption level: This is a well-known multicultural area in Melbourne, with Vietnamese restaurants and Asian supermarkets everywhere. A hearty meal here only costs 15-20 Australian dollars, much lower than the level in the CBD.
• Renting reference: The rent for a two-bedroom apartment here is often 100 Australian dollars less per week than similar properties in the CBD.

Clayton / Caulfield: The Academic Community of Monash Students

If you are a student of Monash University, living in Clayton / Caulfield not only saves you a lot of transportation costs but also allows you to utilize the on-campus library and gym.

• Living Experience: The Clayton area is dominated by houses, making it suitable for several friends to share a rental. Although it seems far from the CBD, there is a mature Chinese commercial street here, ensuring extremely high convenience in daily life.
• Economic Advantage: Here, you can rent spacious rooms with private backyards, and the price might only be equivalent to the cost of a single bed in the CBD. 

Affordable Rental Platforms Suitable for International Students

There are various ways to find housing, and online platforms are the mainstream. For international students, using professional and affordable rental platforms, such as uhomes.com, will bring many benefits. uhomes.com focuses on the housing rental for overseas students and gathers over 1,600 apartments in Melbourne, including PBSA, shared housing sources, and private housing information, and has long-term and in-depth cooperation with many well-known apartment suppliers. The advantage of uhomes.com in providing affordable accommodation for international students lies in:

• Group discounts and Cashback: The platform often offers "exclusive offers" or "early-bird discounts". By booking through the platform with those discounts, you may get a lower weekly rent than that on the official website, or receive a considerable cash subsidy upon check-in. 
• Price-Match Guarantee: uhomes.com offers a price commitment, ensuring that students receive a transparent and highly competitive price. 
• Cost transparency: Many affordable rental properties may seem to have low rent, but upon occupancy, various hidden fees (such as water, electricity, and internet connection fees, as well as cleaning fees for departure) will be incurred. However, the list on uhomes.com will clearly indicate which ones are "Bills Included", allowing you to have a clear understanding when making your budget. 
• Multi-payment options: The platform supports various payment methods such as WeChat, Alipay, Paypal, and has its own payment channels. This eliminates the cumbersome process and high fees associated with international remittances, making it extremely convenient for new students who haven't yet opened an Australian bank account.

Examples of Cheap Apartments in Melbourne

• Scape Swanston
• Berkeley Street
• Carric Hostel
• 864 Swanston St
• UniLodge Victoria University

Conclusion

The study life in Melbourne is both challenging and full of opportunities. Finding a satisfactory accommodation is the cornerstone for you to successfully embark on this journey. We hope this guide can provide you with comprehensive information and practical suggestions to help you better settle into Melbourne and find that "home" that makes you feel at ease and comfortable.