Where to Live as an RMIT Student: Your Accommodation Choices

For many students who have just received the admission notice from RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), Melbourne is not only an ideal distant place, but also a new starting point for a life filled with unknown challenges.The uniqueness of RMIT lies in the fact that its main campus (City Campus) has no fences and is completely integrated into the streets of Melbourne's CBD. This means that your campus life and urban life are seamlessly connected. Choosing the right accommodation not only means taking fewer steps, but also means whether you can quickly integrate into the local community and enjoy the conveniences of this city. In the following guide, I will break down the ideal accommodation options for RMIT international students from three dimensions: official on-campus buildings, off-campus student apartments, and popular rental areas.

On-Campus Accommodation at RMIT

RMIT Village

The RMIT Melbourne City Campus does not have on-campus dormitories, but it has a classic campus student apartment complex called RMIT Village. It is located on Flemington Road in North Melbourne, just a 10-15 minute walk from the City campus, or a 2-stop ride on the tram away.

• Living Atmosphere: This place was originally a five-star hotel and later transformed into a student apartment. Its most appealing feature lies in the huge outdoor heated swimming pool and barbecue area, which has a very "Australian lifestyle" feel.
• Facilities: The public study rooms, gym, and game rooms here are very well-equipped. Since all the residents are students, the social atmosphere is excellent. The apartment often organizes free pizza nights or movie nights.
• Suitable for: Especially recommended for first-year undergraduate students at the City campus. Here, you can quickly make friends from all over the world.

Bundoora East & West Campus Accommodation

If your major is at the Bundoora campus (such as engineering, health sciences or education), then living in the City is not very feasible as the one-way commute might exceed one hour.

• Living Atmosphere: The Bundoora campus is located in the northeastern part of Melbourne. The environment is very quiet and the green coverage rate is extremely high. Even kangaroos can be seen on the campus.
• Facilities: Shared spaces such as kitchens, lounge areas, and laundry services.
• Suitable for: Students studying at the Bundoora campus.

Off-Campus Accommodation near RMIT

After adapting to the first semester, many students tend to choose off-campus apartments that offer more freedom or have better facilities. At this point, when it comes to choosing RMIT University student accommodation, the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) become very popular.

When renting a house in Melbourne, the two biggest concerns are encountering "photo manipulation" or the cumbersome offline viewing process. The listings on uhomes.com are very comprehensive, and all of them have real video tours or VR viewing options, and even real reviews from current residents. Booking through this platform ensures a transparent and compliant process, significantly reducing the risk of being deceived when visiting for the first time.

UniLodge Melbourne CBD

Located at the intersection of La Trobe Street and Swanston Street, UniLodge Melbourne CBD is undoubtedly the prime location of RMIT City Campus students. 

• Convenience: It takes only 3 minutes to walk to RMIT Business Building. Right across the street is the State Library and Melbourne Central Railway Station. 
• Facilities: The room is not extremely large, but it has an unbeatable location. For those who prefer a "zero-commute" experience and don't want to waste a single minute on transportation, this is an outstanding choice at the top level.

UniLodge Park Avenue

For students majoring in fashion design and fashion management, UniLodge Park Avenue, which is close to the Brunswick campus, is your main battleground.

• Features: UniLodge Park Avenue is a relatively new project with a strong design sense. The co-living model it offers is very suitable for sociable young people.
• Convenience: It is just a short walk from here to Melbourne's famous arts district, where there are numerous vintage stores, cafes and independent galleries along the way.

UniLodge @ RMIT Bundoora - Walert House

Just a 4-minute walk to the campus, with prices starting at AU$284.42 per week and all-inclusive bills. This is the top choice for students at RMIT Bundoora campus.

• Cost-effective: Compared to the often $600+ per week rent in the CBD, the price of Walert House is more affordable and the facilities are more modern.
• Safety: 24-hour security and a card-access system allow parents far away in a foreign country to feel at ease.

Best Locations to Live Near RMIT

To facilitate students' exploration of more accommodation options, we have also provided the following areas around each RMIT campus that are most suitable for renting:

Melbourne CBD

• Living experience: Living here means you have access to all the resources of the entire city. Want to have hot pot at night? Just go downstairs. Can't get up at 8 in the morning? Just leave 10 minutes earlier.
• Transportation: Located in the Free Tram Zone, if you don't go to the far suburbs, you hardly need to pay for public transportation fees.
• Note: The rent is the highest, and due to the dense concentration of high-rise buildings, lower-floor residents may feel that the lighting and ventilation are limited.

Carlton

• Features: Highly recommended area. It is adjacent to RMIT and the University of Melbourne, and is full of a sense of culture.
• Atmosphere: Lygon Street (Little Italy Street) is right here, with the best Gelato and handmade pizza. The Readings bookstore here has been rated as the best in the world.
• Accommodation: There are both high-end apartments and many Victorian Terrace Houses for rent, which are very characteristic of the local area.

Southbank & Docklands

• Scenery: These two areas are the modern highlights of Melbourne. Southbank offers views of the Yarra River, while Docklands provides a view of the harbor sunset.
• Suitable for: Students who value living quality, enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows and modern facilities (such as swimming pools, saunas, 24-hour concierge services). 
• Transportation: By taking the 11th, 48th, or 96th tram, you can reach RMIT within 15 minutes.

Fitzroy & Brunswick

• Atmosphere: If you are a true "art enthusiast" who loves underground music, vintage stores and graffiti culture, then Fitzroy is definitely worth considering.
• Life: The weekends here are very lively, filled with all kinds of creative markets. Brunswick is a bit more down-to-earth. On Sydney Road, there are various cuisines from different countries (especially Middle Eastern dishes), which are cheap and generous in portion.

Preston

• Cost-effectiveness: This area is very favorable for students with limited budgets. Preston is within 15 minutes by tram or a quick drive to RMIT University Bundoora Campus. Although it is about 8-10 kilometers away from the City, there are 96 bus routes or trains directly connecting them, making it very convenient.
• Life: Preston Market is a well-known farmers' market in the northern part of Melbourne. The prices of fruits, vegetables and meats here are much lower than those in the City. Here, you can rent a larger single-family house at a lower price.

Conclusion

Renting an apartment is not like buying groceries. It not only affects your wallet, but also determines your quality of life in the coming years. When looking for student accommodation at RMIT University in Melbourne, always follow the principle of "research first, then view the property, and finally sign the contract". Melbourne is an extremely inclusive city. Whether you choose to live in the bustling CBD or the quiet Preston, as long as you manage it well, that few square meters of space will eventually become the warmest haven for you in a foreign land.