Things I like about Melbourne

As I prepare to come home for an end of summer visit, it makes me think of my current home. Melbourne is a pretty good 2nd city to live in if you weren’t living in Toronto. These are things I like about living in Melbourne, Australia:

The Napier Pub – Good pub food, especially the Kangaroo served with thin fries.


Limited Express trains - The train line I live on has some limited express services which by-passes some of the inner-city stops to head directly into the city or directly to northern hub station if coming from the city. It sure makes the trip go more quickly.


Free to air Television: In Australia they have a free to air digital TV system which can show standard or HD TV. You just need to buy a set-top box and hook up your antennae to the box and you have access to 9 channels. Also PVRs are sold here which can record high definition content from the air. Something that is not available in Canada or the US unless you have your service with a cable or satellite provider.


The CBD (Central Business District) – The heart of Melbourne is a grid which contains 5 major streets east/west spanning 2.3 KM and 9 major streets north/ south just under a kilometre. Within these streets are all the major businesses in their tall towers, shopping, eating and drinking. Also contained within the CBD are the funky lane ways with cafes, restaurants and bars.


Triple R radio station – Is a community radio station, which relies on sponsorship and listener subscriptions to pay the bills. Since listening regularly in December 2007 to the breakfast show I have heard a wide variety of music that I would not be exposed to on commercial radio. I have heard music on Triple R before it became mainstream such as M.I.A, The Ting Tings and MGMT. www.rrr.org.au


Parks and bike paths – In Melbourne and all around the inner and other suburbs there are many green spaces to walk, play sports or just have a picnic. Although I don’t use it a lot, I do appreciate having these spaces for people to use. Also there is a great bike path that you can ride along the river into the city, which takes you through many different terrains.


8 more sleeps till I arrive in Toronto!

Mild winter in Melbourne

My last post I mentioned some things I have done during winter. This winter in Melbourne has been a pretty mild winter. It doesn't get as cold as Toronto, but the cooler weather means our apartment gets cold. With concrete walls, no insulation and no permanent heating in the apartment it means the apartment can get quite cool. But it's been pretty mild in the apartment this winter and for that I am grateful as it makes the winter go by more quickly.


Coming home for a visit

Winter will be ending here soon and it will be spring in September. Towards the end of August and into early-mid September I will be back home in Toronto for 3 weeks. I am looking forward to it and counting down the days till I arrive. Only 2 weeks left till I leave. Although I hear it has been a cooler summer this year in Toronto, I am looking forward to spending the end of summer in Canada.

See you in the TO!