ARCHITECTURAL | EXPENSIVE | CLEAN

After a place like Taipei, Melbourne (pronounced Mel-bin for some odd reason) was a welcome respite from the feeling of inadequacy that comes from not being able to speak or read a language. While there are definitely differences (footy anyone?), it feels enough like home to an American that you really have a different level of comfort. While our three or four days in Sydney left us partial to that city, we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Loaded with parks, super trendy and amazing restaurants and gritty bars with delicious cocktails, it is a very nice place to live. There are beaches a short tram or bus ride away, the Yarra valley wine region is easily accessible via car and the Great Ocean Road is basically in Melbourne's back yard. It is certainly not cheap it’s challenging for anyone working Eastern StanTime, but this is a city with an extremely high quality of life.