Living in Melbourne as a Student: Best Suburbs, Cafés & Study Spots
Melbourne isn’t just a place to study — it’s a city to live in. When you’re balancing lectures, assignments and downtime, having a neighbourhood you love, cafés that inspire, and quiet corners to focus can make all the difference.
Let’s take a tour of four student-friendly suburbs and local gems near Student Living by UniLodge that help your Melbourne student life feel a bit more like home.
Table of Contents
- Why Melbourne Is a Student’s Playground
- Carlton: Where Study Meets Buzz
- North Melbourne: Quiet & Connectede
- Windsor: Creative & Local Vibes
- Hawthorn: Leafy Surrounds with Specialty Coffee
- How to Make the Most of Student Life in Melbourne
- Explore Student Living in Melbourne
Why Melbourne Is a Student’s Playground
Melbourne is built for students. Great public transport links, laneway culture, a café on every corner, parks, galleries, festivals — there’s always somewhere new to explore after class. And best of all, the city’s layout lets you live in leafy suburbs or vibrant inner pockets while staying connected to major campuses.
Carlton: Where Study Meets Buzz
If you’re after somewhere central, where culture and campus merge, Carlton is a top pick. It’s a stone’s throw from the University of Melbourne and RMIT, and your local cafés double as study havens. Yep! You’re right in the action, with trams and walking paths to class.
- Local favourite: Seven Seeds (106-114 Berkeley St, Carlton) – a Melbourne coffee icon close to campus. Great vibes, plenty of tables and consistently good brews.
- What to explore: stroll through Carlton Gardens, browse the weekend Queen Victoria Market, or wander Lygon Street’s Italian cafés.
- Accommodation options:
North Melbourne: Quiet & Connected
Want calm without sacrificing access? North Melbourne blends a relaxed feel with fast tram or train links to the city core. You get a more residential vibe but still stay minutes away from UniMelb and RMIT.
- Local favourite: Auction Rooms (103 Errol Street, North Melbourne) – bright interiors, iconic brunches and great for a study session.
- What to explore: Flagstaff Gardens is just around the corner, perfect for midday reading breaks.
- Accommodation Options:
Windsor: Creative & Local Vibes
Windsor offers a creative, local energy — packed with cafés, shops, and nightlife along Chapel Street, plus easy tram and train links to campus.
- Local favourite: Journeyman Café (169 Chapel Street, Windsor) – spacious, stylish and great for study or catch-ups.
- What to explore: boutique shopping, weekend markets, and nightlife in the Chapel Street precinct.
- Accommodation Options:
Hawthorn: Leafy Surrounds & Specialty Coffee
If a mix of suburb calm and café culture is your thing, Hawthorn is a winner. Many students at Swinburne pick Hawthorn for that balance. You get a quieter base with personality and still maintain great access to city campuses.
- Local favourite: Axil Coffee Roasters (322 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn) – founded in Hawthorn and still one of the best spots in Melbourne for coffee and study time.
- What to explore: walk Glenferrie Road’s shops, catch a film at Lido Cinema, or relax in local parks.
- Accommodation Options:
Making the Most of Student Life in Melbourne
Here are a couple of tips to make the most of student life
- Mix routines with exploration: treat yourself to weekend cafés, street art walks, or laneway discoveries.
- Find your go-to study nooks: a few reliable cafés or library corners help keep focus.
- Live close enough to unwind: shorter commutes = more time for life.
Explore Student Living in Melbourne
Ready to find a suburb that fits your vibe?
Explore the Student Living by UniLodge Melbourne locations and see which might suit your student life best. Whether you want to be in Carlton’s heart, Hawthorn’s calm, Windsor’s creative pulse, or North Melbourne’s quiet balance — there’s a spot waiting for you!