Melbourne

I have spent most of the last two years living here. It, like Wellington, is the cultural (and multicultural) hub of the country.  My feeling is that the heart of the city is in its laneways and its suburbs (i have a preference for the northern ones). One of my favourite things is the older architecture  and cobblestones in the laneways, and the mishmash of cultures. Here's a few things I'll talk about:

Favourite Suburbs

Favourite Streets (Lygon, Smith, Gertrude, Brunswick, etc)

Laneways & their best bits

Live Comedy

Live Music (Bars & bands)

Finding work/housing & the cost of living. --What to expect when you get here.

Triple J (though it is national)

Cinemas like the chain of Palace cinemas, the astor and the Rooftop

Hamish & Andy 

Public Transit

RAGE (the all-weekend music show on ABC) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 

Crafters & Favourite Indie Boutiques, galleries and other shops

Op shopping

"Three Thousand, " online gig guides and other great websites.

Photo: Nicole Shaw.

In the lounge room of my first home in Northcote, Melbourne. 

Housewarming party during Earth Hour, March 2008.