Welcome to Melbourne, where one in three wish they were somewhere else
More than a third of Melburnians feel their quality of life has worsened over the past 12 months, despite most enjoying living in the city.
The insight comes as part of Committee for Melbourne and Ipsos’s Living in Melbourne 2024 report, which was released on Thursday.
It quizzed 1000 Melburnians and found even though 81 per cent are satisfied with living in the city’s metro area, 37 per cent feel their quality of life has worsened over the past 12 months.
Melbourne’s sprawling suburbs are creating challenges for residents, according to the survey, with 72 per cent using cars for transport to travel to and from work or study.
This is compared to lower rates of commuting by trains (36 per cent), trams (28 per cent) and buses (16 per cent).
More than 90 per cent of Melburnians have access to a car and the report showed those in outer suburbs are commuting longer than those that live in inner suburbs.
However, 64 per cent of respondents rated the state government’s extensive future public transport projects as a crucial factor in choosing where to live.
Committee for Melbourne chief executive Mark Melvin said Melburnians’ priorities for the city include safety, cost of living and affordable housing.
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“The overarching message from the data is that Melburnians love their city and this is reflected in the attitudes,” Mr Melvin.
“But, the elements which make Melbourne a great place to live could increasingly become under strain, with signs that the city’s lifestyle options are increasingly becoming harder for people living outside the inner suburbs to access.”
Two thirds of those surveyed are more supportive of accommodating new housing in outer areas of the city.
This compared to just less than half supporting increased density in established, inner city Melbourne suburbs.
