On a recent trip to Melbourne, several locals described the city as Australia's version of New York. Melbourne may not be as pretty as Sydney, which has a similar beach culture to Los Angeles, but they said it was more interesting.
Low-rise cityscapes and communities of artists and hipsters can make some parts of Melbourne look like Brooklyn. But a palpable warmth and friendliness among residents distinguishes its atmosphere: Strangers kept in touch after chats on the street, sending messages to recommend coffee shops and, in one case, to extend an invitation to a birthday party.
In late December and early January (summer in Melbourne), the place was sleepier than expected for what is technically Australia's most populated city. Many people had gone to spend their holidays in more distant lands. Northcote and Preston, two up-and-coming neighborhoods, often seemed like ghost towns. Known as a more modern area, Fitzroy was livelier, although its two main streets, Brunswick Street and Smith Street, were not exactly bustling.
Seeing a calmer version of Melbourne made it easier to notice recurring elements of the residents' style. It is a place where you can see a lot of black. Although the shade was not universal, it was much more popular than one would expect in the summer. Many people were tattooed, not just full sleeves on their arms, but designs that covered their heads and each appendage. Looking at the exterior style, another city came to mind: Berlin.
