Living and working in Melbourne?

Hello people im Tom and im 24. Im planning on going to Melbourne in 6 months time and I basically wanna try and find work straight away ( im a bricklayer). I was thinking of staying in a hostel or a cheap hotel for a week when i arrived and try and sort somewhere permanent to stay, preferably a house share. I want to stay in melbourne for as long as I can so im not looking into traveling the whole of oz straight away. I would love to hear if anyone has any advice, on finding a permanent place to stay as well as looking for work. Also am i making a mistake by getting my own room for a week when i arrive? I want to meet people but I kinda figure if i get a place with a couple people already living there and sort myself out a job im sure to make plenty of friends that way. All advice welcome. Thanks

[ Edit: Edited on 22-Dec-2010, at 14:40 by youngtommy ]

Have been living in Melbourne since beginning of Sept. We arrived and stayed in a hostel called Urban Central for a few days. I think you're better off booking into a hostel for the first few days until you find your feet (and you're way around) and you might meet some people that are looking for a place as well. You don't want to find a place and then get work the other side of the city so keep an eye out around where the jobs are.

We're in a house share in Toorak and there are a lot of house shares availalbe, keep an eye on Gumtree. We only paid two weeks rent as the deposit and its fully furnished. If you get an apartment or a house on your own or rent a room privately you'll probably have to sign a bond and you mightn't get all your furniture.

I don't know what work is like around for bricklayers but Gumtree always has a few job ads up so keep an eye on it.

Good luck!