Melbourne is a great city, no doubt about it. There's no need to list all the boxes it ticks ??? you can read one of many (very original) articles out there detailing why Melbourne is better than Sydney for that.
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And besides, every year we're told Melbourne is the most liveable city in the world ??? presumably by people who aren't paying an eye-watering sum of money for a bedroom in a shoebox unit, nor sitting in traffic on Eastlink for three hours a day.
But if, one day, you were to tire of the craziness of the concrete jungle, the banal traffic jams, the absurd house prices or sprawling suburbia, where would you go? Let's take a look.
Geelong
Photo: John Woudstra
The second-largest city in Victoria, Geelong has long attracted Melburnians looking for cheaper, roomier digs.
A fun fact: Greater Geelong is one of the largest municipalities in the state, taking in urban, rural and coastal areas. There's plenty of places to choose from.
On the swankier side, beachside areas like Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Portarlington are relaxed and breezy towns. In the thick of it, Geelong's inner-ring suburbs are considered trendy and gentrified, particularly in areas with period homes.
Famous for: Its sparkling waterfront, footy-mad Cats fans, and being the gateway to the Great Ocean Road.
What it's got: A nightlife, elegant architecture and a lovely swimming enclosure at Eastern Beach.
Distance to Melbourne: From city centre to city centre, it's 73 kilometres. The drive takes just over an hour without much traffic. A train is slightly longer, about 1 hour and 15 minutes if the network is running smoothly. (And that's a big if these days.)
Why you should move there: You're not quite ready for life in the slow lane and don't want to miss out on all the action. A small city like Geelong could be the perfect choice.
Macedon Ranges
Photo: Alamy
The hilly landscape of the Macedon Ranges makes for a popular Sunday drive for city slickers. But there's more to the area than just tourist attractions.
There's vibrant communities in towns like Kyneton and Gisborne brimming with restaurants, galleries and bakeries. And Mount Macedon, an old playground for the wealthy, has spectacular mansions and sprawling country estates. Plus you're not far from spa country capital Daylesford.
Famous for: Hanging Rock, an "anti-gravity" hill, scenic drives, rich retirees
What it's got: Gardens, wineries, more gardens, the Woodend Winter Arts Festival and did we mention gardens?
Distance to Melbourne: It's a 45-minute drive from the city to Gisborne, 10 minutes further to Woodend and, if you were heading to Kyneton, it should take just over an hour.
Why you should move there: You're after a tree change, like a bit of adventure and were a fan of either the film or novel Picnic at Hanging Rock.
The Otways
Photo: Jacky Ghossein
Where the forest meets the sea, the Otways covers rugged coastland, beaches and temperate rainforests. Sounds idyllic.
Famous for: The Twelve Apostles, waterfalls and a significant over-population of koalas.
What it's got: A big agricultural industry, an annual mountain bike marathon and the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia.
Distance to Melbourne: The Otways are roughly 200 kilometres from the city. If you head inland after Geelong, the drive will take about three hours. But if you opt for the Great Ocean Road route, it's a three and a half hour trip.
Why you should move there: You're at home in nature, and want a bit of peace and quiet.
The Surf Coast
Photo: Wayne Taylor
It's one of Australia's most famous stretches of coastlines, attracting millions of visitors each year.
The shire takes in the townships of Torquay, Lorne, Anglesea and Winchelsea. The towns are picturesque, charming and relaxed ??? except if it's school holidays on a scorching hot day and you find yourself waiting in line for hot chips.
Famous for: The Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach, locals wearing boardshorts or activewear all day every day, trashy schoolies celebrations, the final scene of 1991 film Point Break (which wasn't actually filmed in Australia)
What it's got: Beautiful beaches, Rip Curl Pro, Lorne Pier to Pub
Distance to Melbourne: This stretch of coast is particularly popular because of its proximity to Victoria's cities. It's a 75-minute drive to Melbourne or 20-minute trip to Geelong.
Why you should move there: You love a salty breeze and sand between your toes.
Ballarat
Photo: Pat Scala
Fondly known as 'the Rat', Ballarat is the state's largest inland city. It feels like a big country town, but in reality it's not actually that far from Melbourne and the coastline.
Famous for: Bad weather, the 1850s gold rush, the Eureka Rebellion, Michelle Payne.
What it's got: Victorian and Edwardian buildings protected by heritage overlays, statues, two universities, the Archibald Prize, Australia's oldest regional art gallery.
Distance to Melbourne: Ballarat is 115 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, taking about 1?? hours if you're driving or on the train. Construction on an upgrade of the rail line is due to begin next year but an express train has already been ruled out.
Why you should move there: You're after a nice house on a big block for an affordable price.
Mornington Peninsula
Photo: Joe Armao
Spilling to the south-east of Melbourne, the peninsula takes in Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, Mornington and Portsea.
It has been estimated up to 40 per cent of houses on the peninsula are not owned by permanent residents, but are instead the beach houses of well-off Melburnians.
Famous for: Colourful bathing boxes on the beach, Harold Holt disappearing in the surf in 1967, pinot noir
What it's got: Hot springs, a big maze, golf courses, an old military base, retirement villages
Distance to Melbourne: If you drive right down to Portsea at the tip of the peninsula, it should take about 90 minutes. Shave off half an hour if you're only heading as far as Mornington.
Why you should move there: You like calm seas, you don't want to live among millenials.
The Bass Coast
Photo: Tessie Vanderwert
The crown jewel of the shire is Phillip Island, a tourist hot spot well known for its stunning natural beauty and wildlife. But San Remo and Inverloch are great spots in their own right, as is French Island, only accessible by ferry. There's also some small hinterland villages dotted around the region too.
Famous for: The Hemsworth brothers, penguins, coal and the MotoGP.
What it's got: Seaside villages, popular fishing spots, museums, a wind farm, Victoria's desalination plant.
Distance to Melbourne: Heading south east, the Bass Coast is about two hour drive, or 130 kilometres, from the city.
Why you should move there: You want the coastal lifestyle without taking on a seven-figure mortgage.
Gippsland
The Gippsland region takes up a huge chunk of the eastern side of Victoria, including the towns of Traralgon, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Gippsland Lakes and Bairnsdale.
Famous for: Yoghurt, power stations, Ninety Mile Beach, Wil Anderson.
What it's got: The Daffodil Festival, Wilsons Promontory, Mt Baw Baw, a Swedish winter celebration called Walhalla Vinter Ljusfest
Distance to Melbourne: It's a two hour drive to Traralgon, a little over 2?? hours to Sale and 3?? hours to Bairnsdale. Regional trains and coaches from the city run every few hours.
Why you should move there: Cheaper real estate, cheaper cost of living and a friendly community. And did we mention Ninety Mile Beach? That too.
Yarra Ranges
Photo: Daniel Pockett
The Yarra Ranges is on the eastern and north-eastern outskirts of Melbourne. It includes the city's outer burbs (Belgrave, Lilydale, Narre Warren East), small townships in the hills (Ferny Creek, Sassafras, Mount Dandenong, Sherbrooke) and more rural towns (Badger Creek, Healesville, Yarra Glen, Cold Stream).
Famous for: Wine, Puffing Billy Railway, 1000 Steps
What it's got: Rainforests, waterfalls, wineries, walking trails.
Distance to Melbourne: It takes about an hour to get to Belgrave or Lilydale from the CBD ??? in a car or train (depending on traffic).
Why you should move there: You kind of, sort of, want to leave the city but don't want to stray too far.
Bendigo
Photo: Darren Howe
The (literal) heart of the state, Bendigo is geographically located very close to the centre of Victoria.
Famous for: Chiko rolls, sunny weather, Bendigo Bank
What it's got: An airport (but don't plan on booking your trip through Qantas), two hospitals, a university, Groovin' the Moo.
Distance to Melbourne: Bendigo is 150 kilometres north west of Melbourne, roughly a two-hour drive. V/Line operate regular trains, running hourly on weekdays, from Southern Cross Station.
Why you should move there: You want your sunshine to be more reliable than in Melbourne but don't want to be too far from the AFL and cricket. Oh, and it's not Ballarat. (There's a serious Bendigo versus Ballarat thing, ask someone from there to explain next time you've got a spare 15 minutes.)
