Thinking About Living in Adelaide?
Hit the ground running and get some local intel here
Offering much more than its City of Churches title may suggest, South Australia’s capital is a rapidly growing hub.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures from 2021 shows that net migration to the state was at its highest in 30 years, in part because of its economic stability throughout Covid-19. Not to mention the affordable house prices.
If you’re moving to Adelaide (or just thinking about it), there’s more to look forward to than cheaper housing, though. You’ll have some of Australia’s best wine regions on your doorstep, cracking beaches, a bustling foodie scene, and a laid-back lifestyle.
Let’s take a closer look at what living in SA’s capital is like.
Living in Adelaide: The essentials
From houses to the price of your weekly shop, here’s what to expect
Property rentals and sales
Great news for people who have been struggling to get a foot on the property ladder in Sydney or Melbourne: Adelaide is still relatively cheap. The ABC reports that in 2022, the median house price in Sydney hit a whopping $1,601,467 and in Melbourne, it’s sitting at $1,101,612.
Meanwhile in Adelaide, the 2022 median is $731,547, that’s around $400,000 cheaper than Melbourne and nearly a million cheaper than Sydney.
Renters will be happy too as Adelaide’s rental prices remain reasonable. According to CoreLogic’s Quarterly Rental Review for Rental Q1 2022, it’s the most affordable capital with an average weekly rate of $464.
Parking
Former Sydneysiders might not be shocked by Adelaide’s parking prices, but if you’re removing here from Perth or Darwin, for example, the cost of commuting might surprise you. In 2022, you can expect to factor in around $329 a month in CBD parking, according to Parkhound.
However, there are a number of parking options and with less traffic density, finding a park is easier than in larger cities. Plus, the city council offers a smart parking solution. The Park Adelaide app locates vacant spaces for you. You can then pay on your phone after you park and get a notification 15 minutes before the time’s up.
Salaries and cost of living
It’s no secret that wage growth has stagnated across Australia with real wages remaining an issue. But how does Adelaide stack up in terms of salaries versus the cost of living, and is it enough to mitigate the problem? Let’s take a look:
According to 2022 figures from PayScale, the average monthly salary in Adelaide is $5,583, while the average cost of living (including rent) is currently sitting at $1,631 for one person and $3,849 for a family of four per month.
It’s certainly not the cheapest city worldwide (in fact, like other Australian capitals, it’s among the most expensive) but when comparing the cost of living versus salaries with that of other Aussie cities, Adelaide remains competitive.
Living in Adelaide: The fun stuff
Buckle up your seatbelts and book your movers because Adelaide doesn’t really deserve its boring reputation. Here’s just a taster of the good stuff you can expect in SA’s gem of a capital.
World-class wine regions
Foodies and gourmands alike will find plenty to tickle their discerning tastebuds in Adelaide’s surrounds. Not only is the wine here of world-class quality, but there’s a whole wine culture that has sprung up in the region, one that’s supported by both dedicated producers and clientele.
Think long weekends vising wineries, road trips in the countryside, and heritage bed and breakfasts. Soak it all up with lunches and dinners from award-winning restaurants and finish your days with a Barossa valley fortified wine.
Make sure you visit these wineries on your path:
- D’Arenberg, McLaren Vale
- Penfolds Magill Estate, Adelaide
- The Lane Vineyard, Adelaide Hills
- Jacob’s Creek, Barossa
- Bird in Hand, Woodside
Beaches for days
If sitting among the grapevines with a Shiraz isn’t quite your speed, perhaps Adelaide’s beaches can tempt you.
Although we hear far less about SA’s beaches than we ought to, there are some stunning spots close to the city. And if you’re moving to the western suburbs, you won’t have to drive far (or at all) to secure a prime spot on the shoreline.
You’ll find swimming beaches alongside surf beaches, and a few lesser-known gems where you won’t be jostling for towel space. Here are a few of our faves:
Henley Beach
Located in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, Henley is a well-loved destination for swimming and surfing. With a large grassed area and playground on site, the kids will be happy for hours on end. There’s also a kiosk and toilets available nearby meaning there’s no need to move the family once you settle in.
Glenelg Beach
Glenelg Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Adelaide, in large part because it’s so easy to get to. You can drive or take public transportation, and there are plenty of parking options, or you can just walk here from other parts of the city: just head east along Jetty Road and follow the crowds on your way over the hills!
Glenelg Beach has everything you want in a beach, plus lots of activities for kids, families, and anyone else looking for fun under the sun. There are also great restaurants nearby so you don’t have to go far if hunger strikes.
Semaphore Beach
One of the locals’ favourites, Semaphore has a long beachfront promenade and many cafes and restaurants, including the popular Semaphore Hotel. This beach is great for kids as there are lots of playgrounds along with watersports such as kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Semaphore Beach is located in the suburb of the same name. If you’re driving there from the city centre, it’s around 25 minutes away by car.
Adelaide is a city that loves its sport
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Adelaide Crows or just a general lover of sports in general, there’s no denying that match-day culture is a big part of life in Adelaide.
Locals are especially big fans of AFL, with plenty of pubs and bars devoted to the sport. It’s not just Adelaide locals who love it either, there are also plenty of tourists who have come down to the city to catch an AFL match.
You might think you don’t care about AFL, but give it a few years of living in Adelaide and you’ll probably find yourself on either side of the ongoing Crows versus Port Adelaide divide.
The festival season is epic
There are so many festivals and events to choose from, here’s the scoop on what’s what during Adelaide’s festival season.
If you’re looking for a good time and some great food, then you should add the Beachside Food and Wine Festival to your list, and don’t miss the week-long Tasting Australia event.
If you’re looking for something with a little more kick than wine, check out the Adelaide Fringe Festival. This is one of our favourites because it offers such a wide range of performances, from circus performers to musicians and everything in between! The best part? Many performances are free.
If music is more your thing, then head over to WOMADelaide this summer. This festival features artists from all over the world who come together to perform music. It’s an amazing opportunity to experience new sounds while enjoying Adelaide’s lively community spirit.
Ready to live in Adelaide yet?
It’s ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world, and it’s easy to see why. From the stunning Botanic Gardens to the funky neighbourhood of Thebarton, Adelaide is a vibrant city with something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for shopping or fine dining, there are plenty of options for all budgets and tastes. If you’re feeling adventurous or just want to get out of the house, Adelaide has an abundance of beautiful parks, natural spaces, and beaches to explore.
And if you’re looking for culture, Adelaide has that too. From museums and art galleries to festivals celebrating everything from music to food and wine, Adelaide’s culture scene is quickly beginning to rival that of other Australian capitals.
Bags and packed and ready to live in Adelaide?
Get in touch so we can help you get there. HomeMove is a leading interstate moving company, and our team can safely transport your home’s contents from Melbourne (or even further afield) to Adelaide.
We can even help you pack your boxes so you can start sipping on SA wines in the state itself even faster!
