Hello Expats,

We are moving out to Adelaide from the UK late this year with our 11 year old daughter. I notice that most Poms seem to be in Perth but if there's anybody on the forum with knowledge of SA we would appreciate any advice/experiences of which are the best suburbs for schools, amenities, the CBD, lifestyle etc.

Cheers in advance!

Where will you be working? You really don't want to live in Aldinga if you work in Tea Tree Gully.

There are actually lots of people on here who live in Adelaide. It's a great little city with loads happening. There is a different festival or event on almost every weekend, so lots to keep you busy.

Hi Dorothy,

Thanks for that. Problem is, just now, I dont know where work will take me! Likliehood that my OH will be based in the CBD though. We have been directed to the Southern suburbs but out of the two of us only one has been to Adelaide before and that was for just one day! We have heard great things though and cant wait for the move. To make the most of it we need as much info as we can get.

It's where I would be if my OH's work was not here in Perth. We lived in the northern suburb of Klemzig which is about 10 minutes to the CBD. If we go back I would probably look at living in the hills.

We have had a look at the Adelaide Hills in particular Mount Barker. I'm going to google Klemzig now!

We're in Mount Barker and wouldn't live anywhere else. Feel free to PM me with any questions!

no its empty! (wee joke)

Have you had a look at www.pomsinadelaide.com its a great forum site specific to adelaide with loads of really friendly helpful people (not that BE doesn't ) and also www.adelaidebound.com.

Good luck with everything we are hoping to be there within the next year if we can get rid of the house .

Thousands of threads on here about Adelaide Try searching the forum with the names of some of the individual suburbs and you should find shed-loads of info

I'm from Adelaide (live back in the UK now)and just returned 3 weeks ago.I used to live in the hills a long time ago.You know what?I always thought if I ever returned to Adelaide I would head for the hills again.We spent alot of time up that neck of the woods when we were back,and I was disappointed.Why?Too built up now,too many signs everywhere,and just did'nt have the same feel as when I lived there.Trouble is,I remember what is used to be/look like.I guess if you've never been,then you'd see it with new eyes!My old local is now run by a pom,saw a house with a huge welsh flag flapping in the wind,and I said to my OH,all we need to see now is the "English breakfast"sign!.Just felt something was missing when I was back,could'nt quite put my finger on it,strange feeling I guess.Anyway what type of person are you?Beach?Country?City slicker?We need more info!

Thanks everybody, iwannabethere in particular and we might take you up on that pm offer.

Livinginreality, in the uk we are suburbanites and I'm not really one for the countryside, although "new country/new attitude" so who knows. My OH is more up for the country but works in HR which limits job opportunities. The Hills do sound tempting however, I'm lead to believe it's a bit wetter and chillier at night/in winter than the metro area and, shallow as it would seem, that would have a baring on where we end up.

Thanks again everbody.

Hi
We've lived in Adelaide now for nearly five years - we are in the North East suburbs - excellent transport into the City (we have the fantastic O-Bahn - busses that drive along the road, then onto tracks) and I guess it takes about 20 minutes into the CBD. The Barossa is on our doorstep, the beaches are about 30 minutes drive. Don't rush into any hasty decisions about where you will be living till you've had a good look around. Some of the southern suburbs are nice, but equally so are the southeastern, western, eastern and north eastern suburbs. North west has traditionally been a little industrial, as nearest to Port Adelaide, but is an up and coming area now, and there are some good suburbs in the north too - as well as lots of work! The hills surround Adelaide from the North East round to the South East, and offer a nice lifestyle, but if you have kids, then in my opinion it's best to be within maximum 30 minutes drive of the City for the best choice of sporting/arts activities, and if you don't I'd say the same for the best choice of restaurants, shows, drinking spots!
I'd recommend renting somewhere as central as possible to start with, getting a hire car and driving around, as what suits one may not suit another! There are some nice places in the south, for instance, but it didn't tick our boxes!!
Diane

We live up in the hills and work in the city. It takes me 25 minutes to get to work, and 35 for SWMBO (works on the other side of the CBD).

When we were living in the suburbs (Oaklands Park), I would regularly have a 45 minute drive into work.

It's usually about 2 degrees cooler up in the hills than the city, and summer temperatures seem to be a bit more bearable.

The only 'country' thing that we've had to get used to is no mail deliveries to the house in Nairne. Mt Barker has 'proper' mail deliveries, but has more of a suburban feel to it (just my opinion).

Cheers

Steve

No doubt that hills are nice.

But...

A lot of these areas are really dangerous in case of fire. What happend in Victoria might happen in Adelaide as well (on the same day it was pretty close with hot dry weather, strong wind blowing leaves around, very scary).

If working in the city the Eastern Suburbs are a very good idea, clean, safe, very good schools, some with a fair bit of life like Norwood or Kent Town, some a bit more quiet like Kensington. All the way East of the CBD to the foothills of Auldana, Wattle Park, Stonyfell are some of the better suburbs IMHO.
Not only easy and short drive to the city but also good public transport.

Yes, they are more expensive but there is a reason for that.

Yep, agree with all of those, and any of the suburbs that run alongside the Torrens - from Highbury in the East through to Henley in the West are good. Have a look at suburbs such as Athelstone, Dernancourt, Highbury as well. Not quite as pricey as Stonyfell etc, but still on the edge of civilisation with the hills as a backdrop yet the benefits (good schools, good transport etc) of suburbia!