Reasons Why Adelaide Is the Best City to Live in Australia
- Adelaide is sunny all year round!
- Adelaide’s community is diverse
- Which ancestries are dominant in Adelaide?
- The food in Adelaide is inspired by many cultures
- We have some of the best wines in the world
- The quality of life in Adelaide is great!
- Adelaide has one of the lowest cost of living in Australia
- We have a fast transportation system in Adelaide
- There are plenty of spots in Adelaide to hang out in!
- We have some of the best universities in the world
- What are the highest ranking universities in Adelaide?
- Adelaide is one of the best cities for music
Adelaide, the sunny capital of South Australia, truly sparkles with undeniable charm! Boasting a vibrant culture, expansive landscapes, and picturesque spots, it’s undoubtedly one of the best cities to call home in Australia.
Are you considering moving to Adelaide? If so, let me guide you through the best reasons why our city is a great place to live in case you need a little more convincing.
In this article, I’ll delve into everything including our rich culture, delectable cuisine, affordable cost of living, and, of course, the beloved local wine scene!
1. Adelaide is sunny all year round!
Not a fan of the cold weather? Adelaide is the perfect city for you, as it’s sunny all year round here.
We have a Mediterranean climate, which means that our summers are hot and dry, while our winters are cool and rainy. Our temperature can reach a maximum of 35°C and a low of 8°C.
If that sounds great to you, then you’ll love our beaches! Most of them are just a 20-minute drive from the city center, so you can enjoy your workday in the CBD and then have a romantic dinner by the bay to end the day.
Compared to other cities in Australia, our weather is more comfortable, as it doesn’t get too humid in the summer or too rainy in the winter.
If you want to experience cooler weather, you can always visit the Adelaide Hills, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and have a nice cup of wine too!
| When are winters in Adelaide? For those from the Northern Hemisphere, you may be surprised to know that our winters are from June to August, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “polar opposite.” This means that our Christmases are sunny and bright! We still appreciate the good ol’ tune of “Let It Snow” during the festive season, though! |
2. Adelaide’s community is diverse
Now that you know what our climate is like, let’s take a look at what makes up the Adelaidean community.
Adelaide is a haven for those who seek a diverse and multicultural city. We not only house people from different ethnicities, but we also embrace their cultures, as you’ll see later.
This is made possible by the local government’s initiatives, providing a conducive space for skilled migration. There’s a website dedicated to simplifying the process for working here.
Another reason why Adelaide is so welcoming to people from all over the world is that our city is very supportive of international students. Currently, we’re home to more than 35,000 students from 120 countries.
Which ancestries are dominant in Adelaide?
The dominant ancestries in Adelaide are English, Chinese, Australian, Irish, Scottish and German.
A complete table of the dominant ancestries in Adelaide made by Informed Decisions can be seen below.
| Ancestry | Percentage |
| English | 27.3% |
| Chinese | 20.0% |
| Australian | 17.2% |
| Irish | 8.3% |
| Scottish | 7.5% |
| German | 5.3% |
| Italian | 4.2% |
| Indian | 3.8 |
| Greek | 2.0% |
| Vietnamese | 2.0% |
As we can see here, a large chunk of Adelaide’s population were born overseas. In the city, there are several multicultural neighborhoods and places where different cultures are celebrated such as
- Chinatown in the CBD
- Little Italy in Stepney
- Greek culture in Henley
- Chinese and Vietnamese neighborhoods in North Adelaide
- Adelaide Mosque at Little Gilbert Street
3. The food in Adelaide is inspired by many cultures
Of course, the more cultures there are in a city, the more diverse the food! Just take a look at our countless cafes, restaurants, and pubs to see that it’s true!
Want to add a new flavor to your taste palate? Try one of our best food below.
- Fruchocs – It’s the perfect blend of chocolatey richness and fruity freshness! This confectionery is made by mixing apricot, peach, and milk chocolate into bite-sized bits, perfect for both the young and the young at heart!
- Pie floater – Inspired by English cuisine, this dish features a chunk of meat pie submerged in green pea soup. Its thick and mushy texture gives a satisfying and highly filling experience to anyone.
- Pho – Nutritious, flavorful, and hearty, Vietnamese pho is a must-try. This soup is filled with herbs, meat, and noodles, mixing just the right amount of umami and sweet.
- Kebabs – If you’re looking for a meaty halal option, kebabs are the way to go. You can even partner it with biryani rice and raita to bring out the best flavors.
- Pizza – Every lazy day ends with pizza, and we get it! It’s convenient, versatile in taste, and very delicious!
If you’re looking for a quick bite in Adelaide, there are plenty of restaurants to grab a dozen slices of the Italian staple.
4. We have some of the best wines in the world
We Adelaideans know how to properly end a sumptuous meal—with a nice glass of wine! Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a social drinker, I’m sure you’ll have a blast trying one of our award-winning bottles.
Our climate makes the quality of our grapes excellent. Specifically, the soil in Adelaide’s top wine regions give flavorful and high-quality produce.
Made with the skillful hands of our local winemakers—most of whom are part of generations of families who’ve been in the business for decades—our wines are simply the best.
| Which wines in Adelaide are award-winning? The award-winning wines of Adelaide include our Shiraz, Riesling, and Sauvignon. The winemakers that produce these are from the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, and Coonawarra. These are excellent spots for wine tasting! |
5. The quality of life in Adelaide is great!
Of course, you can only enjoy your drink at night if you have time for it in the first place. Fortunately, Adelaide has an excellent work-life balance and quality of life to make this possible.
In fact, we were bestowed with the title most liveable city in Australia in 2021 according to The Economist. It’s made possible by our excellent scores in healthcare, employment, entertainment, and more.
According to statistics from Numbeo, we also have excellent scores for the following:
| Category | Score | Interpretation |
| Safety index | 68.05 | High |
| Healthcare index | 72.37 | High |
| Climate index | 94.96 | High |
| Pollution index | 25.56 | Low |
| Level of crime index | 29.16 | Low |
6. Adelaide has one of the lowest cost of living in Australia
Speaking of quality of life, we can’t forget the cost of day-to-day living. The good news is that our city is the most affordable capital city in Australia as of writing.
| City | Cost of living index |
| Adelaide | 92.77 |
| Canberra | 90.61 |
| Sydney | 84.71 |
| Brisbane | 83.65 |
| Perth | 83.13 |
| Melbourne | 80.21 |
| Hobart | 67.73 |
| What is the median house price in Adelaide? Adelaide has a much lower median house price of $645,721 compared to Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. It’s almost half of Sydney’s whopping $1,014,393! With our city’s affordable house prices, it’s very easy to look for your new home in sweet sunny Adelaide. |
7. We have a fast transportation system in Adelaide
Aside from our low cost of living, we also have an excellent transportation system.
The transportation system in Adelaide is highly efficient and fast. Traveling from the outskirts to the CBD is quick, generally taking less than 30 minutes.
In addition, getting around in Adelaide is convenient, as the buses, trams, and trains are all operated by Adelaide Metro. You can expect your ride to arrive every 15 minutes during the day, making transportation reliable and timely.
Moreover, the routes and stops of our transportation system are well-planned and pass through many popular tourist spots such as Glenelg Beach, Rundle Mall, and the South Australian Museum.
For those who prefer to travel by bike, Adelaide offers plenty of bike paths and lanes. You can even enjoy a fantastic view of the Torrens River as you bike along its scenic trails.
8. There are plenty of spots in Adelaide to hang out in!
Now that you know how quick it is to get around Adelaide, you may be thinking about where in the city you’ll spend your free time. If you’re looking for some fun, our city has plenty in store for you!
For sports fans out there, the world-class Adelaide Oval hosts many football and cricket games as well as concerts!
If you need to scratch that shopping itch, check out the latest fashion items, relax in a cafe, and listen to buskers in Rundle Mall.
To get in touch with Adelaide’s German roots, check out Hahndorf Village. This quaint village offers lots to see, from its architecture and ambiance to its beer!
For a tranquil experience, take a stroll in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. It features a lush tropical rainforest, a gorgeous rose garden, and breathtaking architecture all in one!
And of course, Henley Beach is one of Adelaide’s best hangout spots! Here, you can watch the sunset while enjoying a fancy Mediterranean feast.
9. We have some of the best universities in the world
Now that you’ve seen how easygoing life can be here, you may be considering studying in Adelaide. After all, our city offers a highly conducive environment for learning!
What are the highest ranking universities in Adelaide?
Adelaide has some of the best universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings. These include
- The University of Adelaide, ranked 109th
- University of South Australia, ranked 363rd
- Flinders University, ranked 425th
These universities provide courses in various disciplines like education, business, law, humanities, social sciences, and more, so it definitely won’t be hard to find one that matches your education plans!
10. Adelaide is one of the best cities for music
Do you want to live in a city bursting with music? Adelaide is a great city for you!
In fact, Adelaide is one of UNESCO’s Cities of Music! It’s no wonder, given how the local government invests in supporting Adelaidean artists, promoting diversity in music, and providing numerous avenues for showcasing local talents.
Looking for heartfelt talent brimming with potential? You’ll easily spot performers at Rundle Mall, Henley Square, Flinders Street, and many other locations!
For shows with high-budget productions, you won’t be disappointed with the acts at the historic Thebarton Theatre and Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
