From the Hills to the Coast: 18 Best Suburbs in Adelaide for New Beginnings
In order to live a peaceful and stable life, you have to invest in both a good home and a great neighborhood that works well with your lifestyle.
Now that I’m a mom and I have a family relying on me, I have to take into consideration the safety, cost of living, and nearby schools to decide which suburb works for me. I also want this to be a lifetime investment since we’ll be pooling our savings to have our dream home made.
I asked friends, colleagues, and even Internet strangers for their input on which Adelaide suburb is perfect to live in. Here’s what I gathered.
Glenelg
Media from helloglenelg
Population: Around 21,000
Universities nearby: The University of Adelaide College
Popular landmarks: Glenelg Pier, Moseley Square, Jetty Road, and Marina Pier
Cost of living: $800 – $1,000 per person
Glenelg is known for its white sands, clear waters, and rich history. It’s actually the oldest British settlement in South Australia, and it was named after a British cabinet member, Lord Glenelg.
It has spectacular sights, notably the Jetty Road and Glenelg Beach, which makes it a popular destination for beach bums.
It’s one of the popular suburbs in Adelaide for families since it’s near the said beach (just 20 minutes on a tram and you’re there!) and it has good schools (such as Glenelg Primary and St. Mary’s Memorial School). I could honestly imagine a life here with my kids!
It’s also a great place for retirees as they have different retirement villages, such as the Glenelg South – Kapara Mews, and properties near the beach.
Pro tip:
If you want to sleep soundly all year round, you should secure a home away from Jetty Road, as it can get noisy during summertime.
Norwood
Media from desert_sand
Population: Around 6,700
Universities nearby: The University of Adelaide College
Popular landmarks: Norwood Townhall, Osmond Gardens, and Hutchinson Park
Cost of living: $700 – $1,100 per person
With its unique blend of street art, restaurants, boutiques, and pubs, Norwood is one of the most interesting suburbs in Adelaide. It has the Parade, a line of restaurants, pubs, and boutiques, which is a great meeting place for families and friends.
For children, it also has Hutchinson Park with a playground and a wide grassy field to run around.
It’s a great place for families, as it has good schools (such as the Norwood Primary School and Norwood Morialta High School).
Moreover, the homes here are stunning, designed after the traditional English homes. I would love to settle in one of those homes someday!
This suburb is also perfect for university students and younger adults, as the nightlife and the food culture here are alive and well.
Pro tip:
Definitely get a metro card if you plan to move here as a student or as a single working adult. The buses are convenient and reliable!
North Adelaide
Media from leiamreis
Population: Around 6,800
Universities nearby: Aquinas College & Kathleen Lumley College Inc.
Popular landmarks: Adelaide Zoo, South Australian Museum, North Glover Playspace, and Adelaide Oval stadium
Cost of living: $1,000 – $1,300 per person
One of the most affluent neighborhoods in Adelaide, North Adelaide is a place filled with gorgeous villas, mansions, and traditional English architecture. It has North Adelaide Village, which has supermarkets and butcher shops, and Melbourne Street, which is lined with restaurants and cafes for quick meetups.
This suburb is one of the safest places to settle for families and retirees since it has a low crime rate of 0.06%.
While it is indeed pricey (especially for a mom of young children), the convenience of shopping, entertainment, good schools (like the North Adelaide Primary School and Adelaide North Special School), and picturesque city architecture make it worth the investment.
Pro tip:
Unwind and go on a date night in Red Ochre Barrel + Grill for a scenic view of the city at night. This will make you appreciate North Adelaide more!
Prospect
Media from cityofprospect
Population: Around 22,000
Universities nearby: Eynesbury College and Stanley College
Popular landmarks: Elder Park, Prospect 1838 history wall, and R M Williams Outback Heritage Museum
Cost of living: $1,000 – $1,300 per person
Prospect is a history buff’s beautiful fantasy, as it has old traditional architecture that blends with the newer ones that line the city. It’s decked out with street art and generous with its playgrounds, which makes it an ideal suburb for energetic kids.
For lazy picnics and afternoons, Prospect has parks to cater to your leisure, such as the Prospect Estate Park and Memorial Gardens.
In my opinion, Prospect is an ideal place for everyone. It’s great for working professionals (it’s just 15–20 minutes away from the Adelaide city center), families with young children (there are schools like Prospect North Primary School and Prospect Kindergarten), university students, and retirees (there are retirement villages, such as Prospect Retirement Living and Cottage Homes Prospect).
Pro tip:
The pretty homes with traditional architecture are in between Prospect Road and Main North Road. It’s also much closer to the shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Henley Beach
Media from visithenleybeach
Population: Around 6,000
Universities nearby: University of South Australia and Flinders University
Popular landmarks: Henley Beach Jetty, Henley Square, and River Torrens Linear Park Trail
Cost of living: $1,200 – $1,500 per person
Henley Beach is a scenic suburb known for its laidback lifestyle and gorgeous view of the ocean. It’s known for the Henley Beach Jetty, a stretch of wooden bridge (about 440 meters, to be exact!) with the perfect view of the sunset.
For those who want seaside dining, there’s Henley Square, which has cafes and restaurants.
What I love about this suburb is its close proximity to the city (it’s about 15 minutes away by car from the Adelaide city center, making it the best of both worlds), and the availability of schools (Henley Beach Primary School and Henley High School) for families with kids.
The lack of proper nightlife, however, might be a no-go for singles and university students.
Pro tip:
It’s better to invest in a metro card if you’re going to live here, as parking anywhere in the suburb is a challenge!
Walkerville
Media from townofwalkerville
Population: Around 4,000
Universities nearby: University of South Australia and University of Adelaide
Popular landmarks: St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Aviemore, Adelaide-Himeji Garden, and Walkerville Boys’ Home
Cost of living: $1,200 – $1,500 per person
One of South Australia’s most affluent beachside suburbs, Walkerville is a great neighborhood that has a blend of historic architecture, such as the St. Andrew’s Church, and modern conveniences.
The suburb has sites that overlook the beach, such as the Walkerville Lime Kilns and the Historic Cemetery. It’s definitely a photographer’s playground!
It’s ideal for a working beach bum mom like me, as it’s just a short trip from the city (which is just a 15-minute drive away).
For families with kids, there are schools (Walkerville Primary School and St. Andrew’s School) within the town.
The slow-paced lifestyle of the city makes it an ideal place for seniors but a boring place for young adults.
Pro tip:
Drop by Walkerville Library for your schoolwork or work! It has the perfect ambiance for concentration as well as free use of Wi-Fi, printers, photocopiers, and scanners.
Semaphore
Media from _raj__inder_
Population: Around 3,000
Universities nearby: Torrens University Australia
Popular landmarks: Semaphore Jetty, Time Ball Tower, and Coastal Drive 59
Cost of living: $600 – $1,000 per person
If you’re a beach lover and a history enthusiast, then Semaphore is your perfect Adelaide suburb. It has preserved its historic buildings, such as the Time Ball Tower.
However, this doesn’t mean it lacks modern entertainment. There’s Semaphore Road, which is lined with boutiques and cafes.
I can honestly see myself living here with my kids, as it’s more laid-back and the cost of living is affordable. There are good schools here too, such as the Dominican School, Semaphore, and Westport Primary School.
There are fun festivals (namely the Semaphore Greek Festival and Semaphore Street Fair) that are perfect for all ages.
Pro tip:
It’s better to use buses or bikes to go around the city, as the parking spaces are almost always full!
Aldgate
Media from emrencreates
Population: Around 3,000
Universities nearby: The University of Adelaide
Popular landmarks: Stangate House, Aldgate Pump, and Corner Store
Cost of living: $1,200 – $1,600 per person
Aldgate is lined with historic buildings, magnificent oak trees, and gardens open to the public. It’s a quiet little village dotted with charming traditional homes and boasts a 6-kilometer trail called Aldgate Valley Nature Walk filled with animals and local flora. If nature and quiet allure you, then this is the best neighborhood to invest in.
Aldgate feels like a Hallmark location to me, but I feel like it’s a better fit for families and retirees. There are good schools in the area as well, such as the Aldgate Primary School and The Hills Montessori School.
Pro tip:
Make sure you stop by Aldgate Pump Hotel for a good meal of Aussie dishes, such as the kangaroo filet, which is savory and smokey, and Australian Garfish, light, airy, and crispy.
Kensington
Media from commercialgardens_australia
Population: Around 1,700
Universities nearby: University of South Australia
Popular landmarks: Mary MacKillop Museum
Cost of living: $1,000 – $1,300 per person
Kensington is a sleepy little neighborhood that is perfect for retirees and families. It’s a charming place with 19th-century buildings lining the streets and coexisting with modern infrastructure.
For recreation and relaxation, there is the Kensington Gardens Reserve, which is ideal for picnics and outdoor activities.
What I do like the most about Kensington is the fact that it’s just a 15-minute drive away from the Adelaide City center. It also has a kindergarten, the Kensington School, which is ideal for families with young children.
As for retirees, the suburb is quiet, and getting around without a car is easy.
Pro tip:
Shop all your goods and eat your fill at Norwood Parade, as it’s just a ten-minute drive away from the suburb!
Bowden
Media from bowdenlife
Population: Around 1,800
Universities nearby: The University of Adelaide
Popular landmarks: Plant 4, Bowden Skatepark, and Mary Lee Park
Cost of living: $700 – $1,000 per person
Adorned with mosaics and street art on walls, Bowden is an artist’s dream suburb.
It has also been certified as a 6-star Green Star sustainable precinct development by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)!
It also has a plan to create a community that blends heritage and modern architecture to provide space for new families and younger adults—in particular, the development in Brompton Gasworks.
This suburb was definitely made for younger people—university students, young professionals, and young families with small children. It has skateparks, lush parks like Mary Lee, and fun events that showcase art and food experiences.
Pro tip:
There’s always something happening in Bowden, so don’t miss an event and keep tabs through here.
North Brighton
Media from angelica_hazel_nutrition
Population: Around 2,600
Universities nearby: Marden Senior College
Popular landmarks: North Brighton Cemetery
Cost of living: $800 – $1,100 per person
North Brighton offers a laid-back beach life with the option to enjoy what Glenelg has to offer since it’s just ten minutes away by car.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely devoid of things to do. There are cafes and restaurants lining the road to the beach, which makes it a great date night getaway. I definitely would enjoy a good dinner here!
This suburb is perfect for families since it has playgrounds, Dover Square Reserve, and John Miller Reserve. It also has schools, such as Brighton North Primary School and Brighton Secondary School.
The laidback lifestyle might be a bit too boring for university students and younger adults, but it’s an ideal place if you want a peaceful beachside life.
Pro tips:
Don’t hesitate to invest in a bike to get around! This suburb is bike-friendly, as it has bikeways, such as the Glenelg to Seacliff Coastal Walk, available.
Welland
Media from evgueniafonova
Population: Around 900
Universities nearby: University of Adelaide
Popular landmarks: Welland Shopping Centre
Cost of living: $800 – $1,100 per person
If you crave silence and seclusion, Welland is the perfect place for you. Out of all the suburbs listed here, this neighborhood is smaller and the refuge of adults and the elderly (the age range of the population here is 40–70!).
There are not a lot of boutiques and entertainment here, but there is a Welland Plaza Shopping Centre for groceries and other essentials.
This might be the perfect place for retirees, as it has outdoor spaces, like Bonython Park, which is perfect for afternoon strolls and picnics. I can see myself retiring here when the time comes since it’s so simple and convenient (the city center is only 6 kilometers away!).
Pro tip:
If you want more choices in cafes and restaurants, you would need to visit the neighboring suburb, Hindmarsh, for better choices.
Belair
Media from 43leeztrees
Population: Around 4,700
Universities nearby: Australia Lutheran College
Popular landmarks: Belair National Park, State Flora Nursery, and Old Government House
Cost of living: $900 – $1,200 per person
Belair is a suburb known for its close proximity to nature, which makes it an ideal place for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. It houses Belair National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Australia, and boasts 11 trails (such as the Birdie Loop Walk and the Heritage Tree Walk) for walking and cycling.
If you’re like me and want to connect your kids with nature, then Belair is the perfect place for you. For families with young children, there are well-known schools in the area as well, like the Belair Primary School and St. John’s Grammar School.
Pro tip:
While there is a train available to ride to the city center, I highly recommend investing in a proper car if you decide to live here.
Crafers
Media from bee_richyy
Population: Around 3,000
Universities nearby: Australian Catholic University
Popular landmarks: Mount Lofty Summit, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, and Measday’s Lookout
Cost of living: $500 – $900 per person
With its cooler climate and more laid-back lifestyle surrounded by nature, Crafters is a quiet little suburb perfect for a calmer and rural-like pace.
It’s just 20 minutes away from the city center with the option to go by bus or by driving. In terms of convenience, this cozy little neighborhood relies more on Stirling and Aldgate for a wider range of supermarkets, restaurants, and entertainment.
I love the promise of slow living and away from blatant consumerism, which I feel is fundamental to a child’s growth. However, there’s only Crafters Primary School within the suburb, so that would mean a long travel time for the kids. I don’t mind if it means they go home to a quiet and cozy place.
Pro tip:
Commuting here is not ideal, especially since there are mostly just bus routes going to the Adelaide city center. I highly suggest investing in a car to get around.
Highbury
Population: Around 6,000
Universities nearby: Avenues College and Charles Campbell College
Popular landmarks: River Torrens Linear Park
Cost of living: $600 – $1,000 per person
Highbury is a suburb close to nature but with the comforts of modern conveniences.
While it’s a bit far from the city center (with over 40 minutes of driving needed), there is Highbury Shopping Centre for quick grocery runs. For outdoorsy people, there’s the River Torrens Linear Park for bushwalking and hiking.
Ideally, this is a place for families and retirees, but I can’t help but think that it’s also a perfect place for newly married couples. As cheesy as it sounds, it forces them to focus on each other and spend more time together in their home. Plus, the homes here are more affordable compared to other suburbs like Glenelg and Henley Beach.
Pro tip:
For a better shopping experience, the Tea Tree Plaza in Modbury is just a six-minute drive away. It’s one of the largest shopping areas in Adelaide.
Eden Hill
Media from fabiviajaomundo
Population: Around 3,600
Universities nearby: The University of Adelaide Waite Campus and University of South Australia, City West Campus
Popular landmarks: Colebrook Reconciliation Park and Wittunga Botanic Garden
Cost of living: $700 – $1,200 per person
Eden Hill is a small suburb surrounded by nature and primarily a residential neighborhood. There isn’t a lot of entertainment here, which makes it an alluring neighborhood for retirees and families.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely secluded from the city. It’s a 30-minute drive away from the city center, which makes it the perfect escape from the city without sacrificing your career.
It has spacious parks and gardens, such as the Colebrook Reconciliation Park and Wittunga Botanic Garden, which I think are great for family activities and picnics.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for larger properties, Eden Hills has a lot! It’s known for its generous lot sizes, which leave room for a playing field for kids and pets.
Salisbury
Media from cityofsalisbury
Population: Around 9,000
Universities nearby: University of South Australia Salisbury Campus and TAFE SA Salisbury Campus
Popular landmarks: Adams Oval, AGH Cox Reserve, and Baltimore Reserve
Cost of living: $600 – $1,000 per person
Salisbury is one of Adelaide’s largest suburbs and is known to be one of the busiest metropolitan cities there. Despite its progressive state as a city, this suburb still has affordable housing for newer families and young adults. It also strikes the perfect balance with the modern conveniences of the city and nearby nature parks, such as the Little Para River Linear Park.
This is one of those suburbs that’s perfect for all ages, including young professionals and university students. Moreover, the abundance of parks, such as Harry Bowey Reserve and Carisbrooke Park, makes it a good place to live for families with kids.
Pro tip:
Salisbury is teeming with activities and events! If you plan to move there, make sure you’re up to date by checking this website.
Black Forest
Media from mistermerk58
Population: Around 2,000
Universities nearby: University of South Australia and University of Adelaide,
Popular landmarks: Blackwood Forest Recreation Park
Cost of living: $600 – $1,000 per person
Black Forest is mostly residential, so there are not a lot of supermarkets and recreational activities nearby. It’s a peaceful neighborhood surrounded by nature, and it has areas perfect for exercise and family picnics, such as the Blackwood Forest Recreation Park.
However, when it comes to dining and shopping, you would need to drive to nearby suburbs, such as Goodwood, to get your essentials.
I believe it’s ideal for families and seniors, as it’s peaceful, safe, and honestly, a bit boring for young single adults and university students.
Pro tips:
Invest in a metro card! While it is mostly residential, Black Forest is quite commute-friendly for car-less people. There’s the Adelaide-Glenelg Tramline to get to the city center and bus routes through and around the suburb.
