Any ideas - places to live?

[Guest Bristol_Matt]

Maybe a stipud question but having never been, my wife and I are wondering which part of the city would best suit us, and therefore be a good place to spend some time researching and visiting when we come over next year.

 

Our current situation

We are a mid 30's couple with no children.

We currently live in a cul-de-sac halfway between Bristol and Bath and enjoy having 2 cities 10 mins away in a train. We like being next to a river, having local shops just a 5 min walk away and 5 local drinking establishments.

My commute to work is about 30mins by car.

Our house is worth about £200k and we have about £80k mortgage.

I am a printer and Carol, my wife, is a Legal Executive (as yet, we have found no Aussie comparison to this job title)

Basically, we enjoy being near a city, but not too close! We want local convenience shops/pubs . Being near a beach would be nice but not essential.

Ideally, we would like a 3 bedroom house.

Obviously the lower the mortgage the better, but if we were both working I dont see any reason why we shouldnt have another £80k mortgage

 

4 companies that I would like to work for are based in: Mile End, Thebarton, Regency Park and woodville North.

 

Just looking at a map, Klemzig, Kidman Park, Felixstowe, Campbelltown and Flinders Park look likely contenders... any comments?

 

Cheers

Matt

[Guest Roo1]

Hi Matt,

 

I'm a South Adelaide girl (my adopted home ), ask me anything about this end but I don't know much about the areas in the north. I'm sure other PIA members on here will comment on them at some point for you.

 

What I suggest for now, is that you type in these places on the Search engine of PIA. I'm sure people in the past have wanted to know about these suburbs so just read through what was said before.

 

The best of luck with your emigration!

Judi x

[Diane]

I reckon you should look at Henley - on the River, by the sea, on the Park (that runs alongside the river) and easy access to the work places you have named. Nice atmosphere in the evening with a bit of life going on too!

 

That's if you don't mind it flat. If you want hilly, I'll think again!!!

 

Diane

[Rachiegarlo]

Try St Peters, Joslin, these areas have a great linear walk next to the river. Norwood and Unley are close to pubs, cafes, shops etc. Semaphore in the North West has a great little main street and the beach. North Haven (north west) is often over looked.There is a marina and a reservealong the beach front with kiosks.

 

Diane will probably fill you in about the suburbs in the North East, the Torrens flows through there and the same linear park is next to the river.

 

Felixstowe, Klemzig etc are near the river too but there isn't much else there, it can be a bit of a hike to the pub and shops.

 

Flinders Park is in the Western side, You could also look at Lockleys which has a nice feel to it.If you are into dogs there is a doggy park there,fenced where you can let your dog off to play. It's quite large. Of course the other main river is the Onkaparinga but the I'll let those that live down that way describe that area.

[laura girling]

Hi Matt,

Im originally from Bristol, I lived in a village called Backwell which is lovely, but my youth was in Stockwood which is next to Keynsham.

My Neice and her Husband also live in Keynsham.

Anyway, we are here now in Adelaide and we live in a suburb called West Lakes Shore which is beautifully designed with lakes all around they have the usual things in them like turtles, black swans, ducks and pelicans.

Its a five minute walk to cinema, west lakes shopping centre and the library which if you need internet access for rentals ect you'll need. its also 30 mins drive to the city which most people don't drive to, they drive to their nearest train station as parking in the city is expensive.

Good luck on your venture.

 

Laura xxx

 

 

 

 

Maybe a stipud question but having never been, my wife and I are wondering which part of the city would best suit us, and therefore be a good place to spend some time researching and visiting when we come over next year.

 

Our current situation

We are a mid 30's couple with no children.

We currently live in a cul-de-sac halfway between Bristol and Bath and enjoy having 2 cities 10 mins away in a train. We like being next to a river, having local shops just a 5 min walk away and 5 local drinking establishments.

My commute to work is about 30mins by car.

Our house is worth about £200k and we have about £80k mortgage.

I am a printer and Carol, my wife, is a Legal Executive (as yet, we have found no Aussie comparison to this job title)

Basically, we enjoy being near a city, but not too close! We want local convenience shops/pubs . Being near a beach would be nice but not essential.

Ideally, we would like a 3 bedroom house.

Obviously the lower the mortgage the better, but if we were both working I dont see any reason why we shouldnt have another £80k mortgage

 

4 companies that I would like to work for are based in: Mile End, Thebarton, Regency Park and woodville North.

 

Just looking at a map, Klemzig, Kidman Park, Felixstowe, Campbelltown and Flinders Park look likely contenders... any comments?

 

Cheers

Matt

[Guest markrob]

Matt, theres also a place called Prospect in between the city and the suburbs heading North towards Mawson Lakes. Prospect is a bit posh!!!

[Diane]

I think if you like being near to a river, you may find Prospect a little built up and suburban. It's not a bad location in terms of getting to the City and Thebarton etc, but it's not like a village. The suburb of North Adelaide itself is probably considered the "poshest" place in Adelaide (LOL not that I have heard anywhere around here described as 'posh' before!), but prices are accordingly high. If you would like something a little further out of the City itself, and a bit more rural, have a browse at areas such as Greenhill (I like this one by the way: http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=105183513&f=0&p=10&t=res&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=98666626&s=sa&snf=rbs&tm=1225160876) or Montacute. I'm sure someone who lives south will be able to suggest areas in that direction too.

 

You will probably find when you get here that it's a bit of a culture shock driving from suburb to suburb, with no discernible difference between them, and certainly not separated by fields and countryside like you may be used to, not unless you get out into the hills anyway. You may have to make a choice between living somewhere that has a countryside feel to it, and living somewhere where there is a bit of nightlife happening!

[Guest Bristol_Matt]

I am liking the sound of Henley at the moment, but I am also going to research Norwood, Unley, Lockleys and West Lake Shores. The key words that draw me to Henley are "Sea, River, Park, Access, Life and Flat!". We are both ragingly unfit at the moment and the dream is to pursue a more active lifestyle, so getting on a bike without the fear of 1 in 10 gradients is very appealing. Of course the reward of a cheeky pint afterwards is just as appealing!

 

We recently went to Exp08 in London and managed to get the "Adelaide Where To Live Guide" which profiles 215 suburbs. I am sure these areas will feature.

Other than that I will have to use the interweb for my research.

 

I am hoping to book the flights tonight (with the wifes supervision) I cant wait to actually making the very first real step in moving. :daydreaming:

Cathay Pacific looking most likely at the moment...are they any good?

 

We will look at booking accomodation shortly after. Can anybody reccomend any self-catering types of accomadation? We think it would be a good idea to try and live the lifestyle of somebody who is living in Adelaide as opposed to a tourist as closely as possible. This means shopping for groceries & cooking

 

Thanks again

Matt

[Guest the staffords]

hi matt...im intrigued by the book"where to live guide"...what does it say about morphett vale???..

flight wise..we flew with malaysia...couldnt fault them..and stopped over in koala lumper...stayed in the pan pacific hotel at airport..we upgraded,and it cost us peanuts...what a fantastic hotel..only wished we had stopped over for longer.

good luck to you both

paul.

[Rachiegarlo]

Henley is really nice. Have a look on www.wotif.com.au for last minute accomodation deals , just check the self catering or apartments when you can input specifications.

[Rachiegarlo]

Haha I looked at that book in Marion library. It said South Plympton was a working class hub and an aging population hmmm bit out of date, it was traditionally but those people who lived here are getting old and a lot of families now live in the area and putting large extensions up or knocking down and rebuilding. Sth Plympton had one of the biggest escalations in house values too over the last 10 years due to its closeness to major facilities and transport options. It was also lumped in with Plympton Park,Edwardstown and Glandore...each of these suburbs although being next to each other have a completely different feel.

 

It's agood book to start off with

, but then have a look for your self.

 

Some suburbs aren't even mentioned in that book.

[Guest smit]

Looking at about $400- 500k then..................mmmm.........decent 3 bed in Henley ...possibly a few streets back from sea.A decent apartment in the city ( but you want space!).mmmmm ......... I would suggest near Glenelg............not in Glenelg ( you would probably struggle at that price for a decent one), but somewhere like Glengowriie or Somerton park............within walking distance of the beach ,nightlife and the tram to the city.

[Guest Bristol_Matt]

hi matt...im intrigued by the book"where to live guide"...what does it say about morphett vale???..

flight wise..we flew with malaysia...couldnt fault them..and stopped over in koala lumper...stayed in the pan pacific hotel at airport..we upgraded,and it cost us peanuts...what a fantastic hotel..only wished we had stopped over for longer.

good luck to you both

paul.

 

... shares 3 pages with Coromandel Valley/Happy Valley/Old Reynella/Reynella East.

 

But descriptions specific to Morphett Vale are:

"affordable suburbs...20-25km south of city...focus of significant commercial activity...link with the States wine industry...settled by the 1840's...town expanded by the 1950's...the mainly blue collar wokers who settled in the 1950's-70's are now growing older.

Places of interest: Wilfred Taylor Reserve

5 primary schools, 2 high schools

Employment: lots of commercial businesses...

Best Streets: Simone Crescent, Buttercup Grove, Easton Road and the streets around them were developed in 2002.

 

I am aware that this book is just somebody elses opinion (a reviewer on Amazon.co.uk didn't rate their opinion very much!) So I am going to take everything they say with a pinch of salt. However, this is all I have as reference so I have to use it for a 'starting point'

 

With regards flights, we are going to be brave/stupid and not stop over. We figure we need every last minute we can get in our potential new home.

[scooterdan]

We have the where to live book....if anyone is interested!

 

Dan

[Guest Guest75]

I am liking the sound of Henley at the moment, but I am also

 

We recently went to Exp08 in London and managed to get the "Adelaide Where To Live Guide" which profiles 215 suburbs. I am sure these areas will feature.

Other than that I will have to use the interweb for my research.

 

 

Thanks again

Matt

 

Hi Matt

 

I recently had a peek at that book.

 

I've lived here 8 years so have a good idea of the southern suburbs in general.

 

I'm not saying the book is wrong - but every day that passes it becomes more out of date.

Somewhat inaccurate on my suburb..

 

Great to narrow down to a few suburbs but rely on your own eyes and experiences first:)

[Guest helen balmforth]

Hi, I AM NEW TO THIS SITE MY HUSBAND IS A PRISON OFFICER AND I AM A QUALIFIED NURSE. HE HAS JUST BEEN OFFERED A JOB IN PERTH, BUT WE WERE WANTING TO GO TO ADELAIDE, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SEEM JUST HAS HOT AND MORE RELAXED THAN PERTH. COULD YOU, OR ANYONE TELL ME WHY ADELAIDE IS AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS, LIFESTYLE, COST OF HOUSING, LESS CRIME, JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND THE FLIES IN PERTH ARE A NIGHTMARE. MY HUSBAND WANTS TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, BUT WITH ONLY 20YRS AS A PRISON OFFICER, JUST WHAT WOULD BE ON OFFER FOR HIM IN ADELAIDE. FINALLY WE HAVE 2 CHILDREN, AGED 10 AND 13 JUST WHATS ON OFFER FOR THEM WHEN THEY START TO GO OUT SOCIALISING WHEN THEY ARE 17/18 YRS OLD. THANKS FOR ANY HELP AND INFO, HELEN. ITS FREEZING AT THE MOMENT IN THE UK.

[Scousemouse]

Hi Helen,

welcome to the party!

 

Like you, im a nurse, and got a 10 and 13 year old; there the similars may end.......

 

I did a recce in April; what i saw impressed me; the city and the 'burbs all seemed clean, well cared for, little graffitti.

the kids seemed well behaved crossing the main roads going to school; at the marion centre at the weekend, and even on the beach!!

Having used this site, a lot!!, i see many activities; cycling; walking; surf rescue training; and from my own experience..........tennis clubs, bowls, etc etc etc. Then of course, befor the others bite me........there are regular "get-togethers", and it looks like an excellent support network...............THAT'S WHY WE CHOSE ADELAIDE.

 

It ain't nirvana, where is, but from the copious researching i have done..........it sure beats the (y)uk.

 

Good luck with the research

 

Jane:D

[Guest helen balmforth]

Hi, Thanks for your great reply i wondered if you could tell me about the weather, how hot is it at its hottest and for how long and how cool does it get and for how long in the winter and is there any flies there like Perth. Also i have had a massive shock today i have had my points assessed by a migration agent who tells me i only have 115 points instead of 120 that i have had before, i've lost 5 points somewhere, they say i should take the extra english test, even though i am english and have english language and literature o'levels, its quite bizzare. thanks for your help, helen. Hi, again Jane i have just seen that you are still in the UK so hopefully someone else will answer my questions, cheers anyway.

[Guest salisbury massive]

Last summer we had 3 solid weeks of over 40 degrees, it was a killer. The coldest months are June, July and August, but we can still get days of 20 - 25 degrees, just at night the temperature can plummet and can get as low as 2 degrees, in the Hills it can go below 0 and I've even heard of people getting frost and having to de-ice the car. The main peoblem here are the houses are just not built to cope with cold weather and if you've got a house wit little insulation and not much heating its colder inside than out!!!!

 

From November to March are the best months averaging 25 - 30 degrees. We do have flies, not as bad as Perth but they can be very annoying, luckily most places come with fly screens on windows and doors with keep them out of the house once you've taught the kids to close the bloody doors after them.

 

Jo

[Diane]

Socialising for kids in their late teens seems to rotate either around sports, or around the beach, and people's houses (always a good idea to find a friend with a pool or a tennis court!)

The sports is the big thing though - my kids were 9 and 11 when we arrived and when they went along to sports coaching clinics, there were lots of 17/18 year olds that had given up some of their free time to coach the younger kids, which really impressed us.

Flies vary depending on where you are - if you are somewhere near farming land there are a lot more.

There is also a specific forum for policemen/women - it is www.police-forum.com and then I think there are separate areas for SAPOL which is South Australia Police, and WAPOL.

If you can afford to, it is a very good idea to do a recce visit first to see if it suits what you are looking for as a family.

Diane

[Guest Rob and Clare]

Hi Helen,

 

The weather here is really nice, the average for the hottest summer months is just 30 degs on the plains, as you go south or up into the hills it becomes cooler, with Victor Harbours average Jan temp just 25 degs and in the hills just 21 degs. So you will find somewhere with a suitable climate. As the climate is really dry these temperatures are much more comfortable than you would find than on the Med. There is on average about 20 days per year where it's hot (over 35 degs) but for those hot days there is an equal number of cool summer days. The winter feels cold though, our house is supposed to be a 5 star energy rated home but just a few minutes after the heating is switched off the temp plumets back down. The average morning temp in winter is just 6 - 7 degrees and frost is more common that you'd wish for. Saying that, it's still nice to walk out in the sun and wrap up and feel the crisp clean air.

 

I understand Perth is just a bit warmer, but i believe it's quite windy. It too is supposed to be a great place to live though.

 

We haven't been to Perth yet, but the flies here are bad, although we never seem to have them in the garden, but there's lots when we go out, either that or the flies love my aftershave. Come January though either we get used to them, or they start to die off, but we don't notice them as much.

 

Good Luck

[Guest sarahsmartiepants]

Come January though either we get used to them, or they start to die off, but we don't notice them as much.

 

Good Luck

Yeah where do the flies go and when! I remember this time last year being pestered by the buggas as we were clearing the garden ready for the pool, now this year hubs is paving, I am helping (although the term he would use is "hindering":biglaugh:) and the buggas are back. We were saying they just seem to disappear, but when???

sarah

 

just thought they didnt land on chrimbo dinner in the garden so they must bog off by then!

[Guest dave&jacky]

Maybe a stipud question but having never been, my wife and I are wondering which part of the city would best suit us, and therefore be a good place to spend some time researching and visiting when we come over next year.

 

Our current situation

We are a mid 30's couple with no children.

We currently live in a cul-de-sac halfway between Bristol and Bath and enjoy having 2 cities 10 mins away in a train. We like being next to a river, having local shops just a 5 min walk away and 5 local drinking establishments.

My commute to work is about 30mins by car.

Our house is worth about £200k and we have about £80k mortgage.

I am a printer and Carol, my wife, is a Legal Executive (as yet, we have found no Aussie comparison to this job title)

Basically, we enjoy being near a city, but not too close! We want local convenience shops/pubs . Being near a beach would be nice but not essential.

Ideally, we would like a 3 bedroom house.

Obviously the lower the mortgage the better, but if we were both working I dont see any reason why we shouldnt have another £80k mortgage

 

4 companies that I would like to work for are based in: Mile End, Thebarton, Regency Park and woodville North.

 

Just looking at a map, Klemzig, Kidman Park, Felixstowe, Campbelltown and Flinders Park look likely contenders... any comments?

 

Cheers

 

Matt

Hi Matt

We are also from Bristol and are renting our house out in Filton at the moment and renting in Henley beach just 5 mins walk to the beach and henley Square which has some good pubs,, bars cafes ect and gets quite busy and is a fun place to go out in,

We are paying $320.00 a week rent for a 3 bed unit which is very nice,to buy a 3 bed house in this area you would need to look at anything above $500,000 $600,000 there are 2 new 4 bed houses being built across the road from us at the moment and they are going for $850,000.I would suggest trying to get a rental for the first year so it gives you time to look around and find where you would like to live,we love it where we are its so nice to come home from work at night and then go up to the beach for a walk and then have a beer in the bar over looking the beach and watch the sun go down it takes some beating.

Mile end and Thebarton are only 15-20 mins drive away and the city only 30 min drive and thats at busy times,it beats being stuck on the M4,M32 for hours.

If you would like me to keep an eye out for any rentals coming up in this area and when you might be coming over let me know,good luck.

Dave.

[Guest TC for short]

I worked at Filton many moons ago! In Coromandel Valley now which is great, but mot much use if you work north of the city.

 

TC

[Guest Bristol_Matt]

great to see there are so many Bristolians there. Out of interest do Kingswood and St.George compare well?

 

I booked the flights last night for our Easter trip... Can't wait!

I just want to find a self catering appt in Henley now.