Talk to me about Adelaide?

[Heatherbell1978]

So DH and I have been in the process of applying for a 189 visa for over a year now but it's looking increasingly unlikely that we'll get the ITA before DH turns 40 at which point his points reduce and we have no chance of getting it. We've been planning to move to Perth. Amongst other reasons we have a large network of friends there with DC similar in age to ours (we have DS who is 3 and DD is 7 months).
We've been told that our only chance of emigrating may be a state sponsored visa to SA. We'd need to stay for at least 2 years before considering a move elsewhere in Oz. So we're considering whether we'd move to Adelaide where we'd know nobody....I guess I'm looking for some chat on what it's like, housing, cost of living,transport, activities with children etc etc...

Here's a link to a reasonably recent discussion:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/living_overseas/2905370-Thinking-of-moving-to-Adelaide

You could also try the PomsinOz forum.

I live in Adelaide. I'm a brit who met an Aussie in England. We had our children in England and lived there till the eldest was ten and then came here to DH's hometown.

It's bloody great here OP...but don't tell everyone.

It's a LOT better than Perth in my opinion. It's seriously stunning with amazing beaches...some very good schools and the people are incredibly nice too.

Ask any questions you like.

Thanks Mrs! I guess my main concerns are around job prospects and what we can afford from a housing and living perspective. We have good jobs here in Scotland (I work in banking and DH is a business analyst) and we can afford a nice 4 bed house in the suburbs and a good quality of life. Obviously what we're missing is nice weather and that elusive lifestyle! We have been to Oz a few times (not Adelaide though) so we know roughly what to expect.
So what's the economy like at the moment? What kind of salaries would equate to a similar lifestyle in Adelaide? And I've heard a lot about it being quite quiet..that doesn't bother me in the slightest but what's the shopping like?!
I know Perth is starting to turn around a bit when it comes to decent shops and online shopping etc but what about Adelaide?
And what suburbs would you suggest I look at for an idea of rental prices? We have 2 young kids and would need somewhere with good daycares, public schools, near parks and easily commutable to the CBD. It would be nice to be near the beach but in reality we'd probably drive there with a car full of equipment anyway so it doesn't need to be on the doorstep. I like nice coffee bars and quirky little shops too....

Placenarking to come back later

Can't advise on employment I'm afraid...I'll link you to a popular search though.

It is quiet...but Adelaide is also known as The Festival State...because they have loads of them! There's always something on...and in the city there's a good theatre...plus we have The Adelaide Fringe once a year and the Adelaide Caberet Festival.

Markets are massive here and tend to be full of amazing food. In the summer, some are near beaches and it's a place to sit and drink wine and shop...and drink wine...and shop!

Shopping is terrible! Not going to lie. It's easier now I've been here a while but you do miss the clothes. You can find some decent things but they're expensive...as is bedding and other linens oddly.

Schools...there are cheaper private schools here. Some of the Catholic Primaries charge a small fee...I think it's about three grand a year. And those are often good. The way to check out schools is go on the NAPLAN site which is Oz's version of OFSTED.

In terms of which suburb to choose...they say here, to avoid the beach suburbs as they're overpriced and too busy. Goodwood Park and Cumberland are nice but not the cheapest. Seaford is nice but not as posh...but it's a beach suburb...but of those, I'd say Seaford was the best in a way as you can still get nice property not overprice...but it's quite far South so maybe not ideal for commuting.

If you enjoy quirky and coffee shops then Semaphore Beach is nice. Bit pricey maybe.

www.seek.com.au/

Have a look at Seek for jobs...and apply.sa.gov.au/jobs/Pages/JobsSA.aspx

To see what's what.

The South Australian economy is not in great shape and very few head offices are located in Adelaide so that might limit your career opportunities a bit. But all the big companies have Adelaide offices and there are three universities and big hospitals.
Have a look at suburbs in the east - norwood and magill are lovely or unley or hawthorn. Look on the myschools website to start comparing schools.