Adelaide or Brisbane for older kids??

[Guest theclarkes]

We are still awaiting our visa and are heading fro Adelaide as have Sate Sponsor but given the choice what place is best to live for 17/18 year olds, Brisbane suburbs or Adelaide?? Can anyone advise as concerned our eldest son will find Adelaide too quiet as keep reading various opinions saying how quiet it is!! Surely Brisbane and Adelaide would all offer the same opportunities and general things to do of a weekend and eve??? I always thought Australia would be great to live anywhere compared to the UK with its drab weather and lack of things to do??!

Any opinions would be great, he is a typical lad, football, mates, tennis, x box, partying etc!!

[ian mc]

Both have a night life Brisbane has a better climate not so cold in winter but humid in summer have been to Brisbane a couple of times and found it nice.You have the gold coast and the sunnshine coast about an hour from Brisbane which are like Spain.Lot of development going on up that way and a lot of money being pumped into it, there seems to be a lot of people heading that way I know a few people that I used to work with moved up there.

[sueoc]

Hi,brought our 2 sons here 2 yrs ago aged 16 and 18.Would defo say Brissy.At that age there is more there for them.They have been there and have future plans to live there.Suits us,coz then we can have a little bit of peace!

[Guest SA Great]

I agree defo Brisbane. Adelaide is more for families, dont get me wrong it is a very nice city but you can't compare the nightlife to Brisbane. Also Brisbane get a lot more touring bands than we do.

[Guest theclarkes]

Thanks guys for all your replies but we have 3 other kids too, girl of 16 who is academic and quite and a 9 year old and baby of 10 months so its trying to please everyone, I dont think he would be looking for nightlife too much, I think he would just need to meet some guys his own age and hang out, ie the beach? game of soccer? What do the older kids do there after school/college and at weekends?? My hubbie is quite adverse to changing to Brisbane after all the research we have done on South Oz, I just want to feel happy he will have the same sort of life he has here but obviously better.

We are from Chelmsford in Essex, its not that fandabbiedozy here by the way but u know what kids are like at 17, its all about their mates and having a laugh!!

[snifter]

My husband (and his brothers) are from Adelaide and all of them had happy childhood and teenage years growing up there. There was always stuff to do and places to go. He has cousins who are in their early 20's and they are always having nights out, beach days and a good social life. Hubby used to go camping for weekends in the Flinders Range, have weekends at a mates house (lots of houses have a rec room, often out in the back yard or off the main house for teenagers to hang out in) and that sort of thing.

 

There is certainly enough to do socially I'd think. Its not like Adelaide is the back of beyond or a small town. It has a night life, good bars, cafes, clubs, beaches and parks. I think its what he makes of it Playing a sport is always good to meet people and have a bit of a social life.

[Pommy99]

If you want your kids to have a decent professional future with good and varied job prospects don't come to Adelaide!

[taffordbark]

we have three teenagers..........eldest nearly 16. She loves Adelaide and the socialising side of stuff!!!! goes out and about with her mates....and we feel happy for her to do this! If your 16 year old is going to school here then they will meet friends and build up a network sooner than you would think! I was very worried about moving them at such a delicate age.......but they have all adapted and are loving Aus!.......... Good Luck!

[Diane]

Hi, we moved from Chelmsford out to here about six years ago. Our kids are now 16 and 13. I think certainly for younger kids Adelaide is a far better place to grow up, and for your older one, there is plenty here to do, with the option of moving interstate once he's independent. Everyone is different though, and I think for people who like to holiday in Spain and the Balearics from the UK, Brisbane is probably heaven, for people who prefer France and Italy, then Adelaide is better!

 

I find the teenagers here are really pleasant, probably because with Adelaide being a bit of a sleepy backwater, they have the chance to be kids much longer, so they don't have to be adults until they are ready for it. Role models tend to be successful sports people rather than pop stars, and the Adelaide Advertiser is the furthest thing from a tabloid you could imagine so there's not that sort of pressure from the media.

 

There certainly seems to be plenty for teenagers to do here, if they like a social life based around sports and the beach in the summer, that kind of thing, rather than bars and nightclubs.

[Riponian]

I agree there is loads for them to do but I think location is the key.

Down the south of the city it gets a bit harder for them to get out and about but then there re SLSC and loads of sporting clubs all around the city.

Think for the older kids Brighton and Henley and those areas are good. Anywhere with a train station so they can get themselves around easily there are always buses too.

It will all depend on where you can afford to live and believe it or not Brisbane gets on average more rain than we do and they suffer higher extremes of weather.

 

You have to come here first anyway right so come here make a life and visit Brisbane and see how you feel. I am sure if you pick your location right you won't have any problems as long as you can get them into something they enjoy...

[Guest Nomoreengland]

Probably the best test for your son is to stay for a few weeks in a simular type of place in the UK - I would suggest he visits Barrow-in-furness, S****horpe, or Eyemouth in Scotland. These places have the same type of people, prospects and way of thinking.

[Guest guest3462]

I disagree. Adelaide has everything on offer great universities, all with ample opportunity to study abroad. The RAH and flinders offer fantastic trainig for both dr's and nurses and midwives and there are hundreds of successful small businesses offering apprenticships for teens not wanting to go to uni. On top of that there are plenty of social activities, clubs and sports to participate in. We get some big artists performing live and no agitate of decent nightlife. In short I love it here and couldn't think of a better place to raise my family.

[Guest Nomoreengland]

I disagree. Adelaide has everything on offer great universities, all with ample opportunity to study abroad. The RAH and flinders offer fantastic trainig for both dr's and nurses and midwives and there are hundreds of successful small businesses offering apprenticships for teens not wanting to go to uni. On top of that there are plenty of social activities, clubs and sports to participate in. We get some big artists performing live and no agitate of decent nightlife. In short I love it here and couldn't think of a better place to raise my family.

 

Church - I dont think the thread was about where was best to raise a family - it was more to do with where would be best for an 18 year old lad. Whilst Adelaide is a nice safe bet to raise young children, I doubt an 18 year old would care about these things. Having spoke with a few locals with teenage kids - the majority of 18 year olds with any ambition aim to move inter state where they will get better opportunities and mix with people who are perhaps a little more forward thinking. Once your kids turn 18 im sure they you will have brought them up to have bigger ambitions than just sitting in the 1950's in adelaide.

[ShouldIStayOrShouldIGo]

Church - I dont think the thread was about where was best to raise a family - it was more to do with where would be best for an 18 year old lad. Whilst Adelaide is a nice safe bet to raise young children, I doubt an 18 year old would care about these things. Having spoke with a few locals with teenage kids - the majority of 18 year olds with any ambition aim to move inter state where they will get better opportunities and mix with people who are perhaps a little more forward thinking. Once your kids turn 18 im sure they you will have brought them up to have bigger ambitions than just sitting in the 1950's in adelaide.

 

Oh no, not you again! Your replies are so predictable

[Guest Trakki]

Church - I dont think the thread was about where was best to raise a family - it was more to do with where would be best for an 18 year old lad. Whilst Adelaide is a nice safe bet to raise young children, I doubt an 18 year old would care about these things. Having spoke with a few locals with teenage kids - the majority of 18 year olds with any ambition aim to move inter state where they will get better opportunities and mix with people who are perhaps a little more forward thinking. Once your kids turn 18 im sure they you will have brought them up to have bigger ambitions than just sitting in the 1950's in adelaide.

 

I think this is a very narrow minded thing to say, you speak to any teenager in any state or country and they want to move somewhere else. It is what you make it, I know plenty of professional people here in SA that were born and bred here and would not dream of moving anywhere else. For goodness sake you are basically saying that that adelaide is backwards, so why are you here?

 

There is plenty for teenagers to do here if they are willing to make a go of it. Don't think anyone can really comment on brisbane unless they have lived there. Try making some 'nice' constructive comments rather than just running the place down. yes there are some things that are not so good but there are things that are good. I don't think I have ever read a post of yours that is positive. Also what is is with the bullying of the same people all the time?

 

To the OP - For an 18 year old coming over here it will be hard at first to make friends but once they do there will be plenty for them so do. I used to work at the Women and Childrens Hospital and regularly drove thorugh the city on a sat or sunday morning where I would see plenty of young people just heading home so there is a night life to be had if that is the sort of thing they like. ALso they will always have the opportunity to travel to other states and see what is there. A few young people where I worked regularly 'hop' over to other states for a weekend.

 

Hope that helps you a bit

[Guest rich]

I'd give my left leg to have grown up here as a child... And my right leg too. I love it THAT much. The kids I teach are enamoured with the place and for me that says an awful lot...

[The Flinns]

WE have two son's aged 18 & 19 years of age and hardly ever see them as they are out with their mates (separate mates too) enjoying all that Adelaide has to offer. Both have said that they are extremely happy here and do not regret the move.

[Guest Nomoreengland]

I think this is a very narrow minded thing to say, you speak to any teenager in any state or country and they want to move somewhere else. It is what you make it, I know plenty of professional people here in SA that were born and bred here and would not dream of moving anywhere else. For goodness sake you are basically saying that that adelaide is backwards, so why are you here?

 

There is plenty for teenagers to do here if they are willing to make a go of it. Don't think anyone can really comment on brisbane unless they have lived there. Try making some 'nice' constructive comments rather than just running the place down. yes there are some things that are not so good but there are things that are good. I don't think I have ever read a post of yours that is positive. Also what is is with the bullying of the same people all the time?

 

To the OP - For an 18 year old coming over here it will be hard at first to make friends but once they do there will be plenty for them so do. I used to work at the Women and Childrens Hospital and regularly drove thorugh the city on a sat or sunday morning where I would see plenty of young people just heading home so there is a night life to be had if that is the sort of thing they like. ALso they will always have the opportunity to travel to other states and see what is there. A few young people where I worked regularly 'hop' over to other states for a weekend.

 

Hope that helps you a bit

 

Look, Im not saying that Adelaide does not have good points and I have not said I dislike the place . All I have simply done is provide feeback about whether or not Adelaide or Brisbane is best for an 18 year old. Im older than 18 so the fact that Adelaide is backwards is less of a concern for me. HOWEVER, if I had an 18 year old, I personally would be encouraging them to broaden their horizons away from Adelaide as Im sure you cant argue that other cities such as Melbourne or Sydney (and possibly Brisbane) dont offer a wider selection of day life; night life and career prospects for young people.

 

Like I have said before, Im sure for example if you lived in Barrow-in-furness or S****horpe you would hope you 18 year old had aspirations to broaden their horizons and perhaps move to a more thriving place such as Leeds, Manchester, London etc.

 

If it were a younger teenager like 13 or 14 then yes, Adelaidde is a nice family environemnt to grow up in. However, its my view/opinion that an 18 year old is better suited to a few of the other cities within Australia in order to kick start their life and careers.

 

Also, this is a forum where the whole point is to get varied opinions. If all your looking for is 100 simular views then you there is no point asking or entering into a forum discussion.

[Guest Trakki]

Look, Im not saying that Adelaide does not have good points and I have not said I dislike the place . All I have simply done is provide feeback about whether or not Adelaide or Brisbane is best for an 18 year old. Im older than 18 so the fact that Adelaide is backwards is less of a concern for me. HOWEVER, if I had an 18 year old, I personally would be encouraging them to broaden their horizons away from Adelaide as Im sure you cant argue that other cities such as Melbourne or Sydney (and possibly Brisbane) dont offer a wider selection of day life; night life and career prospects for young people.

 

Like I have said before, Im sure for example if you lived in Barrow-in-furness or S****horpe you would hope you 18 year old had aspirations to broaden their horizons and perhaps move to a more thriving place such as Leeds, Manchester, London etc.

 

If it were a younger teenager like 13 or 14 then yes, Adelaidde is a nice family environemnt to grow up in. However, its my view/opinion that an 18 year old is better suited to a few of the other cities within Australia in order to kick start their life and careers.

 

Also, this is a forum where the whole point is to get varied opinions. If all your looking for is 100 simular views then you there is no point asking or entering into a forum discussion.

 

have you lived in Barrow-in-furness or s****horpe? Have you lived in any other city in Oz? I would always encourage my children to travel and see other places but what I was saying is that it is hard to comment on a place if you have not lived there or indeed been an 18year old there. I lived near s****horpe and certainly would not liken Adelaide to it or want my kids to live there. I am certainly not looking for 100 similar views as mine but maybe you need to think about the way you write things, your posts so frequently come across as anti SA, very agressive and downright condesending of certain members. Perhaps an odd smily emotion here and there would make your posts a bit more readable and friendly.

 

Your opinion is that you cannot get anywhere in life in SA, mine is the opposite, I was not saying you were wrong I simply disagreed with you which you obviously did not like. That is my opinion, stop jumping down the throats of those that don't agree with you, as you said to do this means there is no point being on here.

[Guest Nomoreengland]

have you lived in Barrow-in-furness or s****horpe? Have you lived in any other city in Oz? I would always encourage my children to travel and see other places but what I was saying is that it is hard to comment on a place if you have not lived there or indeed been an 18year old there. I lived near s****horpe and certainly would not liken Adelaide to it or want my kids to live there. I am certainly not looking for 100 similar views as mine but maybe you need to think about the way you write things, your posts so frequently come across as anti SA, very agressive and downright condesending of certain members. Perhaps an odd smily emotion here and there would make your posts a bit more readable and friendly.

 

Your opinion is that you cannot get anywhere in life in SA, mine is the opposite, I was not saying you were wrong I simply disagreed with you which you obviously did not like. That is my opinion, stop jumping down the throats of those that don't agree with you, as you said to do this means there is no point being on here.

 

Ive not stated that you cannot get anywhere in life in SA - ive simply stated that an 18 year old has better prospects in other cities. Im not sure why your finding this hard to grasp?

 

Also, yes I have lived in another city in oz ( I presume you are trying to asses whether im qualified to voice my opinion). As for Barrow or S****horpe - fortunatley not, but I know people who do/have. Im not saying Adelaide is the same as these places but there are distinct simularities such as job prospects for young people, mentalities/attitudes etc.

 

Also, I fail to see how using smileys will move any of these conversations any further forward?

[Guest Sachertorte]

Nomoreengland- I agree with you that being Adelaide a smaller capital is likely to have less choice. However. I know S****horpe and East Yorkshire fairly well as I used to work as a sales manager all over Yorks.

 

People reading on here can take comfort in knowing that this comparison is completely off the mark (well-Tyke should be able to knowledgeably comment being a Yorkshireman)

 

It really is impossible to make straight comparisons- very upmarket North Adelaide is a bit like Hampstead or Highgate in London- beaches so near the city and hills a shot away on the other side make it such an unusual offering

 

Norwood feels very European (reminds me of northern Italy or Seville in Spain). It has a lot of old-world charm. And as nightlife goes, it is not Ibiza, but more like Milan/Edinburgh/Brighton.

 

The Hills feel like Canada/Aberdeenshire.

 

If one is an Ibiza type of course Adelaide would not suit. But then, would you say that Milan is a backwater?

 

Horses for courses. You are right to express your opinion.

 

BTW- a good friend (Aussie born and bred & very well travelled and learned) from Brisbane fell in love with Adelaide when she decided to check it out- she was not impressed with our choice of SA when we had told her and admitted it is an unfortunate stereotype. Now she is coming again to visit!

[Guest Nomoreengland]

Nomoreengland- I agree with you that being Adelaide a smaller capital is likely to have less choice. However. I know S****horpe and East Yorkshire fairly well as I used to work as a sales manager all over Yorks.

 

People reading on here can take comfort in knowing that this comparison is completely off the mark (well-Tyke should be able to knowledgeably comment being a Yorkshireman)

 

It really is impossible to make straight comparisons- very upmarket North Adelaide is a bit like Hampstead or Highgate in London- beaches so near the city and hills a shot away on the other side make it such an unusual offering

 

Norwood feels very European (reminds me of northern Italy or Seville in Spain). It has a lot of old-world charm. And as nightlife goes, it is not Ibiza, but more like Milan/Edinburgh/Brighton.

 

The Hills feel like Canada/Aberdeenshire.

 

If one is an Ibiza type of course Adelaide would not suit. But then, would you say that Milan is a backwater?

 

Horses for courses. You are right to express your opinion.

 

BTW- a good friend (Aussie born and bred & very well travelled and learned) from Brisbane fell in love with Adelaide when she decided to check it out- she was not impressed with our choice of SA when we had told her and admitted it is an unfortunate stereotype. Now she is coming again to visit!

 

 

Ok - I think maybe we have a wind up merchant here? When you say the hills feel like Canada/Aberdeenshire Im not sure this comment has been said with much thought. For a start, Canada is TOTALLY different from Aberdeenshire AND The hills is TOTALLY different from them both.

 

Norwood is OK but lets not get too carried away and give people the wrong impression who havent ever been to Adelaide. Norwood has a few cafes and bars which are average and is nothing like northern Italy.

 

The nightlife is NOTHING like Edinburgh or Milan. Again, the night life in Edinburgh is totally differnet from Milan and Adelaide is nothing like either.

 

Your remarks dont help any 18 year olds who are about to move to Adelaide - they will be very confused when they arrive expecting Canada, Milan, Northern Italy (not sure they will be too dissapointed that the hills is nothing like Aberdennshire.

 

Amusing post though but please tell me you are joking.

gl

[Guest Sachertorte]

Ok - I think maybe we have a wind up merchant here? When you say the hills feel like Canada/Aberdeenshire Im not sure this comment has been said with much thought. For a start, Canada is TOTALLY different from Aberdeenshire AND The hills is TOTALLY different from them both.

 

Norwood is OK but lets not get too carried away and give people the wrong impression who havent ever been to Adelaide. Norwood has a few cafes and bars which are average and is nothing like northern Italy.

 

The nightlife is NOTHING like Edingbrugh or Milan. Again, the night life in Edingbrugh is totally differnet from Milan and Adelaide is nothing like either.

 

Your remarks dont help any 18 year olds who are about to move to Adelaide - they will be very confused when they arrive expecting Canada, Milan, Northern Italy (not sure they will be too dissapointed that the hills is nothing like Aberdennshire.

 

Amusing post though but please tell me you are joking.

 

I think you need to learn how to spell Edinburgh. FYI I am Italian and and born in northern Italy and married to a Scot.

 

18 yrs olds here will be fine- no need for the OP to worry.

[Riponian]

Nomoreengland- I agree with you that being Adelaide a smaller capital is likely to have less choice. However. I know S****horpe and East Yorkshire fairly well as I used to work as a sales manager all over Yorks.

 

People reading on here can take comfort in knowing that this comparison is completely off the mark (well-Tyke should be able to knowledgeably comment being a Yorkshireman)

 

It really is impossible to make straight comparisons- very upmarket North Adelaide is a bit like Hampstead or Highgate in London- beaches so near the city and hills a shot away on the other side make it such an unusual offering

 

Norwood feels very European (reminds me of northern Italy or Seville in Spain). It has a lot of old-world charm. And as nightlife goes, it is not Ibiza, but more like Milan/Edinburgh/Brighton.

 

The Hills feel like Canada/Aberdeenshire.

 

If one is an Ibiza type of course Adelaide would not suit. But then, would you say that Milan is a backwater?

 

Horses for courses. You are right to express your opinion.

 

BTW- a good friend (Aussie born and bred & very well travelled and learned) from Brisbane fell in love with Adelaide when she decided to check it out- she was not impressed with our choice of SA when we had told her and admitted it is an unfortunate stereotype. Now she is coming again to visit!

 

Thank you for helping the OP get a feel for what to expect and then educate their son on what to expect.

 

I's just like to say that everyone's view of a place is different it all depends on what your looking for and just leave it at that shall we?!?! :v_SPIN:

[Guest Sachertorte]

Agree I think there is nothing more to say....