First impressions of Adelaide

[Guest mittu]

My brother has recently (in the past few days) moved to Australia permanently. He is currently in Adelaide where we have some distant relatives who he is staying with whilst he finds his feet. He has been out and about to see where he might like to live and is a bit disappointed with the suburbs around the CBD. He says that the city center is fine for bars and nightlife and so on but once you are out of the city center there is nothing to do what-so-ever, he walked for 8 hours from Glenelg (sp?) to Henley Beach and didn't see a single bar and in fact had to call in at a petrol station to buy a drink, all there seemed to be were houses after houses rather than what we have in the UK where you can't walk 10 feet without falling into a pub or cafe of some sort.

 

Is this typical of Australia on the whole or is it specific to Adelaide? He has talked to the relatives we have over there who have told him that Adelaide is not really suited to young people and he would be better off going to Melbourne where things are more lively and geared towards people in their 20/30s.

 

He is planning on renting a car and driving to Melbourne in the next few days to test the lay of the land there. What are the general thoughts amongst the masses about Adelaide and Melbourne? Is he likely to find something more akin to the UK in Melbourne or is Australia simply a different lifestyle where pubs and so on simply aren't that common outside the city center?

[Guest Guest75]

Adelaide is NOT a bar/nightclub place.

 

There are a good few in the city and some good pubs around BUT Adelaide is quieter in night life and is popular with families.

We have had some great nights out in Adelaide and watched the sun come up at Glenelg.

 

 

Melbourne is busier with more clubs and bars,we go over there once a year.Tell bro to try Southbank and the Casino.

 

Just a fair word though........ya can't come over and expect it to be like the UK but warmer.

 

He won't find anything akin to the UK here.

 

Australia is...............well Australia.

 

[Guest ReadyPenny]

Adelaide is NOT a bar/nightclub place.

 

There are a good few in the city and some good pubs around BUT Adelaide is quieter in night life and is popular with families.

We have had some great nights out in Adelaide and watched the sun come up at Glenelg.

 

 

Melbourne is busier with more clubs and bars,we go over there once a year.Tell bro to try Southbank and the Casino.

 

Just a fair word though........ya can't come over and expect it to be like the UK but warmer.

 

He won't find anything akin to the UK here.

 

Australia is...............well Australia.

 

Tyke

 

I like it, so simple but so true. Gave me a right good laugh too!

[Guest kfoley0681]

hello we will probably agree with your brother im afraid! we arrived in australia 6th aug 08 brought a motorhome and travelled queensland nsw victoria and sa. we have been living in the northen suberbs of adelaide for 6 weeks now and my husband really feels that he is bored! his life is going to work! not like back home he enjoyed time with mates at the pub not really the thing here! i personally think unless you are in the actual city be it adelaide melbourne sydney brisbane etc there is no nightlife victoria is the same and we actually have family in the melbourne subs that have done 2 years there and are going back to the uk as not enough here for them. so depending on what your brother wants im not sure melbourne is any better! hope he finds the place for him and that it all works out.

[Guest Guest75]

Can I just add....................

 

A lot of socialising is done at home here.

You need to build up a network of friends,the BBQ's and boozeups are never ending!

 

I guess some of it is due to necessity as there are not that many pubs but also a lot have children and it's great to be able to socialise with your kids as well.

 

We have trouble keeping up with friends and have loads to do/see.

[Guest kfoley0681]

yes i do believe you are right its all about bbqs and beer at home with friends and we have 3 children and 1 on the way so this is good for us too but i must add to spend 24/7 with children is hard too. everyone is entitled to and should have there own adult time it is esential as much as we all love our children! not sure about your brother if he has family and kids as if he hasnt bbqs with kids will not be for him city life would be better!!!

[Flutterby]

Seems a bit weird to me that he started off in Glenelg and couldn't find anywhere to have a drink!? It is only 7kms to Henley Beach, what were they doing for 8 hrs?

 

Anyway, in my opinion what you will get out of Adelaide is different depending on the lifestyle you want and the one you had in the UK. Also I think that you need to realise you won't be able to replicate your UK existence, why would you want to? Presumably you moved 10,000 miles from your family and friends because you wanted something different from life.

 

kfoley, you say - we have been living in the northen suberbs of adelaide for 6 weeks now and my husband really feels that he is bored! his life is going to work! not like back home he enjoyed time with mates at the pub not really the thing here! Presumably, you built your UK social life up from many years of family, friends, work colleagues and shared experiences, how can you expect things to be the same here after 6 weeks?

[Guest kfoley0681]

yes we have only been here 6 weeks but what i was saying was of course our personal opinion. i thought i had made that clear yes we did leave friends and family behind and a social life and we have enjoyed ozzie social life ie bbqs but some people want more varitiy than just that and adelaide is very quite for someone who is looking for a going out lifestyle like first suggested the person was looking for. people can want change and a different life but this doesnt mean the things we enjoy need to be fogotton simply to be able to enjoy both experiences is good. we have travelled all over australia with the children before arriving here and different areas of australia have different things to offer. i think that by the person going to explore other parts is a great idea as no one can tell him what is good or bad area to live just there own opinions which doesnt always suit the person asking!

[Flutterby]

Hi Kfoley, I completely agree that it is your personal opinion, and you are entitled to that, but from your post, you were on holiday prior to arriving in SA and as such your experience is different in QLD and so on as you were not living there.

[Guest Chichester]

There are pub's all over Adelaide,you just have to know where to go. Glenelg is a lively suburb as is Goodwood,Norwood and North Adelaide. They are more spread out though that's for sure,we just don't have the population. Melbourne is fun, and beautiful but very busy and the weather is crap most of the time. It's quite like a mini London. Depends on your lifestyle I suppose.

[Guest marty]

8hrs from Glenelg to Henley Beach, must have been walking on one hand backwards, maybe you were dreaming and thought you were on the M25, that takes 8 hrs to travel 7Km, not to be rude if you thought Adelaide or even Aus was like the UK then you have not done your research, its not like the UK and never will be no matter how much some of the PIA members want it to be or try to change our way of life.

 

You should wake up and embrace the diffrence, be glad you have made the move and forget the way of life and the UK pub, your here now and if you give it a go you may like it.

[Guest sarahsmartiepants]

8hrs to walk form Glenelg to Henley:wideeyed: me thinks he must have found loads of drinking establishments on the way to take that long;).

Seriously though there is not a lot of bar life on the esplanade so to speak, it is more on the verticle to the beach rds, maybe he walked along the sea front all the way! It still wouldnt have taken him 8 hrs.

And whoever said Adl is not like the UK, they are right, its not and there is no point coming here and hoping to re-create your UK life!

[Jessica Berry]

8hrs to walk form Glenelg to Henley:wideeyed: me thinks he must have found loads of drinking establishments on the way to take that long;).

Seriously though there is not a lot of bar life on the esplanade so to speak, it is more on the verticle to the beach rds, maybe he walked along the sea front all the way! It still wouldnt have taken him 8 hrs.

And whoever said Adl is not like the UK, they are right, its not and there is no point coming here and hoping to re-create your UK life!

 

......and here I was thinking you were re-creating Little Britain in Hallett Cove!

[Guest sarahsmartiepants]

......and here I was thinking you were re-creating Little Britain in Hallett Cove!

Dont know where you live, but have you not noticed the whole of ADL is little Britain!

And, no Im not re creating it I left it way behind nearly 3 yrs ago now!

[Guest smit]

......and here I was thinking you were re-creating Little Britain in Hallett Cove!

Another ignorant post.....................look at the population by suburbs and find the highest %age of Brits. You may be surprised;)

[Jessica Berry]

Another ignorant post.....................look at the population by suburbs and find the highest %age of Brits. You may be surprised;)

 

I would be interested to read that information, can you supply a link please.

[Guest Fancy a Beer]

My brother has recently (in the past few days) moved to Australia permanently. He is currently in Adelaide where we have some distant relatives who he is staying with whilst he finds his feet. He has been out and about to see where he might like to live and is a bit disappointed with the suburbs around the CBD. He says that the city center is fine for bars and nightlife and so on but once you are out of the city center there is nothing to do what-so-ever, he walked for 8 hours from Glenelg (sp?) to Henley Beach and didn't see a single bar and in fact had to call in at a petrol station to buy a drink, all there seemed to be were houses after houses rather than what we have in the UK where you can't walk 10 feet without falling into a pub or cafe of some sort.

 

Is this typical of Australia on the whole or is it specific to Adelaide? He has talked to the relatives we have over there who have told him that Adelaide is not really suited to young people and he would be better off going to Melbourne where things are more lively and geared towards people in their 20/30s.

 

He is planning on renting a car and driving to Melbourne in the next few days to test the lay of the land there. What are the general thoughts amongst the masses about Adelaide and Melbourne? Is he likely to find something more akin to the UK in Melbourne or is Australia simply a different lifestyle where pubs and so on simply aren't that common outside the city center?

 

 

One would be mistaken for thinking the heat had got to some rather snappy posters! Although some points are very valid!

 

For a young single Male I would of said Adelaide would of been the last place for him to head to! Melbourne or Sydney would be more appropriate! Did he do no research before moving here, would of quickly become apparent to him if he had!

 

Adelaide has much to offer many, find it funny that so many think that simply arriving everything will slot into place within days, we have been here 2 years and I would say it is only now that 85% is as we want it to be, the next 12 months will sort the remaining 15% out!!

 

As for Hallet Cove being Little Britain who cares if it is, we are in Greenwith/Golden Grove and I hear many english accents on a regular basis. I think reading threads on here there are alot of "followers", but you cant take it away from everyone here you have to have some sort of balls to get here in the first place, if people wanna follow the masses rather than research properly, good luck to them I say!!

[Guest SA Great]

Well said Tyke, I find it qiute annoying that people come here and search out a life that is a replica of what they had in UK. The UK is the UK and it has many good points as well as bad. Surely the idea of emigrating is to live a different life. Try different foods, get a boat, go to the footy (AFL) and just try different things that you can't do in the UK. If you embrace Aussie life then you will fit in a lot better.

I have been here nearly 18 years and still miss the Speedway and the music, however, I feel I have more than compensated for it by enjoying the different things Adelaide has to offer.

As for the 8 hour trek from Glenelg to Henley, hmm you must have gone via the city centre!!!! lol

[Guest Guest75]

Well said Tyke, I find it qiute annoying that people come here and search out a life that is a replica of what they had in UK. The UK is the UK and it has many good points as well as bad. Surely the idea of emigrating is to live a different life. Try different foods, get a boat, go to the footy (AFL) and just try different things that you can't do in the UK. If you embrace Aussie life then you will fit in a lot better.

I have been here nearly 18 years and still miss the Speedway and the music, however, I feel I have more than compensated for it by enjoying the different things Adelaide has to offer.

As for the 8 hour trek from Glenelg to Henley, hmm you must have gone via the city centre!!!! lol

 

For once (sic) I'll be blunt and say FFS! - someone agrees with me.

 

We've embraced the Aussie life in our own inimitable way,made something of it and love it.

I oft imagine a crowded pub and visualise how many opinions I would hear from a hundred people.

 

My opinion..................... 100 unless you meet a few sheep.

 

BTW - I'm off fishing tomorrow with a load of Aussies,might involve some beer as well.:notworthy:

[Guest 0125dannydanny]

After reading all the posts from this thread (way back from 2007!) as I am a youngish (33) male I was wondering if you had a theatre in Adelaide that puts on Musicals? Also is it expensive to get a return flight to Sydney?

I am not into heavy pub going and don't want to hold onto the uk way of life, I don't see the point of moving if thats what some want..they should go to Spain instead LOL .

I have read up on the weather in Melbourne LOL...having said that Does the place have a better Summer than the uk?

[Guest the4hopes]

There are many theatres here, all different sizes, my daughters have already seen Rent, Les Mis is completely booked up!!! And we are booked to see The Phantom of the Opera in May.

All shows are just temporary, not long running so you need to get in quick. Quite a few bands play, Fall out boy soon, Pink in August.

[Guest anniewo]

Recently 5young people came over form the UK to visit with my son who is 24.He had met up with them when he was over there 2 years ago visiting rellies and travelling around.They said they would have bypassed Adelaide but came to see him.At the end of their 5 day stay they were so glad they had taken to time to visit Adelaide.My son showed them all the spots they would not have thought of going to bars,,day at the beach having a barbie,beach cricket etc.Something for everyone I suppose.

[Guest 0125dannydanny]

thanks for help! So , me being an almost Vegetarian (I love fish) would I be shunned at the barbie ?? LOL!!!! ....I suppose not if I brought loads a beer!

[Guest Vikki & Steve Q]

We are a couple in our early 30's and we do not have any children. I must say that from our perspective we have found that when we go into the city on a night out we are a good deal older than most. When we came to Adelaide we knew that the city is great for families and has a huge student population also, however, we did expect to see some people in their 30's and over out on the town. We are still fairly new here arrived in November and we still have much to discover. Last night for example, we went out firstly we went to our local 'the Gov' for a beer at about 9.45. With it being Australia day the next day and the Gov, a really well known pub, we thought something must be going on, it was closed! There was a emo gig going on in the venue area behind the pub. We decided to get the bus into town and honestly, we walked up and down from the top of Hindley street to the bottom of Rundle looking for something that appealed with a few 'oldies' like us, but there was very little to be found. We ended up in the Jive as there was an 80's night, a sure bet right? wrong! Great tunes and not as 'cheesetastic' as you would expect they played The Smiths, Cure, Joy Division, Depeche Mode and some great ozzie tunes that never made it to the UK, but the draw back was that we felt soooo old! Most of the people in there had no clue what they were listening to. Like I said we are still learning and there is so much to love about Adelaide and I am sure we will find something that suits us, by the way... any advice on that would be great. Ultimately, I think on first impressions, this city is great for students who, by the way only start going out at 11ish (the club i mentioned did not open until 11.30pm.... Oh God I am getting old) or families where you have everything within a 20 min radius and bbq's galore with friends etc. I may be wrong? We ended up having a great night in the end and after a few beers, who cares that you are the only people in there singing along.....

[Guest graandjac]

:)We have found the city to have plenty of life ....enough for anyone...., yes outside the city you cannot go from pub to pub, but i recon its not such a bad thing......??, the social scene out here is fab and when you settle down there is always a barby invite on the calendar, cant answer from a childless point of view , But for family time it great.