North or South

[Guest duncans]

Just wondering if anyone could help us, we have been looking at different real estate sites trying to decide on where we would like to live when arriving in Adelaide. We have had mixed reports about both north and south Adelaide. Some have said the north is up and coming but Elizabeth seems to get a lot of bad press and in the south we have been looking at places like Happy valley, Noarlunga, Seacliff etc, but some say these are run down. Any views on North or South would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Diane]

There's east and west too..... and north east, south east, north west, south west.....

 

I'd go for anything that has "east" in it anywhere, personally, but it does depend on where you'll be working - be a pain to be living south west and offered a job in the north east, or vice versa...,

[Guest Andrew&Ren]

North or south is a touchy subject!

People living in the north, love the north and people living in the south, love the south!!!!!!!!

Id say there are lovely areas ALL over Adelaide, it just depends what you want....

 

We live Glenelg cause it ticked all the boxes for us..beach,tram into city,local nightlife/shops etc.

[Guest Deb17]

Because going into the city makes me very nervous we just took the car south one day, to have a look-see, and loved the southern beaches and open spaces down here at first glance. Some places in the north are pretty, but I went to Mawson Lakes and thought it was like Milton Keynes (completely soulless!) Apologies to anyone who may be from MK.

It depends on what you like and how old you are; whether you want the hustle-bustle of city living, the smell of traffic fumes (which we got living near the South Road for a few weeks) or fresh air, country views and a slower pace of life.

[Guest redfoxy]

oops see below

[Guest redfoxy]

Personally, I came here for peace !! and as soon as I drive into and past Noarlunga I feel easy and at peace, larger and larger open spaces and the sea always in view !!

We are moving to Aldinga beach, but due to a new large development project in 2010 we will soon see that grow, however there is a large green space before you get to Aldinga.

Teenage children seem to need to be closer to the city for uni etc.

So anyway Aldelaide is not a big place and you can easy get around it, but personally speaking I like it rural ish and near the sea.

 

Glenelg is also very very nice but we could only afford a unit there and not a nice house.

 

Which ever way take your time and good luck

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

It can get very heated the old north/south debate, it all down to personal preference and your wants out of where you want to live.

 

We went down Aldinga in the first few days we were here and we said we are going to live there.

 

Were renting in Seaford at the moment, and Seaford is great, great beaches, schools, shops.

 

But we are finally going to get what we want and we are building down at Aldinga Beach, woohoo.

[Guest redfoxy]

Thats great about building we didnt want to wait that long..so are buying a new house, completed but fist to live in it !! cant wait...

[Guest redfoxy]

Thats great about building we didnt want to wait that long..so are buying a new house, completed but fist to live in it !! cant wait...

 

roll on summer..

 

I have visions of a summer evening walk down to beach with a cold bottle of wine, lovey hubby and 2 glass xx hay ho..

[minkyme29]

Also if travel is an issue and like us you only want to run one car, the south will be getting an extension of the rail line to Seaford, I think work starts on this in 2010?

[Guest Wersal Gummage]

roll on summer..

 

I have visions of a summer evening walk down to beach with a cold bottle of wine, lovey hubby and 2 glass xx hay ho..

 

Yes, that's what it's all about.

 

When all is said and done,if you have young Children, like the wide open spaces, beautiful beaches, clean air ,Surf lifesaving clubs, plenty of good shopping centres, good schools, primary and secondary. then head south of the City.

If not, head the other way.

places like Happy valley, Noarlunga, Seacliff etc, but some say these are run down.

I don’t know where you got your information from but I would hazard a guess its from some that don’t live down that way.

Just have a drive around those areas and you will be pleasantly surprised.\As for the North being up and coming I cant see how it can be unless you go as far as Port Adelaide where there's some construction work going on and will probably finish up like Canary Warf,(Not for your average Jo worker) apart from that, North, N/W, N/E has nowhere left to Build closer than Port Adelaide.

South, S/E,S/W would be my choice, I would include West but I find it a tad over priced.

Good luck with your research.

[Guest redfoxy]

Good post Wursel !! LOL what a cracking name !!

[Liz and Kris UK]

Only one way to find out and that is to have a good look around yourself, everybody likes different areas for different reasons.

 

Good luck

 

Kris

[Guest mollybailey]

have not seen too much of the north but people we have met that do live there obviously like it, i would not say the places you mentioned in the south are run down port noarlunga is lovely and so is happy valley, seacliff is alittle more pricey, we live in seaford rise and really like it, also like willunga and aldinga you wont know till you get here Glenelg is quite central to everything but we wanted a few more open spaces and its v pricey they do call it the 20 minuite city so doesnt take you long to get anywhere!

[Guest duncans]

Thanku for all your great replies we shall have a look around in August when we come!!!

[Guest Rob and Clare]

Only one way to find out and that is to have a good look around yourself, everybody likes different areas for different reasons.

 

Good luck

 

Kris

Spot on Kris....

 

This isn't about North and South, or east and west, but about finding a suburb that closely fits what you are looking for within the budget you have, wihtin a distance you are willing to travel.

 

I think the biggest question is do you live nearer the city, with the wealth of opportunities it affords and lifestyle which encourages you to be out and about, or further away in outer suburbs where you can get a large plot of land for better value for money where home entertaining is the order of the day, but longer travelling may be required.

 

The comments though about the open spaces to the south, well I find a little odd, because if you go in any direction from the city, for the distances to suburbs mentioned, you will be in open countryside or in the sea.

 

If it's at all possible to rent for a year first to gauge what the areas are like all year round then that may be the way forward.

[Guest nishman]

We are a family of 4. I'll attempt to give a very breif overview from the way we found it:

North / North East - lived there when we first got here. Liked it up there, and could have settled, but the 45mins from Greenwith to a decent beach killed that one for us.

West / North West - didn't find anywhere that suited us, price too was an issue for us (especially West).

East - Never looked to be honest (although some posh areas with posh schools in the inner east). Price may have had a part to pay in that of course...

South - find some nearlies in the Aberfoyle & Woodcroft areas. Came a close second.

South West - where we're now settled within walking distance of some great beaches and counrtyside (Seaford Rise / Moana area).

 

Further East there's Mt Barker and the other satellite townships dotted along the SE Freeway. Lovely country out that way with pretty good access to the city on the 110km road (as long it's not foggy or a semi trailer hasn't had an upset on the uptrack...). Some nearlies again there, but distance to beaches and price in some suburbs discounted them for us.

 

Further North & South are where some big developments are happening. Burton / Munno Para / Andrews Farm / Virginia up north and Aldinga / Sellicks down south (Seaford too I guess). As a sweeping generalisation, you'll find the northern developments offer larger blocks than the southern ones (although the Sellicks blocks are pretty big). I would say that the train line from Gawler, the port expressway and main north road offer better routes to the city if you're to be working there. Down south, you've go the expressway from Seaford and the train from Noarlunga (and Seaford by 2011) to the city. I would say that the public transport infrastructure further south is in dire need of an upgrade to accomodate the developments.

 

Work wise, the outer Northern burbs offer easier access to the industrial hubs in the N / NW. Having to commute from Aldinga (or even Seaford Rise) to Elizabeth or Burton or beyond would not be a pleasurable experience day in and day out. Bearing in mind that the Ports up North (including Port Adelaide), the destroyer building, the metal processing, and the "main" mines are all further north.

 

The North is on the doorstep to the Barossa with Clare and the Flinders ranges further on. You've got a head start on Yorke and Eyre Pennisulas too.

The South has the beaches, McLaren Vale, Willunga Hills, Victor Harbor and the Fleurieu Pennisula all within easy reach.

Of course, there's always the city itself (including the "vibrant" North Adelaide) to look at too:cute:

As many others will say - have a good look around when you get here at a short list based on what you want out of the life and see which offers the best match.

[jarnasa]

HI,

 

I live South at Marino and love it!!! I would always recommend South but particularly around Brighton Marino and Hallet Cove.

 

Cheers,

 

Donna

[Diane]

Two excellent posts from both Rob and Clare and Nishman. I'd second what Rob and Clare (Rob or Clare!) said though about considering how far you're prepared to be from the city.

 

It's not just about work for most families but also about opportunities for kids, and in my experience, if your child wants the best choice of activities to the highest levels (and here I'm talking sports, arts, musical, theatrical and drama etc) then you don't want to live more than a 30 minute drive from the centre of Adelaide as that will limit the options for them.

 

Also, although just about everywhere has nice places to go out to for a casual drink/meal etc, then you're limiting your choices for socialising and entertainment if every time you head into the City you have a 45 minute/hour's drive home, or a very expensive cab ride. I'm no social butterfly and am usually falling asleep by 9pm, but even I have been known to go to a concert, or a show, or after work drinks in and around the city!

 

Swings and roundabouts, meat and poison - have a good look around and choose what suits you best!

[Guest duncans]

Thanku again for all your great replies,we have a lot to think about when we come over in August and a lot of driving around from the sounds of things can't wait very excited!

[DAVID.CHRISTINE]

Just wondering if anyone could help us, we have been looking at different real estate sites trying to decide on where we would like to live when arriving in Adelaide. We have had mixed reports about both north and south Adelaide. Some have said the north is up and coming but Elizabeth seems to get a lot of bad press and in the south we have been looking at places like Happy valley, Noarlunga, Seacliff etc, but some say these are run down. Any views on North or South would be great. Thanks in advance.

HI HAVE YOU LOOKED AROUND HALLETT COVE WERE GETTING A NEW

SHOPPING CENTER OPENING SOON

HOUSES NOT A BAD PRICE

SCHOOLS FROM RECPTION TO YEAR 12 NOT ALL AREAS HAVE HIGH SCHOOLS

AND OUR TRAIN STATION IS GETTING REVAMPED

AND OUTSTANDING COASTAL VIEWS AND WALKS

BEING HERE 18 MONTHS AND NEVER THOUGH WHY DIDNT WE BUY ELSEWARE

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING

[bill]

There's east and west too..... and north east, south east, north west, south west.....

 

I'd go for anything that has "east" in it anywhere, personally, but it does depend on where you'll be working - be a pain to be living south west and offered a job in the north east, or vice versa...,

 

And I'd go for anywhere that has "west" in it, cos it's right by the beach!

[tina&steve]

Why this is a touchy subject I dont know:confused: I love the North areas and the south but there are partsnof both I dont like. I live in the Northeast (Golden grove) and love it here not far from anywhere really. Love Burnside in the east but cart afford it love Glenelg (westish) but the plans going over would drive me nuts. Think Port Noarlunga has a fab beach and would be happy to live there and its cheaper than up here and you seem to get more land for your money. I'm not that keen on Elizabeth (north) and hackham (south) (tina ducks lol) but I'm sure there are some lovely people who has made it their home xx.

 

You never really know what aplace is like til you have been there. Come to near where you might be working. We chose this area cos we had friends here, then OH got a job at the village but we are only renting so we can move if we want too.

 

Good luck with your search xx

[Guest Fancy a Beer]

Well as always that question creates a great source of comments, you wont get an equal argument on here as 80% of PIA users live South. As stated by a few it is totally a personal choice, there are many lovely areas here in Adelaide but it does seem that many new arrivals follow the masses rather than researching for their own needs!

 

For me the North wins hands down everytime, but that is my personal opinion, we have everything we want within 20-25 mins, the city, the beach, the barossa, the hills, the countryside etc etc. (The person taking 45 mins to get to a beach from Greenwith must be walking???)

 

My advice to all new arrivals, rekkie takers, is dont follow the masses research the areas for what you are looking for and not what suited others before you!!

[Guest duncans]

Thanku for all your great advice!