- Adelaide is one of the most affordable places in Australia
- Best family suburbs in Adelaide were scattered throughout the Hills and Adelaide's south
- Median prices tended to be above the $700,000 mark
The best suburbs in Adelaide should not be hard to come by given the city of churches has today ranked equal twelfth with Perth on The Economist’s 2023 Global Liveability Index. The city also had the accolade of sixth most improved in the world, leaping 19 places to achieve the ranking.
Adelaide has frequently been touted as being one of the more affordable capitals in Australia; this is despite also being the strongest-performing real estate market in the country.
The compact nature of Adelaide will be attractive to many, and why not make a tilt for its affordable luxury – the city’s most expensive houses tended to be below the $10 million mark, with the most expensive streets all seeing medians no higher than the mid-$3 millions, and most expensive suburbs typically in the $2 millions.
According to SQM Research Data, the weekly asking property prices for Adelaide are floating around the $700,000 to $800,000 mark for houses, and just over $400,000 for units.
Weekly asking property prices for Adelaide
Renting in Adelaide will set you back around $600 dollars per week for a house and around $400 for a unit.
Weekly asking rents for Adelaide
As part of an ongoing series at The Property Tribune, we have explored the best and most liveable suburbs across the capital cities for families, including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Canberra.
We have asked for experts to help find the 20 most liveable suburbs, based on a range of factors such as greenery, access to great amenities, and schooling options.
The list is in no particular order and includes a wide array of suburbs.
Top 20 Best & Most Liveable Suburbs in Adelaide for Families
- Aldgate
- Belair
- Colonel Light Gardens
- Crafers
- Dernancourt
- Glenalta
- Glenelg
- Gulfview Heights
- Highbury
- Kensington Gardens
- Magill
- Mitcham
- Norwood
- Prospect
- Seaview Downs
- Stirling
- Unley
- Eden Hills
- Athelstone
- Marion
“The real beauty of Adelaide’s real estate landscape is the balance between affordability and lifestyle,” said Kent Lardner, Founder of Suburbtrends.
“In places like Gulfview Heights, families can find roomy detached houses, contributing to a staggering 97% detached house occupancy.”
The suburb of Unley appears to be particularly popular with buyers, with Ray White Kensington’s Selling Principal, Andrew Welch telling The Property Tribune:
“We have noticed that Unley properties are selling at a much quicker rate than last year by over 30 days, indicating the growing popularity of this suburb.
“Aside from that, the Adelaide property market hasn’t had any standout trends in family-friendly locations.”
Aldgate
Offering a more rural style of living, the suburb is about half an hour from the Adelaide CBD (20 kilometres) and is a stone’s throw from beautiful destinations like Hahndorf.
According to research conducted by Suburbtrends for The Property Tribune, the median for the suburb is $1.073 million, with a socio-economic rank of 10, and some 86% comprising family households, making it one of the best suburbs in Adelaide for families.
Crafers
Another suburb commanding a median over $1 million, Crafers likewise has a 10 for socio-economic score and 83% for family households.
The suburb is some 20 minutes away from the Adelaide CBD and is close to picturesque locations like Mount Lofty.
Belair
Belair, along with Glenalta, and Eden Hills were noted by Lardner as suburbs that had strong community and lifestyle factors.
Medians for Belair were $995,400 and is just 10 kilometres away from the CBD.
Colonel Light Gardens
Welch noted that the suburb is “Renowned for its well-preserved heritage homes, tree-lined streets, and family-friendly atmosphere.”
Located less than 10 kilometres from the CBD, the suburb has excellent amenities and access to a nearby health precinct, parks, and more.
Dernancourt
The more affordable suburb has a median of $722,000, according to Suburbtrends research, with the locale scoring eight for socio-economics, and had a high number of families in the area, comprising 76%.
Glenalta
The suburb has excellent amenities and is served by the Glenalta station on the Belair line. It is also bordered to the east by Belair National Park.
Median prices were $850,000, with a socio-economic score of 10.
Glenelg
One of the best suburbs to live in Adelaide includes Glenelg, “A popular coastal suburb with a vibrant community, beaches, parks, and a range of family-oriented activities,” according to Welch.
The locale is also served by a tram line.
Gulfview Heights
With a median of $618,000, the more affordable suburb is located half an hour northeast of the CBD.
The suburb also comprises 84% family households and has a socio-economic rank of seven.
Highbury
Also half an hour out of the CBD, the suburb of Highbury has a median of $739,096, with the area mostly comprising detached houses at 97%. Families are also in the majority at 82%, with the socio-economic rank at nine.
Kensington Gardens
Some six to seven kilometres from the CBD, Kensington Gardens is, “a peaceful suburb with plenty of green spaces, playgrounds and proximity to quality schools and amenities,” according to Welch.
Magill
Located nearby Kensington Gardens, the leafy green suburb has a strong sense of community, said Welch.
Good schools are also a feature of the suburb, with beautiful parks such as Morialta Conservation Park on the suburb’s doorstep, noted Welch.
Mitcham
Mitcham is also one of the best suburbs in Adelaide for schools, with Welch noting the leafy suburb has spacious properties, and good access to parks and reserves, including Brownhill Creek Recreation Park.
Norwood
“Located close to the city, Norwood boasts excellent schools, a vibrant shopping and dining precinct, and a family-friendly community,” said Welch.
According to realestate.com.au, the median price for a house is $1.250,000, while according to Domain, the median for a two bedroom unit is $423,000.
Prospect
Just beyond North Adelaide, the suburb provides a diverse offering of old and new, according to Welch.
“[Prospect] offers a mix of heritage and modern housing, parks, playgrounds, and is well-connected to the city by public transport.”
Seaview Downs
Half an hour south, close to the Brighton Jetty and Seacliff, the suburb of Seaview Downs has a median price of $790,000, and a socio-economic score of eight.
The suburb primarily comprises families, at 76%.
Stirling
Located some 16 kilometres from the CBD, Stirling is, “a picturesque suburb in the Adelaide Hills with a relaxed atmosphere, nature reserves, and excellent schools,” according to Welch.
Unley
Located just beyond the parks that surround Adelaide’s CBD, Welch said Unley is, “Known for its beautiful tree-lined streets, parks, and community facilities, including the popular Unley Swimming Centre.”
Eden Hills
With a median of $880,000, Eden Hills in Adelaide’s South and is surrounded by green, including the Watiparinga Reserve, Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, and Sturt Gorge Recreation Park.
Athelstone
Located close to Black Hill Conservation Park, the suburb has a median of $736,098, and families comprise 80% of the suburb.
Nearby schools include Saint Ignatius College.
Marion
Southwest of Adelaide’s CBD, the suburb of Marion includes a Westfield and is served by the Seaford line.
Welch said the suburb is, “Known for its affordability, excellent schools, community facilities, and proximity to Marion Shopping Centre and the Marion Outdoor Pool.”
