Is Adelaide affordable?

[Sploosh]

I'm returning back to Adelaide in 2007 with my wife to live, having been out of the country for 6 years. From what I read about Adelaide prices, I'm distinctly nervous that it seems a hell of a lot less affordable than 6 years ago. House prices are crazy, food seems way up - perhaps because of the drought, I'm not sure. All I wanna be able to do is pay the mortgage, pay the bills, have decent food on the table and have some left over to go to the footy, enjoy the small pleasures of Adelaide life.

So, I'm wondering:-

do you find that a 'normal, everyday' lifestyle is affordable? Has Adelaide become too overpriced for an average person?

[MagicKiwi]

Depends how much Yen you're bringing back Sploosh.

Adelaide is still one of the most affordable places in Australia to live regardless of the fact that yes, things have changed in six years. The cost of living hasn't gone up as much as house prices have in six years so you'll find that while you're paying more in the way of a mortgage, you can still afford the schnitter around the local pub. Not sure about the beer though....

You'll be looking forward to waving the red and white in person then next year, good for you.

[Leaping Lindner]

I'm returning back to Adelaide in 2007 with my wife to live, having been out of the country for 6 years. From what I read about Adelaide prices, I'm distinctly nervous that it seems a hell of a lot less affordable than 6 years ago. House prices are crazy, food seems way up - perhaps because of the drought, I'm not sure. All I wanna be able to do is pay the mortgage, pay the bills, have decent food on the table and have some left over to go to the footy, enjoy the small pleasures of Adelaide life.

So, I'm wondering:-

do you find that a 'normal, everyday' lifestyle is affordable? Has Adelaide become too overpriced for an average person?

I would say it's still the most affordable mainland capital. Depends on your job of course.

Hope to catch up with you one day at Prossie Sploosh when I get my arse over to Adelaide for a game next season.

[Sploosh]

MK, I'll have a few yen in my pocket, but I have the feeling it won't get me nearly as afr as I'd like it to. Perhaps it's just because I'm so far away, but it seems that almost everyday I read another article on prices going up in one area or another, and it all starts to feel quite gloomy.

Yep, very much looking forward to seeing the Roosters in 2007. One of the things I'm most looking forward to upon returning.

[Leaping Lindner]

Thank Robran your not from Perth. It's gone through the roof. I just got back from there and it's the most expensive city in Australia to buy a house in at the moment (Yes! It even beats Sydney). And apparnetly it's fifth most expensive in the world. All due to the mining boom. As for renting forget it.

[RoosterMarty]

Like the others said, it will be good to have you in Adelaide supporting the Roosters... you do a pretty good job supporting them from Japan. Adelaide is still very affordable compared to other places i've visited.

[Sploosh]

Well, the consensus so far seems to be that Adelaide's prices are reasonable, or at least better than those elsewhere in Australia. That's good to hear. So, all these stories about meat, fruit/veggies going ever upwards, and bills getting ever more expensive, are mainly the media blowing things out of proportion?

[Punk Rooster]

I rent a house (2 BR, large yard) close to the city, & live reasonably well.
Mind you, I signed the lease in May 05 & my rent hasn't gone up- it will go up considerably when I leave, I would suspect....

[MagicKiwi]

Sploosh, a few things are more expensive because of the drought but that's affecting all cities.

The upside is that unemployment is low so you should be able to get work (if you haven't got that teed up already). Everyone who is reasonably skilled is working.

[Sploosh]

PR; yes, expensive rent has featured prominently in what I've been reading lately.

MK; that's good to hear. I haven't teed anything up yet, but as a trained/experienced teacher, I'll be on the lookout for a Japanese/Drama/Classroom teaching job, so hopefully I can find something soon that is advertised as starting in second term. Alternatively, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for anything else that I reckon I could try my hand at.

Coming back to Australia with no place to live, no job etc is a bit scary, but hurdles are what keeps life interesting, hey?

[MightyEagles]

Entry to the SANFL is still good value for 2 games of football and the Budget is at a reasonable price.
Drinks/food at the footy is up a bit, but everywhere else food and drink is at a fair price. Except petrol of course.

[Sploosh]

What does petrol cost per litre these days? It's at about $1.50 or $1.60 a litre here at the moment.

[Ian]

It can vary any where between $1.09 and $1.29, depending on the fuel companies generous discounts at the time.

It will be good to meet you and catch up at the footy in 07.

[Sploosh]

Likewise, Ian, for sure. It'll be good to put some faces to the various names/handles I've seen for years now.

[mal]

MK, I'll have a few yen in my pocket, but I have the feeling it won't get me nearly as afr as I'd like it to. Perhaps it's just because I'm so far away, but it seems that almost everyday I read another article on prices going up in one area or another, and it all starts to feel quite gloomy.

Yep, very much looking forward to seeing the Roosters in 2007. One of the things I'm most looking forward to upon returning.

Ohh no another NA barracker, its reaching epidemic proportions
Come back after Febuary if you can, bananas might be back to $3-99
a kilo, at the moment we have had months of it being $10+ a kilo.
Rains in QLD wiped out most of the bananas.
BAYMAN knows most of the ways to get into racecourses for free as well.

[Ian]

Come back after Febuary if you can, bananas might be back to $3-99
a kilo, at the moment we have had months of it being $10+ a kilo.

Picked them up yesterday for $5.49 kg, they've been on the way down for a couple of months now.

[Squawk]

Rains in QLD wiped out most of the bananas.

Some rain MAL - try a bloody big Cyclone Larry!

Adelaide is definitely affordable Sploosh. At the end of the day it is all about your purchasing decisions so if you concentrate on basic sustainability, it is not an expensive place to live.

Own one car - save a packet in rego, insurance, depreciation etc. (Bring an import with you!)
live near a train line - better than buses, weekly multitrip is $25.10
Buy groceries/fruit and veg at the Central or Wayville markets
Bundle your utility bills - put gas & electricity together, telephone, mobile, internet, Foxtel, etc together.
rent/buy a house with a north/south aspect to save on heating/cooling costs
buy energy efficient appliances
use shop-a-dockets for promotional discounts
don't bother with newspapers - read it on-line and maybe just get a weekend paper(s)
don't pay anything monthly if you can pay up front
bank at a credit union, not a bank

Good luck!

[Pseudo]

don't bother with newspapers - read it on-line and maybe just get a weekend paper(s)

But the 'tiser is cheaper than Sorbent...

[Sploosh]

Thanks for that post, Squawk. Definitely some interesting ideas in there.

I had no idea bananas were so ridiculously expensive. Guess I'd better eat some more here while I have the chance!

[Punk Rooster]

Rains in QLD wiped out most of the bananas.

Some rain MAL - try a bloody big Cyclone Larry!

Adelaide is definitely affordable Sploosh. At the end of the day it is all about your purchasing decisions so if you concentrate on basic sustainability, it is not an expensive place to live.

Own one car - save a packet in rego, insurance, depreciation etc. (Bring an import with you!)
live near a train line - better than buses, weekly multitrip is $25.10
Buy groceries/fruit and veg at the Central or Wayville markets
Bundle your utility bills - put gas & electricity together, telephone, mobile, internet, Foxtel, etc together.
rent/buy a house with a north/south aspect to save on heating/cooling costs
buy energy efficient appliances
use shop-a-dockets for promotional discounts
don't bother with newspapers - read it on-line and maybe just get a weekend paper(s)
don't pay anything monthly if you can pay up front
bank at a credit union, not a bank

Good luck!

the bloke is moving back to Adelaide, not moving out of for ther first time....!