Adelaide greets you with golden sandstone facades, salty air from nearby beaches, and the comforting clang of trams along North Terrace. Yes, Adelaide is one of SA’s most liveable cities—a thoughtful blend of academic prestige, lifestyle ease, and coastal calm.
Top-tier universities: Home to globally ranked institutions, including the new Adelaide University (a merger of UniSA and University of Adelaide), which debuted in the global Top 100 (QS 2026).
Liveable layout: A compact CBD framed by lush parklands, with beach suburbs like Glenelg just 20 minutes away by tram.
Festival capital: From Adelaide Fringe to WOMADelaide, the city buzzes year-round with culture and music.
Cafés and cuisine: A world-class food scene, with laneway wine bars, diverse eateries, and access to Barossa and McLaren Vale.
Nature access: Hike Mount Lofty, wander the Botanic Gardens or dip into the ocean within a short radius.
Definitely—and here’s what locals will tell you:
Affordable housing: Compared to Sydney or Melbourne, Adelaide offers more accessible property and rental options.
Safe and welcoming: Known for its friendly vibe, low crime rates, and relaxed pace.
Easy transport: Trams, buses and bikeways make it simple to get around. The airport is only 15 minutes from the CBD.
Family-friendly: Great schools, universities, playgrounds, and libraries make it ideal for raising children.
Diverse communities: Students, artists, professionals and retirees share the city in multicultural harmony.
Visit the Art Gallery, Museum, and Botanic Gardens on North Terrace
Ride the tram to Glenelg for sunset fish and chips
Spend Saturdays at the Central Market for fresh produce and pastries
Sip wine in the Adelaide Hills or Barossa Valley
Attend the Adelaide Fringe or a festival in Elder Park
Take scenic walks in Cleland Conservation Park
Explore Lot Fourteen, home to the Australian Space Agency and tech startups
Electricity & Utilities: Reliable electricity, water, and gas supply, managed by SA Power Networks and SA Water. Outages are rare, and solar adoption is growing.
Technology: High-speed NBN is widely available in most metro suburbs, with free public Wi-Fi zones in the CBD.
Public Cleaning & Waste: Weekly kerbside rubbish and recycling collection; clean city spaces maintained by local councils.
Transport: MetroCARD for easy access to trams, buses and trains. Secure bike paths and walking tracks across the suburbs.
Healthcare: World-class hospitals like Royal Adelaide and Flinders Medical Centre, plus local GPs, dentists and 24/7 pharmacies.
Education: From childcare to high-ranking unis, education is a major strength of the city.
I’m "Tariq", a biomedical student renting in Mile End. I walk or ride to uni daily, swing past the market for lunch, and study in the State Library when I need quiet. Anyone who’s spent a lazy Sunday at Henley Beach or browsed books in Rundle Mall knows that Adelaide is more than just a uni town—it’s home. There’s space to think, beaches to breathe, and enough culture to keep things interesting.
From academic excellence to lazy beach days, Adelaide balances opportunity and ease. It’s a great place to study, settle, or start again—especially if you're asking: Which University is number 1 in SA?
Which university ranks highest in South Australia?
Adelaide University (merging UniSA and University of Adelaide) currently holds the highest QS ranking in SA at #82 globally (as of 2026).
Is Adelaide affordable for students and families?
Yes. Rental and living costs are lower than in other major Australian cities, making it ideal for students and growing families.
Does Adelaide have good public services?
Yes. It offers stable electricity, broadband access, healthcare, education, waste collection, and modern public transport.
SA Department for Energy and Mining – Energy efficiency tips for residents and businesses
City of Adelaide – Sustainability and smart city initiatives
YourSAy – Government feedback platform often covering cost-of-living topics
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