Emily Olle: Get over yourselves Melbourne, Adelaide is now the young person’s oasis

It’s time to face the facts – our cross-border counterpart is just a more expensive, less accessible, more snobbish Adelaide, writes Emily Olle.

“Why would you want to go there?”

That was the beleaguered battle cry of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews peak-Covid, as Melburnians faced day after day of lockdown while our own premier spruiked Adelaideans’ freedoms.

While each state’s response to the pandemic is a debate for a different time, Covid made one thing clear for South Australia’s young people: Adelaide is the place to be.

In high school, I was enraptured by the promised bohemian lifestyle of metropolitan Melbourne.

The night-life! The coffee! The music! The restaurants!

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Flitting from a long black to a craft beer as you splash your student cash on culinary delights.

And 10 years ago (when I was at the aforementioned school) the chasm between Melbourne and Adelaide’s youth scene did run deep.

But a lot changes in a decade, pandemic notwithstanding.

I’ve watched friend after friend U-Haul their life across the border and set up shop out east while I hit the rental market in Adelaide.

I would often ponder my sad, Adelaidean existence over a glass of world-class wine just 45 minutes from the CBD. Picture: Meaghan Coles

From my $140-per-room, three-person share house with a generous backyard and a 15-minute commute into the city, I went to visit their two bedroom, $550 per week outer suburb units.

“Let’s pop into town for a drink,” my friend would say. “Sounds great!” I’d reply.

We’d then get on the tram for 45 minutes, making our way to a dinner that cost more than my day’s hospitality income and a cocktail that was about $27 too expensive.

I would then return home and ponder the great move myself.

In the meantime, maybe I’d pop down to McLaren Vale for a glass of some of Australia’s best wine, or grab some of the freshest produce on offer at the Central Market.

I might take my 10-minute Uber into the CBD, dining at some of the city’s world-class restaurants and washing it down with a beer at the Exeter or maybe a two-for-one cocktail.

Peel or Leigh street, I’d take my pick – since our CBD venues tend to be no further than a 15-minute walk apart.

Grace Banner and Brittany Law enjoy some drinks in the Exeter's beer garden on Rundle St. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Maybe I’d hit a wine bar in the suburbs or a gig at the Gov or the Thebby, leaving my car nearby with no risk of parking restrictions.

If I was really feeling lazy, I could even drive in to uni and cop the full-day parking.

No more than $18 if you’re an early bird. And that was when the glass shattered on my rose-coloured Melbourne glasses.

I’m sure the diehard Melburnians will disagree. But I’ve come to the conclusion that our cross-border counterpart is no more than a more expensive, less accessible, slightly more snobbish Adelaide.

Don’t get me wrong, the rental market is no longer a students’ dream and job opportunities can be few and far between in our great state, particularly when it comes to the arts.

But when it comes to cost of living and quality of life, guess what Mr Andrews – I’m pretty happy where I am.