Adelaide’s cheapest beachside suburbs revealed

On the hunt for a beachside home that won’t break the bank? Adelaide’s cheapest coastal suburbs have been revealed – and some might surprise you.

Cherryl and Ashley O'Keefe recently moved to Christies Beach, which is one of Adelaide’s cheapest beachside suburbs. Picture: Mike Burton

Homes in beachside suburbs usually come at a premium price – unless prospective buyers know where to look.

South Australia’s cheapest coastal suburbs have been revealed by realestate.com.au, all of which have a median price below $460,000.

The most affordable metropolitan suburbs for houses were dominated by those in the city’s south, with O’Sullivan Beach ($298,000), Christies Beach ($358,608), Taperoo ($370,000), Aldinga Beach ($382,750), and Seaford ($385,000) topping the list.

Those for units were more evenly spread, with Henley Beach ($256,000), Aldinga Beach ($280,000), West Beach ($310,000), Semaphore ($318,000) and Christies Beach ($350,000) the cheapest.

Meanwhile, Henley Beach South was Adelaide’s most expensive coastal locale with a median price of $1.07 million and Brighton topped the list for units at $475,000.

Further afield, Solomontown ($91,750), Port Pirie West ($115,500) and Port Augusta ($145,000) were the cheapest regional areas for houses, while Victor Harbor ($248,750), Port Lincoln ($250,000), and Encounter Bay ($259,500), were the most affordable for units.

O’Sullivan Beach and Christies Beach, Adelaide’s top two cheapest beachside suburbs, are right next door to each other.

Economic research executive manager at realestate.com.au Cameron Kusher said bulk of the cheapest coastal suburbs were traditionally harder to get to.

“Location has usually been the main factor,” he said.

“They’re areas that are further away from cities, they’re more remote and they may not have an airport or an easy means of getting there.

“This will keep them cheaper than more accessible areas, but there are more people who are willing to look further out and that could make a difference for prices.”

Mr Kusher said amenities also played a part in which coastal markets buyers gravitated toward.

“Few buyers will want to be in the middle of nowhere, where there is nothing – there would need to be facilities like a hospital,” he said.

Professionals Christies Beach managing director Kevin J. Barry said distance from the city was definitely what made the southern suburbs more affordable.

He said many people thought going “over the hill, meaning O’Halloran Hill,” was too far to go, so coastal suburbs on the southern side were much cheaper than those on the north.

“To come over ‘the hill’, as they call it, some people think that’s like being on holidays – but that’s changing,” he said.

“Providing the distance isn’t an issue for you, you get a lot more bang for your buck.

“And the beaches are stunning here, that’s the real attraction.”

Mr Barry said prices were slowly starting to rise as more people realised just how affordable and lifestyle rich the south was, especially in the wake of COVID-19.

Cherryl and Ashley O’Keefe moved to Christies Beach late last year in search of a lifestyle change.

The couple, who paid $500,000 for their townhouse with ocean views, chose the suburb because it was affordable and being rejuvenated, which presented a good opportunity for property value growth.

“We love it here, it’s really relaxed so it feels like you’re on holidays,” Ms O’Keefe said.

“We go walking every day down at the beach and take the dog with us – people are really friendly down here.”