Adelaide property hot spots: where to buy in South Australia this spring

Where should you buy this spring? Adelaide’s property experts weighed in to give you THE definitive guide to buying across the entire state at every price point.

Homeowners Leanne Gilbert and Paul Denver at their Stirling home. Stirling has been identified as a hotspot in which to buy this spring. Picture: Emma Brasier

The spring selling market is just around the corner, as hopeful buyers eagerly await the traditional rush of the state’s peak property season.

But as it nears, it begs the question – where should you buy?

Given the property market is already moving at full speed, and buyers have been reportedly priced out of their dream suburb for months now, where can you get the lifestyle you’re looking for and still get good value?

According to five real estate experts surveyed by The Advertiser, there are still value purchases to be made right across the state at all price points.

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For first homebuyers – those with a budget of up to $400,000 – the northern suburbs of Para Hills and Para Hills West were identified as places to buy.

“It’s so close to Mawson Lakes and still offers an entry point for three – bedroom homes under $400,000 – the area is upgrading and developing,” Harcourts Smith business owner Kate Smith said of Para Hills West.

In the south, Christies Beach is the pick of the bunch for first homeowners, according to Williams Real Estate partner Stephanie Williams.

“It still provides great value for money considering its sought-after coastal surrounds, cafes, shops, restaurants and access to further desirable coastal strips,” she said.

Perennial favourite Norwood was the experts’ choice for those chasing investment success, with Booth & Booth’s Charles Booth suggesting buyers also check out Beulah Park and Dulwich.

“The character homes in these suburbs are highly sought-after, tightly held, and offer good rental opportunities,” he said.

And, perhaps unsurprisingly, Stirling was nominated by almost all experts in one price category or another.

“It’s only 10 to 15 minutes up the freeway to this action-packed suburb,” Ouwens Casserly’s Cynthia Sajkunovic said.

“There’s amazing Hills architecture wherever you look, including a combination of manicured English-style and rambling gardens.

“It’s an incredible place to live all year round.”

Leanne Gilbert and Paul Denver at their 19 Waverley Rd, Stirling home. Stirling has been identified as a hotspot in which to buy this spring. Picture: Emma Brasier

Leanne Gilbert and Paul Denver are selling their Stirling home of 16 years – at 19 Waverley Ridge Rd – through Arabella Hooper, of Harris Real Estate.

Ms Gilbert said she wasn’t surprised to hear the suburb had been picked as a hotspot.

“It’s a fantastic place to live,” she said.

“We get to experience all the seasons living up here and I really like the wildlife – we’ve had kangaroos, birds, koalas, ringtail possums, a deer and even peacocks in our garden.

“All this just seven minutes to the tollgate.”

But for those who could not afford Stirling, Bridgewater was well worth a look, said Harris Real Estate managing director Phil Harris.

“With Stirling prices now unreachable for many, Bridgewater has become the next exploding Adelaide Hills market.”

So where should you buy this spring? Here’s what our experts had to say:

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS

Kate Smith

Harcourts Smith business owner

Stephanie Williams

Williams Real Estate partner

Cynthia Sajkunovic

Ouwens Casserly salesperson

Charles Booth

Booth & Booth director

Phil Harris

Harris managing director

Stuart Zyhajlo, sales and marketing manager for SA builder the Hot Property Group with director and CEO Valentino Fuda in front of their Blakeview townhouses under construction. Picture: Tom Huntley

First homebuyers (under $400,000)

NORTH

Para Hills West: It’s so close to Mawson Lakes and still offering an entry point of three bedroom homes under $400,000 – the area is experiencing upgrading and development. KS

Para Hills: It provides great value with so much future growth potential, easy access to amenities and only 20-25 minutes commute to the CBD. SW

Craigmore: A family home with loads of extras. Only a half-hour drive into the city & close to public transport. Excellent buying. CS

Prospect: Look for a unit/apartment in small groups with private yard or balcony or character home with some land component. Prospect Rd upgrade has made Prospect very appealing. CB

Blakeview: Modern estates with good amenity and still the occasional good buy. PH

SOUTH

Morphett Vale: Only minutes to the beach, it’s got good access via the Southern Expressway to the city and it is still possible to buy a three bedroom home under $400,000. It’s hard to beat for value and lifestyle. KS

Christies Beach: It still provides great value for money considering its sought-after coastal surrounds, cafes, shops, restaurants and access to further desirable coastal strips. SW

Christies Beach: Choose from a new three-bedroom townhouse, to a solid 70s built home on a good size block. Close to the beach, expressway and shopping centres. CS

Torrens Park and surrounds: Look for a unit with good proximity to the city and amenities. CB

Aldinga: With the launch of another Super School, this suburb is sure to continue to grow. PH

EAST

Marden: Units and homettes in Marden provide the first homebuyer great facilities including the O-Bahn, and with easy access to the CBD and Norwood. KS

Tranmere: So close to Norwood and Magill, it still provides an opportunity to secure spacious home-units or townhouses while having many local amenities close by and easy access to the CBD. SW

Magill: Look for a spacious, single-storey, renovated two-bedroom home unit in a small group. Magill’s close to UniSA, popular shopping, cafes and restaurants along Magill Road, and only 6km from the city. CS

Magill: Look for a unit in a smaller group with a private yard. CB

St Morris: Look for a homette. There are still some very good buys in this area for such a strong location. PH

WEST

Henley Beach South: Units offer the ideal entry point for first home buyers into the popular coastal area. It’s right on the door step of all the glamour of Henley Beach but more affordable. KS

Rosewater: It’s still offering great value for money and adjacent to so many booming suburbs like Port Adelaide and close to highly sought-after coastal suburbs such as Semaphore and Largs Bay. SW

Glenelg North: Find a quality, renovated two-bedroom unit. It’s close to Glenelg Beach, the tram to the city and amenities. CS

Mile End and Thebarton: These are city fringe, an easy commute to CBD, and have a good proximity to RAH. CB

Renown Park: Find a courtyard home. You will need to do some searching however the occasional property does come up in this price range, which is great value for the location. PH

The Springlake development at Mount Barker SA. Pictures: Supplied

HILLS/REGIONAL

Mount Barker: It’s still offering an affordable mix of older and newer homes under $400,000. It’s got great amenities and within 30 minutes of the CBD via the freeway or public transport. KS

Nairne: It’s still a good area – due to development in the main street, supermarket, pub renovation and revival. SW

Mt Barker: It’s got a hub of excellent facilities, including the shopping centre, good schools and buses to the city. It’s great buying in a community environment. CS

Mt Barker: You can still purchase homes on reasonable allotments and it has good population growth. CB

Mt Barker: This suburb continues to explode with great facilities continuing to be built in the Mt Barker Township. PH

FAMILIES ($400 TO $1 MILLION)

NORTH

Manningham: Adjacent the exclusive Walkerville and only a small suburb, this area offers traditional allotments and is not over developed like surrounding suburbs. Easy access to the CBD and popular Private schooling options. KS

Nailsworth: A brilliant city fringe suburb comprising of character homes of all sizes and an area that offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle right on the doorstep of Prospect Road. SW

Sefton Park: Look for a character-laden home in a nice street. It’s close to buses on Main North Road, good schools, abundant shopping and only a 15 minute drive to the city. CS

Prospect: With the Prospect Rd upgrade in more recent years, this area has become a very attractive family and investment location. CB

Rostrevor: A fantastic location with a new Super School being built. Eastern suburbs prices are really starting to creep into this suburb. PH

Port Noarlunga’s picturesque Jetty. Picture: Supplied

SOUTH

Port Noarlunga: It’s got beautiful beaches, great schooling, and the McLaren Vale wine region is 10 minutes away. There are lots of other young families to socialise with. KS

Fullarton: This suburb is full of character homes and the tree-lined streets are just beautiful. It’s mostly zoned for popular Glenunga High School, being just around the corner. SW

Daw Park: It’s got a combination of character homes and new builds. The position is perfect, on bus route to Flinders, Marion and the city and moments to Castle Plaza, Foodland Pasadena and Mitcham Shopping Centre. CS

Parkside, Wayville, Goodwood: These suburbs continue to grow in popularity. They’re close to the city fringe, and good amenities on King William Rd and Goodwood Rd. CB

Clarence Gardens: It’s still slightly off the radar and offering some exceptional value considering it borders Clarence Park and Colonel Light Gardens. PH

EAST

Athelstone: It’s a leafy location adjacent Linear Park with well established homes on traditional size blocks. It’s an ideal location to raise a family at an affordable entry price. KS

Rosslyn Park: It’s a suburb that tends to fly under many buyers’ radars. It’s a brilliant foothills setting only minutes to many quality schooling options and popular The Parade at Norwood. SW

Klemzig: Find a quality homes on a good-size block, or get a new build with all the trimmings. It’s close to a load of amenities, including Marden Shopping Centre, River Torrens and Linear Park and just 8km from the city. CS

Wattle Park and Marryatville: In Magill, look for larger homes that are well located. In Marryatville you’re looking for smaller homes in the Marryatville High School catchment zone. CB

Kent Town: It’s the best city fringe suburb in Adelaide. To be able to walk to town and The Parade at Norwood, does it get any better? PH

People enjoying the shade under the Largs Bay jetty. (AAP Image/Brenton Edwards)

WEST

Largs Bay: Slightly more affordable than the popular Semaphore, it’s a stunning family-friendly beach, has beautiful character homes, large allotments and the recently upgraded Jetty Road precinct make this the perfect location to raise a family. KS

Underdale: Perfectly positioned between the city and sea, this suburb has a great blend of conventional homes on large allotments and also lots of new contemporary builds. SW

Richmond: A gem of a location, just 10 minutes to city, five minutes to the airport and 15 minutes to the beach. It’s home to a mix of solid brick ’70s homes on good-sized blocks and quality new builds. CS

Lockleys, Glengowrie and Glenelg East: These all feature character homes and good land sizes. CB

Mile End: It’s one train stop from the city and one of the most sought-after locations in Adelaide. PH

HILLS/REGIONAL

Bridgewater: It offers easy access off of the Freeway, larger family homes on good size blocks and has a lovely community feel and great schools, as well as easy access to popular eastern suburbs private schools. KS

Hahndorf, Echunga, Meadows, Macclesfield: Anything south of freeway, really. The $200m freeway upgrade will really open up that area, which is already easily accessible. SW

Bridgewater: It’s got a great choice of property styles in a pretty Hills setting, large blocks, excellent schools and some great local pubs offering a community feel. CS

Mt Barker: It continues to see good population growth and is an ideal family location with affordable larger homes on larger allotments. CB

Bridgewater: With Stirling prices now unreachable for many Bridgewater has become the next exploding Adelaide Hills market. PH

North Adelaide from the air with Adelaide Oval and the city in the background. Picture: Airborne Photography

LUXURY ($1 MILLION-PLUS)

NORTH

Prospect: It’s adjacent North Adelaide and Medindie and offers a more affordable entry price point, stunning character homes, has impressive avenues and all within 5km of the CBD. KS

North Adelaide: It has always been an iconic suburb, surrounded by beautiful parklands and golf courses with wide tree-lined streets. It features an eclectic mix of architecture styles and prominent iconic character estates. It offers excellent proximity to popular restaurants, the CBD and the fabulous Adelaide Oval. North Adelaide will always be a winner to a wide range of buyers. SW

Prospect: It’s an exciting suburb with so much to enjoy along vibrant Prospect Road. It’s en route to the Barossa, 10 minutes from the city and a short walk over to popular North Adelaide. CS

North Adelaide: It’s seeing some great infill development and offers some fantastic townhouses and apartments in a great location. CB

Prospect: There’s some incredible development occurring along Prospect Rd with cafes bars and restaurants. It’s a wonderful family suburb with beautifully renovated character homes. PH

SOUTH

Goodwood: It rivals Hyde Park and Unley with its renovated character homes, tree-lined streets and access to the cosmopolitan Goodwood and King William Roads and the CBD. KS

Unley Park and Hyde Park: These neighbouring suburbs are ranked every year in Adelaide’s most expensive suburbs. Offering some of South Australia’s finest grand character homes that are set on large parklike grounds, these suburbs offer the ultimate in luxury lifestyle living with wide tree-lined streets and lots of fabulous parks. They’re both close to vibrant Unley Road and King William Road. SW

Kingston Park: It’s home to beautiful new builds, offering a north facing aspect and incredible views from elevated blocks. It’s just a short drive to exclusive coastal schooling, has a fabulous community environment, stunning coastal walking trails and is only a 25 minute train ride to the city. CS

Unley and Millswood: These are both highly sought-after suburbs with great amenities, a wonderful family lifestyle and close to the city. CB

Goodwood: It’s quickly becoming the new Hyde Park and is home to so many beautifully renovated character homes. PH

Alexandra Ave, Rose Park. Picture Dean Martin

EAST

Erindale: It’s got generous traditional allotments and a mix of established and new builds. KS

Rose Park and Toorak Gardens: Both of these suburbs are incredibly popular right now with properties selling very quickly as they offer a range of beautiful character homes on easy-to-maintain 700sqm blocks. These leafy inner city suburbs are within proximity to quality schooling, the popular east parklands, Rundle Street and The Parade at Norwood. SW

Rose Park: It’s home to stunning renovated character homes in wide, tree-lined streets. It’s just steps to Victoria Park for your morning run, a short walk over to The Parade, popular Rose Park Primary School, St Peters and Prince Alfred Colleges, and a short stroll to Dulwich Village. CS

Rose Park and Toorak Gardens: These are exceptional locations on the fringe of the Adelaide Parklands and CBD. CB

Kensington Park: It’s got beautiful family homes on good-sized allotments with prominent schooling and shopping right in the heart of the eastern suburbs. PH

WEST

West Lakes: Home to palatial waterfront homes and a Gold Coast-like lifestyle of lakefront living. The upgraded Westfield Shopping Centre makes this a water-lover’s paradise. KS

Tennyson: It’s very tightly held and offers a rare stretch of stunning uninterrupted beachfront living. Tennyson features a range of architectural homes with amazing ocean views, set right next to the sands of one of our most beautiful and tranquil beaches. SW

Grange: It’s lifestyle plus! It has a combination of property styles, beautiful streets, a community environment, excellent schools, a glorious beach and some great casual eateries. CS

Glenelg North/South, Somerton Park, and Tennyson: These all feature luxury homes in an exceptional coastal location. CB
Lockleys: Neighbouring Henley Beach, the price growth has been strong. There are still some very good value opportunities for substantial homes on large allotments. PH

Stirling’s picturesque main street. Pic: Tricia Watkinson

HILLS/REGIONAL

Stirling: It’s got some of South Australia’s finest heritage homes on well-established private allotments. It’s got a tree-lined high street and is an easy 15-minute commute to the CBD. KS

Balhannah: It has the best balance between hills lifestyle and city convenience with a fabulous sense of community. It offers a diverse mix of home styles and land size with something to suit everyone. SW

Stirling: It’s only 10 to 15 minutes up the freeway to this action-packed suburb. The Stirling Hotel is a winner with live music, great meals, and a place to chill with friends and family. There’s amazing hills architecture wherever you look, including a combination of manicured English-style and rambling gardens. Incredible place to live all year round. Check out the colour of the leaves in autumn! CS

Stirling and Aldgate: It’s home to beautiful homes on large landholdings and still offers good proximity to Adelaide CBD. CB

Stirling: Simply put, it’s the jewel in the crown of Adelaide Hills living. PH

INVESTMENTS (ANY PRICE)

NORTH

Modbury: It’s only 12km to the CBD and going through a redevelopment phase as the older run-down homes make way for new builds. There are still plenty of rentable homes on larger allotments. KS

Salisbury: It has an excellent median weekly rent offering a strong return for investors and is also very popular with first home buyers. There is always plenty of development going on in Salisbury and it is a proven performer. SW

Parafield Gardens: It features large blocks, offers good rental returns while land banking, allowing you to save and subdivide down the track. The train to city makes commuting a breeze, it’s close to good schools, the Salisbury Shopping Centre and vibrant Mawson Lakes village. CS

North Adelaide: Look for one of the infill developments or a character home. They’re always tightly held, offer good rental returns and are in an exceptional location. CB

Valley View: Here you’ll find large allotments, making good long-term holds for future redevelopment. PH

SOUTH

Hallett Cove: It’s still a relatively affordable coastal location adjacent the popular Hove and Marino – it offers a good mix of established homes on traditional size allotments. KS

Colonel Light Gardens: It’s a brilliant suburb adjoining Unley Park comprising wonderful character homes of all shapes and sizes. It offers fabulous tree-lined streets with wide green verges and a cosmopolitan lifestyle right on the doorstep of popular King William and Goodwood Roads. SW

Morphettville: Look for new or near-new courtyard homes. These are affordable and easy to rent out, allowing residents to walk to the tram. The suburb is also close to Glenelg and Marion and only a 15-minute drive from the city. CS

Parkside: It’s home to character homes with a great land component on the city fringe offering good rental opportunities. CB

St Marys: With so much development going on in the area, the suburb is being completely transformed. It’s also close to Flinders University and Medical Centre, making your home ideal for students or medical professionals. PH

The Parade at Norwood. Picture: CBRE

EAST

Norwood: Units in Norwood offer a great investment opportunity. This cosmopolitan location is always in demand with tenants and continues experience good year-on-year capital growth. KS

Norwood: It’s always in very high demand and a popular cosmopolitan suburb with the huge attraction of The Parade and all the popular lifestyle amenities at your doorstep. Norwood simply gets more popular every year. SW

Glenunga: It’s home to beautiful streets, quality properties, well-maintained gardens and located in the popular Glenunga International High School and Linden Park Primary zones which are always popular with families. Shopping at the wonderful Foodland Frewville is also an attraction. CS

Norwood, Beulah Park and Dulwich: The character homes in these suburbs are highly sought after, tightly held, and offer good rental opportunities. CB

St Morris: It’s maybe the last good value buying suburb left in the eastern suburbs. It’s a great location without the full eastern suburbs price tag. PH

WEST

New Port (Fletcher’s Slip): It’s Semaphore’s newest estate. Offering Torrens title townhouse style living within easy reach of the Port, Semaphore and the Port Expressway – buy off the plan now and wait for your investment to be built. KS

Hindmarsh: It’s very close to the CBD and offers a mixture of good-size blocks with a range of character homes and brand new apartments/townhouses. It has recently undergone a big redevelopment and now offers lots of popular new restaurants. SW

West Croydon: It’s only a 10-minute train ride to the city. Embrace the character and culture of this fast-moving suburb which is close to a range of excellent schools, shopping at Welland Plaza and is just 5km from North Adelaide. CS

Mile End, Thebarton, Cowandilla: These all offer a fantastic city fringe lifestyle, with rentals in these suburbs all proving extremely popular. CB

Mile End: Adjoining the CBD parklands, it’s impossible for this suburb not to see substantial upside in the future based on location alone. PH

HILLS/REGIONAL

Oakbank: It offers a lovely country feel, has generous allotments and returns good rental yields due to its low rental stock. KS

Littlehampton: It offers fantastic access to the freeway, has everything you need with great shopping, fabulous wineries, restaurants and good schooling. It’s home to a mixed demographic and offers excellent rentability. SW

Victor Harbor: This tourist hotspot offers excellent holiday rental or long-term options, has a fantastic community feel, beautiful views, stunning beaches and exciting lifestyle opportunities. CS

Mt Barker: It’s a suburb constantly growing in popularity that’s demonstrating good population growth. CB

Port Vincent: The SA coastal regional markets are exploding and Port Vincent offers an incredibly affordable coastal lifestyle. PH

Nick Chapley and son Spero, who run award-winning Foodland Frewville. Let’s face it, that’s why people are moving to Frewville. Picture Roy VanDerVegt

SUBURBS NOT ON RADAR BUT SHOULD BE

Rosewater: It’s set on the edge of the Port and going through a huge amount of renovation and rejuvenation. Rosewater offers impressive character homes and is within an easy reach of the beach and Westfield West Lakes. KS

Hawthorn: There’s great schooling nearby, and the suburb is famed for its large allotments and big character homes. Hawthorn is already experiencing the rise in popularity and growth of their popular neighbours, Unley Park and Malvern. SW

Frewville: It’s a 5 to 10-minute drive to the city, zoned for Glenunga International High School and has Foodland Frewville on your doorstep. It’s also got pretty tree-lined streets, a number of parks/playgrounds and new developments complementing the area. A little gem! CS

Prospect: There has been strong investment in the Prospect Rd precinct recently and continues to be and I believe this will continue to underpin the property market in Prospect over the coming 12 months as it becomes an increasingly popular area. CB

Frewville: Often missed in the eastern suburbs, its location is simply outstanding and it offers incredible shopping and proximity to the CBD. PH