Beaches on a budget: SA’s most affordable beachside suburbs revealed

Looking to buy an affordable home by the beach? Find out where the best bargains are in our list of the top 10 cheapest beachside suburbs.

Fulfilling a dream to own a beachside home on a budget doesn’t seem very distant with South Australia offering a ‘sea’ of options.

According to latest data released by realestate.com.au, the state’s coastal suburbs are brimming with beachside bargains.

The top 10 cheapest beachside suburbs, all of which have a median price below $510,000, are spread out across the Adelaide metropolitan coastline.

PropTrack’s director of economic research, Cameron Kusher, said coastal suburbs had become particularly popular during COVID-19.

“Post the pandemic, people want proximity to outdoor areas. The ability to work remotely is also driving them to look at coastal suburbs, many of which remain affordable,” Mr Kusher said.

Lina Smith moved into her new Aldinga Beach home this month. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Holding the leader position for the most affordable beachside suburb for a house, second year in a row, is O’Sullivan Beach. The southern beachside suburb recorded a median price of $380,000.

It is trailed closely by Taperoo ($400,000), Christies Beach ($421,795), Aldinga Beach ($450,000) and Osborne ($450,000).

Those looking for affordable units in a beachside suburb, should head to Henley Beach South ($285,000), followed by West Beach ($308,000), Semaphore ($344,000), Aldinga Beach ($358,000) and North Glenelg ($360,000).

Proving that it offers beachside properties to suit all budgets is Henley Beach South. At a median price of $1,270,000, it is also SA’s most expensive beachside suburb.

Elsewhere in the state, Solomontown ($128,750), Port Augusta ($160,000) and Port Wakefield ($165,000) were the cheapest regional seaside towns for houses, while Port Lincoln ($275,000), Encounter Bay ($360,000), and Normanville ($385,000), were the most affordable for units.

For more than two decades, Mike and Lina Smith have been spending their family holidays in Aldinga Beach. And, it was always in a rented space. Earlier this month, the two moved into their own home.

“We have lived in the city but always wanted to settle near the beach,” Mr Smith said.

“When it came to location and affordable prices, Aldinga Beach ticked all the boxes. This is our forever home now,” he said.

Post the pandemic, buyers are seeking proximity to the coastline. Picture: iStock

Jemma Turner from Magain Real Estate, who specialises in Adelaide’s southern areas and grew up in Aldinga and Sellicks Beach, said that the “large coastal suburb” offers an array of property types for all kinds of buyer.

“From Esplanade properties for owners to live or holiday in, lifestyle and acreage properties to smaller, courtyard sizes homes and units being purchased by first-home buyers, couples and downsizers – there’s something for everyone one here,” Ms Turner said.

“The new Aldinga Payinthi College is also appealing to some families looking to live in the area,” she said.

The realesate.com.au data also revealed beachside suburbs that may not be as sought-after but offer cheap beachside properties. Among them are Osborne ($450,000) and Maslin Beach ($500,000).

Liz Miles from Harcourts Smith – Semaphore said that Osborne has seen rising interest among home buyers in the last year.

“Osborne is an affordable beachside suburb that home-hunters are beginning to explore now. People who can’t afford large beachside homes in Semaphore are now choosing Osborne,” Ms Miles said.

“They are two areas of Osborne – one on the beachside on Victoria Road, and the other on the river side. It’s a gold mine of properties these days.

“Proximity to beach and availability of bigger blocks goes in Osborne’s favour,” she said.