City dwellers cram into prestige suburbs

ADELAIDE residents are sacrifice living space and backyards for a beachside lifestyle.

Glenelg jetty

ADELAIDE residents prepared to sacrifice living space and backyards for a beachside lifestyle are cramming into two of the city's premier suburbs.

Glenelg and Glenelg South are the two most populated suburbs in South Australia, followed by Ferryden Park, results from RP Data show.

In the country, Risdon Park in Port Pirie is the most populated suburb or town, followed by Whyalla Sturt and Newtown in Kadina.

RP Data senior research analyst Cameron Kusher said Glenelg and Glenelg South were small in size but large in apartment numbers.

"The significant supply of units increases the population and, subsequently, the density,'' Mr Kusher said.

Housing Trust stock at Ferryden Park also increased its population, he said.

"The public housing would have an impact as they are typically on quite small lots and, as a result, more people are crammed into a smaller area.''

Despite burgeoning apartment projects in the city, the Adelaide CBD did not feature on the list.

Mr Kusher said it would take time and was not due to a lack of confidence in the city.

"It is probably more reflective of the fact that, to date, few inner-city apartment projects have been delivered in the CBD.''

Lesley Bedini and her stepmother moved from Partridge St in Glenelg to a beachfront apartment in Glenelg South about a month ago.

"We just moved around the corner - living up here is wonderful,'' Ms Bedini said.

"There has been big development here with all the apartments and I think people are moving to places that haven't got the big backyard.

"You don't need a backyard when you have the beach.''

Toop & Toop sales partner Grant Wills said the lifestyle at Glenelg and Glenelg South attracted residents and tourists. ``It's a great lifestyle, summer or winter, and you have plenty of cafes and a nice, relaxed environment.''

He said the supply of apartments allowed more people to live at the Bay.

"Certainly, it's become quite affordable to buy or even to rent. You can get absolute beachfront for the very low $300,000s at the moment. I think that's a really great opportunity.''

PACKED IN
Suburb People/km2

METROPOLITAN
1. Glenelg 3619
2. Glenelg South 3375
3. Ferryden Park 3370
4. Parkside 3346
5. Exeter 3289
6. Evandale 3254
7. Everard Park 3200
8. Brompton 3170
9. Kurralta Park 3169
10. Kensington 3128

REGIONAL
1. Risdon Park 1264
2. Whyalla Stuart 1032
3. Newtown 1032