ADELAIDE
Adelaide is South Australia’s capital city and is also in the list of one of the most liveable cities in the world. The city is in-between beautiful beaches and astonishing hills, people here and warm and welcoming to international students and education is world-class just like in all major cities of Australia.
STUDENT LIVING
Unlike other major cities, Adelaide does not receive a very high inflow of migrants and international students. As a result, the Australian Government has put in place a number of benefits international students can receive, when choosing to live, study and work in Adelaide.
There are six prestigious and innovative universities in South Australia and all of them are ranked in the top 150 in the world. What’s more, this state currently has a high demand for foreign workers to fill in jobs in a number of different fields. Fresh graduates have the opportunity to quickly find employment in their chosen area, which is also an advantage if your end goal is to make Australia your new home, as there are more chances to receive sponsored or skilled visa, which are a pathway to Permanent Residency.
WEATHER
During summer, the climate is dry and rain is scarce with temperatures range from around 17 to 29°C. Adelaide has the lowest humidity of all Australian cities.
In autumn temperatures drop a bit, ranging from 12 to 23 °C. During these months the weather is very enjoyable as there is a balance between not too hot and not too cold.
In winter the temperature gets considerably lower, dropping to as low as 8 °C. Adelaide is also the driest of all Australian capitals, however during these months a bit of rain is now unusual.
During spring the temperature rises again ranging from 12 to 22 °C. Yet some nights during this month can be quite cold and windy, especially at the beginning of the season.
COST OF LIVING
Along with Perth and the Gold Coast, Adelaide is also one of the most affordable cities to live in. Basic living expenses such as rent and transport are considerably lower here than in Sydney or Melbourne.
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Accommodation
Even though the price of rental units and houses have been increasing over the last couple of years in Adelaide, the price of rentals in the city are still below the national average. The average renter pays about $375 a week, whereas the national average sits at over $450.
If you are sharing a place with fellow international students you can expect to pay anywhere between $120 to $200 depending on space and location. Just like in any other city in Australia, the closer you live to the CBD the more expensive it will be and sharing a room it’s still common amongst international students that want to reduce their living expenses even more.
The city also has companies offering accommodation exclusively for international students such as Urbanest and Unilodge with prices starting at around $160 per week.
Homestays are also common alternatives, which tend to be more expensive as they come with bills and sometimes food included. Prices range from $200 to $250.
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Transport
The city has an extensive bus, train and tram network servicing the whole metropolitan area. There are free buses and trams to move around within the city. The average ride costs around $3.70 with a Metro card (transport card) and $5.50 for a single ticket in peak hours. Fares are cheaper during off-peak hours.
International students are eligible to apply for concession fares, which are up to 50% cheaper than regular fares.
Overseas students wanting to reduce their living expenses, even more, can make use of the Adelaide Free Bikes program. The city has dedicated bike lanes and plenty of free bike parking, as hiring the bikes is also free, this can reduce your transportation cost to pretty much ZERO DOLLARS!
For more information on public transport fares, maps and timetables, visit Adelaide Metro.
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Entertainment
There are many activities for international students to do in Adelaide. Students get deals on food, drinks, cinemas and much more. About $100 per week will be enough money to eat out once or twice a week at a good restaurant, go for a drink and then go for a game of putt-putt.
The average meal at a restaurant is around $15. A drink at a bar can cost anywhere between $5 to $9 and a cinema ticket will cost you about $7 to $10.
Being this a wine growing region, its common to have wine tastings in the hills and many travel agencies will have a special discount for students as well. Not only that, while being in South Australia make sure you visit Kangaroo Island, just make sure you book with a travel agent that has tailored prices for overseas students.
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN:
One of the advantages of being an international student in Australia is that your student visa automatically gives you permission to work up to 40 hours every two weeks during the academic year or full time during the holidays. That means that you can enjoy all the city has to offer and earn some money while you study.
Snorkelling and diving? Hiking? Surfing? Music Festivals? Formula One? Australian Tennis Open? Asia trip?
Australia also hosts a number of World Heritage sites, such as Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory. You’ll enjoy the lifestyle as a student, which means you’ll have plenty of time to explore your new home.
LOTS OF ACTIVITIES TO DO:
The lifestyle and quality of living in Australia are amongst the best in the world. Some of the reasons are the low crime rate, work-life balance, career opportunities and low unemployment rate. Aussies are friendly and love to stop for a chat with strangers or to lend a helping hand to those in need.
QUALITY OF LIFE
