Top 15 Best Suburbs In Adelaide For Students

Are you moving to Adelaide to study and worried about where you should live?  Whether you're a student seeking the perfect balance of academics and lifestyle or a professional looking for a peaceful retreat, Adelaide offers the best. In this blog, we will reveal the 15 best suburbs in Adelaide, each with its unique charm of city life, landmarks, and character. 

15 Best Suburbs in Adelaide

Adelaide's top suburbs aren't just places to live - they are lively communities, each with its own unbeatable environment. We will be decoding the crime statistics and safety of Adelaide suburbs like North Adelaide, Adelaide CBD and more. From the beachside bliss of Semaphore to the suburban elegance of Crafers, let's find out the best suburbs in Adelaide to stay in with us.

1. North Adelaide

Average Rent: ~AUD $390/week
Population: 6,823
Safety Index: 5/10
Best For: Students and young professionals who want city living, cafés, and heritage charm.
Nearby Universities: Aquinas College & Kathleen Lumley College Inc.
Student Accommodation: Y Suites on Waymouth

North Adelaide is one of the best suburbs in Adelaide, offering a fantastic hilltop view, diverse culture, hundreds of dining options, and endless opportunities to dance. This popular suburb in Australia attracts people from its Victorian-style homes to the River Torrens. Students who are fond of nature, outdoor adventures and want to live near Adelaide CBD should go for North Adelaide! Do not worry about the challenges of finding accommodation in Australia, as we have got you covered throughout this blog on the best places to live in Adelaide. 

2. Henley Beach

Average Rent: ~AUD $620/week
Population: 5,689
Safety Index: 8/10
Best For: Beach lovers and families seeking a safe, coastal lifestyle with modern amenities.
Nearby Universities: University of South Australia & Flinders University
Student Accommodation: Scape Adelaide Central 

Just a short drive away from the city centre, Henley Beach is a nice suburb in Adelaide known for its wide variety of green spaces as well as beachside living. Well, you might be surprised to hear this, but many people consider Adelaide's top suburb an amazing place for short stays. Henley Beach can easily be every student's favourite for the best place to live in Adelaide as it has everything to eat, shop, and explore!

3. Aldgate 

Average Rent: ~AUD $570/week
Population: 3,350
Safety Index: 9/10
Best For: Nature enthusiasts wanting peaceful Adelaide Hills living with a strong community atmosphere
Nearby Universities: The University of Adelaide
Student Accommodation: Dwell East End Adelaide

Aldgate proves itself as the best suburb in Adelaide when it comes to offering a lively community-led village lifestyle. All you can expect it to be is aesthetically pleasing and leafy, with a moderate temperature throughout the year. Students will surely love the type of cafes and bars and the size of houses they offer. If you want to explore the best bars in Adelaide and do not know where to start, then you can read our blog on the 10 best bars in Adelaide. If you are looking for something like this, then surely move to Aldgate, one of the best suburbs to stay in Adelaide.

4. Kensington

Average Rent: ~AUD $540/week
Population: 1,900
Safety Index: 8/10
Best For: Students and professionals after elegant housing near parks and cafes.
Nearby Universities: University of South Australia & Bible College of South Australia
Student Accommodation: Scape Waymouth

Kensington is a small but one of the best suburbs in Adelaide, with a small population but a lot to offer. The connectivity of Kensington to various places in Adelaide will be surprising to you; all credit goes to its easy bus services. You will mostly see professionals living here, since it is a peaceful and very quiet suburb. It is one of the best neighbourhoods in Adelaide, as it will provide you with a relaxing place after getting back home from all the chaos! 

5. Prospect 

Average Rent: ~AUD $500/week
Population: 14,000
Safety Index: 7/10
Best For: Young families and creatives seeking urban chaos and multicultural city-edge living.
Nearby Universities: Eynesbury College & Stanley College
Student Accommodation: Leabrook 5068 

Prospect can be a fun and good suburb in Adelaide to live in if you agree with the phrase “the more, the merrier. Do not focus much on the population, though, but more on the quality of life. It is 5 km away from the city centre. The most amazing thing about this best suburb in Adelaide is that you will find a good number of cafes and restaurants on the street here. People in these best places to live in Adelaide here have parties around the tree-lined streets. Better be prepared for a good time here!

6. Glenelg

Average Rent: ~AUD $550/week
Population: 3,440
Safety Index: 7/10
Best For: Students wanting beach access, nightlife, and transport convenience
Nearby Universities: The University of Adelaide College
Student Accommodation: The Switch Adelaide Central

Glenelg is a laid-back but one of the best suburbs in Adelaide. It is all about a charming seaside atmosphere, a good food scene, spectacular sunsets, and an active outdoor lifestyle. You never have to worry about convenient access to transportation when living in one of Adelaide's top suburbs, since the trams here provide excellent connectivity. If you are still in a dilemma, then let us tell you this suburb has a socio-economic score of 10.  

7. Semaphore

Average Rent: ~AUD $530/week
Population: 2,900
Safety Index: 8/10
Best For: Coastal living, vintage charm, and weekend markets near the beach.
Nearby Universities: Torrens University Australia
Student Accommodation: Y Suites City Gardens

Where perfect beachside vibe meets vintage charm, Semaphore is the 20-minute vacation from Adelaide centre you never knew you needed. Explore the sparkling waters and stroll along Semaphore Road's boutique-lined promenade. It's the perfect and nice suburb in Adelaide for students seeking a relaxed lifestyle with picturesque views. From cosy cottages with character to low-maintenance modern homes, these best places to live in Adelaide offer a coastal retreat with a quirky twist.

8. Bowden

Average Rent: ~AUD $480/week
Population: 2,000
Safety Index: 7/10
Best For: Students and young professionals looking for modern apartments and an urban lifestyle.
Nearby Universities: Adelaide Law School
Student Accommodation: Yugo Adelaide City

Adelaide's top suburb, Bowden, is a perfect spot for young professionals with its artsy vibe. It offers many modern living options, including chic apartments and stylish homes, attracting those students who want to live in groups and enjoy the community spirit. Weekly night markets and the central Plant 4 Bowden provide an amazing atmosphere. The commute to the Adelaide CBD is effortless, whic from these best places to live in Adelaide which makes it one of the best suburbs to stay in Adelaide. 

9. North Brighton

Average Rent: ~AUD $600/week
Population: 2,900
Safety Index: 8/10
Best For: Families wanting beachside peace with excellent schools and amenities.
Nearby Universities: Marden Senior College
Student Accommodation: Capital Student Stays

Twenty-five minutes away from the Adelaide centre, North Brighton is a coastal haven. This popular suburb in Adelaide is home to the prestigious Brighton Secondary School and lush parklands. Affordable homes on generous blocks have easy access to friendly local shops, and the beach here is famous for refreshing summer dips. Discover the seaside serenity and top-notch education that make North Brighton the best suburb in Adelaide near the city centre.

10. Black Forest 

Average Rent: ~AUD $480/week
Population: 1,900
Safety Index: 7/10
Best For: Commuters seeking affordability close to the Adelaide CBD and transport links.
Nearby Universities: Tabor College
Student Accommodation: UniLodge Metro Adelaide

Black Forest enchants students with its quaint charm, tree-lined streets, and welcoming community. Despite its petite size, this popular suburb in Adelaide beckons families and young couples with small Tudor-style homes as well as Victorian-style bungalows. Black Forest is a one of the best places to live in Adelaide surrounded by top-notch schools with easy tram access. These top Adelaide suburbs offer diverse living experiences. If you're considering a move to Australia for study or work, check out our blog on 10 things you need to know before studying in Australia for essential insights. 

11. Crafers

Average Rent: ~AUD $560/week
Population: 1,900
Safety Index: 9/10
Best For: Families and retirees looking for a quiet Adelaide Hills lifestyle surrounded by greenery.
Nearby Universities: Australian Catholic University
Student Accommodation: Campbelltown 5074

Where million-dollar charm meets top-tier living, Crafers comes 11th on our list of the best suburbs in Adelaide. With a socio-economic score of 10, Crafers is Adelaide's top suburb, known for its community. This suburb is your gateway to picturesque landscapes, with Mount Lofty and Adelaide Hills as neighbours. Discover the perfect place with a pinch of prestige, warmth, and proximity to nature.

12. Highbury

Average Rent: ~AUD $510/week
Population: 7,300
Safety Index: 8/10
Best For: Families who love parks, space, and suburban calm with good schools nearby.
Nearby Universities: CQUniversity
Student Accommodation: Mile End 5031

Highbury stands tall in the list of good suburbs in Adelaide and is a unique one on its own. Dominated by detached houses at a solid 97%, this suburb is one of the best suburbs in Adelaide for students or professionals. With a robust socio-economic rank of nine with low crime rates, Highbury strikes the perfect ideal balance between community charm and suburban allure. Explore this tucked-away gem where you can not just party but also do yoga while feeling the breeze on your face.

13. Norwood

Average Rent: ~AUD $590/week
Population: 6,000
Safety Index: 8/10
Best For: Students and professionals after trendy cafés, boutiques, and a walkable lifestyle.
Nearby Universities: University of Adelaide
Student Accommodation: Hilton 5033

Norwood is one of the good suburbs in Adelaide, as it is tucked close to the heart of Adelaide. Norwood is amongst the best places to live in Adelaide, where city sophistication meets suburban charm and street art. You can get into happy dining as well as shopping time here and become part of a welcoming, student-friendly community. Norwood is among Adelaide's best suburbs; it's a lifestyle where city convenience seamlessly mixes with the warmth of a close-knit neighbourhood. 

14. Burnside

Average Rent: ~AUD $650/week
Population: 2,800
Safety Index: 9/10
Best For: Upscale families seeking prestige, greenery, and excellent schools.
Nearby Universities: University of South Australia
Student Accommodation: Yugo Adelaide City

Burnside, located east of the city centre, is one of the great places to live in Adelaide well-known for its upmarket housing and shopping. It has several parks and recreational spaces, which are ideal for students who value a peaceful and high-quality living environment with excellent access to public transportation. This also has outstanding schools and a thriving, tight-knit community, making it Adelaide's best suburb for long-term academic achievement.

15. Unley

Average Rent: ~AUD $620/week
Population: 4,700
Safety Index: 8/10
Best For: Professionals and small families enjoying leafy streets and city proximity.
Nearby Universities: University of Adelaide
Student Accommodation: Scape Adelaide University

Unley is a lively suburb known for its lively shopping district along Unley Road, featuring a range of boutiques, cafes, and gourmet shops. This makes it one of the best suburbs in Adelaide. It offers a dynamic urban atmosphere with the comforts of suburban life, ideal for students who enjoy a bustling neighbourhood vibe. With low crime statistics, it is one of the safest suburbs in Adelaide.

Looking for Student Accommodation in Top Adelaide Suburbs?

If you’re planning to study in South Australia’s vibrant capital in the safest suburbs, finding the right place to stay is key, and amber makes it easy! From modern studios in the city centre to shared flats near top universities, amber offers a wide range of high-quality yet cheap student accommodation in Adelaide. Every property is fully furnished, verified, and located close to beautiful beaches, public transport, cafés, and shopping hubs. Whether you’re after convenience or community, explore the best student accommodation in Adelaide in the safest suburbs with amber and make your study life truly stress-free.

From coastal beach vibes in Henley Beach and Glenelg to the leafy calm of Burnside and Aldgate, the Adelaide suburbs offer something for everyone. Whether you crave a family-friendly foreshore, peaceful hills retreat, or inner-city buzz, the best places to live in Adelaide's mix of vibrant community, lifestyle, safest suburbs, and affordability makes it one of Australia’s most liveable cities. No matter your vibe, there’s an Adelaide suburb waiting to feel like home.

‍