"Here is where I'd live in Aus ..." a Adelaide Travel Page by pchamlis

Adelaide just seems to be a place that "works". That could be the result of meticulous planning. New Yorker Magazine once described this lovelyl capital of South Australia as being "possibly the last well-planned metropolis on earth". Laid out in 1837 by Colonel William Light, Adelaide was designed with broad streets surrounded by a generous green cushion of greenland(s). The result is an inner-city whose main attractions are an easy walk from almost anywhere. And, getting lost requires special skills. ; )

But going back to the New Yorker quote, I'd disagree with calling Adelaide a "metropolis". Although it's clearly a large city, with all the benefits of BEING a large city, it still has a very comfortable feel to it. Unlike somewhere like Sydney, or for that matter New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Miami or any other large city in my homeland, Adelaide doesn't give this country boy the feeling that things are happening too fast.

It may not be that Adelaide has managed growth so much as she's maintained her pace. It's a city where you can both sleep soundly and yet avoid FALLING asleep from boredom.

I've always admired well-maintained city parks and gardens. In our travels, we've become true aficionados of botanic gardens in the cities of the world. I think it says something very special about a city that embraces nature and peace in the perfect art form that is a fine botanic garden.

A place of peace, relaxation, wonder and learning, all within the confines of a major city. The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide say so much about this lovely city. If I lived in Adelaide, I'd spend a lot of time among the greenery and nature.

Although Adelaide has plenty of larger hotels, we chose to stay in one of her small neighborhood "serviced" flats. Florence's Cottage, over on Ely Place, proved the perfect compliment to Adelaide's comfortably liveable pace. From the moment we moved in, both to Florence's AND to Adelaide, I found myself saying things like "head back home" rather than "go back to the room". It's a subtle difference, but it illustrates the welcome we felt immediately upon our arrival in the beautiful city of Adelaide.