An old suburb with a community vibe and a small shopping street with retro shops
Croydon, Adelaide (0-5km)
Croydon is a slice of Melbourne in Adelaide. There are two great things about this suburb: the retro style Queen St/Elizabeth St shops, and the architecture. This is a suburb that has historically been working class, with some public housing. In recent years though arty, alternative, professional types have been moving in, renovating old homes, building on the community vibe, and learning the beauty of living in a neighbourhood where people are genuinely friendly. (More info below and to your left <<<)
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Rent $$$:
house rents are in the lower to mid range
Queen St Cafe - 12 Elizabeth St. Ph: (08) 8340 0708
Location:
Inner city
limestone Victorian cottages
Would Suit:
Families
Parking is usually good
Vibe:
retro community
If this suburb were a shoe, it would be Birkenstocks and Hush Puppies
There are some pockets of Croydon that have a bit of a rough reputation with several generations of unemployed, but for the most part, the areas near Port Rd are quite good, and very appealing.
Some of the locals have banded together to form a community garden swap market every Saturday at Canarvon Reserve in the summer. So, if you live in the area and have a few tomatoes or other things to spare, join in the swap and meet some more locals.
The houses in Croydon vary from small Victorian era cottages to larger Victorian era cottages. It's not unusual to see well kept rose gardens in Croydon or neighbouring and equally appealing West Croydon.
There are plenty of old timers who live here and have done so for decades. Migrants from southern Europe also gravitated to this area and are still around. There is one downside to this suburb from a family point of view - the lack of a good local public school. The only good local school was closed down several years ago because of the ageing population. But with young families moving in, that has obviously proved to be a wrong decision.
One of the best cafes in Adelaide is here, the Queen Street Cafe. It has been through several re-incarnations and each time it has offered good food in a colourful and earthy setting. Weekend breakfasts here are tops.
Parking: is usually good. Vibe: retro community. Shoe equivalent: Campers and Hush Puppies. Would suit: families, arty alternative types, old timers who've been through a lot. Location: inner city. Distance from city centre: 5km. Direction: west. Postcode: 5008
