By Ian Williams
South Australians are a friendly bunch, we love the lifestyle, open spaces and beaches and above all else, we feel safe. Oh, and the weather is great.
At least that’s the opinion of those who count, the people who live here.
NAB Group Economics has surveyed more than 1,000 people to discover what they like best about Australia and their own state or territory.
This is the second annual survey conducted by NAB and the vast majority – 99 per cent of those interviewed – all agree that Australia is a great place to live.
The key reason people like living in South Australia is the feeling of safety and security. While this is considered important across Australia, 43 per cent of respondents in our state placed it first.
Next came general lifestyle and friendliness (33 per cent), access to open spaces, parks and beaches (26 per cent) and climate (24 per cent).
NAB retail state general manager Gregg Harris said South Australia was well regarded internationally as one of the world’s most liveable places.
“Both residents and travellers love gracious, relaxed Adelaide as a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the east-coast,” he said.
“It’s no surprise that one in four South Australians highly value the state’s open spaces, beaches and parks. Our coastlines are some of the most enviable of anywhere in the world.”
It’s also clear South Australians are passionate about their sport. In this category we share the lead nationally with Victoria, with 14 per cent of people saying it contributes to making our state a great place.
“Melbourne is often considered the sporting capital of the country, however South Australia certainly holds its own in that respect,” Gregg said.
The redeveloped Adelaide Oval – a world-class sporting venue next to the CBD – is considered one of the key reasons why SA ranks higher than most other states.
South Australia’s other major drawcards are quality healthcare (22 per cent), clean environment and unique natural wonders (19 per cent), strong and relatively stable economy (15 per cent) and quality education (13 per cent).
Entertainment options came in at just 4 per cent, which Gregg found surprising.
“There’s no better time to be in Adelaide than Mad March. The state comes alive with the Fringe, Adelaide Festival, Writers Week, WOMAdelaide and the Adelaide Cup,” he said.
“Food and wine is also what makes South Australia great. The state boasts some of the world’s freshest, highest-quality produce, with local chefs showcasing it through a plethora of restaurants and bars.”
National Australia Bank is a Brand South Australia member.