Bowden is a place where the good old days have returned, except there’s high-speed internet, quality coffee and freshly baked sourdough too.

The new neighbourhood is fast becoming a mecca for downsizers and people like Deborah Schofield, who want to live in a friendly, well-resourced community whilst at home, but have all of the benefits of ‘lock-up and leave’ for when they’re not.

Deborah hadn’t lived in Adelaide for more than 30 years when, last September, she moved into Bowden’s newly built Aeris on the Park apartments, overlooking Kevin Taylor Park.

When the time had arrived for her to return to Adelaide, Deborah wasn’t ready to give up everything she had loved about inner-city living in Melbourne, Sydney and the UK.

Bowden, at 2.5 kilometres from the city with its lively café culture and markets at Plant 4, and extensive public transport options, ticked the boxes.

“Bowden is just so accessible,” said Deborah, a sales and marketing executive in education publishing.

“I had friends visit from interstate for WOMAD and the Fringe earlier this year and the place was humming — the weather was excellent and it was just a great place to be.

“Everyone laughs that Adelaide is small, which is true, but it’s also fantastic.

“I’ve reconnected with old friends and another has moved into Bowden. I’ve also made connections through friends of friends who are involved in the community garden.

“Gardening isn’t my thing personally, but it’s nice to know it’s there. The last thing I wanted was to live in a concrete jungle.

“There are a number of apartment buildings in Bowden but they don’t look the same. Each building is different so there’s architectural interest and that was important to me.”

The redevelopment of 16-hectares of Bowden is being delivered by Renewal SA on behalf of the Government of South Australia.

In 2016, the development achieved the Green Building Council of Australia’s highest accolade, a 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating, for its internationally recognised holistic approach to planning, design and construction.

And it’s all of the sought-after lifestyle benefits of a 6 Star Green Star community that has people moving to Bowden, said Renewal SA Bowden Project Director Shane Wingard.

“It’s life as we know it, only better, and with a lighter ecological footprint,” Shane said.

“Bowden has all of the essential services and amenities people expect like shopping, places to eat, and room for community activities in attractive green spaces.

“In the Bowden neighbourhood, these features are innovative, built on principles that include environmental sustainability, resilience to climate change and affordable living.

“The community actively puts people first. Bowden is built to connect people to each other, the natural environment and to all of the fantastic facilities that surround it such as the Adelaide Park Lands, public transport, Adelaide Oval and entertainment venues.

“It’s actually a remarkable place to live, as any of our residents will attest to.

“And outside of an apartment lifestyle, the recently released townhouses, Guild Terraces, are ideal for families, and those people who want a little more space.”

Apartment living suits Deborah to a tea — or better still, a coffee.

She enjoys chatting with Aki, the barista at KOME KOME at Plant 4, when she stops in for a caffeine fix on her way into Adelaide’s East End by tram.

Deborah, having lived in Bowden for less than a year, said she knows most of her neighbours.

“I think it’s a great place for single women. I feel safe and my apartment is secure,” she said.

“I have everything I want in a neighbourhood when I’m home, including living a stone’s throw from town and community vibe, and I don’t have to worry about watering a garden when I’m not.

“I travel regularly, so the lock-up-and-leave life suits me perfectly.”

For more information, visit the Bowden Information and Sales Centre, 4 Third Street (across from Plant 4), Bowden. It’s open 7 days, 10am to 4pm. Or call 1800 BOWDEN (1800 269 336).

As published in SALife July 2019 Edition