And how exactly, Hasbeen, are you suggesting to close the place down? Are you proposing to lead all the people of SA in chains into exile?

There are plenty of cities in the world where life revolves around economy, productivity, competition, entertainment and media. Adelaide is different, which is why it attracts so many overseas migrants who seek its unique peacefulness. Most Adelaide residents are content with what they have and having a rich inner life they simply are not looking for more outside.

Of course there is also economic activity and business in Adelaide, but that's the exception, not the rule, just sufficient for providing South Australians with a decent yet modest living. Adelaide is not for the busy-busy lifestyle, so if you are after it, Malcolm, then perhaps you made the right choice when moving to Melbourne and you should probably better stay there.

Now Cheryl, I am glad to read that there is no development in Adelaide's CBD - why should you want any? If you are after middle/executive-level jobs then you should look elsewhere. What's more respectable than looking after one's ageing parents? seems far more respectable to me than shuffling paper in a high-rise office.

Yuyutsu that's fine, provided you fund your laid back life style yourselves.

While you want the other states to subsidise your life style, it's not OK.

Give up your demand for subsidies for the car industry you still have, & the defense force contracts, & eastern states water, which is all that keeps you afloat, & no one will mind how you chose to live, just you have no right to expect a slack life paid for by others. Greece anyone.

Just by using our rainfall where it falls would close the place down, unless a lot more SA money was spent on supplying your needs, from your own resources.

Dear Hasbeen,

"While you want the other states to subsidise your life style, it's not OK."

- I could not agree more, except that I never wanted such subsidies.

"Give up your demand for subsidies for the car industry you still have, & the defense force contracts, & eastern states water"

- Please don't hold me responsible for the policies of the stupid South Australian government! You know that from a logical point-of-view it is quite impossible to give up demanding something that I was never demanding in the first place!

BTW, regarding car subsidies, if South-Australia was independent (my favourite option!) and didn't need to use the Australian dollar as currency, then its car industry would do much better. As for the defense-force contracts, that's a commercial/business deal: South-Australians actually work hard and produce weapons that Australia needs in return for the funds - what's wrong with that?

Regarding water, well of course I would like to see South-Australia independent, which it could be long ago if not spoiled by the Murray or burdened with environmental ideology. Overall long-term rainfall is adequate, but currently mostly wasted. In fact, Adelaide already has its desalination plant, and dams are quite sufficient in most years, but yes, some more has to be done.

Oh dear Hasbeen that the mouth of the river is in South Australia is but a passing folly. What part of NSW do you come from? I'll guess the part the part that still sells Bex. I think you should take one and have a lie down.

Can't imagine what heavily subsidise industry you made your career in but now that you've retired you've taken up hate, and your good at it so well done.

Cheryl so you got knocked back too then?

I'm living in Adelaide again after 20 years overseas. It's quaint and has a great lifestyle for me and the family. Perhaps it should be converted to a large retirement village.

This article has deep resonance for me. Moving to Adelaide was a huge mistake. It's possible the 'fault' was mine - as in, I should have realised that a 'city' which boasts of a restaurant called the Bengal Bicycle Club (booked out for months in advance) is not going to offer a great welcome to an inter-racial couple. Certainly the professional establishment closed its doors in our face. And career advancement was totally blocked for both of us. When my marriage broke down, however, was when the knives came out, especially for me. Competence, imagination, workaholic disposition, entrepreneurial bent - nothing saved me! So - how to improve the place. For you, me, everyone. The climate is wonderful, and the kookaburras, koalas and kangaroos are pretty good. How about anyone who fancies doing something positive tries to get in touch, with a view to setting up a suburban/hills think-tank dedicated to getting things moving up, instead of down - at least for everyone who teams up in the group. If this idea interests you, begin by checking with www.photo-art.com.au