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Battle of the Commuter Towns

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  • 10-04-2018 4:19pm
    #1
    D'Agger
    Registered Users Posts: 13,385 ✭✭✭✭


    Figure using the term 'battle' would mislead some rebels in here to give some opinions on commuter towns.

    I'm living in the city with years and looking to rent for a year in a commuter town like Carrigtwohill or Middleton before potentially looking to buy there.

    Just wondering if anybody has any pro's or cons about those areas as I wouldn't be familiar with them personally but rent is a bit cheaper than the city, Ballincollig/Glanmire.

    I'd imagine they're all fine once there's a decent shop nearby and the train can get me into town. But just looking for some experiences people may have had, any particular places you'd recommend looking at or steering well clear of?


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    #2
    namloc1980
    Registered Users Posts: 18,103 ✭✭✭✭namloc1980


    Live in Carrigtwohill. Grand place, very vibrant community in fairness if you're interested in getting involved in stuff like that. Has an Aldi and a big Centra which is due to expand. Significant residential developments expected in the next few years and BAM(!) currently have an application in for a couple of hundred houses there. Train station is not centrally located and a bit awkward to get at if walking but has a large free car park for commuting. Reasonable bus service too. With the N25 closeby the transport links are best in Cork commuter towns I think. Close to Fota, Cobh etc for things to do at the weekend. If you've kids plenty of schools and 3 new schools are to be built in the coming years to replace older facilities. It has a bad reputation as a republican hotbed but that really was back in the day during the civil war when there were a few skirmishes in and around Carrigtwohill. Never had any issues and happy for the kids to grow up there.


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    #3
    j8wk2feszrnpao
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,438 ✭✭✭j8wk2feszrnpao


    Middleton has more options, but Carrigtwohill has plenty of positives as outlined above; plus you are between the city and Middleton.

    Also, that new development will be relatively close to the train stop. And they may divert the bus down that way given the numbers that be located there (between current and new development).


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    #4
    TheQuietBeatle
    Registered Users Posts: 614 ✭✭✭TheQuietBeatle


    Carrigtwohill did seem to have a bad rep in the past as previous poster said but it really is a lovely spot. It's smaller than Middleton but has all you need - Aldi, Centra, a Chinese restaurant & takeaway, lovely Indian place (Jimmy is the man), Frank's is a good chipper if you prefer that type of food. There are a few pubs also. The train/bus is handy.

    The village and surrounding areas are a perfect size for walking. Areas around the village are/will be capable of 1GB FTTH connections also.


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    #5
    namloc1980
    Registered Users Posts: 18,103 ✭✭✭✭namloc1980


    TheQuietBeatle wrote: »
    Carrigtwohill did seem to have a bad rep in the past as previous poster said but it really is a lovely spot. It's smaller than Middleton but has all you need - Aldi, Centra, a Chinese restaurant & takeaway, lovely Indian place (Jimmy is the man), Frank's is a good chipper if you prefer that type of food. There are a few pubs also. The train/bus is handy.

    The village and surrounding areas are a perfect size for walking. Areas around the village are/will be capable of 1GB FTTH connections also.

    Throw in a potential IKEA and what more would you want! :pac:


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    #6
    wandatowell
    Registered Users Posts: 8,435 ✭✭✭wandatowell


    I'm living in Midleton and property prices here are crazy. Carrig is a viable alternative.


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    #7
    questionmark?
    Registered Users Posts: 3,070 ✭✭✭questionmark?


    Midleton has more services and generally more to do than carrigtowhill Loads of restaurants, pubs, cafes, all the big supermarkets are here bar Dunnes, thriving farmers market on Saturday mornings, train station, good bus service and the N25, cinema, even a small casino of that's your thing etc... Good walks nearby and truth be told you don't need to go into the city to do stuff. I'm a newbie here and people have been very welcoming.


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    #8
    deRanged
    Registered Users Posts: 3,744 ✭✭✭deRanged


    I'm in Midleton too, and find it great. I'm from Glounthaune originally and would always have said Carrig was a bit rough, but these days it's a thriving village with plenty of life. Midleton is just bigger and naturally has more on offer. You wouldn't go wrong with either.
    Prices seem much higher in Midleton, that may change in the next couple of years, there are large developments in progress and in the pipeline in both towns.


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    #9
    TheQuietBeatle
    Registered Users Posts: 614 ✭✭✭TheQuietBeatle


    questionmark? wrote: »
    Midleton has more services and generally more to do than carrigtowhill Loads of restaurants, pubs, cafes, all the big supermarkets are here bar Dunnes, thriving farmers market on Saturday mornings, train station, good bus service and the N25, cinema, even a small casino of that's your thing etc... Good walks nearby and truth be told you don't need to go into the city to do stuff. I'm a newbie here and people have been very welcoming.

    I forgot that Carrigtwohill has the outdoor cinema.

    Both places are grand to live in.


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    #10
    whisky_galore
    Registered Users Posts: 15,850 ✭✭✭✭whisky_galore


    Carrigtwohill was known for barstoolers who thought the civil war wasn't over, not so much now. Not the prettiest town but you can't have everything.


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    #11
    D'Agger
    Registered Users Posts: 13,385 ✭✭✭✭D'Agger


    Cheers for the responses folks

    I'd lean towards Middleton myself, Carrigtwohill is (marginally) closer to the city and work so if prices are cheaper there I'd have to factor that in obviously.

    That said I'm not sure about moving on property so in the next year. Without turning this into a conversation on the Cork property market - it seems there's not a huge supply at the moment with prices up high and I'm not sure if those developments will change current prices. Odds are those new houses will command decent fees because the demand is there, keeping current 2nd hand properties at their current (high) prices.

    Finding myself full of indecision regarding whether to start making moves to buy or not but I do like the idea of moving and renting for a year to see if I like the area, which, from your feedback, sounds like I will.


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    #12
    GavRedKing
    Registered Users Posts: 53,262 ✭✭✭✭GavRedKing


    D'Agger wrote: »
    Cheers for the responses folks

    I'd lean towards Middleton myself, Carrigtwohill is (marginally) closer to the city and work so if prices are cheaper there I'd have to factor that in obviously.

    That said I'm not sure about moving on property so in the next year. Without turning this into a conversation on the Cork property market - it seems there's not a huge supply at the moment with prices up high and I'm not sure if those developments will change current prices. Odds are those new houses will command decent fees because the demand is there, keeping current 2nd hand properties at their current (high) prices.

    Finding myself full of indecision regarding whether to start making moves to buy or not but I do like the idea of moving and renting for a year to see if I like the area, which, from your feedback, sounds like I will.

    I'm in the same boat as yourself, looking to buy in the next 12 months or so and watching places like Midelton or Carrigtwohill as viable and not to far out places to live and commute to the city.

    Slightly off topic but a mate if mine end up putting down a deposit on a new build out in Kerry Pike and was waiting in his car for over 24 hours a few weeks ago, he said it was very civilised but I've heard and seen stories of it getting ugly, so those mad times of queuing for houses on building sites seem to be back, I'd prefer a new enough 2nd half build over that alternative if I'm honest.


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    #13
    j8wk2feszrnpao
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,438 ✭✭✭j8wk2feszrnpao


    GavRedKing wrote: »
    so those mad times of queuing for houses on building sites seem to be back
    It's def back; https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2018/0410/953527-queue-houses-dublin/


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    #14
    Mushy
    Registered Users Posts: 21,166 ✭✭✭✭Mushy


    The one thing Carrig needs is a good pub that does good food. Not a full whack restaurant necessarily, but somewhere that a family can go to within the village. Really like living there, seems to be a good buzz about the place


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    #15
    j8wk2feszrnpao
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,438 ✭✭✭j8wk2feszrnpao


    Mushy wrote: »
    The one thing Carrig needs is a good pub that does good food. Not a full whack restaurant necessarily, but somewhere that a family can go to within the village. Really like living there, seems to be a good buzz about the place
    The Elm Tree (bit of a walk for some maybe) has that market currently. Something central may do quite well though.


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    #16
    D'Agger
    Registered Users Posts: 13,385 ✭✭✭✭D'Agger


    GavRedKing wrote: »
    I'm in the same boat as yourself, looking to buy in the next 12 months or so and watching places like Midelton or Carrigtwohill as viable and not to far out places to live and commute to the city.

    Slightly off topic but a mate if mine end up putting down a deposit on a new build out in Kerry Pike and was waiting in his car for over 24 hours a few weeks ago, he said it was very civilised but I've heard and seen stories of it getting ugly, so those mad times of queuing for houses on building sites seem to be back, I'd prefer a new enough 2nd half build over that alternative if I'm honest.
    That's crazy, I'd lose my mind in a car for that long!

    I get your point, Carrig has some nicely built houses too that aren't exactly old. In comparison to what's being sold in or around the city it's good value. Price of apartments even now has gone a bit crazy and I don't mean in the heart of the city, moreso apartments in Ballincollig, Tivoli etc. going for quite large sums.


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    #17
    Mushy
    Registered Users Posts: 21,166 ✭✭✭✭Mushy


    munstermagic11 wrote: »
    Mushy wrote: »
    The one thing Carrig needs is a good pub that does good food. Not a full whack restaurant necessarily, but somewhere that a family can go to within the village. Really like living there, seems to be a good buzz about the place
    The Elm Tree (bit of a walk for some maybe) has that market currently. Something central may do quite well though.

    That's it, Id be hard pushed to walk if going for a meal (and i live the right end of the village for it). Had heard rumour that the owners had got the Castle bar in the village though, thatd be perfect


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    #18
    GavRedKing
    Registered Users Posts: 53,262 ✭✭✭✭GavRedKing


    D'Agger wrote: »
    That's crazy, I'd lose my mind in a car for that long!

    I get your point, Carrig has some nicely built houses too that aren't exactly old. In comparison to what's being sold in or around the city it's good value. Price of apartments even now has gone a bit crazy and I don't mean in the heart of the city, moreso apartments in Ballincollig, Tivoli etc. going for quite large sums.

    He only found out about it as a mate of his has a house in the first phase of the development. The viewing was open on Saturday at midday. He said it was pretty amicable though, he was 4th in a que for 7 houses and everyone that were there before him were going for a different house type than him so he got his choice of house in the end.

    The only thing thats worrying me at the moment is that in 9-12 months time, house prices are going to increase. We're not far off a decent % of a deposit ourselves now but we were going to hold tough until the end of the year and see whats available.

    We're both from suburbs very close to the city so staying within 20min commute would be optimal considering we both work close to the city, Carrigtwohill or Midelton would be ideal in that regard and when the time comes, we'll probably end up in either, hopefully.


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    #19
    Ron Burgundy II
    Registered Users Posts: 920 ✭✭✭Ron Burgundy II


    The value in Carrigtwohill seem good, a 3 bed semi-d in Cul Ard which is close to the train station and town centre has an asking price of around €220k.

    I see that there is a new estate under construction on Station Road between Cluain Cairn and the town, not sure of the name but it's backed by the Rebuilding Ireland scheme. We should hopefully see some good value housing coming online in the next few months.


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    #20
    D'Agger
    Registered Users Posts: 13,385 ✭✭✭✭D'Agger


    Ron Burgundy II wrote: »
    The value in Carrigtwohill seem good, a 3 bed semi-d in Cul Ard which is close to the train station and town centre has an asking price of around €220k.

    I see that there is a new estate under construction on Station Road between Cluain Cairn and the town, not sure of the name but it's backed by the Rebuilding Ireland scheme. We should hopefully see some good value housing coming online in the next few months.
    Thing is those places that are up for 220k are going for closer to the 250k mark


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    #21
    cork_south
    Registered Users Posts: 707 ✭✭✭cork_south


    I've went to see a few houses in Carrig over the last year and they all went for well over the asking. EAs generally lower the asking price to drum up competition.
    The boom is back!


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    #22
    D'Agger
    Registered Users Posts: 13,385 ✭✭✭✭D'Agger


    Yeah they've been at that tactic for at least two years now - apartments in Jacobs Island up for 180k - went to a viewing there a while back and it was like feeding time at the zoo - could overhear people making cash offers out of worry due to the crowds there. I suppose they're going to make hay while the sun shines though, the only thing that will stop that kind of price driving is tighter regulation but I'm moving into talking out my arse territory now because I know very little about the regulations surrounding property in Ireland.


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    #23
    deRanged
    Registered Users Posts: 3,744 ✭✭✭deRanged


    There's a new section being built in my estate in Midleton and phase one is sold out before it's completed. Ironically it's finishing the bit that was unfinished after the last property crash.


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    #24
    sozbox
    Registered Users Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭sozbox


    deRanged wrote: »
    There's a new section being built in my estate in Midleton and phase one is sold out before it's completed. Ironically it's finishing the bit that was unfinished after the last property crash.

    Wow that’s crazy! We’re back to buying off plans so.

    What kind of prices are they fetching?

    For the OP, you need to write down a list of what you want or will need. A train link is great but if you’ll never realistically use it then it shouldn’t count towards your decision.

    If you head out in the city every weekend then think of things like taxi prices.

    If you plan on kids then look into schools and planned schools.

    Which town will suit you will all depend on what your needs are.


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    #25
    deRanged
    Registered Users Posts: 3,744 ✭✭✭deRanged


    sozbox wrote: »
    Wow that’s crazy! We’re back to buying off plans so.

    What kind of prices are they fetching?

    307-485 asking prices. to be fair, they had built one or two, so you were buying off plans and a representative sample :)


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    #26
    sozbox
    Registered Users Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭sozbox


    deRanged wrote: »
    307-485 asking prices. to be fair, they had built one or two, so you were buying off plans and a representative sample :)

    That’s quite the price for Midleton. They look nice though


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    #27
    namloc1980
    Registered Users Posts: 18,103 ✭✭✭✭namloc1980


    BAM got planning approved last week for the development of 277 units in Castlelake, Carrigtwohill.


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    #28
    j8wk2feszrnpao
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,438 ✭✭✭j8wk2feszrnpao


    namloc1980 wrote: »
    BAM got planning approved last week for the development of 277 units in Castlelake, Carrigtwohill.

    Do you know if there is any plans for the large apartment building that is currently fenced up? There was a rumour that it's been sold to a UK investment group.


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    #29
    namloc1980
    Registered Users Posts: 18,103 ✭✭✭✭namloc1980


    munstermagic11 wrote: »
    Do you know if there is any plans for the large apartment building that is currently fenced up? There was a rumour that it's been sold to a UK investment group.

    It was MMD Construction who built it. NAMA took it over and apparently appointed a receiver who has sold it on to an investment group. No idea what, if any, plans are for it. It's an awful eyesore.


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    #30
    j8wk2feszrnpao
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,438 ✭✭✭j8wk2feszrnpao


    namloc1980 wrote: »
    It was MMD Construction who built it. NAMA took it over and apparently appointed a receiver who has sold it on to an investment group. No idea what, if any, plans are for it. It's an awful eyesore.
    Yeah, it really is. Pity NAMA didn't just ask for it to be knocked.
    Might have potential for development as apartments, esp if the IKEA site went ahead.
    The new development will be a great location with the train station (new school going there I think as well) and hopefully the bus will be directed down there (with increased frequency).


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    #31
    namloc1980
    Registered Users Posts: 18,103 ✭✭✭✭namloc1980


    munstermagic11 wrote: »
    Yeah, it really is. Pity NAMA didn't just ask for it to be knocked.
    Might have potential for development as apartments, esp if the IKEA site went ahead.
    The new development will be a great location with the train station (new school going there I think as well) and hopefully the bus will be directed down there (with increased frequency).

    Direct access to the train and the plan is for 3 new schools on a campus there as well (two primary schools and secondary school).


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