Buying In Finglas

Bhoywunder · 05-04-2011 1:20am #1

Hi,

Having rented in the south side for a while I am looking at buying somewhere on the north side of the city, perhaps not at this minute, but within the next year.

Not being from Dublin, or Ireland, I dont have too much of a handle on what certain areas are like. I've heard bad things about Finglas, and I've also heard people rubbish these claims...

Basically, I've seen a couple of nice places in and around the north road/finglas road area (one being the premier square complex).

I've not been for a drive at the weekend or anything yet to see these shooting/drug deals/kidnappings in person.... so can I get a bit of advice on what the place is like, particularly the premier square area.

Cheers in advance.

psycho-hope · 05-04-2011 1:34am

Bhoywunder wrote: »

Hi,

Having rented in the south side for a while I am looking at buying somewhere on the north side of the city, perhaps not at this minute, but within the next year.

Not being from Dublin, or Ireland, I dont have too much of a handle on what certain areas are like. I've heard bad things about Finglas, and I've also heard people rubbish these claims...

Basically, I've seen a couple of nice places in and around the north road/finglas road area (one being the premier square complex).

I've not been for a drive at the weekend or anything yet to see these shooting/drug deals/kidnappings in person.... so can I get a bit of advice on what the place is like, particularly the premier square area.

Cheers in advance.

Looking at premier square from the road alot of the apartments seem to be empty, my bf lives in finglas village so would be passing them about twice a month on the bus, tbh if it was me i wouldnt be bothered living in the aera, ok around tesco and finglas west can be a bit dodgy but the rest to me seems ok, having said that any time im out there is with himself i wouldnt feel 100% comfortable walking to tesco or that in the dark on my own
hope that helps

gurramok · 05-04-2011 8:22am

Premier square ain't that bad, across the road is Prospect hill and i would not live there considering I had lived a good few years in Finglas. North road is like Finglas East, i'd live there rather than the West/South. Basically Finglas like any major suburb is quite big, good parts and bad parts, and of course its the bad parts that always get the bad press.

chicken fingers · 05-04-2011 9:16am

Pros:
Many groups of what appear to be boisterous local athletes in most estates and many corners.
Lots of public socialising, rumbunctious young people socialising with cans of dutchie in public areas.
Hallowe'en is especially nice, with cars (presumably donated) to bonfires and many harmless fizzle rockets and "fun snaps" will be humorously thrown at animals and old people.
Close to many local dealers of all types of class As.
Supplies (heroin, cans, etc) are generally a little cheaper there than in the city centre.
Its a great place to live and the local youth criminal element will only give you trouble if you're not from there.

Cons:
I cant see any cons. Best of luck. Maybe wait 2 years for property prices to slide further and the local gangland war to quiet down.

Zamboni · 05-04-2011 9:17am

Bhoywunder wrote: »

Hi,

Having rented in the south side for a while I am looking at buying somewhere on the north side of the city, perhaps not at this minute, but within the next year.

Finglas is a good location (apart from dodgy suburbs in the west and south) close to city, airport transport etc.
If you are single, work in the city and looking at apartments on the N2 it may be perfect for you but if you are looking to raise a family, I'd look elsewhere.

RachaelVO · 05-04-2011 9:28am

ChickenFingers is bang on. It's a suburb, and like all suburbs it has it's good points and bad points. Some areas are great, and others at times are not so great.

It would be the same no matter suburb you were to buy in!

Drummerboy2 · 05-04-2011 9:38am

Coming from town, areas to the left of the N2 are dodge, to the right if generally fine. Finglas East is generally a very settled area with a mixture of young families and older couples. Tesco, Lidl, Superquinn and Aldi on your doorstep.

Slunk · 05-04-2011 9:44am

Id try further up near Charlestown. Be nicer and safer than down near premier square or prospect. Have the new shopping centre, pub, food and well serviced by 140 bus to the city.

John Mason · 05-04-2011 10:14am

chicken fingers wrote: »

Pros:

1. Many groups of what appear to be boisterous local athletes in most estates and many corners.
Lots of public socialising, rumbunctious young people socialising with cans of dutchie in public areas.
2. Hallowe'en is especially nice, with cars (presumably donated) to bonfires and many harmless fizzle rockets and "fun snaps" will be humorously thrown at animals and old people.
3. Close to many local dealers of all types of class As.
Supplies (heroin, cans, etc) are generally a little cheaper there than in the city centre.
4. Its a great place to live and the local youth criminal element will only give you trouble if you're not from there.

Cons:
I cant see any cons. Best of luck. Maybe wait 2 years for property prices to slide further and the local gangland war to quiet down.

1. Never seen these "rumbunctious young people socialising with cans of dutchie in public areas" you talk off

2. Less fireworks and bangers/trouble then any other area i have been in over Halloweem

3. I have never met these "local dealers of all types of class As" - can you introduce me ?.

4. not from Finglas but i have never had any trouble the local youth criminal element

OP, Finglas is clearly not without its problems and yes some areas are worse then otherst but 90% of the area is fine.

Premier Square, seems okay to me - at this stage i think at least 10 people i work with live there (work on Merrion Square) and they have never had any trouble.

It is well serviced by Buses and Taxis

Bhoywunder · 05-04-2011 1:37pm

Thanks for the feedback.

Pretty much the response that i get from others when I mentioned Finglas, some saying its terrible and others saying it's grand!

I'll have a look at some of the 'better' areas in and aroud the place and see what I can find (finglas east for instance), i'm in no massive rush, and want to make sure I make the right decision.

A few trips out there at the weekend should give me an idea of what the place is really like. Have no intention at this point of bringing a family up, so for a young guy i'd say i'd get buy no problem in the area.

Zamboni · 05-04-2011 2:06pm

Bhoywunder wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback.

Pretty much the response that i get from others when I mentioned Finglas, some saying its terrible and others saying it's grand!

I'll have a look at some of the 'better' areas in and aroud the place and see what I can find (finglas east for instance), i'm in no massive rush, and want to make sure I make the right decision.

A few trips out there at the weekend should give me an idea of what the place is really like. Have no intention at this point of bringing a family up, so for a young guy i'd say i'd get buy no problem in the area.

Don't bother buying then.
You're young.
Stay mobile and rent.

the_syco · 05-04-2011 5:04pm

Bhoywunder wrote: »

Having rented in the south side for a while I am looking at buying somewhere on the north side of the city, perhaps not at this minute, but within the next year.

I'd advise you to rent where you intend on buying first, as the south and north areas can be different. Keep in mind: some of the places are cheap for a reason.

BTW, why did you pick Finglas? Know people there, like the facilities there, or is it just the cheap house prices?

Bhoywunder · 05-04-2011 9:20pm

the_syco wrote: »

I'd advise you to rent where you intend on buying first, as the south and north areas can be different. Keep in mind: some of the places are cheap for a reason.

BTW, why did you pick Finglas? Know people there, like the facilities there, or is it just the cheap house prices?

Impressed with the amenities, close enough to town for me, houses reasonably priced. Fan of the northside of the city.

Yea, I was considering renting in the area when my lease is up in a few months at my current place. May well be the best option... keep an eye on the area, and house prices generally.

Mr. Loverman · 05-04-2011 9:23pm

I agree with the comments about renting there before you buy. Nothing tells you more about an area than living there yourself for a few months!

Finglas has a bad reputation, but so does Tallaght. I rent in Tallaght and really it's grand. Yeah there are scumbags everywhere but they don't bother you if you keep to yourself.

Saying all that, I would not buy in either Finglas or Tallaght. I do not want to own a property where I have to "keep to myself" to avoid trouble.

And of course, wait at least 18 months before buying.

Bhoywunder · 05-04-2011 9:29pm

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I agree with the comments about renting there before you buy. Nothing tells you more about an area than living there yourself for a few months!

Finglas has a bad reputation, but so does Tallaght. I rent in Tallaght and really it's grand. Yeah there are scumbags everywhere but they don't bother you if you keep to yourself.

Saying all that, I would not buy in either Finglas or Tallaght. I do not want to own a property where I have to "keep to myself" to avoid trouble.

And of course, wait at least 18 months before buying.

This time next year (in and around then anyway) was when I was looking at making a move, wouldn't be doing anything until at least then.

Plenty of time to scout out potential buys and enough time to see how the market is reacting (to an extent) in regards to what's currently going on.

Treehouse72 · 05-04-2011 11:31pm

Well, I'm very sorry to break up the happy-clappy consensus, but the fact of the matter is that Finglas is one of the roughest, most run-down, crime-ridden and socially deprived areas in the whole city. Ask any Dubliner to list Dublin's townlands and suburbs in terms of quality of life and desirableness to live in, and Finglas will appear near the bottom of most people's lists.

No doubt someone will want to have a go at me for saying that, but I don't care. It is beyond question that most of what I say there is objectively true. Sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings, but being dishonest about it seems utterly pointless.

OP, I would make 3 points:

1. Do not dream of buying any house in Ireland for the next 2 years at least. The Irish Central Bank thinks prices in that period will fall by between 26% and 33%.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0317/1224292404434.html

If 33% of the purchase price of any potential property you might buy is more* than what you would pay in rent instead, then it is a bad purchase decision.

2. Of all areas in Dublin, Finglas in particular has a large overhang of unoccupied properties. This is a further depression on prices in that particular area on top of generalised drops as described above.

3. I think you could stick a pin anywhere on a map of Dublin and come up with a better area to buy in than Finglas.

bigjohnny80 · 05-04-2011 11:45pm

Op, finglas is a mixed bag. Village, no but the east and south are fine. Premier Sq is on the N2 just outside the village and is well kept, privately owned - 3/4 mins walk from Glasnevin Cemetary. Probably the best apts to live in - also tolka vale apts good.

Zamboni · 06-04-2011 10:11am

Treehouse72 wrote: »

Well, I'm very sorry to break up the happy-clappy consensus, but the fact of the matter is that Finglas is one of the roughest, most run-down, crime-ridden and socially deprived areas in the whole city.

Finglas South and West are exactly as you described.
But it would be inaccurate to say the same of Finglas Village and Finglas East.

Treehouse72 wrote: »

1. Do not dream of buying any house in Ireland for the next 2 years at least. The Irish Central Bank thinks prices in that period will fall by between 26% and 33%.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0317/1224292404434.html

If 33% of the purchase price of any potential property you might buy is more* than what you would pay in rent instead, then it is a bad purchase decision.

A huge +1.

Iago · 06-04-2011 10:20am

Treehouse72 wrote: »

Well, I'm very sorry to break up the happy-clappy consensus, but the fact of the matter is that Finglas is one of the roughest, most run-down, crime-ridden and socially deprived areas in the whole city. Ask any Dubliner to list Dublin's townlands and suburbs in terms of quality of life and desirableness to live in, and Finglas will appear near the bottom of most people's lists.

Nonsense

Treehouse72 wrote: »

No doubt someone will want to have a go at me for saying that, but I don't care. It is beyond question that most of what I say there is objectively true. Sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings, but being dishonest about it seems utterly pointless.

Nonsense

OP, I would make 3 points:

Treehouse72 wrote: »

1. Do not dream of buying any house in Ireland for the next 2 years at least. The Irish Central Bank thinks prices in that period will fall by between 26% and 33%.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0317/1224292404434.html

If 33% of the purchase price of any potential property you might buy is more* than what you would pay in rent instead, then it is a bad purchase decision.

Sense

Treehouse72 wrote: »

2. Of all areas in Dublin, Finglas in particular has a large overhang of unoccupied properties. This is a further depression on prices in that particular area on top of generalised drops as described above.

Semi-sensible

Treehouse72 wrote: »

3. I think you could stick a pin anywhere on a map of Dublin and come up with a better area to buy in than Finglas.

Nonsense

I've lived in Finglas for just over 4 years now and I've never had a single problem or issue. In comparison I had far more issues when I was living in Dun Laoghaire. The neighbours are decent, the location is quiet enough, the amenities are close by and I can get to work or to family fairly quickly whenever I want.

There are areas of Finglas that are worse than others, and areas that have earned a reputation similar to the one espoused in the quoted post above but that doesn't represent the entirety of Finglas by any means.

However the poster is right when he states that now is still the wrong time to buy and that better opportunities will present themselves over the next few years. I wouldn't rush into buying but if you wanted to rent in the meantime you could do worse than aiming around the Charlestown/Jamestown/St. Maragarets Road area.

Treehouse72 · 06-04-2011 10:38am

Iago, you described the following as "nonsense":

Ask any Dubliner to list Dublin's townlands and suburbs in terms of quality of life and desirableness to live in, and Finglas will appear near the bottom of most people's lists.

By all means tell us these Dubliners would be mistaken, or that they are ignorant of the facts, but you cannot hand-on-heart tell us that if such a survey were to be conducted that it would not turn out as I suggest above.

Mr. Loverman · 06-04-2011 10:43am

Treehouse72 wrote: »

Iago, you described the following as "nonsense":

By all means tell us these Dubliners would be mistaken, or that they are ignorant of the facts, but you cannot hand-on-heart tell us that if such a survey were to be conducted that it would not turn out as I suggest above.

I agree, Finglas would probably be at the bottom of my "where to live" list.

I would not live there. (And as I have stated, I live in Tallaght).

Iago · 06-04-2011 10:54am

Treehouse72 wrote: »

Iago, you described the following as "nonsense":

By all means tell us these Dubliners would be mistaken, or that they are ignorant of the facts, but you cannot hand-on-heart tell us that if such a survey were to be conducted that it would not turn out as I suggest above.

Actually that's probably a fair point. It is a factor of ignorance and mistaken beliefs rather than anything else.

I think if you polled a set of random Dubliners for a list of places where they don't want to live Finglas would in all likelihood appear on that list. I don't know how close to the bottom it would be, that would be a factor of the background of people interviewed I guess, but I accept that it would appear on the list. I also accept that despite living in Finglas, there are areas within the Finglas borough that I wouldn't want to live in.

However Finglas is a very wide area and the disparity between the sub-sections is significant as is the behaviour of the residents and the general livability of the area. I also think there has been a general degrading of Dublin as a whole when it comes to anti-social behaviour and that the difference between some of the more traditional "aspire to live" places and the "pray you don't live there" places has shrunk dramatically over the last 10-15 years. That's a whole different thread and forum though.

spockety · 06-04-2011 12:47pm

Iago wrote: »

However the poster is right when he states that now is still the wrong time to buy and that better opportunities will present themselves over the next few years. I wouldn't rush into buying but if you wanted to rent in the meantime you could do worse than aiming around the Charlestown/Jamestown/St. Maragarets Road area.

Sorry, but I would tend to agree with Treehouse72. I lived in the area you mention there, and it has more than it's share of problems. Remember, a guy had his hand hacked off with a sword in the Deputy Mayor pub beside Charlestown?

Some of our experiences up that part of the world were utterly rotten and heartbreaking, and I know that it has only gotten worse over the last couple of years. We were very relieved to get out.

If I had any advice it would be:

1) Post up links to specific houses/apartments here so people can give you feedback on a very specific area.

2) Do not buy anywhere in Finglas without first having rented in that area for at least a year.

Iago · 06-04-2011 1:44pm

spockety wrote: »

Sorry, but I would tend to agree with Treehouse72. I lived in the area you mention there, and it has more than it's share of problems. Remember, a guy had his hand hacked off with a sword in the Deputy Mayor pub beside Charlestown?

Some of our experiences up that part of the world were utterly rotten and heartbreaking, and I know that it has only gotten worse over the last couple of years. We were very relieved to get out.

If I had any advice it would be:

1) Post up links to specific houses/apartments here so people can give you feedback on a very specific area.

2) Do not buy anywhere in Finglas without first having rented in that area for at least a year.

So that's one example of a problem.

What would you define as "more than it's fair share" what is the average number of anti-social incidents in any area over the course of a year and how many were in that area?

That's not a dig at you btw, but more a comment that we all allow selection bias to cloud our judgement about these things. I mean I could say "don't forget that a young lad was kicked to death oustide the Burlington so I wouldn't live in the Ballsbridge area" but that wouldn't really paint the full picture.

I've lived in that area for over 4 years now and I haven't had a single issue or reason for complaint. I'm from the south side originally so it's not a case of defending my patch, just my personal experience to date.

John Mason · 06-04-2011 2:05pm

+1 Iago

i have lived there for 7 years. I am not from Dublin.

I have never had any problems and feel very safe there.

I have no intentions of ever moving.

It is only 6 miles to the city Centre
15 mins from the airport,
Right on the M50
15 mins to Blanch Shopping Centre
10 mins Phoenix Park etc.
gym with a swimming pool;
ice rink
A Cinema is being constructed at the moment
5 minutes from my house you can fish for trout and go horseriding.

To completely write off the area is nonesense.

Yes, there are bad areas, but i can only think of 2 off the top of head.

spockety · 06-04-2011 2:09pm

It wasn't my hand that was chopped off so it's not a first hand account, I'll grant you.

There is a lot of anti-social behaviour in the newer developments around Charlestown/Jamestown etc, more than a fair share of car break ins, drug dealing, lack of respect for neighbours etc. That is personal experience.

Go check out www.neighbours.ie forums for the various areas over there and see what the locals are still saying.

RATM · 06-04-2011 4:52pm

spockety wrote: »

It wasn't my hand that was chopped off so it's not a first hand account, I'll grant you.

There is a lot of anti-social behaviour in the newer developments around Charlestown/Jamestown etc, more than a fair share of car break ins, drug dealing, lack of respect for neighbours etc. That is personal experience.

Go check out www.neighbours.ie forums for the various areas over there and see what the locals are still saying.

Agree with this whole heartedly. I've lived very near to Charlestown Shopping Centre for nearly two years now. The first 14 months were incident free. Since then I've had my motorbike stolen successfully twice and another attempt was made on it just two weeks ago but was disturbed by one of my neighbours.

I'm at my wits end on this. The fact of the matter is that if I want to continue on biking I can't live in Finglas, period. So I'll be moving this summer unfortunately- the scumbags have won :mad:

Mr. Loverman · 06-04-2011 5:02pm

Search RTE.ie for Finglas:

http://www.rte.ie/search.html?query=finglas

...

DonkyDonk · 06-04-2011 5:18pm

OP, have you considered other areas nearby? for instance, Rathbourne Village is just down the road, has the same amenities and is well served by both train & bus or Glasnevin village has a lovely "cozy" feel to it and the beautiful botanic gardens. Just wondering why you picked Finglas in particular.

Just to throw in my €0.02, a friend of mine lives in Premier Square and has been there for almost 2 years now. I would recommend it as a place to live. The apartments are quite spacious and well set-up. Some of them have very generous balconies -perfect for the summertime! The garage is a bit of a maze but that's the same with most underground parking :rolleyes:

In terms of the residents, there doesn't seem to be any pattern of anti-social behavior that I've heard of. The (very) occasional bit of trouble but that's all. If you want, I can ask for more details.

But in the meantime, I'd have to agree with most people here and recommend that you try before you buy. It just makes sense.

Falconhoof · 07-04-2011 8:58pm

You can ask the question of any "bad" area in Dublin and the responses will be the same. You will always get a handful of people that defend the area to death.
If you believe that their are good and bad areas then Finglas is bad area. One of the worst. You might get on alright living there, depends on your tolerance for that sort of thing.

magneticimpulse · 07-04-2011 9:52pm

Finglas East is grand. The house's are older and built of solid material, not like the paper thin shoe boxes which went up around the Docklands/newer developments. The gardens are huge as well. Perfect for summer BBQ's and a sip of Pimm's. Not sure if I would recommend buying there, but it is a fine place to rent. Ballygall Road East to West is fine. However it could be good to buy as if you decided to leave the area....you could easily rent out to students who attend DCU which is just down the road and you will always have a market for students if you ever decide to rent out the house. Its really handy getting in and out of town. Less then 10 minutes. Taxi is cheap on a night out getting home. Airport is close, Phoenix park etc. I often cycle to the Phoenix Park on a summers evening, or go for a jog there. People are actually sound...nobody is up themselves or stuck up. You get some Genuine people living there. People which never got caught up in the Celtic Tiger. Ive been to the Finglas Gym/Swimming pool a few times and you actually dont meet Irish people there.

Most likely its other nationalities, so an opportunity to expand knowledge of other European cultures etc. They move there because they dont know the reputation Finglas has and they are attracted to the cheaper rent. My mam works with a playschool and none of the mothers are Irish, they are American, Indian, Russian, Danish, Eastern European. They all married Irish men and moved to Finglas, not complaining because to them its Dublin, Ireland and they have no idea what Irish people think of Finglas. She loves it, as every week she meets a new mother from outside of Ireland and there is always lots to talk about. They are all really friendly and open because they are in a new country.

Thou in saying that, I have heard the standard in the local schools has decreased, because the non English speaking students are bringing down the English speaking ones. Again another reason why I would not like to buy there, because you really want your children to be successful in education right? I think it was ok for my generation to get by. But we struggled in school when we all had English as a 1st language with the level of teaching. I would worry about the schools, should you ever decide to have children. The schools have never been updated since my Grandfathers time. There was alot of bullying in my generation and I figure it is most likely worse now with foreign kids/different race etc. It is the type of area, where if you are not a kid equipped to deal with bullys, you will have it bad. I know that could be said about any place, but Finglas bully's are prob more scary then other bullys in other schools around Dublin. In saying that, as a good it builds a good character to overcome people like that. Its just do you take that risk with children and hope for the best?

Nearby hospital is also not great. Should you ever need to go to the Matter A&E, its really poorly serviced. I have to agree hospitals and schools are better on the Southside of Dublin. Also it is not disability friendly, the village itself...for instance going to the library is not suitable for elderly or children due to all the steps.

Sure the area has been neglected far too long in terms of the village and is really ugly, especially if you have visitors from other countries coming and they imagine Ireland as a green beautiful country. Its quite an eye sore. It was overlooked because of Charlestown, and IKEA nearby. Other then that its fine. Its also been neglected because its so close to the city centre and has had poor representation by politicians.

As for drugs, crime etc, never had any of experience there. Family live and come from there, lived there all my life. Never been robbed etc. All my friends from school went on to do Masters/PhD's in University (Harvard and Cambridge...even Tallaght friends did same) and have high flying jobs in Dublin 4, Diplomats, Lawyers, Doctors, NASA etc. My Finglas friends are really driven of all the people I ever met in life. They make the most of life and have been really successful. Still get people asking us where we are from...we say Finglas. They reply: but you dont have a Finglas accent. You dont look like your from Finglas, you look respectable!!! Really is that so? I pretty much dont get on with other Dublin people, because they reply with such snobby remarks, despite the fact ive lived in California, Cornwall, Cambridge and Bordeaux the past 10 years making a successful career.

People would actually want to "know" what they are talking about. Majority of people here just quote what they have heard on the News. They have not actually lived in the area.

Sure theres many area's which would be better to live in Dublin, or which have a nicer reputation. However the people could be rude, you could just as easily be mugged. What about the likes of Lesson st...or these "wealthy" people taking cocaine? (of course anybody can take cocaine). You could just as easily live in "upper" Dublin and know more drug users taking Cocaine (whatever drug)...as oppose to people in Finglas who want to make the most of life. So talking about drugs being confined to Finglas is rubbish. You are just as likely to find drug use all over Dublin.

I mean if you were going to mug someone, would you do it in a wealthy or poor area? Surely there is more robbings in wealthy area's? You would be a very stupid robber if you stole from an average person/house in Finglas? It would make more sense to rip off a wealthy house in D4. If you were going to be doing business in drug dealing etc, im sure your going to have a head on your shoulders and be fairly wealthy person as a result, making alot of money, living in a swanky house which is in "upper class" Dublin. Oh the irony.

Buying In Finglas

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