[Wanted] Place close to city centre

positron

I am looking for a shared accommodation closer to City Centre. (Booterstown at the mo., but its too much hassle and new office has no parking).

Are there any areas that should be avoided in the City Centre, safety wise? Smithfield is pretty comfy for me, but don't know if its safe enough!

Any comments, highly appreciated.

Cheers,

Pos.

PS: Also, I am thinking about buying one, so your input helps me make major, probably life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime decisions too!

positron

*bump*

irlirishkev

Stay away from East Wall. It's really close to town, but in the three months I was there, I had eggs thrown at me by little nackar kids, and my car was driven into by joyriders while i lay in my bed.. It's also really dull and depressing.

I know people who live in Smithfield, and they like it. I've walked there and back on my own from town, and was fine. I was propositioned by hookers, but not threatened or mugged.

Pearse street area can be a bit dodgy, but to be honest, no matter where you are in most places in Dublin, you're never more than a couple of minutes away from a dodgy area. Just have to try to keep your wits about you.

Kevin.

Victor

Thread title changed

Originally posted by irlirishkev
I was propositioned by hookers, but not threatened or mugged.

First they proposition you, you take out your money, you are then mugged by junkie scumbag (her boyfriend / pimp / etc.). You are screwed, but not in the way you want.

Anyway Smithfield itself isn't known for prostitution, although some nearby areas are.

positron

Thanks a million for the comments. I had no idea East Wall could be that bad. I had a look at some place around Parnell Sq., I wouldn’t go there even if someone pays me for staying at their place!!

Smithfield looks good, but rent (one double room is all I am looking for) is always around 600 euros, a bit over my budget. Any comments on Christchurch area?

Thanks again!


PS: Thanks Victor, for fixing the thread title.

irlirishkev

Christchurch area is quite popular. It's a straight road down to Dame st. Then again, you're not too far from Inchicore, and there are some 'delightful' places out that way..

Parnell Square isn't as bad as it once was, and that whole area is getting revamped. Just take a look at the top of O'Connell St.

You should be able to get a half decent room for less than 600euro. I assume you've been looking in daft.ie?

Kevin.

martarg

Excuse me for jumping in...

Christchurch area is quite popular. It's a straight road down to Dame st. Then again, you're not too far from Inchicore, and there are some 'delightful' places out that way..

There was a thread not long ago which completely put me off Christchurch. I have disregarded every single ad I have got from daft.ie ever since... should I start looking for apartments in that area then? Or was "delightful" sarcastic? :dunno:

irlirishkev

The 'delightful' was definitely sarcastic.
My sister was living in a flat in inchicore once. I went out to visit her, and I actually felt concerned for my own wellbeing on the way out. If you want to see grotty, turn left when you're driving down towards inchicore. High rise flats, burnt out cars, smoking bins the lot..
Then stop off in the local boozer for a quick pint and a stab. Maybe even a gunshot wound if you're lucky...

K.

martarg

OK, point taken Sounds like an exciting place to live in...

The fact is I am still undecided whether to look for an expensive place in town, or an equally expensive place away from town... perhaps the ride back from Maynooth at night won't be fun if I have yet to take a bus after stepping down from the DART... what about the area around Mountjoy Square? Sorry about the third degree, I don't know the different areas, I am not even in Dublin right now, and I cannot trust landlords about safety. I am a little lost at the moment... :dunno:

irlirishkev

Gardiner Street, Mountjoy Square area is very popular for renting. It's not too expensive, and it's soo close to town. I've actually just bought a place around the corner from Mountjoy Square.

There's been discussions on Boards before about where's safe in Dublin. Obviously some places are worse than others, but generally it's just about keeping your wits about you, and being wary of your surroundings.
I used to regularly walk up North Strand Road to Fairview at 3am, past all the flats and dodgy chippers, and was fine. My mate on the other hand was walking along the south quays into town and was mugged... Bad luck.

Some friends of mine have been living in a great flat on Gardiner Place for the last couple of years and they love it.

If I had the choice of renting in Dublin or slightly outside it for the same price, I'd rent within the city centre..

Kevin.

Victor

Questions: where are you / will you be working / studying? Where do you have family / friends? Where do you socialise?

martarg

Gardiner Street, Mountjoy Square area is very popular for renting. It's not too expensive, and it's soo close to town.

It's decided then! Thanks a lot. I think I will definitely stick to that area... I know that safety is also a matter of luck, and one does not go to certain places at certain times, but when you are looking for a place to actually stay ....

Questions: where are you / will you be working / studying? Where do you have family / friends? Where do you socialise?

Are those for me? Well, short story of my life, I am in Spain, I am moving to Dublin in September-October to carry out a two-year research project, will be spending half my time in Maynooth, the other half in the city libraries or writing at home. I have friends in Templeogue, but it is too far from town. Other than that, no family, no friends, and no particular ties... Safety and distance to DART stations are all I am considering at the moment... any other suggestions?

eth0_

Originally posted by martarg
will be spending half my time in Maynooth, the other half in the city libraries or writing at home.

Oh in that case gardiner st is a good choice because youre right beside Connolly station and the train to Maynooth (the bus to maynooth isnt that great).

martarg

Oh in that case gardiner st is a good choice because youre right beside Connolly station and the train to Maynooth (the bus to maynooth isnt that great).

Thanks a million, eth0_ Now the decision is clear. I will keep the search to the area around Mountjoy and Gardiner St., you have all helped me a lot, thanks!

Marta

Victor

Why not Maynooth then? I imagine it would be cheaper, although it does suffer a huge influx of students in Sept/Oct.

The libraries (I presume you mean TCD, Natioanl Library, etc.) are only open during the day and I presume you won't be going every day.

martarg

Why not Maynooth then?

Well, I think I will have more work to do around the libraries than in Maynooth itself, at least during the first year, and although it may sound silly, only the hassle of getting off the plane with all my luggage, and having to think of how to get to Maynooth after that (then both ways at Christmas, and every single holiday I spend in Spain).... :rolleyes: I would rather take a taxi from the airport and be home straight away... unless now someone tells me that there is a shuttle from the airport straight into Maynooth
I only thought that perhaps Dublin has more overall advantages, but thank you for the advice...

By the way, nice way I have of taking over a thread started by someone else, hmm?

Victor

I'll split the threads later.

Imposter

Originally posted by martarg
unless now someone tells me that there is a shuttle from the airport straight into Maynooth

No but there is a dublin bus straight to Gardiner St. from the airport. I used to live on gardiner st and it is quite dodgy. I had 2 bikes robbed (From locked bicycle sheds in underground car park) and my ex had here car broken into regularly in the same car park. Other than that though it is close to everything and once you keep your wits about you you should be fine.

martarg

No but there is a dublin bus straight to Gardiner St. from the airport.

Thank you imposter ... the "dodgy" part worries me a little, but I am not planning to drive or cycle, so I only hope I won't have to keep a pitbull to guard the apartment :dunno: In any case, I suppose that means I should look for a place north of Mountjoy Square, rather than south... you are all being very helpful

Stoner

Being from the area i'd agree with alot of what is being said above. Smithfield is nice enough but your in working class north dublin so you cant really hide from scumbags, arround stoneybatter and arbour hill was always very nice, recently the brazers have been moved up to there so i dont really know about it any more, but there is less rented stuff there and youd have a better idea of who is beside you, id stay away from Gardiner Street, Mountjoy Square area though. I think i'd go for some nice apartment block, the ones on church street are ok as are some of the smithfield ones, but your gonna get some hastle where ever you go now anyway

martarg

id stay away from Gardiner Street, Mountjoy Square area though

You have just sent my renting plans down the drain ... why is it better to stay away from Gardiner and Mountjoy? so far I have disregarded Smithfield because on the map it looks a little too far from the stations, and Church street because someone said it was too noisy.... should I answer a few more ads? :dunno:

littleninja

There's a room becoming free in my place in roughly 1 & a half/2 month's time, it's not in town but it's a short walk to the dart station and it only takes 20 minutes to get into town.

Look here for some details, if you want more details about it you can PM me

revelate

I'm living in an apartment in the IFSC at the moment and my room is going to be free at the end of September/ start of October. Its a two minute walk to Connolly Station and a 10 minute walk to Trinity. I'm sharing a room and rent is 360 euros per month. Just pm me if you'd like more information