East Wall, Dublin 3

candyman

not too sure when the Aldi store is going to open, saw the details in a newspaper but all it said was that Aldi have bought the site (Tucks Fasteners) opposite the entrance to church road. think there is a sign up there now saying that Tucks are moving etc...

have noticed a good few other small apt complexs starting to spring up around the area too. congrats on your sale - whereabout in east wall did u buy?

risteardo

I'm in East Wall about 6 months now and I've haven't noticed any major work at the proposed Aldi site yet. We could be waiting a while. In the meantime I recommend you head to Nolans in Clontarf. It's either that or Tescos in Drumcondra. Nolan's doesn't open as late as Tescos but it's a better market and actually cheaper than Tescos believe it or not. It's about a 10 minute drive from East Wall on Vernon Ave. Just don't go Sat afternoon, it's a bleedin' nightmare.... :eek:

Johanne

Hey There,

God what a relief to find this thread this morning. Myself and my boyfriend are very close to buying a house in East Wall and the thread has really helped. I have some concerns about the area.... mostly because of the lack of amenities.. ie a good pub ....and an abrakebabra ( okay we can live without the second one ! : ) ). We have been on the hunt now for a few months ( nearly 7) and East Wall is the one place within our bracket that is close to town and has decent size houses for sale ( that whole McDonalds add with the sittingroom/bathroom is not all that off the mark ! !) We are bidding on two houses there at the moment and our problem is this.... the first house is one in seaview and its really lovely... its the dream house but the problem is that it is right beside that eye-sore that is the (as I have now found out thanks to you guys ) old community centre . Does anyone know if there are any plans for that thing... ie to level it ! The lighthouse apartments would be to the back and probably overlooking us so thats another concern. . THe other house is lovely too but not near as nice. Its on the main East Wall Road .. just accross from the park. Both are two beds going for in and around the same price ( crazy money all the same... ) and we would really really appreciate any advice anyone has to offer on the houses/ area .. basically anything that would help us make a decision. The big question aswell .. is ....is East Wall a good buy ? considering we will be spending about 370,000 for a two bed house ... thems the prices these days ! We are at our wits end at this stage after spending every spare minute trawling through s**t boxes in town for the past 7 months so we really hope to close on one of these in the next week or so .,, therefore again ANY ADVICE would be so appreciated.
Yours in anticipation...
Thanks a mill
Jo

candyman

Johanne - delighted to hear u found this thread helpful. Hard to believe its nearly a year old and still going....

The question is...is East Wall a good buy? IMHO I think it is. I bought one of the Lighthouse apts on the 3rd floor, which may well be overlooking your house if its beside "the eye-sore". I see your concern, nobody likes to be overlooked but theres not much you or I can do on this front...

I dont believe "the eye-sore" will be there forever either, with more and more FTB movings into the area, there could be a strong move to sort it out (together with Cahill Printers across the road from it). It is part of the docklands regeneration area but while the plans do show some regeneration for Church Rd, they dont specifically mention "the eye-sore". I wouldnt let it be the deciding factor (the bidding war is likely to be ur biggest headache :rolleyes: ) and as many people on this thread have already said, East Wall is a fine place to live with feck all trouble really. Slutboy can hopefully testify to this, with his recent move there also.

The area will get better over time, alas not overnight...
my two cents...

Johanne

Hey Candyman,

Thanks for your response. I hope I didn't come accross as too D4 refering to the community thingy as an eye-sore its just that we would practically be attached to it and with the cage thing around it I think it looks really scary ! I suppose I could always be the one to start the petition to do something about it.. although how would that go down with the locals? ! ! We haven't even been in the house in Seaview yet , we are viewing it tomorrow afternoon but fell in love with it on the net. We went out there last night and had a look at the house in the flesh. It was only then I realised how close the lighthouse apartments are ( got the brochure for them... they look lovely.. good luck with that). I dont mind being overlooked as such its just to what extent but sure I suppose we will have a better idea tomorrow ! From looking at it down the back alley it seems that the whole back of the block ( which is only about 7 feet from the back wall of the house ) is looking straight down in to the garden .. and God forbid we might get a good day's weather next summer for the aule topless sunbathing and all ! ! ... ( I know theres more chance of President McAllesse moving in to East Wall then there is of getting a day that nice ! )

risteardo

Hi Johanne,
I had exactly the same qualms as you about moving to East Wall but practically all have proven to be unfounded. There are some groups of kids hanging around (not as many as you'd expect) but I've never had any problems from them. Though they've started with this Halloween/firecracker sh1t a little early for my taste! Don't mind during the day but 2am I don't like. Still, I don't imagine it's much different in other areas.

Locals I've met in the shop on Church Road have been fine. Haven't made it to the Seabank for a pint yet so I suppose it'd be unfair of me to complain about the lack of a good pub. Previously Walshs in Stoneybatter and the Beggars Bush on Haddington Road have been my locals so I've high standards .

I do think it's a real shame that the area doesn't have a village centre, something similar to Manor St in Stoneybatter. Consequently we eat and drink outside the area. Hopefully over the long term that'll change. But right now the IFSC is 5 min drive away with some decent eateries. And Gaffneys in Fairview is 15 mins walk, so not too bad.

It's also gonna be really interesting to see how the whole docklands develops over the next 5 years. Bear in mind that Spencer Dock is only about 12 months into construction, they've done some great work on the north quays, supposedly Dublin City Council is gonna build another bridge from Macken St on the southside, the Luas is gonna be extended through the IFSC to the Point, and there are various sites in East Wall itself being sold right now for development.

I haven't seen inside of either of the houses you're bidding on. Though I do remember looking at the one on East Wall Road on myhome.ie, just out of curiousity. According to the website it's deceptively large and well kept. But I don't think I could live on East Wall road, not with the traffic that passes along it every day. I don't know Seaview at all but I can picture where it is. Sounds like a quiet road. Is it a cul de sac? Gotta agree with candyman, the community centre site is bound to be sorted out at some point and over time the area will continue to improve. Good luck with the bidding war, friend of mine was bidding on a house about 3-4 months ago. Went from €300,000 up to €340,000 in no time so she was out of the game. Crazy crazy money.

One very important thing as you might have read previously in the thread, it can be a b1tch getting insurance on houses near the river due to previous flooding. Dunno about Seaview but you could really struggle to get insurance on the East Wall Road house. Far as I know, that flooding was an unfortunate combination of human error and exceptional circumstances. A friend of mine knows the enginneers who worked on sorting it out and she's been told that new safeguards will ensure it NEVER happens again.

Overall, while it might not be your first choice area to live in, if you gotta compromise on location/price etc, I don't think you could do much better in Dublin than East Wall, especially if you want to live near the centre. You won't recognise it in a few years. Bus service is crap though....

dindindin

i've lived in eastwall 3 years now and i'm very pleased with my decision to buy their. The location represents excellent investment - you really can't go wrong because anything thats not in the immediate area can be found only a short drive and walk away such as the city centre/ifsc or in the other direction clontarf seafront.
People are coping onto this now are snapping up property before it goes too expensive - i recently saw a 2 bed mid terrace house for sale for 385k
The whole area of the docklands is looking like a goldmine!

Johanne

Hey,

Thanks guys for your posts. Slutboy your negative comments re East Wall Road couldn't have come at a better time. I found out about 10 mins ago that we have been outbid by an investor ( and I used to think that I hated clampers ! ! ). We actually went in straight away at 381k for that house ( a two bed with tiny yard ) to secure it and he came in with 382k this afternoon which puts us out of the running due to the higher stamp duty. I had to go to the loo for a little cry as I really thought this was the house so thanks for your timely negative comments on the road ! The house in Seaview was totally gorgeous but like I thought was gonna be overlooked directly by about 40 balconies from the apartments and had already gone to 395k for a 2 bed by the time we got there ( and there was 25 people in the queue after us ! ) . Dindindin ( am so intrigued? ! ) you are right it seems, people are copping on to the area and are snapping up but unfortunately its the b*****d investors that seem to be holding all the cards. Well done on all of you who have bought in the area in the last couple of years .. after viewing 7 ( yeah count them 7 ! ! ) on Saturday and seeing the prices... varying from 360k for a run down 3 bed on Marys's Street to 400 k for a done up two bed ( again on Mary'sstreet) I would think you would all be surprised if you got your gaffs revalued because they have probably gone up a lot more than you think in the last year or so. We are going to look at one just off Church Road tomorrow... anyone know if there are any plans to do up the road. Slutboy bus service tip is vital ... thanks... I have no parking at work so would have to be making my way to Ballsbridge from Church Road every day... would I be in trouble ? .... and bigger worry again is the impossibility of getting taxis out of town on a Saturday night. Its rare that I would have to do it but what about walking home at night on my own ?

candyman

Johanne wrote:

We are going to look at one just off Church Road tomorrow... anyone know if there are any plans to do up the road.

Some bed time reading (note the pdfs under the downloadables section on the right)

risteardo

Hey,

Honestly, I don't think you're missing anything by losing out on the East Wall Road house. It's always busy with traffic and sometimes just plain choked, especially at ferry times and for big Point gigs. Port Tunnel should help but it'll always be a major road in that part of town. Shame about the second house though, looks lovely. Cannot believe there were that many people Q'ing to see it! It's really going for €395,000??? The world's gone crazy!

Apparently there are plans to do up Church Road, though nobody's seen them and nobody knows when it's gonna happen. A need to know basis obviously! When Lighthouse Apts are done maybe??

Nbr 53 bus comes about every half hour according to timetable. But it's not trustworthy precisely for the traffic reasons. Anytime I've gotten it I've always met some old lady at the stop bitching about the service! They've promised to improve it but no sign yet. But even if it was a good bus service, I'd walk most of the way to Ballsbridge each day. With the new pedestrian bridge you can walk from Caledon Road to Merrion Sq in about 20-25 mins and you skip the busiest part of town. Not too bad. Jump on a bus there. Save the 53 for the rainy days, just bring your brolly to the bus-stop. Good luck Johanne, hope you find somewhere.

Johanne

Thanks Candyman but map is tiny and this piece of crap can't download the downloadables ( probably something that Im doing wrong though ) . Does it make for pleasant reading ? I sthat from the East Wall action plan docklands document.. I actually came accross that the other day.. are they not just "recommentaions " though and not definates as to what's gonna be done?

risteardo

Think I'd read some of that before candyman. Long on aspirations and short on specifics. When's it all gonna happen though? The long fingers seems to get ever longer still. Grrrr... :mad: !

Just going back to transport, if you're going to Ballsbridge every day, you could walk the 10-15 mins through the park to Clontarf and get the dart across.

tony99

Johanne, Sorry you did not get the house. I had half of Washington (including G. Bush) saying a Novena for you over the weekend. Anyway it's lucky you did not buy on the East Wall Road. I remember when I lived in East WAll, there was always dust from the Readymix factory, and fumes from the traffic. Every house had manky windows full of dirt and dust. And the smell of the Tolka! Not to get you mad, but one of my sister's (who moved stateside) was going to buy a house beside Wiggin's Teape as an investment 15 years ago. The asking price at the time 20,000 Irish pounds. Good luck with your house-hunting.
P.S. Johanne, when are you going to be sunbathing, so I can book a flight over for a gander?

Johanne

Thanks for the Novena's ... really appreciate it ... pity it didn't work but like the others say maybe its a blessing. As for the sunbathing .... if I thought it would bring us some luck I would enlist every female I know and parade them up and down Church Road on the hour every hour... seems like I might have to resort to this to find something... blindside the other bidders and get in there on the sly ?... a tactic I hadn't considered ?
Back to the house on Church Road... the house is lovely and looks like a good buy but its directly accross the road from the shop.... anyone any thoughts ? I spoke to a woman this morning who lives down the other end of Church Road and said that the kids outside the shop call her a "whore " everytime she walks past... she's one of the nicest ladies you could ever meet... I couldn't believe it ! .. am I totally naieve or is this what the little runts are like ( apologies for the word runt.. I actually love kids but these sound like right ....... rolleyes as one of you guys say )

risteardo

Don't think I've ever gone to that shop on Church Road without seeing a few kids hanging around the door and a couple of older lads hanging about a little further down on the corner. But I've not had any grief from them. I've never seen anyone else get grief from them either. Not saying they're not capable of it, cos they might well be. But it's such a busy shop with people coming and going all the time I don't think I'd worry about it too much.

Those houses on Church Road do look quite big and I've seen the one for sale opposite the shop. Big gardens/drives at the front and I'm guessing a big garden at the back. Could be a good buy, especially if they ever get their traffic management plans in order. In the meantime, that area outside the shop is the busiest area on Church Road. It's got private vehicles parked, local and rat-running cars coming through, and the usual commerical/delivery vans. Something to bear in mind, though don't think I'd let it put me off.

Vivienne

candyman wrote:

have noticed a good few other small apt complexs starting to spring up around the area too. congrats on your sale - whereabout in east wall did u buy?

Hey candyman, thanks for the info on Aldi...I bought on Seaview avenue; signing for it officially in the next 10 days and moving in asap. Can't wait! Unlike Johanne, I won't be sunbathing topless in the backgarden - fair skinned Irish girl and all that...the fact that I even have a garden is amazing so I don't really care too much that its overlooked by the lighthouse development. Besides, somewhere that close to the city centre etc., something's gotta give....

Johanne

Hey Vivianne,

Congrats on the gaff... we still have had no joy but hopin for a break some day soon. Did you buy number 2 or is that an awful personal question... its just we went to see that house and it is absolutely gorgeous so fair play to you if it is and if not well fair play to ya anyway. I know you are right about something having to give and being overlooked is a small price to pay when so close to town. You know yourself though when you start out at this lark you want to tick all the boxes and its only after a while you realise you are lucky if you can tick a quarter of them.... we are learning the hard way !

Vivienne

Hey Johanne,
Nope, wasn't no. 2....the place I've bought, I fell in love with as soon as I stepped inside, but it needs quite a bit of work - no central heating in it at the moment. I know how hard it is looking at houses - the amount of time you spend and how depressing it all is...my only piece of advice is, stick with it....I almost gave up in complete desperation but finally all came good in the end! Hang in there...

Johanne

Thanks a mill.... encouraging words because we are starting to hit the .oh my God this is horrendous and I can't be arsed anymore stage but your right will just have to stick with it and hope for a break...
Congrats again... its a lovely road... hope all goes well in the signing etc... can't wait to be at that stage too ! !

Johanne

ps FYI and I think its okay to say this now that you have confirmed that it wasn't number 2 you bought but we did go to see number two and loved it. The house originally went on the market for 365k and I rang yesterday to see where it had gone ( we were put out of the running ages ago ... and wait for it ... it sold for 560 k ! ! ! the day before yesterday.. even the estate agent said they were in shock so good news for you if you got yours at a good price...

candyman

Johanne wrote:

The house originally went on the market for 365k and I rang yesterday to see where it had gone ( we were put out of the running ages ago ... and wait for it ... it sold for 560 k ! ! !QUOTE]

:eek: practically 200k above asking price? for the love of god..........

tony99

Half a mil euros, Wow I'm flabbergasted. We have a real-estate boom here, but not as bad as you guys. I bought my current house in Rockville MD 4years ago for US $210,000. It is now appraised at $500,000. But there are still lots of very affordable places to buy in the U.S. e.g. Outside of the major cities, it's not uncommon to find a S.F. home (4bed) for under $200,000.

Vivienne

Johanne wrote:

it sold for 560 k ! ! ! the day before yesterday.. even the estate agent said they were in shock so good news for you if you got yours at a good price...

What??? That's crazy! The one I'm buying is a similar style but not in anything close to the condition that no. 2 is...its gonna take a lot of work and money to get it to the same condition as no. 2. Are you sure that it has def. been sold for that amount though - I wouldn't be surprised if the buyers got cold feet in the end and backed out. I honestly don't think those houses are worth that much; not yet, maybe in 5-10yrs when the area is developed...but certainly not now...ok, that's my rant on the ridiculous price of property overwith...

Victor

Vivienne wrote:

Unlike Johanne, I won't be sunbathing topless in the backgarden

Get a room

candyman

Vivienne wrote:

The one I'm buying is a similar style but not in anything close to the condition that no. 2 is...its gonna take a lot of work and money to get it to the same condition as no. 2. I honestly don't think those houses are worth that much; not yet, maybe in 5-10yrs when the area is developed...

East Wall was totally flooded back in 2002 and alot of these houses may have been involved - hence some of them look brand new on the inside today - this is probably driving the prices bananas because people are pleasantly surprised when they walk in and dont expect such modern interiors. For anyone buying a house in East Wall, you should check whether the house has previous flood damage and if so how does it affect your house insurance premiums.
ps. AFAIK the corpo have done nothing since 2002 to ever prevent floods happening again in the area also.

risteardo

A friend of mine was looking at buying in East Wall and went to see a couple of houses on West Road. One of the reasons she didn't buy there in the end was a problem getting house insurance. But she works in the Council planning Dept and spoke to the engineers who worked on the problem after the flooding. She was assured that work had been done on it and provisions have been put in place to ensure it'll never happen again. For what it's worth....

candyman

Slutboy wrote:

A friend of mine was looking at buying in East Wall and went to see a couple of houses on West Road. One of the reasons she didn't buy there in the end was a problem getting house insurance. But she works in the Council planning Dept and spoke to the engineers who worked on the problem after the flooding. She was assured that work had been done on it and provisions have been put in place to ensure it'll never happen again. For what it's worth....

wasn't aware of it Slutboy. I stand corrected.

dindindin

I know of the lad who bought that wreck of house on the corner at seaview avenue, he bought it for a packet of crisps and a can of cherry coke back in the 80s and sold it last year to the builders of the lighthouse apartments in exchange for 3 apartments(jammy)

It's only two doors down from no.2 seaview and on the same building line as the lighthouse apartments - no.2 seaview could be part another project for the builder?

Vivienne

Can anyone out there please help me??? I'm trying to get house insurance for a house I'm buying in East Wall....Hibernian won't quote me because I don't have the "little locks on the windows" (roll eyes, honest to God!); I also rang a broker who wouldn't quote because the house is in an area prone to flooding - they suggested Quinn Direct - I looked up their website and they won't quote any house prone to flooding either! The house I'm buying is on Seaview ave. so does anyone out there have insurance for a house on seaview ave. and if so, with who??? Another thought I had was if anyone knew of the company who will insure the Lighthouse apartments, maybe they might insure my house??? Any advice....help....please???

MorningStar

Vivienne wrote:

Can anyone out there please help me??? I'm trying to get house insurance for a house I'm buying in East Wall....Hibernian won't quote me because I don't have the "little locks on the windows" (roll eyes, honest to God!);

Put locks on the window! Seriously they are only about €2 each. There are certain places that due to insurance risks are not worth buying in. If the place floods again you might not be able to get insurance again.
Find out who the house is currently insured with from the vendor and tell them how it puts the sale at risk.

Vivienne

Cheers, thanks for the advice. After ringing around, I got a quote from FBD (no flood cover - which I'm not sure will satisfy my mortgage lender). But thank God for Quinn Direct! They'll quote, incl. flood cover....so looks like I could be ok...was beginning to panic a bit....if all of the above fail, I'll get my little locks and get back onto Hibernian!

MorningStar

Vivienne wrote:

Cheers, thanks for the advice. After ringing around, I got a quote from FBD (no flood cover - which I'm not sure will satisfy my mortgage lender). But thank God for Quinn Direct! They'll quote, incl. flood cover....so looks like I could be ok...was beginning to panic a bit....if all of the above fail, I'll get my little locks and get back onto Hibernian!

You really should consider the possibility of flooding again. If insurance companies won't touch it at a relatively low risk to them why would you put yourself at a really high risk? I know the harship trying to find a place but this is probably the biggest purchase of your life why take a chance?
As I said if it happens again you may never be able to get insurance. If Bertie couldn't fix the problem properly in his own area what do you think the situation will be like in what is generally seen as a poorer area?

JSJG

Hi Vivienne

I have lived in East Wall all my life, and on Seaview Avenue all my life, the area was flooded in 2002 but Seaview was not affected at all. Regarding insurance we are insured through the local credit union although i dont know which insurance company they go through, you might want to check out that option.

brianmacd

sounds like the area is still a bit of a dump. It may change, but change can be slow. Hope you're not getting caught up with the novelty of buying a place.

dindindin

Sounds like there is a bit of discrimination going on with certain insurance companys. My house was not flooded in 2002 or was most of eastwall and i don't have a ploblem getting insurance each year.
I was getting letters a one stage through my letter box with updates of how engineers had started building up walls which on completion would eliminate the flooding from occuring again - - I'm sure the council could fill you in on this.
Anyway at least some insurance companies have taken time to check it out otherwise they wouldn't be offering you insurance.

MorningStar

dindindin wrote:

Sounds like there is a bit of discrimination going on with certain insurance companys.

It's not discimination it's risk assesment. Some companies take larger risks than others. I wouldn't see Seaview as at risk but if the area floods it will still effect the WHOLE area in insurance terms.
Leagally they have to quote you a price any insurance comapny that insures houses has to offer insurance to all houses in the state. Any company that says they won't insure you is actually breaking the law. There really isn't any point forcing the issue as they will just quote you a huge price but it is worth knowing.

Vivienne

Well, I've got insurance....after ringing around, I did find a few places to quote me. I decided to go with Allianz in the end...they don't consider Seaview Ave. a flood-risk area and they quoted me a reasonable price. Quinn Direct also said they'd quote me. FBD said they'd quote but wouldn't include flood cover. So, I finally got it sorted in the end...but thanks for all the advice!

dindindin

Congrats vivienne on your purchase!!

I'm glad insurance companies don't see you as a risk - -The heard the floodings in 2002 were nothing like anyone in living memory had seen so if you weren't effected then and even if all the corrections which have been made fail then there is an extremely high chance you should be o.k.

After the floods in 2002 i'm sure house premiums went up due to the nature of the business but it was so little that i can't remember any impact on my premium that caused me to even raise an eyebrow!

candyman

anyone know details of any of the apt blocks currently in development around the point depot, end of east road area. looks like a few blocks going up but zero contact details - e.g. builders name/estate agents etc...

cheers.

shoutinbob

I think it maybe castleforbes sq, gunne are selling them

dindindin

They're launching Thursday 20th October 2005.
On View: Thursday 12-2pm, Friday 12-2pm, Saturday 12-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm.

Prices from:
1 Bedroom Apartment from €290,000
2 Bedroom Apartment from €370,000
3 Bedroom Apartment from €435,000

The luas is planned to stop right outside them.

candyman

thanks for the info guys.

dindin - have you bought one of these? they look well nice...practically in town aswell.

risteardo

A friend of mine is looking at these, but the 30k for a car parking space is putting him off. Told him he can park at mine around the corner in East Wall for a far less substantial sum

dindindin

I popped in to see those apartments the other day - they're very nice - a lot nicer than any of the apartments i've seen in a while based on what i've seen some of my friends buy so i reckon they are a good buy since spencer dock is still in its early stages of development but i have to agree with slutboy as i was thinking the same thing as i viewed them (also i'm sure there is an annual maintenance fee)

FreeAnd..

Hey,

Seriously considering buying a 2 bed in Crosbies Yard but want to find out all I can first. The location is ideal for me and in the long term I see that whole area being done up but still have some reservations not least the 25,000 for a parking space and the buying from the plans without a show apartment. Advice from anyone who has bought here or is considering buying here would be very much appreciated...

MorningStar

Buy the parking spaces they will be worth the money in 5 years. I know people who bought apartments just for the parking. They now how have city parking and rent the property out.

shoutinbob

i read today ALDI were refused permission to build on church road, they wanted to put in a 6 story apt block plus a store on the ground floor

candyman

shoutinbob wrote:

i read today ALDI were refused permission to build on church road, they wanted to put in a 6 story apt block plus a store on the ground floor

where did you read that bob? any link available?

cheers.

shoutinbob

its in the Irish times today in the property section under the board pleanala section, decisions to refuse-- they were looking for 43 apts in.. i guess 6 stories a bit high for that road, it maybe on http://www.pleanala.ie somewhere i would say

FreeAnd..

Does anyone know of any other developments planned for that area? Shops, Amenities etc? There seems to be alot of unused space around there so long term I can only assume that there will be alot going on. Is there a good site to check for any planned development - had a quick look at pleanala.ie but that site is awful. Can anyone point to anything better?