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Ballymacool Woods

  • 02-06-2011 12:24am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭


    Have jus put a deposit on house to rent in Ballymacool Woods, this is A bit late since I've placed the deposit but I was jus looking for some feedback on the area?

    Cheers


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭danniemcq


    I used to live up there in the green,

    OP have you a car or a bike? if not its a 40 minute walk to the nearest shop for milk. AFAIK they still don't have a shop out there handy so its 20 to town and 20 back.

    The bus service was/is dodgey at best. very VERY rarely on time out there.

    The park is a nice bonus for summer days.

    We never had any problem with neighnours but i have heard some bad reports i dunnno if it was them being just hateful about foreign nationals or there was something going on, but from my experiences no problems

    The wee pub down there is a nice wee treat, small beer garden in front and a nice atmosphere inside.

    Overall your own transport is a must, if you have that you're grand!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Cheers. We both have cars so transport wise we're fine and I've seen the pub at the front of the estate, looks like a nice cosy place alright, many a Sunday afternoon will be spent there!! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 724 ✭✭✭Flibbles


    If you're up in The Green, run.

    Don't even think about the deposit, just run.

    I lived up there for 6 months, in that time the car was broken into 3 times, there were fireworks thrown at the house, and during the bad snow last year we discovered someone had been trying our back door to see if it was unlocked. Not to mention bags of coal and a gas tank being stolen.

    We sleep in our new house with the bedroom door barricaded, all doors (inside) locked, and with our coal bunker/oil tank padlocked, all because of The Green.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    It's ballymacool woods, don't know if it's close to the green or not but now I'm worried :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭danniemcq


    Well they fairly close, its all the one estate really (a fairly big estate though) just broken into different areas.

    what made you think of the place in the first place OP?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Nothing in particular, looked at a few places and it seemed like a nice place, just outside town, nice little pub near it, close to GAA pitch. Ahwell it's only a 6 month lease, worst comes to worst I'll find somewhere else. Is it really that bad though???

    edit: ive just looked at a map, we're quiet close to the entrance to the estate, just off the main entrance if ya get me?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭danniemcq


    yeah thats right next to the pub isn't it, i guess its just luck of the draw. hope it all works out!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Me too :o yeah its jus up from the pub, 2 minute walk, little away from the Green, hopefully far enough :D

    Checklist:

    Oiltank lock
    Steering wheel lock
    Crowbar inside front door - check :D

    Jus playin, im sure it'll be grand :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 724 ✭✭✭Flibbles


    You're not in as far as we were, we were a bit up the hill so I'd say you'll be grand!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Cheers, I feel a bit better now :D also just realised it's closer to
    the pub than I thought, jus looked it up on google maps :) now to find some drinking buddies :D

    cheers for the replies!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭danniemcq


    IPAM wrote: »
    Cheers, I feel a bit better now :D also just realised it's closer to
    the pub than I thought, jus looked it up on google maps :) now to find some drinking buddies :D

    cheers for the replies!

    Boards Beers?!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Yeah definitely, when is it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭danniemcq


    IPAM wrote: »
    Yeah definitely, when is it?

    Dunno the last one was 3 or 4 months ago....

    Time for a new one me thinks


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Sounds good, I'm always up for a few pints and a laugh :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,271 ✭✭✭annascott


    The houses are very nice but the area has a very bad reputation.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    I'm guessing an investment in a steering wheel lock would be a good idea?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 488 ✭✭theblueirish


    I have fitted about 8 satellite dishes in Ballymacool Woods, all of them have been pointed to Hotbird for Moroccan or Polish Channels, never had to do one for Sky.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    I have fitted about 8 satellite dishes in Ballymacool Woods, all of them have been pointed to Hotbird for Moroccan or Polish Channels, never had to do one for Sky.

    8 houses out of about 250, what's your point exactly?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Pique wrote: »
    8 houses out of about 250, what's your point exactly?

    That's what I'm wondering, I don't care what they watch or where they're from as long as I get along with them or at the very least we leave each other alone, hopefully get along :D Anyway... Moved in today, wish me luck :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 488 ✭✭theblueirish


    Pique wrote: »
    8 houses out of about 250, what's your point exactly?


    My point is that its mostly foreign nationals that live in the estate.

    I am not the only sat fitter that covers Letterkenny I would say that there are at least 5-6 more so your point about 8 out of 20 is irrelevant.
    I would guess that of the 250 houses in Ballymacool Woods it would be closer to 50% of foreign nationals.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Lahm wrote: »
    Lads carry knives around. Them Polish and Slovakians.

    A lad was lifted in the park a few weeks ago. He took a knife from the kitchen and took it out and about with him. He was up in court afterwards.

    Meh, I don't plan on being out and about in the estate, in a cul de sac, both have cars so no need to


  • Moderators, Regional North West Moderators Posts: 19,158 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    I don't know why neighbours being foreign nationals is even relevant?

    If anything, if somebody was trying to break in, I'd expect it to be somebody not nearby and an easy suspect.

    "you don't sh1t on your own doorstep" etc...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 143 ✭✭smugchik


    I don't think the foreign nationals are the problem there. When the houses were first built about ten years ago, people bought them and lived quite happily. It was a really nice area. Some were privately rented to people (some foreign nationals) who worked and all was fine. Then, horror of horrors, the builders sold the next lot of houses to the council. The council house residents walked through the quiet part on their way to and from their houses. Within three months, there was a burned out car on the approach road into the estate. It soon became unbearable. As the houses are really close together, there was no privacy and people screaming obscenities at one another is not acceptable. Those who could move, sold their houses at a loss and got out. Those who could not, stayed and suffered...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,852 ✭✭✭homer simpson


    Enough already! No more Its the Polish / council residents / Russian / Eskimo / Swahili's fault any more references to any type of or nationality of people and saying they are to blame for X will result in a ban!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭Pique


    Nice to see that closet racism is alive and well in Ireland...sheesh!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 461 ✭✭mk2


    Well done IPAM,all the best.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Mods can close this, I got all the info I needed. Thanks for all the replies


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,852 ✭✭✭homer simpson


    Closed at the OP's Request.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 346 ✭✭redt0m


    See a lot of houses for sale in Ballymacool, but also hear anecdotally that 'its not a great spot' - what's the story with it, is this reputation deserved?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    There is another thread on this exact subject, have a look at it and decide for yourself.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=72542477

    Here ya go :)

    I moved to Ballymacool Woods nearly 4 months ago and so far its great, no problems at all. Neighbours are friendly and helpful and the estate is kept pretty well. I might just be lucky in the house we got but in general from walking around the estate, everywhere seems fine


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 724 ✭✭✭Flibbles


    Depends on how far in you are. We were only a little bit in but we had a truly **** time, but IPAM is on the outside of The Green and as he says, has been fine.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 346 ✭✭redt0m


    Ta for answers and pointers, will check it out a bit more


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,550 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    I'll merge these threads now.

    Thanks IPAM for the link :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭Miss Fluff


    Muffler I'm not sure if this should be a new thread or you want to include it in the existing one? Am hoping some people in the know can shed some light on the situation at Ballymacool in Letterkenny. I have a lovely house there that I am hoping to rent out but have been told by the letting agent that the area now has a really bad reputation. I've been told that the estate is now *overrun* with travellers and that they are causing trouble, putting people off. Is that the case? Has this nice estate now become a no-go area? If someone has any feedback on same I'd really appreciate a PM or some replies on what's going on up there!!! Cheers.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    I moved out 3 months ago but the 6 months I was there I had no problems at all. There was a traveller family living behind me and like the estate I had no problems with them or anyone else. Cul de sac I was in was fairly friendly :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 724 ✭✭✭Flibbles


    We lived in number 9 the green for 6 months and were forced out by constant car break ins and attempts to get into the house. We still sleep with the bedroom door blocked and a bat beside the bed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,852 ✭✭✭homer simpson


    Flibbles wrote: »
    We lived in number 9 the green for 6 months and were forced out by constant car break ins and attempts to get into the house. We still sleep with the bedroom door blocked and a bat beside the bed.


    A vampire bat, to suck the blood of an intruder :pac:

    Seriously though as far as I know it can be hit of miss. Depends on where in the area / which estate (there is 3 isn't there?) your in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,800 ✭✭✭Senna


    Miss Fluff wrote: »
    Muffler I'm not sure if this should be a new thread or you want to include it in the existing one? Am hoping some people in the know can shed some light on the situation at Ballymacool in Letterkenny. I have a lovely house there that I am hoping to rent out but have been told by the letting agent that the area now has a really bad reputation. I've been told that the estate is now *overrun* with travellers and that they are causing trouble, putting people off. Is that the case? Has this nice estate now become a no-go area? If someone has any feedback on same I'd really appreciate a PM or some replies on what's going on up there!!! Cheers.

    Firstly, I wouldn't pay any attention to letting agents, does he/she want your business or not. Secondly, have you moved away from the area and so dont know what its like or are you just listening to the agent?
    You should have no problem renting it, you might not get as much as in a smaller estate, but if the house is nice (especially if first letting), then its probably better than 75% of the houses to rent in Letterkenny.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,281 ✭✭✭donegal_road


    I lived there from Sept 04 to June 06. Never had a problem, except for neighbour's Rottweiler breaking loose a couple of times, was not an agressive dog but alarmed some residents. Same dog could be long gone now anyway.
    I have a friend still there and apparently there was a spate of attempted break- ins a couple of years ago, by non-residents.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭Miss Fluff


    Senna wrote: »
    Firstly, I wouldn't pay any attention to letting agents, does he/she want your business or not. Secondly, have you moved away from the area and so dont know what its like or are you just listening to the agent?
    You should have no problem renting it, you might not get as much as in a smaller estate, but if the house is nice (especially if first letting), then its probably better than 75% of the houses to rent in Letterkenny.

    I haven't been there in quite a few years so I genuinely don't know what it's like and I am relying on my agent for feedback. It's in the Garden and is in great condition but he is of the opinion that nobody wants to live in the estate because of nuisance neighbours - am under the impression that the agent may not be putting their heart and soul into getting it let for me :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,311 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    I moved recently and did take a look at Ballymacool. Seemed nice and took a look from outside at a couple of houses for rent. All looked nice though again, the ones at the front seemed the best.


    Rent seems relatively cheap for a new enough estate, Long Lane would seem to be the only area cheaper near the town for comparable houses.

    From speaking to a couple of locals the impression was that rents were low for a reason, put it that way. Did put me of. My recollection of looking at Daft, adverts.ie for about 2 months was, the properties didn't seem to rent quickly, particularly if landlords were looking at €120/130 per week.

    Positives: Houses look nice, particularly near the pub! :D. Wouldn't be that much of a walk to the nearest shop or Dunnes, comparable to other estates. Nice park, new leisure centre, nice local, O'Donnell Park and nice walks all nearby.

    Negatives: Just the perceptions of a couple of locals. Would have went with one near the roundabout but something more convenient came up. If the rent is competitive, it should rent. Its a renters market out there.

    Just a question, don't answer if you don't want? Would you take Rent Allowance? If you could get a good tenant with good references, they might go for it at reasonable rent.

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,800 ✭✭✭Senna


    K-9 wrote: »


    Long Lane would seem to be the only area cheaper near the town for comparable houses.

    The estates at the top of Long Lane would be similar age to ballymacool, but their cheaper for good reason.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,311 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    Senna wrote: »
    The estates at the top of Long Lane would be similar age to ballymacool, but their cheaper for good reason.

    Yes, and from looking relatively recently, Ballymacool seems to be just a level higher, if you get where I'm coming from.

    Again based on opinions of a couple of locals (hearsay basically) but more objectively, the lack of activity from renters actually taking up houses there, going on daft.ie etc. Couple of houses recently decorated very tastefully and still not shifting quickly.

    The only other houses in an en estate at the same price was up past Solomons Court, new estate, name escapes me. Think its classified as a ghost estate and a fair distance out of town.

    Again its just my opinion. Positive thinking: At a competitive rent, €100-110 a week, it should rent.

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭Miss Fluff


    Yes, would absolutely take rent allowance, that's why I am so surprised. So the story I'm being told of it being like the Wild West up there is potentially porky pies then?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 724 ✭✭✭Flibbles


    Miss Fluff wrote: »
    Yes, would absolutely take rent allowance, that's why I am so surprised. So the story I'm being told of it being like the Wild West up there is potentially porky pies then?

    Really it depends on the area. The house we were in is up for rent again (the people seem to have left after the 1 year contract was up) and the neighbour (who is a nice guy, feel sorry for him and his family) has been trying to sell his house for years.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 882 ✭✭✭cosanostra


    Miss Fluff wrote: »
    Yes, would absolutely take rent allowance, that's why I am so surprised. So the story I'm being told of it being like the Wild West up there is potentially porky pies then?

    Have a look to see what estate agent is successful in letting property in that area, you may have an agent that is more interested in letting property in another estate and will exaggerate a bad name in Ballymacool to boost the name of another estate


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32 joasia1973


    I moved from the Garden end of february. If You do not mind all the rubbish beside the roads, no proper isolation - causing very cold house , kids ringing your bell and running away, Gardai visiting your place very often, guys hiding in your garden while gardai looking for them - go for it. I moved to carolina Park and I'm the most happy ever, having nice, quiet neighborhood, clean surranding and the most important warm house.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    I must have been very lucky!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44 myrscossie


    i lived in ballymacool woods for 2years had my sat nav stole and shed broke into €300 worth of tools stole and a laptop, gardai told me there was 60 robberys in the last 2 months Dec/Jan of 2012 between Ballymacool and Long Lane.
    The houses are poorly isolated all have big vents in all the rooms so the houses are hard to heat even when you block the vents up with expanding foam, the vents make the houses more noisy to, if you put your hand near the window on a windy day you can feel the wind coming in and that was the same in the two houses I was in.
    Some of the houses are council owned i think its the green or the garden not sure.


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