Good area in Dublin for a single young professional?

saccharine

Hi guys,

I'm very excited I've found this site as I'm about to move to Dublin next week (from Dubai... yup, I'm a bit crazy and want to pay taxes for a change). I've never been to the city, so I'm completely clueless about what area would be good for me.

Here's my situation: my company is in Ballsbridge, however I don't need to be in the office much (I'll be working remotely/traveling 95% of the time anyway); hence I'm not that worried about the commute there. However, I'd like to be fairly close to the public transportation to be able to go to the city center (I don't want to be in the center itself, but not really looking for a sleepy suburb, too early for that!). I'd most likely get a car, but that might take another few months (I know nothing about cars either ). I need a one-bedroom in a safe area, close to some shops and parks (I want to be able to jog in the evening safely, etc.). A friend of mine recommended me Ballsbridge itself or Dublin 4 in general, however the rent prices on daft.ie are > €1000, so not really within my budget. I've been looking into Dublin 8, I quite liked Clancy Quay, until I found out from this forum how deserted that place is, thank you very much. I'd welcome any other advice on what would be good areas/developments to live. It doesn't have to be in D8 necessarily, but within €800-1000 price range.

Thanks in advance. I'm very excited about Dublin, hope it won't let me down!

the_syco

How long a commute could you put up with? You can get some nice places with some commute.

Are you going to rent the place by yourself, or will you share? Renting by yourself has it's advantages, but renting with others can be fun. Just don't rent with a couple.

Are you a man or a woman? You mention you like jogging. There are places that men feel comfortable jogging, but women may not like jogging there.

John Mason

there are loads of similar thread in the dublin forum

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=474

saccharine

Irishbird, Thanks, I found the Dublin forum afterwards, my bad... Here I found the thread about the Clancy Quay, so I posted here first.

the_syco, I don't care about the time of commute due to the nature of my job. But I don't want to be stuck very far in the suburbs; but preferably be able to hop on the train to get to the center. I want a one-bedroom for myself (not a studio). And I'm a girl, hence the safety concerns.

coco_lola

The IFSC and Spencer Dock are two lovely areas. Nice apartments, right on the Red Luas Line, close to city centre, but not right in the middle of all the bustle. Can be pricey enough depending where you are renting but all the apartments are very modern and well designed. Have a look on Daft.ie and see what you think.

Zamboni

Ranelagh.

the_syco

Zamboni wrote: »

Ranelagh.

On that note, http://www.daft.ie/21107288
Near the LUAS line, and it's a one bed apartment.

saccharine

Thanks for all the suggestions! Ranelagh seems like a good place for a family, so might not be exactly what I'm looking for, but I'll definitely take a look. I like IFSC as it seems to have a more city-feel.

The good part is that it seems there isn't a scarcity of apartments anywhere I'm considering, but it is making it very hard to decide .

solovely

Dublin 8 is great. I have lived in Dublin 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9 and after living in all chose 8 to buy my house in. Reasons being:
1. Walking distance to city centre (10-40 mins)

2. Great parks - I'm 30 seconds walk from War Memorial gardens and IMMA and 2 mins from Phoenix Park, the biggest urban park in Europe, fantastic for running/ cycling

3. Community feel - not all young urbanites who don't know their neighbours, rather a more "real" Dublin feel - although some parts can be a bit too "real Dublin" if you get me

4. Great for getting out of Dublin - easy access to all routes out of Dublin, can be in the countryside/ mountains in under half an hour, and at the sea in the same timeframe too. In D4, you have to get through city traffic to get anywhere West of Dublin.

5. Cheaper than the posher suburbs

6. Great social/ arts scene, again not posh/ poncy like D4/D6 brigade, lots of live arts, comedy, theatre, festivals, real stuff, not full of posers.

Obviously, not all parts of D8 are great. I live in Kilmainham, which would be probably the nicest part, but other parts are nice too. I would avoid Dolphin's Barn, Fatima, Marylands, parts of the Coombe, etc.

If it's an apartment building you're looking for, the best ones I'd say would be Hueston South Quarter or the Old Chocolate Factory.

Coco-lola advised the IFSC and Spencer Dock, I'm sorry but I'd have to totally disagree. These places to me seem souless....full of robots walking around with no sense of place or identity and the area is completely dead at the weekend....just my opinion though!! Feel free to prove me wrong!

seamus

coco_lola wrote: »

The IFSC and Spencer Dock are two lovely areas. Nice apartments, right on the Red Luas Line, close to city centre, but not right in the middle of all the bustle. Can be pricey enough depending where you are renting but all the apartments are very modern and well designed. Have a look on Daft.ie and see what you think.

The entire IFSC area is being abandoned by businesses and residents alike. It was a long-term project but since the arse has fallen out of the financial sector, it's in trouble.

Even during the good times, it was a ghost town during the weekends - most of the shops and bars didn't open on Saturdays and Sundays, so you'd have to go into the city anyway.
Many of the people living there were also working in the financial companies based around the area. As the companies have moved out, so too have the people. CHQ is almost just an empty warehouse again.

Ranelagh is good area. I would also recommend Dundrum, in and around the shopping centre. Plenty of things to do, places to go and meet people. You're 15 minutes from parks and mountains walks, but you can also hop on the Luas and be in the city in 20 minutes. Though it appears to be a little more expensive than Ranelagh.

conorhal

I'd say the Terenure / Rathgar area. It’s very close to town and Ballsbridge, well serviced by public transport, there's a funky village vibe to the place with boutique shops and restaurants and delis and the area well established with few problems and your not far from Rathmines and Camden St (student boh-ho area), I'd say it would suit you but rents there might be a bit high.

borderlinemeath

+1 for Ranelagh, it's a fantastic place to live, great vibe, fantastic facilities, shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs etc.

Great transport links or even a short walk into the city centre, Ballsbridge is within easy reach as well.

jackiebaron

Ranelagh is OK but I would say scratch the Southside. The commute to Ballsbridge as you said is unimportant as you will hardly ever be in the office.

My recommendation:

Drumcondra on the Northside.

Great value
Safe
Excellent transport into City Centre (in fact you could walk)
Easy to get to the airport for that travelling you'll be doing.
You've got pubs (Quinns, Carthy's, Cat & Cage, Fagans, Tolka House)
Hotels
Supermarkets and Night shops
A public library
Tolka Park football ground if you fancy watching a soccer match
Croke Park if you fancy a GAA match
Tolka Park public park for a stroll
The Botanical Gardens
The Phoenix Park
You're a short cycle ride from Clontarf and the sea-front and of course Bram Stoker's house :eek:
All Hallows for summer garden fetes and stuff like that
The girls aren't snobby
There are a few public pitch and putt courses in the area and a golf course just nearby on Malahide Road.
There's a nice little bit of history to the area.

Great area mate. Check it out.

borderlinemeath

jackiebaron wrote: »

Ranelagh is OK but I would say scratch the Southside. The commute to Ballsbridge as you said is unimportant as you will hardly ever be in the office.

My recommendation:

Drumcondra on the Northside.

Great value
Safe
Excellent transport into City Centre (in fact you could walk)
Easy to get to the airport for that travelling you'll be doing.
You've got pubs (Quinns, Carthy's, Cat & Cage, Fagans, Tolka House)
Hotels
Supermarkets and Night shops
A public library
Tolka Park football ground if you fancy watching a soccer match
Croke Park if you fancy a GAA match
Tolka Park public park for a stroll
The Botanical Gardens
The Phoenix Park
You're a short cycle ride from Clontarf and the sea-front and of course Bram Stoker's house :eek:
All Hallows for summer garden fetes and stuff like that
The girls aren't snobby
There are a few public pitch and putt courses in the area and a golf course just nearby on Malahide Road.
There's a nice little bit of history to the area.

Great area mate. Check it out.

The OP is a girl;)

Tabnabs

borderlinemeath wrote: »

+1 for Ranelagh, it's a fantastic place to live, great vibe, fantastic facilities, shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs etc.

Great transport links or even a short walk into the city centre, Ballsbridge is within easy reach as well.

Having lived nearby (Clonskeagh a.k.a poncy D6:rolleyes:) I would have Ranalagh at the top of my list too. I would consider it to be much more 20/30 something area to a family one.

Also lived in D8 (Kilmainham) and it was not the kind of place you wanted to be getting home to late at night. A lot of dodgy incidents took place there including three cars being burned out outside our (thankfully) gated complex and our house being broken into twice.

If you're doing most of your socialising in town, the walk home to Ranalagh will be much more pleasant.

TankGuy

I have lived in Dublin 8 and if i could afford when i was buying would have bought in Kilmainham or Chapelizod.

As solovely said its a really happening place with galleries and parks. There is a real feel that Dublin is alive around that area. And as mentioned you can get out of dublin really quick.

It is also really near the M50 which is the Dublin ring road, so you can access other areas in Dublin by car if required.

jackiebaron

borderlinemeath wrote: »

The OP is a girl;)

She may like girls

Anyway OP here's your own little Coronation Street House with back garden in Drumcondra for 750 a month.

Quinn's will be you local as it's just around the corner:

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1096492

the groutch

something like this in Blackrock might be good, about 15 minutes by bus to Ballsbridge, 2 small shopping centres within walking distance, as safe an area as you can get in Dublin imo.

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1104795

saccharine

jackiebaron wrote: »

She may like girls

Well, I'm actually curious where not too shabby boys live, thankyouverymuch .

Anyway, I've only been a day in Dublin, so haven't looked anywhere yet. So far, a taxi driver told me to look into "Google Ghetto', while my boss told me to look close to the airport... Anyone knows anything about Northwood Santry? But thanks for all the ideas, will spend the next 2 weeks exploring!

lilymc

Also agree with Drumcondra!

headmaster

Lots of really trendy apartments on Cork St, short walk to everything and full of people working in the IFSC and the likes. Great place at weekends to head into town, markets only a short walk and some real dubs round there too who love to chat. My son and daughters love it. I'm not advertising or anything, love to go up the odd weekend ourselves and we're getting on, but feel very safe as well.

mikemac

Another vote for Drumcondra

I'd give the IFSC a miss, place is a ghost-town at weekends and that's not a good thing

solovely

saccharine wrote: »

Well, I'm actually curious where not too shabby boys live, thankyouverymuch .

Stoneybatter and Smithfield would be my answer to that. Definite bachelorland

saccharine wrote: »

Anyway, I've only been a day in Dublin, so haven't looked anywhere yet. So far, a taxi driver told me to look into "Google Ghetto', while my boss told me to look close to the airport... Anyone knows anything about Northwood Santry? But thanks for all the ideas, will spend the next 2 weeks exploring!

I lived in the Google ghetto before Google moved in. It was a bit dead back then, but full of life now. Slatterys is a great bar around there, but if you go further down towards Hanover Quay and the Grand Canal theatre, I would be a bit worried that it could end up like the IFSC. It's all very shiny and trendy now, but for how long. I'd imagine it's dead at the weekends too! Some nice brunch spots around there, and lots of internationals and good looking, trendy people!

Lived near Santry during my college days - can't see why your boss would recommend it. It's far out of town, not a great area, and full of students.

I'd still advocate Kilmainham, Cork St or Islandbridge (D8) above any of the above though (but then, like everyone else here, I'm a bit biased).

Let us know where you go for in the end. We're all dying to know!

lainey316

solovely wrote: »

3. Community feel - not all young urbanites who don't know their neighbours, rather a more "real" Dublin feel - although some parts can be a bit too "real Dublin" if you get me

lol - nice description. Dublin 8 is so huge, and there's such variation between Portobello & Kilmainham on one hand and Pimlico/Marylands/Meath St on the other it's hard to recommend it as an area. Chapelizod in particular feels completely different to me as well.

Wouldn't be a fan of Cork St (realistically you could not pay me to live there) but OP if you are going to be travelling abroad a lot you're as well off living Northside just for the ease of getting to the airport, Drumcondra is very nice though it does lack a decent supermarket (that Tesco is minging). Otherwise I'd have to say Ranelagh or parts of Rathmines, possibly Donnybrook - depends on what kind of pubs, people, restaurants you like to have close by - it's nice to not have to go into town all the time. Even if it is only 20 minutes!

novarock

Ive lived in Inchicore, james street, ranelagh, and I am currently living in Harolds cross

If I were you I would look at harolds cross. Dublin 8 will be a pain in the arse the 5% of the time you will be going to ballsbridge, there is no direct transport between them. Its also dodgy walking home at night. While Dublin 8 may be fine, you have to walk through some not so great areas to get home.

Ranelagh is nice, but because of the "where it is" factor, I find that the rents are high for apartments and houses that could do with a lot of maintenance. Both houses I lived in in Ranelagh are the proof of this. The houses in the area are mostly older than 100 years, and most have no insulation = high heating costs.

There are less options for eating cheaply in ranelagh - Superquinn is the only supermarket and is quite expensive, so you have to go to rathmines anyway.

Harolds Cross is a mix of older people that have been there for quite a long time, and younger renters. Its a quiet area with a few good shops, close to rathmines and on probably the best and most frequent bus route in the city. Also only a 15 minute walk to ballsbridge or the city centre.

Grolschevik

saccharine wrote: »

Well, I'm actually curious where not too shabby boys live, thankyouverymuch .

Anyway, I've only been a day in Dublin, so haven't looked anywhere yet. So far, a taxi driver told me to look into "Google Ghetto', while my boss told me to look close to the airport... Anyone knows anything about Northwood Santry? But thanks for all the ideas, will spend the next 2 weeks exploring!

Suggest Portmarnock, especially the apartments beside the Dart station. The apartments there are really well-built, well sound-proofed, and -- unless you're very unlucky -- you're unlikely to be kept awake at night by parties next door.

It's a 25 minutes train to city centre, 35 to Ballsbridge, 5 mins to the anything-but-sleepy Malahide (where lots of unshabby boys hang out). Lovely long beach beside you for walks/runs. Lovely area full stop. Also close to the airport. (EDIT: and one of the best off-licences in Dublin!).

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1109102

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1107966

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1105640

I work in Smithfield/Stoneybatter, and if I was a single girl, I wouldn't want to live around there. Prostitutes and winos galore, as well as junkies stumbling to and from the Four Courts and Criminal Courts of Justice. Clannish locals.

I used to live in Drumcondra (near Quinn's, in fact). Can be good craic, but can be very studenty and it's hellish on Croke Park match days, especially if you have a car and/or need to leave your house.

Santry I find a bit soulless and and it's a very annoying bus ride to the centre, IMO.

Treehouse72

mikemac wrote: »

Another vote for Drumcondra

lilymc wrote: »

Also agree with Drumcondra!

jackiebaron wrote: »

My recommendation:

Drumcondra on the Northside.

What in the name of God are you people smoking?

OP is working in Ballsbridge and wants access to transport. Why in the name of God are you recommending an area with no transport links to Ballsbridge, which is about a 45 minute walk there (maybe more), which is on the wrong side of the river and is a rather scruffy part of the city centre? It's just my opinion, but I think this is really shocking advice.

OP, Ranelagh is the no-brainer choice here, and you can get something there in the €800-€1000 budget. It is also a safe part of the city. Have a look on Daft. Something like this:

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1106994

I would also say anywhere in D4 should be nice and your budget. Note that rents are negotiable at least 10% below asking, so these should all be in budget:

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1094435
http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1108892
http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1108563

You should also consider D2. Not necesarily this one, but this whole area is handy and ticks your boxes.

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1100501

This one is slap-bang in the city centre (D2) and looks ok if you don't mind hustle and bustle:

http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1080099

desertcircus

I'd vote Ranelagh as well. If you need access to the airport, the Aircoach is a few minutes' walk away and takes about half an hour - once you're close enough to the Aircoach in the city, you're really losing very little time compared to living further out towards the airport.

Ranelagh can be a bit pricey, but Rathmines is five minutes away and has a Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl and Aldi. Rathmines is a great area as well, but slightly further from Ballsbridge. There are good bars in Ranelagh and Rathmines, and Redmond's off-licence in Ranelagh is the best I've ever seen. You'd be looking at about a fifteen-minute walk to Ballsbridge from Ranelagh, and about twenty from Rathmines.

On a non-accommodation-related note: if you do decide to move to Ranelagh or Rathmines, you'll be beside the proposed cycle route across the city to Fairview, and from there all the way north to Howth - so if you don't find a place that you like the look of for running, you could always join the cyclists!

saccharine

solovely wrote: »

Let us know where you go for in the end. We're all dying to know!

. Trust me, I want to get it over with more than anything at this point. Ranelagh looks really nice, but there aren't that many 1-bedroom apartments listed on daft... And for me, a carpeted floor is a big no-no, so I am left with 1 or 2 I want to see. Trying to go there tomorrow, maybe Rathmines as well.

lainey316

saccharine wrote: »

. Trust me, I want to get it over with more than anything at this point. Ranelagh looks really nice, but there aren't that many 1-bedroom apartments listed on daft... And for me, a carpeted floor is a big no-no, so I am left with 1 or 2 I want to see. Trying to go there tomorrow, maybe Rathmines as well.

the walk is a little longer to Ballsbridge from Rathmines than people have suggested (I do it every day).

Just a small note from my experience, I would be careful about certain things - flats in converted houses have noise transfer issues (that said, have had same issues in purpose built apartments) especially if they've taken up the carpet. The wooden floors are lovely but one crappy neighbour and it's a pain in the proverbials (can often hear their music/tv etc). If that's something that bothers you, just be aware of it. Also if they have the lovely original sash windows, well, they're not double glazed - can be a bit cold (especially if you are used to Dubai!)

But best of luck, Ranelagh is lovely and I really like living in Rathmines - so much stuff on the doorstep makes up for not being as chi-chi as other D6 locations.

The price differential between one bed and two bed sometimes isn't that much - for searches on daft and myhome, I'd put in min 1 max 2 for your budget, you might get lucky (I don't know your actual budget)

Treehouse72

^^ Yes, definitely try Rathmines too Saccharine.

borderlinemeath

From memory the 18 bus route runs through Rathmines -> Ranelagh -> Ballsbridge. Or it is a quick cycle, did it myself for a year.

OP, there are a lot of old converted houses in Ranelagh/Rathmines that wouldn't be in the best nick. Also this time of year has students all looking for accomodation in most areas but particularly Ranelagh/Rathmines as it's very handy for colleges.

the_syco

lainey316 wrote: »

The price differential between one bed and two bed sometimes isn't that much - for searches on daft and myhome, I'd put in min 1 max 2 for your budget, you might get lucky (I don't know your actual budget)

On that note, I'd search by price, rather than room number. Have seen people looking for 4 bedrooms, only to miss out on 7 bedroom houses for the same amount as the 4 bedroom houses.

Limit the number of bedrooms in the search to 1, you'll only get apartments, but if you limit the money of the search to your budget, and you may get a small 2 bedroom house in a decent location.

saccharine

Thanks again to anyone that contributed to this thread!

As I promised, a follow-up to how my flat search went. Though it's more of a novel...

First of all, within a few days, I scrapped the idea of renting a one-bedroom, and decided to look for a flat/house share. The 1-bedroom prices were not making much sense to me: you can get a 1 bedroom for 900-1300, or share in a 2-bedroom or a house for 450-650 (how is that 1- and 2-bedrooms have the same price...?). Also, I learned a lot of single professionals are sharing, not only students, which is different from other places I lived in.

Within 2.5 weeks, I saved 62 ads on daft, called/inquired about 30 (learned to call whenever there was a number listed, since I never heard back from some people that only provided email), viewed 9... I wanted to view more, alas the viewings would get cancelled literally as I was getting out of the door. I started with Ranelagh, which I really liked. Soon enough I realized that it's not enough for me to like the place, there was so much interest that I felt like I'm on 'Ireland's Next Top Housemate'. Except I didn't throw tantrums when I didn't get picked (though after 2 weeks of doing this, I was very close). I widened my territory to Sandymount, Ballsbrige, Ringsend and Donnybrook - I think by now I'm well-qualified to be giving walking tours of Dublin 4 . Finally, I decided Monday will be my last day of viewings, and I scheduled 3 of them. At the first one, the girl (with whom I thought I got along really well) told me the day she posted the ad, she got 25 calls about it. Sounds promising, right? Another one was an open house, there were about 30 people that viewed the place that night... Crazy! Obviously, I didn't ever hear back from them. However, I did hear back from that first girl! So this is how I ended up in a lovely house in Donnybrook, with fantastic housemates. And I do my jogging in Herbert Park, which is perfect. The End.