Working in Portlaoise, thinking of moving to Dublin - advice needed!

kat.mac

Hi all,

I'm looking for a bit of advice. I'm working in Portlaoise and see myself continuing to work here for at least another couple of years. I'm currently living in Carlow town, but I'm considering moving to Dublin next summer and commuting to PL. The main reason for this is I'm not originally from Carlow and while it's a great town, at my age (mid-20s) it's proving a bit difficult to form a good social circle, and I have tonnes of friends and relatives in Dublin.

Is anyone currently doing this commute? How do ye find it? I've done it a couple of times having stayed overnight in Dublin but I'd like to hear from someone who does it every day.

I have a good diesel car which is fairly economical so from that point of view I'm as well set up as I can be.

Also, what would be the best areas in Dublin to look for a place that would have a good balance of being close-ish to city centre/good public transport links to city centre, but wouldn't be too awkward in terms of getting onto the M7?

All the best, thanks!

Heroditas

Lucan would be a decent enough spot.
Not too far out from the city centre (25-30mins in the bus off-peak) and less than hour from Portlaoise - straight down the Outer Ring Road and onto the N7 at Kingswood.

Stobart

Also around Clondalkin, couple of mins to N7 or if you dont feel like driving to Pl some day theres a direct bus from Red Cow ( Dublin coach i think ) lad i know does the commute in reverse i.e pl to dub and back daily this way. Outer ring road to N7 is a gift, avoids newlands cross.

Victor

www.a-b.ie

Would it make sense to live near a train station for those times you don't have / want to use the car? Morning trains arrive 07.20, 07.49, 09.32 http://www.irishrail.ie/media/11_DublinPortlaoise1.pdf

Alternatively Bus Éireann route 8, 12 or X12, which I think does a couple of stops in the town.

kat.mac

Thanks lads!