Moving to Ireland and need some advice!

Keeleyharper2

Hello, my name is Keeley and I am moving to Ireland from England in February 2014. I am moving over with my partner, Al.

We have had a look at a few areas including Leixlip and Athy. We are looking for an area that is close enough to Dublin as this is going to be the best place to get work (I am a secretary/receptionist and Al is a chef), but far enough away so that the housing is cheap.

Can you suggest anywhere? Our budget is 700 euros per month and we are looking for a two bedroom house. I can drive however Al can't so good transport links are a must (although he would be happy to walk to get to these).

Athy looks beautiful, as does leixlip, but obviously leixlip is expensive and Athy is far out and expensive in terms of travelling in to Dublin.

We would like a quiet (ish) area, few pubs, nice to live in etc... I'm sure you get the jist!

Any help would be great!

Thank in advance

Keeley

Victor

Realise the job situation here is quite poor. I wouldn't recommend coming unless you have jobs arranged. Realise that most things costs more here.

Leixlip is more established, with Athy only joining the the commuter zone in the last 10-15 years - so it is full of young families with implications for schools, shopping, etc.

Living near your job will be important. You need to weigh up cost of housing -v- cost of transport and time lost to commuting. Getting home late at night is an obvious issue for a chef, when there are limited night buses, which only run at the weekend, with none to Athy. Check out www.a-b.ie making sure you use the exact locations and correct dates and times.

Keeleyharper2 wrote: »

I can drive however Al can't so good transport links are a must (although he would be happy to walk to get to these).

Parking in the city centre can cost €20/day so on secretarial income, public transport is essential.

Cycling to/from stations or main bus stops is also a possibility.


ATHY:

From Athy to Dublin, the first direct bus arrives at 11:30, so train or change of bus is mandatory. http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1360752837-007.pdf

Fares for bus: http://www.busfare.co.uk/eireann.html Monthly and annual tickets should be available.

Service 7
10.50 : Adult Single
15.00 : Adult Rtn
12.50 : Adult Day Rtn
7.50 : Child Single
10.00 : Child Return
9.00 : Child Day Rtn
10.00 : Student Single
12.50 : Student Rtn
14.50 : Adult MW Rtn
9.00 : Child MW Rtn
34.50 : Family Rtn
44.50 : Adult 10 Jny
43.50 : Student 10 Jny

Fare calculator for rail: http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/fare_calc_2013.php?station_from=ATHY&station_to=DUBCC&stage1=Submit+Query

Station From: Athy
Station To: Dublin (City Centre)

The journey distance is: 72.05km, fare zone F2 future zone E

Ticket Adult Child Student 16-25 Family
Single €17.10 €8.40 €11.60 €13.10
Open Return €23.70 €11.70 €18.20 €19.70 €55.50
Day Return €20.20 €10.20 €35.00
Monthly €312.00
Annual €3,120.00

http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/fare_calc_2013.php?station_from=ATHY&station_to=HSTON&stage1=Submit+Query

Station From: Athy
Station To: Dublin (Heuston)

The journey distance is: 72.05km, fare zone F2 future zone E

Ticket Adult Child Student 16-25 Family
Single €15.50 €7.50 €10.00 €11.50
Open Return €20.50 €10.00 €15.00 €16.50 €55.50
Day Return €17.00 €8.50 €35.00
Monthly €280.00
Annual €2,800.00

LEIXLIP:

You can choose from two train stations (Leixlip Louisa Bridge or Leixlip Confey) or one bus route with a number of route variations.

http://www.dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/Timetables/
66 Towards Merrion Square
66a Towards Merrion Square
66b Towards Merrion Square
66n From Westmoreland St. Towards Leixlip (Louisa Bridge) via Glen Easton
66x Towards UCD Belfield

Leixlip falls within the Dublin Bus fare zone, (Athy does not). http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Fares--Tickets/Tickets/2-Journey-Daily-Weekly/

For rail, depending on what stations you use, one of fare band C, D or J applies. Alternatively, you can get an Inner Short Hop ticket.
http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/fares_matrix_2013.php

Ticket Type Inner Short Hop Rail Short Hop Rail Short Hop Rail + Bus Short Hop Rail + Luas
Adult 7 Day €32.50 €37.00 €??.?? €??.??
Adult Monthly - €122.00 €142.00 €161.00
Student 7 Day €23.50 €25.00 - €??.??
Student Monthly - €80.00 €108.00 €??.??

Ticket Type D J C
Adult Single €2.80 €3.30 €4.00
Adult Smartcard Single €2.30 €2.75 €3.30
Adult Return €5.25 €5.80 €7.25
Adult 3 Day €13.90 €16.00 €19.20
Adult 7 Day €23.50 €27.50 €32.50
Child Single €1.15 €1.30 €1.30
Child Smartcard Single €1.45 €1.60 €1.60
Child Return €2.50 €2.80 €2.80
School Child Smartcard Single €0.70 €0.70 €0.70
Scholar Smartcard Single €1.40 €1.70 €1.70

ID required for most weekly/monthly/annual tickets.

If earning more than about €15,000-20,000 each and the employer participates www.taxsaver.ie can change the cost of commuting.