Decent places to live in Dublin?

ash1511

Hi,

My wife and I work near and around St. Stephen's Green. We are trying to find a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment/house for us to rent. We were initially thinking about areas on the Green Luas Line but they turned out to be very expensive. Our budget is upto €1000 for a 1 bed apartment and €1300 for a 2. We saw a couple of 2 bed apartments around Cherrywood Business Park but they seem to be smaller than 1 bed ones, not to mention that they are very far from the city and without any shopping stores nearby.

We are not from Ireland so we look "different" and would prefer some area that is free of racial abuses. Can anyone please suggest us some nice and safe areas where we can look and find some apartments suiting our needs?

Thanks in advance.

jon1981

ash1511 wrote: »

Hi,

My wife and I work near and around St. Stephen's Green. We are trying to find a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment/house for us to rent. We were initially thinking about areas on the Green Luas Line but they turned out to be very expensive. Our budget is upto €1000 for a 1 bed apartment and €1300 for a 2. We saw a couple of 2 bed apartments around Cherrywood Business Park but they seem to be smaller than 1 bed ones, not to mention that they are very far from the city and without any shopping stores nearby.

Can anyone please suggest us some nice and safe areas where we can look and find some apartments suiting our needs?

Thanks in advance.

If you broaden your search to the dart line and a short walk from Pearse st station you could look at areas like Killester. Killester is a lovely town with loads of amenities such as Super valu, pharmacies, coffee shops, banks..etc. and bus options also. Killester is very safe and is an expensive area to buy now and is on the fringes of Clontarf.

example here, 6-7 min walk to the dart, 10-12 mins into pearse on the dart and 5-8min walk to the the green.
http://www.daft.ie/lettings/79-venetian-hall-killester-dublin/1511559/

Also if you cycled, you would be in the green area in 15 mins easy. I cycle from Killester to Patrick st and takes me no more than 20mins.

I know most people want to live on the green line and south side but I think it's no longer viable for most people due to cost and limited supply but the north side has some gems that people are overlooking.

PS. We used to rent a 2 bed in Dartry right beside the milltown luas stop, 30 feet from it actually, it was an older apartment block, for 1100e a month about 3 years ago, I saw an advert last month for 1600e for the same apartment! :eek:

ash1511

jon1981 wrote: »

If you broaden your search to the dart line and a short walk from Pearse st station you could look at areas like Killester. Killester is a lovely town with loads of amenities such as Super valu, pharmacies, coffee shops, banks..etc. and bus options also. Killester is very safe and is an expensive area to buy now and is on the fringes of Clontarf.

example here, 6-7 min walk to the dart, 10-12 mins into pearse on the dart and 5-8min walk to the the green.
http://www.daft.ie/lettings/79-venetian-hall-killester-dublin/1511559/

Also if you cycled, you would be in the green area in 15 mins easy. I cycle from Killester to Patrick st and takes me no more than 20mins.

I know most people want to live on the green line and south side but I think it's no longer viable for most people due to cost and limited supply but the north side has some gems that people are overlooking.

Thanks jon1981. Dart will not be a problem I guess. I've heard stories about the Northside and you are right in thinking that I was/am avoiding it. But then we are currently putting up in Tallaght and everyone knows what kinda area that is. Again, it is in the south. We are not from Ireland so we look "different" and would prefer some area that is free of racial abuses. Killester looks like a nice area and we can have a look at it as well, I think. Thanks again!

DulchieLaois

Stoneybatter - only 20 minutes walk/ Luas from Smithfield/ Dublin Buys to city center and rent is affordable still

jon1981

ash1511 wrote: »

Thanks jon1981. Dart will not be a problem I guess. I've heard stories about the Northside and you are right in thinking that I was/am avoiding it. But then we are currently putting up in Tallaght and everyone knows what kinda area that is. Again, it is in the south. We are not from Ireland so we look "different" and would prefer some area that is free of racial abuses. Killester looks like a nice area and we can have a look at it as well, I think. Thanks again!

The south side is not without it's problem areas, which is another thread/topic that I won't go into. But coming from another country you have to understand the current rental situation, rental in the southside and more overly the locations close to southside commuting lines is extremely expensive and probably out of your price range anywhere from Sandyford to the city (excluding areas like Tallaght, Crumlin..etc which you probably could afford but are far out e.g. Tallaght or alittle rougher e.g. Crumlin).

Look at Raheny (only locations close to the dart as Raheny is pretty large), Clontarf also.

Kilmainham would be another location, very close to the city.

Michael D Not Higgins

One thing I think Dublin (or Ireland in general) needs is something they have here in Scotland.

http://www.sns.gov.uk/Simd/Simd.aspx
This is an interactive mapping tool which allows you to quickly see stats on different areas (including crime, housing, employment, education, etc.) and an overall rank on the deprevation of each area.

Here's a quick example of Edinburgh. The darker an area is, the more deprived it is.
http://i.imgur.com/wPw3oCi.png
It's not completely reliable, but it gives a good feel for different areas for someone who isn't familiar with the area. Does anyone know of anything similar for Dublin? It would help for exactly these kinds of queries.

ash1511

DulchieLaois wrote: »

Stoneybatter - only 20 minutes walk/ Luas from Smithfield/ Dublin Buys to city center and rent is affordable still

The houses here are very pretty. But again, out of our range. Thanks though!

MarkAnthony

IMHO you're far more likely to encounter, let's call it jingoism, in SoCo Dublin. D7/D8 should fit the bill nicely.

jon1981

MarkAnthony wrote: »

IMHO you're far more likely to encounter, let's call it jingoism, in SoCo Dublin. D7/D8 should fit the bill nicely.

+1

Have a look around patrick st, new st in Dublin 8 or areas along the south circular road. Very central and diverse locations.

5star02707

These are mostly in Dublin 8

-Chandler's Guild infront St.James
-Bow Lane
-Steevens Gate

You could also try the apartments near St.Patrick's Cathedral

ash1511

jon1981 wrote: »

The south side is not without it's problem areas, which is another thread/topic that I won't go into. But coming from another country you have to understand the current rental situation, rental in the southside and more overly the locations close to southside commuting lines is extremely expensive and probably out of your price range anywhere from Sandyford to the city (excluding areas like Tallaght, Crumlin..etc which you probably could afford but are far out e.g. Tallaght or alittle rougher e.g. Crumlin).

Look at Raheny (only locations close to the dart as Raheny is pretty large), Clontarf also.

Kilmainham would be another location, very close to the city.

I second you jon1981 about the fact. I did have a look at Clontarf. Will see Raheny as well. Is Kilmainham a part of Inchicore? I've heard Inchicore is a dodgy area.

ash1511

MarkAnthony wrote: »

IMHO you're far more likely to encounter, let's call it jingoism, in SoCo Dublin. D7/D8 should fit the bill nicely.

Thanks MarkAnthony. Will search for in D8.

ash1511

5star02707 wrote: »

These are mostly in Dublin 8

-Chandler's Guild infront St.James
-Bow Lane
-Steevens Gate

You could also try the apartments near St.Patrick's Cathedral

Thanks for this 5star02707

jon1981

ash1511 wrote: »

I second you jon1981 about the fact. I did have a look at Clontarf. Will see Raheny as well. Is Kilmainham a part of Inchicore? I've heard Inchicore is a dodgy area.

Kilmainham borders Inchicore. Inchicore is fine now, it was pretty bad 15-20 yrs ago and has been getting better ever since. A lot of the recent housing and apartment developments have brought in young professionals and has started gentrifying the area in my view. There are some dodgy specific locations like Turvey avenue and st michaels estate area but in the whole Inchicore is fine despite some bad eggs still living in the area. I know people that bought in Inchicore having moved from traditional south Dublin locations and love it. The area around Bulfin road is very mature and borders Kilmainham (avoid Turvey avenue).


You'll read some bad reports on the red line Luas that runs from Tallaght, the naas road , inchicore and into the inner city locations, unfortunately these reports are true, the red line sees abit of anti social behaviour, however if you work in the green you also have the bus as options.

But hey Smithfield would have been a no go area 20-30 yrs go, as would many parts of central Dublin and now they are highly sought after locations.

tricky D

ash1511 wrote: »

The houses here are very pretty. But again, out of our range. Thanks though!

Don't forget to factor in your travel expenses. The difference between living in the city with a walking commute and having to get public transport from further out might be around €200 per month. Then there might be taxi fares and other public transport on top of that for socialising and you could also save a good bit of commuting time which some view as a bit of a waste of time.

MarkAnthony

Out of interest from where do you hail? D8 Quays is little Eastern Europe these days. There's even a themed pub!

Jmccoy1

Has anyone had experience of / opinions on Mountjoy Square ?

ash1511

Jmccoy1 wrote: »

Has anyone had experience of / opinions on Mountjoy Square ?

I've recently had a scam rental email from a guy who was ready to put me in Mountjoy Square. Can you share the details? It might be the same as mine.

ash1511

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Out of interest from where do you hail? D8 Quays is little Eastern Europe these days. There's even a themed pub!

India

MarkAnthony

ash1511 wrote: »

India

No real specific Indian area in Dublin AFAIK, mores the pity impossible to find decent Indian food in Dublin IMHO but D7/8 should be grand, just research the area, take a good look around etc.

ash1511

MarkAnthony wrote: »

No real specific Indian area in Dublin AFAIK, mores the pity impossible to find decent Indian food in Dublin IMHO but D7/8 should be grand, just research the area, take a good look around etc.

Haha.. True. there aren't any good Indian restaurants in Dublin. To eat a proper Indian meal, you might to visit an Indian family or maybe India. lol..
I'm not looking for any Indians-centric area. All I want is a safe area with reasonable rental property. D8 looks like a nice one. Any idea about Cabra?

Jmccoy1

ash1511 wrote: »

I've recently had a scam rental email from a guy who was ready to put me in Mountjoy Square. Can you share the details? It might be the same as mine.

I'm not looking there myself, however my young sister and her boyfriend (neither of whom are from Dublin) have moved in to a place there last Monday. I'm just concerned about what potential issues they may face in the area, particularly places in the vicinity to avoid.

ash1511

tricky D wrote: »

Don't forget to factor in your travel expenses. The difference between living in the city with a walking commute and having to get public transport from further out might be around €200 per month. Then there might be taxi fares and other public transport on top of that for socialising and you could also save a good bit of commuting time which some view as a bit of a waste of time.

True. But then the apartments near and around city center will be expensive. So I might end up paying the same amount. Yes, the commuting time will be lessened for sure!

ash1511

Jmccoy1 wrote: »

I'm not looking there myself, however my young sister and her boyfriend (neither of whom are from Dublin) have moved in to a place there last Monday. I'm just concerned about what potential issues they may face in the area, particularly places in the vicinity to avoid.

As far as I know, it will be safe as far as they try not to be adventurous and roam around a place called Summerhill late at night. Other than that, I'm myself searching for a place so don't have much of an idea about the place. Sorry!

Michael D Not Higgins

Jmccoy1 wrote: »

I'm not looking there myself, however my young sister and her boyfriend (neither of whom are from Dublin) have moved in to a place there last Monday. I'm just concerned about what potential issues they may face in the area, particularly places in the vicinity to avoid.

Mountjoy Sq is only up the road from Gardiner St/Talbot St area which is usually pretty rough and full of junkies.

Here's from the hilariously vandalised Wikipedia page for Talbot St

In 2012, Talbot Street rose to online notoriety after a YouTube clip was uploaded showing a fight between two junkies with an umbrella and two Brazilian bodybuilders. In the video, the two knackers can be seen tempting the Brazilians with their umbrella, until one of the Brazilians, having almost lost an eye to the umbrella, takes offense and delivers a well deserved ass kicking. When the second junkie attempts to argue on behalf of his accomplice, the second Brazilian lad gives chase, knocking the knacker to the ground and bashing him with his own umbrella. At this point the infamous catchphrase from the video is uttered, though the jury is still out on whether the quote originated from one of the downed junkies or from an 'auld wan on the other side of the road. Though the dialogue's audibility has been compared to the incomprehensible voice of Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, the transcript is generally accepted as the following, or some variation thereof: "Ah leave it out. AHHH leave it out. Leave it fookin' out!!!". At this point, one of the Brazilians lays the smackdown on the original junkie who clearly has failed to learn his lesson and is attempting to re-enter the fray. The unknown human vuvuzela responsible for the original quote bellows "AHHH HEEEAAAAHH!!!" (generally translated as "ah here"), followed by "Leave it bleedin' out! Leave it FOOKIN' out." As the victorious Brazilians tidy themselves up, retrieve their belongings and continue on their merry way, one of the defeated junkies, evidently being a sore loser, launches a vicious assault with a deadly weapon and to the general public's amazement, gives chase. Unfortunately, the video ends here, leaving the fate of all concerned unknown.

Note the links, e.g. human vuvuzela goes to Joan Burton, deadly weapon goes to crisps. Also jury goes to Boards.ie!

Sherlof3

Dublin 4, Ballsbridge, Sandymount etc!

jon1981

Sherlof3 wrote: »

Dublin 4, Ballsbridge, Sandymount etc!

Budget is 1000 for a 1 bed, 1300 for a 2 bed.

Samp943

5star02707 wrote: »

These are mostly in Dublin 8

-Chandler's Guild infront St.James
-Bow Lane
-Steevens Gate

You could also try the apartments near St.Patrick's Cathedral

I work in St. James's and I wouldn't touch any of those places (maybe Bow Lane) with a 10 ft. bargepole. I've been told there are a few wet houses (places for homeless people where alcohol is allowed) in the area and I have to say there are a lot of junkies around. A coworker lives across from Steeven's Gate and has said that he can't wait to move. Between the people getting sick on his doorstep and glancing out the window to see a burnt out car, he's pretty done with the whole thing.

OP, I would also recommend South Circular Rd. I lived in one of the houses across from the Rialto Luas Stop and it was a grand area. Close to a Lidl, a fantastic butcher's around the corner, Luas right on the doorstep and bus routes around the area as well. I'm sure there are probably some flats going in the Herberton complex.

alastair

The "leave it out" woman isn't unknown at all. She's Ann Grimes from Sheriff street, and has gotten great mileage from her 15 minutes of fame.

Mountjoy Sq? It's near a few dodgy streets alright, and I wouldn't go into the park after it's closed at night, but anyone with an ounce of cop-on shouldn't run into any bother. There's usually someone about, so unless junkies, street drinkers, or raucous teenagers/kids, by their very being, cause you panic, it's more about nuisance than danger. There is an ongoing problem with local idiots feeling an obligation to throw around casual racist abuse though, which given that the area is increasingly multi-ethnic, is probably more evident than it used to be.

Sherlof3

jon1981 wrote: »

Budget is 1000 for a 1 bed, 1300 for a 2 bed.

I live in Sandymount and the apartment beside us is a 1 bed and was let for €1000 last week. Ours is a 2 bed for €1200 just let last year.

ash1511

Sherlof3 wrote: »

I live in Sandymount and the apartment beside us is a 1 bed and was let for €1000 last week. Ours is a 2 bed for €1200 just let last year.

Which apartments to be specific?

jon1981

Sherlof3 wrote: »

I live in Sandymount and the apartment beside us is a 1 bed and was let for €1000 last week. Ours is a 2 bed for €1200 just let last year.

Fair enough, daft says otherwise:

http://www.daft.ie/dublin-city/houses-to-rent/sandymount/?s%5Barea_type%5D=on&s%5Bmxp%5D=1300&s%5Badvanced%5D=1&searchSource=rental

0 results

cheapest was 1350, maybe they'll accept less.

Also alot can happen in a year, didn't rental increase by 10% over the last 12 months? actually 14%.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0512/616718-rent/

Sherlof3

ash1511 wrote: »

Which apartments to be specific?

A house converted into apartments

ash1511

Sherlof3 wrote: »

A house converted into apartments

Okay. Any web links to those apartments?

Sherlof3

ash1511 wrote: »

Okay. Any web links to those apartments?

All of the apartments in my house on Leahy's terrace are let - so no link!

Michael D Not Higgins

jon1981 wrote: »

Fair enough, daft says otherwise:

http://www.daft.ie/dublin-city/houses-to-rent/sandymount/?s%5Barea_type%5D=on&s%5Bmxp%5D=1300&s%5Badvanced%5D=1&searchSource=rental

0 results

cheapest was 1350, maybe they'll accept less.

Also alot can happen in a year, didn't rental increase by 10% over the last 12 months? actually 14%.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0512/616718-rent/

19 places in all of D4 1300 and under and most of those are studio apartments.

ash1511

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

19 places in all of D4 1300 and under and most of those are studio apartments.

Not looking for studio though!

Michael D Not Higgins

ash1511 wrote: »

Not looking for studio though!

Exactly. Saying you should live in D4 is pointless. Your money will go further somewhere else and you will have a wider choice.

Mongfinder General

jon1981 wrote: »

Fair enough, daft says otherwise:

http://www.daft.ie/dublin-city/houses-to-rent/sandymount/?s%5Barea_type%5D=on&s%5Bmxp%5D=1300&s%5Badvanced%5D=1&searchSource=rental

0 results

cheapest was 1350, maybe they'll accept less.

Also alot can happen in a year, didn't rental increase by 10% over the last 12 months? actually 14%.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0512/616718-rent/

OP, I'd rather not be the one to break it to you but you'll need to be very lucky to get anything with 2 bedrooms in a desirable area for the money you want to spend. You'll need closer to 1500 to beat off the competition. Otherwise it's Citywest, Blanchardstown or Lucan for you.

Greenmachine

What type of hours are you and your partner working. If you are working early enough in the morning buses etc, would be very fast arriving to the city. Might be worth considering areas like fairview or Drumcondra.

fear_factory84

DulchieLaois wrote: »

Stoneybatter - only 20 minutes walk/ Luas from Smithfield/ Dublin Buys to city center and rent is affordable still

If you want to fight with tens of people waiting for a viewing...
I don't know why, but smithfield/stoneybatter in recent times have become a really desired area..

If you want to stay close to St Patrick you can try Christchurch, but be selective because there are nice complexes and others that are not so much. The more you stay away from the Liberties the better it is (generally but there are exceptions).

MarkAnthony

Samp943 wrote: »

I work in St. James's and I wouldn't touch any of those places (maybe Bow Lane) with a 10 ft. bargepole. I've been told there are a few wet houses (places for homeless people where alcohol is allowed) in the area and I have to say there are a lot of junkies around. A coworker lives across from Steeven's Gate and has said that he can't wait to move. Between the people getting sick on his doorstep and glancing out the window to see a burnt out car, he's pretty done with the whole thing.

OP, I would also recommend South Circular Rd. I lived in one of the houses across from the Rialto Luas Stop and it was a grand area. Close to a Lidl, a fantastic butcher's around the corner, Luas right on the doorstep and bus routes around the area as well. I'm sure there are probably some flats going in the Herberton complex.

Burnt out cars is overstating the point somewhat. I've never seen a burnt out car there in 10 years. Yes the area does suffer from drunks and junkies.

Herberton was the site of a recent enough homocide - some would say on the basis of a foreign national not knowing the area and challenging a group of local hoodies.

Personally I'd be wary enough of any high density area that don't already have a diverse element, some of the emerging areas in D8, on reflection, probably do bare making sure the area is okay.

RasTa

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/45-beechwood-avenue-lower-ranelagh-dublin/1553880/

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/no-4-upper-drumcondra-dublin/1549683/

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/2-newcomen-court-fairview-dublin/1551792/

ash1511

Mongfinder General wrote: »

OP, I'd rather not be the one to break it to you but you'll need to be very lucky to get anything with 2 bedrooms in a desirable area for the money you want to spend. You'll need closer to 1500 to beat off the competition. Otherwise it's Citywest, Blanchardstown or Lucan for you.

I do not mind Lucan but we should at least be able to get a property there!

fear_factory84

ash1511 wrote: »

I do not mind Lucan but we should at least be able to get a property there!

I still have to go to see that area, but apartments at least on daft photos are great compared to what city center offers..

ash1511

fear_factory84 wrote: »

I still have to go to see that area, but apartments at least on daft photos are great compared to what city center offers..

Absolutely. I mean we cannot rely on the photos on daft/rent/myhome as they are edited to the extreme, but the area I've heard is pretty sought after even though it does not have a Luas connectivity. There are queues of people waiting to view the apartments.

MarkAnthony

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/viking-harbour-dublin-8-dublin/1550565/

Really nice quiet complex in D8 OP.

ash1511

MarkAnthony wrote: »

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/viking-harbour-dublin-8-dublin/1550565/

Really nice quiet complex in D8 OP.

Looks good and in budget. Will give them a call and ask. Thanks!

ash1511

Greenmachine wrote: »

What type of hours are you and your partner working. If you are working early enough in the morning buses etc, would be very fast arriving to the city. Might be worth considering areas like fairview or Drumcondra.

Is Fairview good enough to rent?

fear_factory84

ash1511 wrote: »

Is Fairview good enough to rent?

I've only heard bad opinions about Fairview, but I have no direct experience, so I can't comment on it..
There are not so much ads on daft about that area.

About queues, you will find queues of people in every area of the city, rental market here is crazy!

ceekay74

ash1511 wrote: »

Thanks jon1981. Dart will not be a problem I guess. I've heard stories about the Northside and you are right in thinking that I was/am avoiding it. But then we are currently putting up in Tallaght and everyone knows what kinda area that is. Again, it is in the south. We are not from Ireland so we look "different" and would prefer some area that is free of racial abuses. Killester looks like a nice area and we can have a look at it as well, I think. Thanks again!

Your opinion on the Northside and Tallaght are flawed, there are both awful and lovely parts in both areas!

Anyway, good luck with getting what you want with your budget, you might need to be prepared to pay more.