Skerries estates

westsider

Hi, we are currently living in Lusk but thinking of a move to Skerries. Houses in our price range would be in Kellys Bay, some in Shenick/ St Patricks Close but in need of a lot of upgrading, Barnageeragh although not mad on location. Also I see there are new houses being developed near golf club.
Just looking for opinions on the differing estates, anything to be wary of?
We have one child in school in Lusk and another due to start 2016/2017, still unsure if we would move schools but may be better to in the long run, would be interested in Educate Together there as child currently attends the one in Lusk.
Thanks for any advice!

plethora

Hi there, I've lived in Skerries for over 10 years now, absolutely love it, but I think we will be planning to move out. Reason: housing estates. Well, the one we currently live in is wonderful but our house is just too small for us (no room for extension). In the same estate in order to change from 3 to 4-bed we'd need to fork out over 100k. Mad. Other mature estates not much better, and on top of that what you're getting in those mature estates is ALWAYS in need of serious work (number of issues usually: lousy kitchens, lousy bathrooms, mouldy carpets etc). Very, very rarely does it happen that you manage to get something with just one of those to deal with. 4 beds requiring work in mature estate cost at least 400k and that's when we're looking at semis (which we're not). Now, the newer estates like Kelly's Bay might be a bit cheaper but the houses are cheap timber frame so you might want to consider that. With the new estates (like Barnageeragh Cove) the thing is, the houses are lovely but the area around them is squeezed like a lemon. You don't have much in terms of green areas (there are merely tiny lawns around the houses in Barnageeragh Cove and from what I understand the other estate near the golf club (called the Links I think) is supposed to be even worse in that respect (no real plans for class 1 green areas at all).
So there, Skerries being a lovely place to live (no doubts about it) does not really offer that much in terms of comfortable accommodation. We've started looking about 2 years ago for a bigger house and so far bidded only once for something acceptable that in the end was withdrawn from the market anyway.
Now we've finally accepted that we might find something much better elsewhere and when we started looking we discovered a number of nice houses on the market in neighbouring villages. It will be a shame to move out with kids at schools in Skerries and all but if for the price of a 4-bed semi in need of work I can get a lovely 4 bed detached in excellent condition with a nice big garden (and often a view too!) I think I'll do just that.
Anyways, these are my thoughts. Hope I gave you some food for thought.

plethora

Just realised you said you wanted your kids to go to Educate Together. Well then, if you don't mind tightly squeezed houses with very little in terms of green areas around them then Barnageeragh Cove would be a very good choice in fact. You have the Point with Spar very close by, the school practically on your doorstep and bike lanes leading to the station and town. Whatever the locals might say IT IS within walking distance to town be it a longish walk but still possible (unlike in the case of the Links where you probably won't have as much as a pavement). And what is most important you know what you're buying: the houses are actually very nice. Having said that, again, it depends what you're looking for and what exactly your budget is. Keep in mind though that Skerries is extremely overpriced in comparison to Lusk or Rush.

westsider

Thanks plethora for such a detailed reply, it has certainly given me food for thought. It is interesting to hear your view as someone potentially leaving the area for a bigger house. That I suppose is our dilemma if we moved to Skerries we would be sacrificing space for location. Our budget in Skerries wouldn't go past a 3 bed semi however we could get a 4 bed in Lusk or Rush for the same price.
I love visiting Skerries, love the community feel to it the amount of amenities for kids and adults and the good schools particularly secondary. I sometimes wonder do I have a rose tinted view though that it would be worth having a smaller house to be living there.
It also has to be said that we don't hate living in Lusk it's actually quite a nice place to live lovely school which my daughter loves and we have made some good friends here.
Anyway I'm no nearer it making a decision it really will come down to size vs location and at the moment I don't know which we will choose.
Thanks again for all your comments x

kennyb3

plethora wrote: »

Now, the newer estates like Kelly's Bay might be a bit cheaper but the houses are cheap timber frame so you might want to consider that. With the new estates (like Barnageeragh Cove) the thing is, the houses are lovely but the area around them is squeezed like a lemon.

100% wrong re houses in Kelly's Bay - they are not timber framed. I don't live there but i know this 100%. The ones in Barnageeragh are actually timber framed. It's irrelevant anyway - there are many high quality timber framed houses. It's the build quality that matters.

plethora wrote: »

So there, Skerries being a lovely place to live (no doubts about it) does not really offer that much in terms of comfortable accommodation.

What? I'd say the 10,000 other people living there might disagree. You must clearly mean in your opinion, for your requirements and with your budget.

plethora wrote: »

Now we've finally accepted that we might find something much better elsewhere and when we started looking we discovered a number of nice houses on the market in neighbouring villages. It will be a shame to move out with kids at schools in Skerries and all but if for the price of a 4-bed semi in need of work I can get a lovely 4 bed detached in excellent condition with a nice big garden (and often a view too!) I think I'll do just that.

Well that's the way the market works - supply and demand. Skerries prices are at a premium for many reasons. There is a trade off between house size and amenities etc.

I could go live in Wicklow in a 3000sq ft house with amazing views for sub €400k but it would come with serious sacrifices in other regards.

As the old saying goes location, location, location.

kennyb3

westsider wrote: »

Hi, we are currently living in Lusk but thinking of a move to Skerries. Houses in our price range would be in Kellys Bay, some in Shenick/ St Patricks Close but in need of a lot of upgrading, Barnageeragh although not mad on location. Also I see there are new houses being developed near golf club.
Just looking for opinions on the differing estates, anything to be wary of?
We have one child in school in Lusk and another due to start 2016/2017, still unsure if we would move schools but may be better to in the long run, would be interested in Educate Together there as child currently attends the one in Lusk.
Thanks for any advice!

Very generally.

The east side of the town is the older, more mature side. Houses there (shenick, downside) are more expensive for this reason and you'll generally find the average age of the neighbourhood higher. Being older built houses they'll also require a bit more work in terms on insulation & heating systems etc upgrades. Depending on the road you might find a lack of kids for your own to play with, but against that it will generally be quieter if that's what you value/prefer.

The newer estates (Kellys bay, skerries rock, Barnageeragh cove) are to the west. We rented in Barnageeragh cove before buying and I'm not a fan at all. Great houses, very warm but there is zero surrounding green area. The big green field on way in is covered with rocks and unusable. The estate has been a work in progress for years and god knows how many years more it will be. If they put in a playground, proper green areas, landscaped etc we'd have loved to have lived there - though it's well out of the town. I get the feeling you'll need to keep your kids in more than out and that's not what we wanted at all. We also rented in Kelly's bay (kellys bay beach) and really liked it.

Kelly's bay & Skerries Rock will probably interest you given you are after a 3 bed. Both have advantages & disadvantages. Skerries Rock is nearer town but Kelly's Bay has Spar at Skerries point. Still it can be a long way to there if you live in one of the further away cul de sac's. Both are family estates with loads of kids. The houses differ too in terms of build and layout. So it may come down to specific preferences there.

My advice would be to get on the ground, drive through them and walk through them regularly. You might have specific requirements like cul de sac location or west facing garden (as we did) so that might cut down your target area significantly.

Khannie

OP: I'd check Skerries rock. I have lived there and the houses are very nice. Well built. Insulation is great. Lots of kids. I'd just as happily live in Kelly's bay, but Skerries Rock is that bit closer to the town.

plethora wrote: »

in order to change from 3 to 4-bed we'd need to fork out over 100k. Mad.

There is a shortage of 4 beds in Skerries and as such they command a premium.

kennyb3

There's not 100k difference between the 3 bed's and these particular 4 beds in the relevant estates at the moment

http://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/11-kelly-s-bay-promenade-skerries-county-dublin/3104200

http://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/16-the-promenade-kelly-s-bay-skerries-dublin/3319484

The negative of the promenade being the traffic in/out of the estate, but they are south facing.

http://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/42-the-vale-skerries-rock-skerries-north-county-dublin/2950357

I do agree with Khainne though - there aren't a huge amount of 4 beds that come up in selskar, seacrest, the brambles. And the ones that come up in Downside and Townparks are often €100k+ more expensive than a 3 bed in kellybs bay/skerries rock so it can be a big gap to cover upsizing.

Leapfrog11

Kenny, did you notice a smell from the water plant when you were living in Barnageeragh? Interested in buying there myself but that's a major worry.

kennyb3

Leapfrog11 wrote: »

Kenny, did you notice a smell from the water plant when you were living in Barnageeragh? Interested in buying there myself but that's a major worry.

Not while in the house itself but I did when walking past down to eurospar. It whiffs of chemicals when you get close but the smell doesn't seem to travel.

As I've already said i'd think twice about this development if you've kids. Younger kids will be kept in the back garden (a lot of which are small, particularly the newer houses, and majorly sloped making them poor) as there is no real green area to play out front and older kids will just end up hanging around Skerries Point (eurospar etc.) as it's a huge distance into the town itself.

Best of luck whatever you decide

Leapfrog11

Thanks for the info! It is a bit cramped alright. Would love to buy in one of the older estates but not sure if the budget will stretch to it because there's so much work to be done to them. Will keep looking though! And saving!

quad_red

We bought in Kelly's Bay in 2013. In a cul de sac near the sea front. Overall very happy with it - really nice street, safe, great for kids.

Houses are reasonably well built structurally but poorly insulated and the plumbing is of a very poor standard. Decent room though and easy to extend out the back.

With Kelly's Bay I would advise to spend time in any prospective part you were thinking of buying and seeing what the vibe is. I know a friend of a friend up near the Spar isn't very impressed with the quality of some of the neighbours.

dutopia

Just moved into a 3 bed in Barnageeragh Cove, very happy! Lovely house and nice community. Any questions I can help answer?

digiman

dutopia wrote: »

Just moved into a 3 bed in Barnageeragh Cove, very happy! Lovely house and nice community. Any questions I can help answer?

I'm intending to go view there today, anything to look out for?

lizzykinse

Hi , I just put down a booking deposit on 3 bed semi in Barnageeragh . Is it a nice estate to live in . Anything u should know in advance

Thanks
Lizzy

bittihuduga

how far is the train station from the estate? agent says 10 minute walk but google map says 2.5 kms :-(

The Hill Billy

From Barnageeragh to the station would be 15-20 minutes. Google maps probably doesn't factor in that you can cut across the Ballast Pit (between Newtownparks & the Station).

cruizer101

Is the estate agent an olympic walker, google maps gives it as 2km from the roundabout in Barnageeragh to the train station across the ballst pit. So looking at 25 min walk at least. I've a friend there who would not be lazy but still drives. It also isn't a great walk in my opinion, big long straight lonely road.

The Hill Billy

To be fair - there's a bend in the road at Skerries Point to liven it up.

I see what you mean though about the distance - I didn't realize that it was a full 2km walk. On a dark, wet winter's morning or evening it wouldn't be much fun.

Utah

I'm buying in Barnageeragh Cove.
Did the train station walk the other day to time it - 18 minutes

Fridge

lizzykinse wrote: »

Hi , I just put down a booking deposit on 3 bed semi in Barnageeragh . Is it a nice estate to live in . Anything u should know in advance

It was nice and quiet for years but with the all the new houses and playground, all I can hear is constant screaming. They originally planned to build a lot more apartments so I expected less of that but they changed the plans to include more houses, so there are way more families. It's not just shrill kids obviously, it's also teenagers using the playground at night.

FavreWatch

Hi, just looking at Phase 3 Ballygossan estate in Skerries. I can't mind much information as to people's experience so far living there When I browse the Internet

Interested to know anything around the estate such as

- how people found working with the developers
- Is there social housing included
- what the houses are like
- any issues with internet links etc

If anyone else is looking and had other info if they wanted to share.

Thanks

private

I have bought in ballygossan but won't be moving in until later in the year. So far so good. Builder is nice and helpful. I recommend you get in touch with the estate agent and try and arrange a viewing of the show houses.
The location is fantastic ( all the amenities are to hand) and the path to the train station is in place. Should be about 10 minutes walk.

No social housing but if they proceed with future development and attain planning in the future there would be some.
I can't comment on Internet as have no idea. Will ask next time I'm out there.

sailing

FavreWatch wrote: »

Hi, just looking at Phase 3 Ballygossan estate in Skerries. I can't mind much information as to people's experience so far living there When I browse the Internet

Interested to know anything around the estate such as

- how people found working with the developers
- Is there social housing included
- what the houses are like
- any issues with internet links etc

If anyone else is looking and had other info if they wanted to share.

Thanks

Hi, I've bought one of these houses and have moved in. Houses are A3 so very warm. Minimal heating costs over the winter.

The developers are fine to work with. I got some extra things done during my build at my own cost. Despite an initial reluctance they allowed me to do what I was looking for and dealt directly with the electrician, kitchen suppliers etc myself once I got the go ahead.

Internet is high speed broadband which was installed towards the end of the summer last year. No problems at all with it.

There is no social housing. In fact so far no rented accommodation on the site thus far. All owner occupied.

Houses are good build from my experience so far. A few teething problems with small things as you would expect from a new build but a visit to the site office and they are dealt with immediately from my experience. The lads on site are great. Friendly and approachable.

Only downside so far is the fact that there is a lot of construction traffic as it's still a building site. That's to be expected though as a new development. As the windows are triple glazed the noise is low. It's just dusty most of the time. They do clean up as they go along though and always have since I've moved in so evening times are fine.

private

sailing wrote: »

Hi, I've bought one of these houses and have moved in. Houses are A3 so very warm. Minimal heating costs over the winter.


The developers are fine to work with. I got some extra things done during my build at my own cost. Despite an initial reluctance they allowed me to do what I was looking for and dealt directly with the electrician, kitchen suppliers etc myself once I got the go ahead.

In fact so far no rented accommodation on the site thus far. All owner occupied..

Hi neighbour to be

A few questions if you don't mind.

Re. The kitchen, are you saying you used a different supplier. How much did the builder give you towards that?

What is a minimal heating bill? 😃 How good is the solar power for heating the water?

Are there any children? I was told there were some but have seen no evidence. It is basically a building site though so they wouldn't be out and about. I also believe a lot of the residents are locals who have traded up or down. Is this true?

I am very excited to move but it will be several months.

sailing

private wrote: »

Hi neighbour to be

A few questions if you don't mind.

Re. The kitchen, are you saying you used a different supplier. How much did the builder give you towards that?

What is a minimal heating bill? ðŸ˜႒ How good is the solar power for heating the water?

Are there any children? I was told there were some but have seen no evidence. It is basically a building site though so they wouldn't be out and about. I also believe a lot of the residents are locals who have traded up or down. Is this true?

I am very excited to move but it will be several months.

Yes lots of locals but plenty of blow in's like myself also.

There are plenty of children. They are out and about most evenings. They all seem to have mixed well.

The solar panels are more than sufficient at heating the water for the past few weeks. The water needs a top of with the immersion in the winter. The houses were very warm during last summer. I'm with Energia and gas bills are quite cheap. €60 every two months or so, but that obviously depends on your usage. I find that having the heat on for an hour each evening is more than enough to keep the place warm.

I used the same kitchen supplier but paid for some changes and upgraded it from what was offered in your allowance.

private

sailing wrote: »

Yes lots of locals but plenty of blow in's like myself also.

There are plenty of children. They are out and about most evenings. They all seem to have mixed well.

The solar panels are more than sufficient at heating the water for the past few weeks. The water needs a top of with the immersion in the winter. The houses were very warm during last summer. I'm with Energia and gas bills are quite cheap. €60 every two months or so, but that obviously depends on your usage. I find that having the heat on for an hour each evening is more than enough to keep the place warm.

I used the same kitchen supplier but paid for some changes and upgraded it from what was offered in your allowance.

All answers that make me very happy:D
Thank you!

xboxdad

Can someone who already bought a house there please tell me if the builder/solicitor accepts the subject to loan approval clause?

Thank you.