Advice: Clontarf or Malahide?

caimitator

Looking for some advice.

Have the opportunity to buy in Clontarf or Malahide. Both houses are same size, garden in Malahide is slightly bigger and house is nicer. I work in city centre, SO works Park West (off M50). No children yet but will hopefully start a family in the next couple of years.

I understand that people will say it's down to personal preference etc. But looking for genuine advice.

Lux23

I can't provide advice, but I suppose the schools in Malahide are very good but Clontarf is really very close to town. I think I would probably go with Malahide if the house is nicer and bigger.

I wish I had your problem OP.

RHJ

This post has been deleted.

athtrasna

Moved from A&P. Local forum charter applies

Dizzyblonde

I'd prefer Malahide because you have the beach, Malahide Castle, the train and closer proximity to the M50. Also because of the nicer house with the bigger garden.

Inquitus

I'd prefer Malahide, lovely Bars and Restaurants, nice Village, and better beachfront than Clontarf. That said, I'd happily live in either.

whiskeyman

I'd go with Clontarf.
It's nearer town. (less money in a taxi!) and better for your commute to town.
If either / both of you change jobs, odds are you may get jobs close to town so you'd be 'futureproofing' yourselves. Even if you get a job southside, Clontarf isn't that far Northside to get across, and you have East Link as an option apart from the dire M50.
Your SO may have an easier commute if you chose Malahide though.
You've St Annes park.
You've more surrounding villages / localities / facilities - Raheny, Killester etc...
I just feel you're nearer so many things than Malahide.
It is a tough choice though!
Clontarf prices would outweigh Malahide, and there's reasons for it.

plodder

You could easily commute from Clontarf to city centre by bike. It's a little further and less pleasant cycling from Malahide. Apart from that point, I think I'd prefer Malahide. It has a nicer town feel to it.

Username2011

caimitator wrote: »

Looking for some advice.

Have the opportunity to buy in Clontarf or Malahide. Both houses are same size, garden in Malahide is slightly bigger and house is nicer. I work in city centre, SO works Park West (off M50). No children yet but will hopefully start a family in the next couple of years.

I understand that people will say it's down to personal preference etc. But looking for genuine advice.

Out of interest whereabouts in Clontarf and Malahide are you looking at?

Sleepy

I'd go for Clontarf, more "wealthy old money", less "look how rich we are new money" in my limited experience which I found preferable. Traffic in Malahide can be a bit of a nightmare too.

Though, as a few posters have said already, I'd happily live in either.

Effects

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I'd prefer Malahide because you have the beach, Malahide Castle, the train and closer proximity to the M50. Also because of the nicer house with the bigger garden.

Are you joking?
Clontarf has the beach. Dollymount.
Has the castle. Clontarf Castle (not the same, I know!)
Has the train station. Clontarf Road
Is just as close to the M50.

L

Both are good well developed areas to live. Similar prices are no accident - nor is getting a little more land & a nicer house in Malahide. Clontarf you're paying for being close to the city but in a leafy suburb with a seafront promenade, large park and beach.

On balance, I'd buy in Clontarf - much shorter commute with more options for you, about the same commute for your SO, an only "slightly bigger" garden in Malahide favours the underlying value of the Clontarf land & you always have the opportunity to make the house nicer - you can't make the Malahide one closer to the city.

Effects wrote: »

Has the castle. Clontarf Castle (not the same, I know!)

Well, castle aside, the Malahide Castle Grounds are better compared to St Anne's park as an amenity.

plodder

Traffic in Clontarf (Howth rd and Clontarf rd) is dreadful at peak commuting times. Oddly enough, the time that it's worst in Malahide is more likely a sunny Sunday afternoon, which maybe says something too

lawred2

Malahide ftw for me

Perfect balance of urban, rural and recreational. With a bit of high brow to boot.

And once you can avail of the Dart you're sorted commute wise. And you're minutes from the M50, M1 and the airport.

q85dw7osi4lebg

They are equally as desirable. Really is down to personal preference. I agree with the post above re old money and new money. Beware with some of the newer developments in Malahide, a good few of them were hit with pyrite issues in the noughties.

lawred2

Sleepy wrote: »

I'd go for Clontarf, more "wealthy old money", less "look how rich we are new money" in my limited experience which I found preferable. Traffic in Malahide can be a bit of a nightmare too.

Though, as a few posters have said already, I'd happily live in either.

Malahide is a pensioners' refuge so I'm not sure where all the new money is

q85dw7osi4lebg

lawred2 wrote: »

Malahide is a pensioners' refuge so I'm not sure where all the new money is

Abington?? Abbots Hill? :rolleyes:

lawred2

Fabian Spicy Confetti wrote: »

Abington?? Abbots Hill? :rolleyes:

oh god yeah I forgot about those awful places lol

I was just picturing Church road

Nothing is as bad as Myra Manor though

Effects

plodder wrote: »

Traffic in Clontarf (Howth rd and Clontarf rd) is dreadful at peak commuting times. Oddly enough, the time that it's worst in Malahide is more likely a sunny Sunday afternoon, which maybe says something too

At peak times you get the same traffic issues. You pretty much have to go to Clontarf to get to Malahide.

Effects

lawred2 wrote: »

Malahide is a pensioners' refuge so I'm not sure where all the new money is

People in their 30s with their first kid approaching school age love moving there.

lawred2

Effects wrote: »

People in their 30s with their first kid approaching school age love moving there.

you mean regular working people?

since when were they lumped into the rather derogatory 'new money' category?

Saipanne

Clontarf, for quicker access to the city.

tricky D

Username2011 wrote: »

Out of interest whereabouts in Clontarf and Malahide are you looking at?

This is important. They both have loads to offer but are quite spread out. You could end up right beside good commuting and amenity options or up to 2 kms away. A younger me would tend to Clontarf, the older me prefers further out, but that's just one person's opinion.

Maglight

Both lovely but Clontarf will be a much shorter journey to work in the city centre every day. Malahide road is awful in heavy traffic. Check out journey time to M50 at rush hour.

Clontarf has great facilities, schools, shopping etc.

plodder

Effects wrote: »

At peak times you get the same traffic issues. You pretty much have to go to Clontarf to get to Malahide.

I was thinking more from the point of view of people just trying to get around locally at those times. Say you just need to drive to the doctor or a shop. It's a lot worse in Clontarf, because it's so close to the city, and you have so much traffic from the Northside passing through. I don't live there, but I drive through it every day to get to work.

L

plodder wrote: »

I was thinking more from the point of view of people just trying to get around locally at those times. Say you just need to drive to the doctor or a shop. It's a lot worse in Clontarf, because it's so close to the city, and you have so much traffic from the Northside passing through. I don't live there, but I drive through it every day to get to work.

Well, the traffic problems are on the Clontarf road and Howth road - for the most part they're not the roads inside the neighbourhood that you'd use to go to the shop or the doctor.

Also, just struck me board structure is probably not going to be great for this question - Clontarf's in one board (Dublin City), Malahide is in another (Dublin County North).

Dizzyblonde

Effects wrote: »

Are you joking?
Clontarf has the beach. Dollymount.
Has the castle. Clontarf Castle (not the same, I know!)
Has the train station. Clontarf Road
Is just as close to the M50.

No I'm not. I was born in Clontarf and lived there until I was 13. I live in the north county now and gave my personal opinion. It really is down to personal choice/lifestyle, and both areas have their pros and cons.

The OP said they hope to start a family in the near future, and Malahide would be my choice in that instance.

Sleepy

lawred2 wrote: »

you mean regular working people?

since when were they lumped into the rather derogatory 'new money' category?

When they could afford to buy Clontarf or Malahide... particularly if they're a one-income family.

Having spent nearly seven years in Clontarf until last summer, some of the "girlos" at the school gates are a right dose.

T-Maxx

Clontarf, for those who have money.

Malahide, for those pretending to have money.

billyhead

You should look at Skerries. Malahide and Clontarf are overrated. With the same money you could buy a lovely house in Skerries (probably on its own land) and you wouldn't have to contend with traffic lights every 100-200 meters. If I had the doss its where I would buy anyway. The commute would not be too bad either with a car.

Buer

L wrote:

Well, castle aside, the Malahide Castle Grounds are better compared to St Anne's park as an amenity.

I'd have thought the exact opposite, to be honest.

Have lived in Clontarf and worked in Malahide, OP. You can renovate or extend a house but you can't relocate it. Malahide is a lovely area and if you worked from home or had a career set up out there, I'd say go for it.

But they're vastly different in terms of commute. The Malahide Road can be miserable at times and it's a decent run out there on the road. Leaving the city centre at 5pm and you can be in your living room at 5.25pm with the feet up if you live in Clontarf. That has a massive impact on your quality of life.

For your other half, if you map it I suspect there's not actually that much difference between Clontarf and Malahide to the M50. Clontarf might even be closer and would be against traffic.

Buer

plodder wrote:

I was thinking more from the point of view of people just trying to get around locally at those times. Say you just need to drive to the doctor or a shop. It's a lot worse in Clontarf, because it's so close to the city, and you have so much traffic from the Northside passing through. I don't live there, but I drive through it every day to get to work.

Clontarf is a network of roads that interconnect. If you were going locally anywhere nobody would need to touch the Clontarf or Howth Road.

plodder

L wrote: »

Well, the traffic problems are on the Clontarf road and Howth road - for the most part they're not the roads inside the neighbourhood that you'd use to go to the shop or the doctor.

Yes, the main roads are the worst, but sometimes you get traffic backed up on the others trying to access the main roads. Bottom of Castle ave, Kincora rd, St Lawrence rd. I'm sure much of it is fine, but traffic is a consequence of being close to city and two main city arteries unfortunately.

Also, just struck me board structure is probably not going to be great for this question - Clontarf's in one board (Dublin City), Malahide is in another (Dublin County North).

Probably should ask the question there too as most people will be biased due to knowing one of the two areas better than the other. I grew up in Malahide. So, I'd know it well. I like the fact that it is at the edge of city. Sporting facilities/clubs in Malahide are excellent too. The broadmeadows is one of the best locations in the country to learn to sail. It is close to a good shopping centre in Swords.

L

Buer wrote: »

I'd have thought the exact opposite, to be honest.

Not sure there's an opposite of what I said there (or at least I can't figure it). What do you mean?

Buer

L wrote:

Not sure there's an opposite of what I said there (or at least I can't figure it). What do you mean?

That St. Anne's possesses the greater amenities.

minikin

Go with Malahide, Clontarf will be under water in twenty years

L

Buer wrote: »

That St. Anne's possesses the greater amenities.

No argument from me on it. I'm just saying St Anne's is a better comparison than Clontarf Castle.

L

minikin wrote: »

Go with Malahide, Clontarf will be under water in twenty years

Malahide is a bone dry place that never floods. It's true

caimitator

Wow.

First, let me say thank you all for your advice.

Second, just from a very rough glance, it looks like there are 8 "votes" in favour of Malahide, 7 for Clontarf (and one for Skerries). I guess this reflects how divided I am.

My SO tends to think that the commute won't impact our quality of life as much as I think it will (we're living in Meath atm). However, it is something that I do worry about.

Buer

caimitator wrote: »

Wow. My SO tends to think that the commute won't impact our quality of life as much as I think it will (we're living in Meath atm). However, it is something that I do worry about.

Ironically, I now work in Meath. Even against traffic, I abhor the commute each day.

If she works in the M50 area, living in Clontarf or Malahide isn't going to make that much difference (Clontarf is slightly closer but wouldn't make a difference, really). But your commute to the city centre could be more than doubled depending on your mode of transport.

I would say that if you've any ties to either area, go with that i.e. friends, family etc. Both are lovely areas with a host of amenities. For day to day life, I'd take Clontarf. For weekends and summer time, I'd take Malahide.

Hollister11

I would rather live in Clontarf due to the fact it's closer to town. I think the houses are nicer, and there are no "mcmansion" estates.

Greenduck

Hi OP,

I've lived/live in both so can answer you fairly.

Clontarf is lovely and very convenient to the city centre but lacks atmosphere. They've no real village as such and although the seafront is lovely its not as nice and Malahide and Portmarnock coastlines.

I currently live in Malahide and absolutely love the village atmosphere. Its always buzzing with loads of nice places to eat. You've great beaches on your doorstop along with the Castle which in my opinion is much nicer than St Annes and has a great playground, Avoca, par 3, tennis courts etc.

My vote would definitely be with Malahide. However if living close to the city is a priority I'd go with Clontarf.

Hollister11

What did you choose in the end OP?

caimitator

Neither, believe it or not. Found a place that satisfied all requirements in Raheny! Came as a surprise to all because we hadn't properly looked there before...

Hollister11

caimitator wrote: »

Neither, believe it or not. Found a place that satisfied all requirements in Raheny! Came as a surprise to all because we hadn't properly looked there before...

Lovely area. I could see myself living in any further these areas in the future In addition to sutton, Baldoyle.

Baldoyle a bit rougher than the others, but I like it because I'm from their. Not as nice, or as much to do compared to Clontarf, Raheny, Howth, Malahide and Sutton.