Cork - Sandymount equivalent?

Owlet

We are contemplating moving to Cork as we can't afford to buy a house where we currently rent in Sandymount Dublin. We absolutely love this area - village feel, sense of community (tonnes of family events organised throughout the year), beautiful period properties, lovely pubs, lots of amenities and a 30 minute walk to the city centre.

My question is - is there any equivalent places in Cork?

I've been to Douglas but I'm afraid I couldn't really see what the appeal is - just seemed to be lots of shopping centres. Blackrock seems nice but I couldn't see a park/playground for children or figure out where the centre/focal point of community life would be. And Ballincollig seems brilliant with loads of amenities, if quite far out, but I've only been once.

Am I missing any other areas? We don't want a rural setting - we love cities and being able to walk to things.

Our budget would be approx 500k. Would consider borrowing more if necessary.

MrDerp

Cork simply doesn’t have as many assimilated villages as Dublin has. The main ones are Douglas, blackrock and blackpool.

Glanmire and Ballincollig will technically be part of the city soon, but are a bit out.

Parks and playgrounds can be hard to come by within walking distance of anywhere.

Ballinlough may fit the bill, doesn’t have a huge amount of amenities like shops etc but is an old near city suburb with park space and walkable to town.

Be right back

How about St Luke's?

the beer revolu

Apart from the playground/park bit, I think it sounds like you want to live in St. Luke's.

Santa Lucia

I think Blackrock village has a lot of potential. Density is high and should be higher as Eden develops further. Walk, bike or bus to city. There are plans for a playground in front of Ursulines building and also Marina park is scheduled to be completed and playgrounds developed west of the pairc in old show grounds.

cantalach

When we moved to Cork we settled in Ballinlough. To my mind, the vague area encompassing Ballinlough, Ballintemple, Blackrock, and Beaumont is the closest thing in Cork to the sort of scene you describe. There are parks, good neighbours, community spirit, independent shops/cafes/bakeries, pubs, etc. Ballinlough is an inner suburb so it is 30-45 min walk from city centre, depending on which end of Ballinlough you're in and how fast you walk. There is a bus service every 15 mins weekdays and 30 mins at weekend. My quality of life is immeasurably better than when we lived in Dublin. No regrets whatsoever. Now if only I could afford a weekend house on Sheep's Head...

Subpopulus

St Lukes. Loved the village vibe when I lived there a few years ago. Good bus connection, easy walk to the city centre (less easy on the way back up). Small, only one or two pubs, but a few nice shops and places to eat. Amazing views. Housing stock is pretty mixed, it ranges from huge manses to pokey two-bed cottages, so there's a good range of prices. Has an old church used as a concert venue during the summer.

Blitzkrieger

I would say Blackrock ticks most of your boxes. There's no playground, so you'd need to do a short drive to get to one, but there's the marina, the railway line and the castle walk. They're fundraising for a playground at the moment. Not sure how far along they are...

pwurple

Blackrock focal point is the pier / marina, or also at the Beaumont Quarry. That's where the family events take place.

There are 2 playgrounds planned for the area... used to be 3 when I was a kid, but they've been taken down over the years.

First playground planned is a small one for younger kids (under 12's), on that acre of grass by the pier, in front of the Ursuline convent. That's the one being fundraised for by the community. Should be in place in the next 2 years I think they are hoping.

The other is a larger one, planned for Marina Park along the marina walk (between Pairc Ui Caoimhe and the pier). This is supposed to be part of a larger park, designed to mimic Fitzgerald's Park, to bookend the city. It's probably a decade away. There's also a light rail planned for that part of the city, god knows when they'll get the money for that together.

cantalach

Blackrock (proper) is lovely for sure. But with planning permission sought the other day for a further 274 apartments at the old Ursuline Convent, the traffic situation isn't going to get any better, and pigs will fly long before there is a QBC along the Blackrock Road.

who_me

Douglas is probably the assimilated town with the best shopping & restaurants, but traffic can be bad as the junctions where the roads pass under the South Ring road are major bottlenecks. It's a bit lacking in character too, IMO.

I love Blackrock, gorgeous part of town, great walks. I'd imagine it'd be fairly expensive (but probably not compared to Dublin!)

Most of the areas with the most 'character' are on the North inner side of the city. Sunday's Well, Wellington Road, St. Lukes especially. Sunday's Well isn't great for facilities (other than you're very near Fitzgerald's Park!) There is a cluster of pubs / shops there, some lovely old houses to buy, great views of the city from many of them. You even have the Live at St. Lukes music events on occasion!

Captainsatnav

Similar boat - living near Dún Laoghaire, looking at Tivoli / Blackrock / Sundays Well / St Lukes. Equivalent period houses there for a third of Dublin prices.
Mortgage is the issue - applying with proof of job in Dublin but drawing it down for a place 250km away may raise a red flag!

who_me

Captainsatnav wrote: »

Similar boat - living near Dún Laoghaire, looking at Tivoli / Blackrock / Sundays Well / St Lukes. Equivalent period houses there for a third of Dublin prices.
Mortgage is the issue - applying with proof of job in Dublin but drawing it down for a place 250km away may raise a red flag!

Not sure about Tivoli - it's likely to see massive development, but probably not for ~20 years. Blackrock is great, as mentioned. Sunday's Well is really nice (some really quaint little side-roads like Buxton Hill in the area, plus you're close to Fitzgerald Park), though not a huge amount of shop/restaurant options. Likewise St. Lukes and Wellington Road, also check out Gardiner's Hill if looking in the area.

Captainsatnav

who_me wrote: »

Not sure about Tivoli - it's likely to see massive development, but probably not for ~20 years. Blackrock is great, as mentioned. Sunday's Well is really nice (some really quaint little side-roads like Buxton Hill in the area, plus you're close to Fitzgerald Park), though not a huge amount of shop/restaurant options. Likewise St. Lukes and Wellington Road, also check out Gardiner's Hill if looking in the area.

All valid points and in train. Sundays Well is dated to be fair. I grew up in Bishopstown so I know the area. Wouldn't have ever been around Blackrock, Tivoli, St Lukes though. Blackrock possibly the 'yuppiest'?! There's a wine bar (wow) and a yoga studio :cool:
We'll take what we can get I suppose. Who knows what next decade will bring if there is the much vaunted planned population increase to take the pressure off Dublin.

dwasol

Gurranabraher is ideal, walking distance to the city, independent shops and pubs kept by the same owners for generations.
There are tremendous allotments so that you can grow your own veggies right in the heart of the city. At least 4 primary schools within walking distance (both public and private) This area is undergoing a revolutionary urban regeneration with both period dwellings and with quaint 1950s style housing which are being refurbished tastefully by young professionals who want to have a strong sense of community and have the city nearby. I personally find this area to be the home I have always wanted. My children can walk to St. Joe's and will go to the secondary school situated with a river view beside it. The area represents the multicultural Ireland in which we now live. There are community festivals in winter and summertime.

We are blessed to have found our forever home in Cork City

Captainsatnav

https://www.daft.ie/cork/houses-for-sale/st-lukes/2-knocklaun-st-lukes-cork-2144212/

This is €800k plus in Dublin.

Captainsatnav

Hi folks, so went to view a place in Blackrock Road on Friday - not sure we'll place a bid, price didn't feel right for what it was for us, anyway, the general area as per the thrust of this thread, did appeal in so far as moving from SoCoDu and our desire for urban hipster village pretensiousness .
Anyway - what about Ballinlough? Some nice period terraced houses for sale in that areas as well and it seems to be the same general neighbourhood as Blackrock, near the Marina, possibly walkable to town etc?

cantalach

Captainsatnav wrote: »

Anyway - what about Ballinlough? Some nice period terraced houses for sale in that areas as well and it seems to be the same general neighbourhood as Blackrock, near the Marina, possibly walkable to town etc?

Yeah, Ballinlough was the sweet spot for us. See my response to OP on first page.

pwurple

Captainsatnav wrote: »

Hi folks, so went to view a place in Blackrock Road on Friday - not sure we'll place a bid, price didn't feel right for what it was for us, anyway, the general area as per the thrust of this thread, did appeal in so far as moving from SoCoDu and our desire for urban hipster village pretensiousness .
Anyway - what about Ballinlough? Some nice period terraced houses for sale in that areas as well and it seems to be the same general neighbourhood as Blackrock, near the Marina, possibly walkable to town etc?

Ballinlough is lovely, great area.

Captainsatnav

Thanks folks! Looking at google maps there, only a few minutes more of a walk into town than Blackrock road..And Ballinlough Park looks decent. Any plans afoot locally for any development in the area? As younger ppl move in etc? What's the Orchard like, for example?

Captainsatnav

cantalach wrote: »

When we moved to Cork we settled in Ballinlough. To my mind, the vague area encompassing Ballinlough, Ballintemple, Blackrock, and Beaumont is the closest thing in Cork to the sort of scene you describe. There are parks, good neighbours, community spirit, independent shops/cafes/bakeries, pubs, etc. Ballinlough is an inner suburb so it is 30-45 min walk from city centre, depending on which end of Ballinlough you're in and how fast you walk. There is a bus service every 15 mins weekdays and 30 mins at weekend. My quality of life is immeasurably better than when we lived in Dublin. No regrets whatsoever. Now if only I could afford a weekend house on Sheep's Head...

Sound !

cantalach

Captainsatnav wrote: »

Thanks folks! Looking at google maps there, only a few minutes more of a walk into town than Blackrock road..And Ballinlough Park looks decent. Any plans afoot locally for any development in the area? As younger ppl move in etc? What's the Orchard like, for example?

Lot of families moving to the area as the elderly residents die off. In many cases, the older people are the original owners of the house going back to the '50s. So you tend to see a lot of rennovation and modernisation going on. We were a case in point having bought this house from the estate of a couple who died within 12 months of each other.

Re new development, there are no green field sites afaik and not much brown field space either, at least not for major projects. One of the few is a big new development of ultra-modern but overpriced houses that are under construction in an old Eircom site next to Cork Con. They've called the development "Aylesbury", presumably so that residents can pretend they live in Dublin.

Re the Orchard, I'm a non-drinker but on the 3-4 tines a year that herself and myself do pop out for a drink that's where we go rather than the Silver Quay which is much closer to us. We ways find it a welcoming kind of place.

Captainsatnav

cantalach wrote: »

Lot of families moving to the area as the elderly residents die off. In many cases, the older people are the original owners of the house going back to the '50s. So you tend to see a lot of rennovation and modernisation going on. We were a case in point having bought this house from the estate of a couple who died within 12 months of each other.

Re new development, there are no green field sites afaik and not much brown field space either, at least not for major projects. One of the few is a big new development of ultra-modern but overpriced houses that are under construction in an old Eircom site next to Cork Con. They've called the development "Aylesbury", presumably so that residents can pretend they live in Dublin.

Re the Orchard, I'm a non-drinker but on the 3-4 tines a year that herself and myself do pop out for a drink that's where we go rather than the Silver Quay which is much closer to us. We ways find it a welcoming kind of place.

Mate of mine's an engineer - another's an architect - they don't know each other but met mutually through me for the first time last week. Funny thing is they both had the same theory - NEVER buy a house that has a British Home Counties sounding name or anything in a development ending in '-court', '-wood(s)', '-dale', '-hall', '-oaks' as they definitely went up in the Celtic Tiger and are probably built of cardboard and pyrite.

cantalach

Captainsatnav wrote: »

Mate of mine's an engineer - another's an architect - they don't know each other but met mutually through me for the first time last week. Funny thing is they both had the same theory - NEVER buy a house that has a British Home Counties sounding name or anything in a development ending in '-court', '-wood(s)', '-dale', '-hall', '-oaks' as they definitely went up in the Celtic Tiger and are probably built of cardboard and pyrite.

So this is a shiny new development still under construction, but I take your point. I don't know how they've been allowed to put that name on it actually. If I'm not mistaken, ministerial guidelines were given to local authorities 10-15 years ago that the names on developments had to either sound Irish (ideally be in Irish) or else have some historical connection or geographic relevance to the location. And in the most part, local authorities did stamp out this type of BS. The only vague justification for the name is that it is next to a much older development named Shrewsbury...maybe the Cork City Council planners like Monopoly.

TheChizler

Last I heard they were knocking Shrewsbury Downs and putting in a hotel...

mean gene

Owlet wrote: »

We are contemplating moving to Cork as we can't afford to buy a house where we currently rent in Sandymount Dublin. We absolutely love this area - village feel, sense of community (tonnes of family events organised throughout the year), beautiful period properties, lovely pubs, lots of amenities and a 30 minute walk to the city centre.

My question is - is there any equivalent places in Cork?

I've been to Douglas but I'm afraid I couldn't really see what the appeal is - just seemed to be lots of shopping centres. Blackrock seems nice but I couldn't see a park/playground for children or figure out where the centre/focal point of community life would be. And Ballincollig seems brilliant with loads of amenities, if quite far out, but I've only been once.

Am I missing any other areas? We don't want a rural setting - we love cities and being able to walk to things.

Our budget would be approx 500k. Would consider borrowing more if necessary.

mahon is the centre of blackrock a lovely place especially at night-my friend walter mitty had 500k for a house aswell you should have a chat

corks finest

Old parts of Bishoptown is great ( Uam Var/ Rossa Avenue/ Melbourne) out in the sticks Cloughduv village has a thriving community/ GAA,/ school etc

Gimme A Pound

Yeah I love Ballinlough. I live nearby and it's one of my favourite places to run through. Good call on Bishopstown above too.

The place that actually looks the most like Sandymount imo is Blarney. But it's a bit out, and not as posh (don't mean that in a derogatory sense btw - I love Sandymount too).

Ballincollig would be ideal if you're happy with being that bit out. It's Cork so nowhere is that far.

TheQuietBeatle

When I was growing up Gurranabraher was always known as dodgy area, has that changed?

limnam

Gimme A Pound wrote: »

Yeah I love Ballinlough. I live nearby and it's one of my favourite places to run through. Good call on Bishopstown above too.

The place that actually looks the most like Sandymount imo is Blarney. But it's a bit out, and not as posh (don't mean that in a derogatory sense btw - I love Sandymount too).

Ballincollig would be ideal if you're happy with being that bit out. It's Cork so nowhere is that far.

Comparing Ballincollig to Sandymount is a bit of a stretch...


I think Tallaght would be a better comparison

forzacalcio

Still can't tell if some people are on a wind up or genuinely think some of the names here are close/similar to Sandymount.

Douglas, Ballinlough and Blackrock. No where else comes even close to Sandymount. At a push Model Farm Road near Bishopstown but that is about it. The far end of Ballincollig could be mentioned but far out.

Captainsatnav

I know yea - Uam Var?! Bishopstown in general?!! Come off it.

Captainsatnav

On a somewhat related note - is there any public swimming spots these days in Cork (prior to any future Marina Park development)?

forzacalcio

Captainsatnav wrote: »

I know yea - Uam Var?! Bishopstown in general?!! Come off it.

I assume you're having a pop off "Corksfinest" but I said Model Farm Road near Bishopstown but you knew that.

Raconteuse

limnam wrote: »

Comparing Ballincollig to Sandymount is a bit of a stretch...


I think Tallaght would be a better comparison

The OP mentioned Ballincollig and said they liked the look of it though. It's certainly not like Sandymount, although its bad parts are a lot nicer than Tallaght's bad parts!

Love St. Luke's but it's hard to find a place with off-street parking there.

Actually, speaking of Model Farm Road (Dennehys Cross end) Farranlea behind the County Hall really reminds me of Sandymount.

limnam

Raconteuse wrote: »

The OP mentioned Ballincollig and said they liked the look of it though. It's certainly not like Sandymount, although its bad parts are a lot nicer than Tallaght's bad parts!

Love St. Luke's but it's hard to find a place with off-street parking there.

Actually, speaking of Model Farm Road (Dennehys Cross end) Farranlea behind the County Hall really reminds me of Sandymount.

Been slightly less **** than Tallaght != Sandymount

Raconteuse

limnam wrote: »

Been slightly less **** than Tallaght != Sandymount

And I clearly said in that post you quoted that Ballincollig is certainly not like Sandymount but the OP did still say that they liked the look of Ballincollig! "Ballincollig seems brilliant with loads of amenities, if quite far out".

As an aside though, don't see how Ballincollig could be sh1tty. It's a standard suburb.

limnam

Raconteuse wrote: »

And I clearly said in that post you quoted that Ballincollig is certainly not like Sandymount but the OP did still say that they liked the look of Ballincollig! "Ballincollig seems brilliant with loads of amenities, if quite far out".

As an aside though, don't see how Ballincollig could be sh1tty. It's a standard suburb.

If the subject of the thread was find me a standard suburb in Cork, it'd have been a decent shout.

Raconteuse

Crikey!

Say that to the OP for mentioning that they liked Ballincollig so!

Captainsatnav

Cobh anyone?

the beer revolu

Captainsatnav wrote: »

Cobh anyone?

Cobh could be quite nice but you'd want to be in the town, not in an estate around it.
Train into town is handy.

Captainsatnav

the beer revolu wrote: »

Cobh could be quite nice but you'd want to be in the town, not in an estate around it.
Train into town is handy.

That's what we're thinking exactly. Reminds me of Dún Laoghaire. Looks lovely. I realise it has problems with an 'ambition defecit' for itself but who's to know what it could be like in 5 years with cafes and shops etc if developed properly.

cantalach

When I first moved to Cork and was getting to know the wider area, if I ever said to a Cork person that Cobh seemed nice, I invariably got a grimace and words to the effect that it was very rough. As I understand it, closure of all the heavy industries in the area over the years meant that the town was (is?) an unemployment blackspot. That inevitably led to social disadvantage and associated ills.

But I’ve often said to herself that Cobh should be *the* place to live in many ways. The town centre is lovely, and there are some beautiful Victorian houses on the main approach to the town (those high-ranking Royal Navy officers had to live somewhere back in the day right?). There are also some nice estates here and there around the town. And just off the East Hill there is an exclusive little development under construction with amazing harbour views. Dún Farraige if you want to Google it.

Do give due consideration though to the commute from Cobh. If you’re going to Cork City Centre then the train is perfect. But if you’re going to anywhere on the Southside, your choices are tunnel or ferry. Both slow at times, and expensive in the case of the ferry.

pwurple

Yes, Cobh is beautiful. It has some issues though.

First is that it's a cancer blackspot. No clear cause, whether it's radon from the bedrock it's on, or industry locally, or some lifestyle factor there...
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/revealed-the-town-with-the-highest-cancer-rates-in-ireland-34736634.html

Second is the sewage. 19 pipes of raw sewage are pumped from cobh town directly into the sea. They have no adequate waste treatment yet, but this is in progress
https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/Contract-signed-to-end-the-dumping-of-raw-sewage-into-Cork-Harbour-through-19-outfall-pipes-0e4f90df-6df5-4489-ae35-dd7fa8745822-ds


3rd is it's reputation for being a smidge rough and an unemployment hotspot. Cobh garda station is known to be busy place for the size of town. Some judge made a comment a few years ago about the number of cases that come to him from Cobh, which harmed it's reputation there too.

4th is the tourists. all asking directions. You need the patience of a saint there. Now, I know you get this in kinsale and the city center too (drives me nuts in the english market, they are in the way constantly), but the cruise ships dump hundreds of people into Cobh with basically the titanic museum to go to...

the beer revolu

pwurple wrote: »

4th is the tourists. all asking directions. You need the patience of a saint there. Now, I know you get this in kinsale and the city center too (drives me nuts in the english market, they are in the way constantly), but the cruise ships dump hundreds of people into Cobh with basically the titanic museum to go to...

Aren't the majority of the cruise patrons bussed to Killarney or Kinsale?
I was of the impression that Cobh and Cork city got no real benefit from the cruise ships.

rob316

the beer revolu wrote: »

Aren't the majority of the cruise patrons bussed to Killarney or Kinsale?
I was of the impression that Cobh and Cork city got no real benefit from the cruise ships.

Eh no. Between the Titanic and Blarney it's a tourist hotspot.

Balmed Out

Think Cobh is a real up and coming area and has improved massively in the last ten years.

Stark

pwurple wrote: »

Yes, Cobh is beautiful. It has some issues though.

First is that it's a cancer blackspot. No clear cause, whether it's radon from the bedrock it's on, or industry locally, or some lifestyle factor there...
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/revealed-the-town-with-the-highest-cancer-rates-in-ireland-34736634.html

I wonder if the Chromium-6 output from Haulbowline also had an effect.

whatever76

thoughts on Turners cross area - Doyle Road, St Patricks Road, Derrynane etc ???

Been viewing a few places there recently but all require bit of work but I like the area - handy for town etc.

CHealy

whatever76 wrote: »

thoughts on Turners cross area - Doyle Road, St Patricks Road, Derrynane etc ???

Been viewing a few places there recently but all require bit of work but I like the area - handy for town etc.

Bought a fixer upper here a couple of years ago, couldnt be happier with it, I consider myself lucky to have got it. Older mature area but its dead quiet for a place so close to town, and its literally just a 10 minute walk down in there. The houses are solid as can be but most would need modernisation on the inside. Theres a good few houses for sale all the time as the older folks pass.

Padraig Mor

pwurple wrote: »

Second is the sewage. 19 pipes of raw sewage are pumped from cobh town directly into the sea. They have no adequate waste treatment yet, but this is in progress

Not for much longer - they're literally doing the works right now.

3rd is it's reputation for being a smidge rough and an unemployment hotspot. Cobh garda station is known to be busy place for the size of town. Some judge made a comment a few years ago about the number of cases that come to him from Cobh, which harmed it's reputation there too.

Think it may have changed recently, but Cobh Garda station is/was the HQ for a huge swathe of Cork county up as far as north Cork, and including Glanmire.

the beer revolu wrote: »

Aren't the majority of the cruise patrons bussed to Killarney or Kinsale?
I was of the impression that Cobh and Cork city got no real benefit from the cruise ships.

They are, and it's certainly a bone of contention in the town but if only 10% of the passengers stay in town that's still a few hundred in many cases, plus add in the many hundreds of crew who tend to stay around Cobh. A lot of people come from around Cork too. On a sunny Sunday with a big liner in, the town is thronged.