Advice on Buying house in Riverwood Square Carpenterstown Castleknock D15

Jesky25

Hi,

I am thinking of buying a house in Riverwood Square which launched last week.

I am just wondering if anyone has any experience of the Carpenterstown area in castleknock. How is the area overall.

Since i dont belong to that area i could get more info. Is it a quiet area? What are the creches and schools like? Is traffic bad etc.? how about the commute to city center?

It will be very helpful is anyone has specific advice for Riverwood Square

Really appreciate any advice.

Jesky25

Hi,

Just wondering has anyone booked the house in new development Riverwood Square?

Please let me know i am looking for some information.

Thanks in advance.

Zaph

Threads merged

Rita50

I went to see them last week, live in the area. Personally I thought they were way overpriced and gardens were a joke especially the 4 bedroom. it's a very nice area, commute into the city centre is approx. 25 mins to Connolly station from Coolmine Station which is a 10 minute walk awaly. If I you were I would look for a nice second hand house in the area in my opinion way better value for the money.

daymobrew

I saw that Riverwood Square will be private, with a management company.
There will also be 3 blocks of apartments built to the west of the houses, close to the bridge.

Seanie_H

Jesky25 wrote: »

Hi,

I am thinking of buying a house in Riverwood Square which launched last week.

I am just wondering if anyone has any experience of the Carpenterstown area in castleknock. How is the area overall.

Since i dont belong to that area i could get more info. Is it a quiet area? What are the creches and schools like? Is traffic bad etc.? how about the commute to city center?

We're in the area 4 years now. We really enjoy it. I bike in to town through the Phoenix Park or the canal, 30-35 each way. Train is handy, the Docklands line suits me perfectly. The 37 can be slow in town and the Nitelink is the 70N.

Porterstown Park is great and is getting an upgrade soon (probably). We've one in crèche, no complaints there but it seems you've to book a place in all crèches before you're pregnant now. Plenty of schools too - some rank high nationally. In my opinion, it's a bit short on nice places to eat. There's a few places here and there but no where amazing. The Carpenter is the local pub, it's grand I suppose.

Traffic around Blanch SC can be heavy at the weekends and Christmas but easy enough to avoid. The Porterstown Rd backs up a bit in the morning and evening rush hours.

BlazingSaddler

How much are they going for?

Zaph

BlazingSaddler wrote: »

How much are they going for?

3 bed from 420k and 4 bed from 520k, iirc.

beauf

he gardens in the three beds range in size from 60 to 70sq m while the four beds average a back garden of about 73sq m, according to Helena Hayes, Castlethorn sales and marketing manager.

The three-bed houses are sizeable starting with mid- and end-terrace units measuring 106sq m/1140 sq ft. Prices for the three-beds start from €420,000 through Leahy Residential.

The four-bed end-of-terrace and semi-detached units measure 139sq m/ 1,496sq ft and start from €520,000.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/new-to-market/castlethorn-returns-with-riverwood-square-in-castleknock-from-420k-1.3890856

daymobrew

beauf wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/new-to-market/castlethorn-returns-with-riverwood-square-in-castleknock-from-420k-1.3890856

Wow, a terrible article (though obviously written by the agent or developer)

"20-minute walk from Coolmine station" - 10 for me and I'm at the western end furthest from the station. Normally these numbers are underestimated.
"when it broke ground at Riverwood in Woodbrook in the heart of the area’s Liffey Valley." - "Woodbrook"??? "heart of ... Liffey Valley" - wow!

Jesky25

Note all 3 bed comes with 1 parking only and there are no solar panels.

RasTa

Are these behind that big primary school or near Riverwood drive?

StoptheClocks

Compare the prices to Hamilton Park. I think they're cheaper. Check the catchment area for the schools. I believe Riverwood is in the St Mochtas catchment. St Patrick's school is beside Hamilton park and is over subscribed.
There is 2 creches. Magic years have one beside the train station and there is one in littleplace.
Check roselawn, springlawn areas. Better bus service and amenities but no new builds.

Seanie_H

RasTa wrote: »

Are these behind that big primary school or near Riverwood drive?

Riverwood. The one by the school, between it and the M50 are Hamilton Park and Diswellstown Manor.

Seanie_H

StoptheClocks wrote: »

Compare the prices to Hamilton Park. I think they're cheaper. Check the catchment area for the schools. I believe Riverwood is in the St Mochtas catchment. St Patrick's school is beside Hamilton park and is over subscribed.
There is 2 creches. Magic years have one beside the train station and there is one in littleplace.
Check roselawn, springlawn areas. Better bus service and amenities but no new builds.

You've Scoil Choilm too

https://www.scoilchoilmcns.ie/

TheValeyard

Agree with previous posters. It's only a 10minute walk to rail station.
One thing that would put me off is the high bridge overlooking the properties and very close train line.


But it's a nice area, Good amenities and just near and far enough away from the city centre and Blanch centre.

Zaph

Murray TheDemonic TalkingSkull wrote: »

One thing that would put me off is the high bridge overlooking the properties

I drive over that bridge twice a day on the way to Coolmine station, and while it gets a lot more road traffic than pedestrian, you'll always see some people walking over it. I definitely wouldn't like to be in one of those houses where people could peer into my back garden from the bridge.

daymobrew

Zaph wrote: »

I drive over that bridge twice a day on the way to Coolmine station, and while it gets a lot more road traffic than pedestrian, you'll always see some people walking over it. I definitely wouldn't like to be in one of those houses where people could peer into my back garden from the bridge.

In the near future the apartment blocks will be between the houses and the bridge.

Also, people seem to think that others spend lots of time looking into back gardens. They don't. They might glance and then move on. Within 5 minutes they've probably forgotten what they saw.

daymobrew

RasTa wrote: »

Are these behind that big primary school or near Riverwood drive?

It's the open space between Woodbrook Crescent, Riverwood Dene, the train line and the bridge.
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3766743,-6.4017453,17z

The image on the website says 10 mins to Coolmine station. Someone got their numbers wrong when they submitted it to the newspaper.
The 18 mins cycle to Heuston Station is quite fast. That's almost 32km/h!!
https://riverwoodsquare.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Riverwood_Brochure.png

swatch

We almost bought one of these at the launch weekend but walked away for a number of reasons. There’s only one parking space assigned for the 3 bed houses, which was a big issue for us, and with the way the development is designed with no front gardens/drive ways, it would be tight to find somewhere else to park your second car. There’s also going to be a management company with an annual fee, which we thought odd for a housing estate.

The apartment block at the back of the development which is not yet built is going to be for social housing.

I’d be interested to know how many units the sold at the launch, it was quite busy at the pre-launch.

Personally feel that €425k for a terraced 3 bed house with 1 parking space is overpriced when there’s plenty of 3 bed semi-d type houses with front gardens on the market for ~€400 in the Riverwood area.

daymobrew

swatch wrote: »

The apartment block at the back of the development which is not yet built is going to be for social housing.

Where did you read this?

Jesky25

I was about the ask the same ��

swatch

When at the launch I asked the estate agent which units were being set aside as the social housing allowance for the development and the agent informed me that all the social housing would be allocated to the apartments and none to the houses.

Former Former

swatch wrote: »

When at the launch I asked the estate agent which units were being set aside as the social housing allowance for the development and the agent informed me that all the social housing would be allocated to the apartments and none to the houses.

That is absolutely not the same thing as "the apartments will be for social housing".

swatch

Former Former wrote: »

That is absolutely not the same thing as "the apartments will be for social housing".

Apologies, didn’t mean for any confusion!

Jacinta086

We moved to the area last year and really like it. We're a young couple and moved from the city centre; you would miss the fancy brunch / coffee haunts but its nice and peaceful here.
We started a family this year and its a nice place to raise a family.

We both get the train to south county Dublin and its very handy - but very busy at rush hour. There is 1 direct train to Bray in the morning and 2 from Bray in the evening so no need to switch. Connolly station is a massive pinch point so often trains are stuck there for 5-10 mins.

Creches are a joke; i tried to book magic years a year in advance and it was fully booked. There is so much developement in the area and the large parking facilities at the train station mean the area is really struggling with childcare options.
I believe this new development is under the government threshold so there will be no new facilities. The new development is near the playground and school Choilm.

There has been some recent robbery's though; someone was robbed on Friday night :-(

Surprised there is a management fee; i live in Riverwood and there is none. Seems to be the way with new builds i guess.
Also surprised there is only 1 parking space; i went to the open day and it looked like there was space for two.

maxymo

Jacinta086 wrote: »

We moved to the area last year and really like it. We're a young couple and moved from the city centre; you would miss the fancy brunch / coffee haunts but its nice and peaceful here.
We started a family this year and its a nice place to raise a family.

We both get the train to south county Dublin and its very handy - but very busy at rush hour. There is 1 direct train to Bray in the morning and 2 from Bray in the evening so no need to switch. Connolly station is a massive pinch point so often trains are stuck there for 5-10 mins.

Creches are a joke; i tried to book magic years a year in advance and it was fully booked. There is so much developement in the area and the large parking facilities at the train station mean the area is really struggling with childcare options.
I believe this new development is under the government threshold so there will be no new facilities. The new development is near the playground and school Choilm.

There has been some recent robbery's though; someone was robbed on Friday night :-(

Surprised there is a management fee; i live in Riverwood and there is none. Seems to be the way with new builds i guess.
Also surprised there is only 1 parking space; i went to the open day and it looked like there was space for two.

Surprised me too about the management fee but not the only new development has one. About the parking, some types of houses have 2 car spaces, other with basically no front garden have only one car space.

swatch

maxymo wrote: »

Surprised me too about the management fee but not the only new development has one. About the parking, some types of houses have 2 car spaces, other with basically no front garden have only one car space.

My understanding from the agents is that the 3 beds get one assigned parking space and the 4 beds get two spaces.

Jesky25

That's right, all 3 beds have 1 parking and 4 have 2

bf

Prices increased on the houses today

beauf

To what?

kippy

Christ, there has to be more effort to spread the jobs market around the country a bit more.
This thread and others like it remind me of how lucky I am to be where I am.
No doubt these are grand houses and relatively close to the city but the cost, traffic, and lack of amenities and childcare are things that massively impact in your quality of life.

beauf

There isn't a lack of amenities and childcare. Rather the area is over developed for the capacity of the infrastructure.

There are people who commute from a long way outside the area, and use things like childcare, schools in the area, because its on the route of their commute.

kippy

beauf wrote: »

There isn't a lack of amenities and childcare. Rather the area is over developed for the capacity of the infrastructure.

There are people who commute from a long way outside the area, and use things like childcare, schools in the area, because its on the route of their commute.

Same thing really to the person looking to live there.

maxymo

Anyone tell me an area of Dublin or around where there is not traffic to commute to city centre (except if one live in the city centre of course). Any area where there is not lack of childcare facilities? In my opinion those are issues all around not matter the area, infrastructure is poor anywhere you look at here.

Seanie_H

maxymo wrote: »

Anyone tell me an area of Dublin or around where there is not traffic to commute to city centre (except if one live in the city centre of course). Any area where there is not lack of childcare facilities? In my opinion those are issues all around not matter the area, infrastructure is poor anywhere you look at here.

I actually think the area has relatively good infrastructure. Lots of schools and amenities. Served by a train and reasonable bus journey.

I think those issues are a consequence of economic growth spurts. We are poor at planning in Ireland. I think D15 does well in comparison.

beauf

It's good to know there are issues in an area.

It's true to say it's bad in Dublin 15 but it's actually much worse in other parts of the city especially south side.

Former Former

Whatever faults these houses might have, a lack of amenities isn't one. 10 mins walk to a train station, five mins to both primary and secondary schools, shops, sports clubs, parks...

Jaster Rogue

bf wrote: »

Prices increased on the houses today

I don't think they increased, just that more property types have been launched. New prices

3 Bed Terraced House €420,000
4 Bed Semi-detached House €520,000
4 Bed Semi-detached House €580,000
3 Bed Semi-detached House €445,000
3 Bed Semi-detached House €465,000

It's a nice area, great primary and secondary schools, public transport links, local amenities, parks, etc and there's little to none anti social behavior in the area but those prices do seem a little high. Will be interesting to see how quick they sell.

BlazingSaddler

If I had a choice of a 4 bed semi in Hamilton Park or here for the same price I’d personally go with HP, can’t quite put my finger on it but just don’t like the design of these, seem very basic (plain) looking from the exterior and the show houses that you can see from the small roundabout in Riverwood have a very ugly looking painted white brick pillar dividing the houses. Interesting to see if these get into the catchment for CCC as Riverwood is.

StoptheClocks

Jaster Rogue wrote: »

I don't think they increased, just that more property types have been launched. New prices

3 Bed Terraced House €420,000
4 Bed Semi-detached House €520,000
4 Bed Semi-detached House €580,000
3 Bed Semi-detached House €445,000
3 Bed Semi-detached House €465,000

It's a nice area, great primary and secondary schools, public transport links, local amenities, parks, etc and there's little to none anti social behavior in the area but those prices do seem a little high. Will be interesting to see how quick they sell.

This can usually be that the houses that are left have something extra. Something like they're not overlooked or facing onto a green area and not facing another house.

beauf

StoptheClocks wrote: »

This can usually be that the houses that are left have something extra. Something like they're not overlooked or facing onto a green area and not facing another house.

Usually those are sold first no? Unless they were holding them back. Which it's unlikely.

Jaster Rogue

BlazingSaddler wrote: »

If I had a choice of a 4 bed semi in Hamilton Park or here for the same price I’d personally go with HP, can’t quite put my finger on it but just don’t like the design of these, seem very basic (plain) looking from the exterior and the show houses that you can see from the small roundabout in Riverwood have a very ugly looking painted white brick pillar dividing the houses. Interesting to see if these get into the catchment for CCC as Riverwood is.

I think the admissions for CCC and LCC are linked, you just apply to one school and get placed in either one depending mainly on the first line of address, then feeder primary school attendance, capacity, siblings, etc.
These houses are much closer to LCC so I'd imagine they don't have much chance of getting into CCC.
From my experience, most people who buy into new developments are FTBs with either very young children or babies, or planning to have babies so the primary school catchment area would be more important. Are these in catchment area for Patrick's NS?

beauf

Not linked anymore afaik.

They changed the policy a couple of times now, Riverwood was out then back in again. I'd be surprised if a new development was in. But then it's never been all that rational so who knows. You'd have to check on the school sites.

daymobrew

Jaster Rogue wrote: »

Are these in catchment area for Patrick's NS?

Probably not as it's based on how close your road (not the estate) is to St Patrick's NS. This development would likely be within St Mochta's NS catchment.

Typer Monkey

daymobrew wrote: »

Probably not as it's based on how close your road (not the estate) is to St Patrick's NS. This development would likely be within St Mochta's NS catchment.

And Scoil Choilm for a non denominational option. Very good school and close by

beauf

daymobrew wrote: »

Probably not as it's based on how close your road (not the estate) is to St Patrick's NS. This development would likely be within St Mochta's NS catchment.

List is here...

http://www.stpatricksns.ie/policies.php

StoptheClocks

beauf wrote: »

Usually those are sold first no? Unless they were holding them back. Which it's unlikely.

No, they usually want an extra 5,000 or 10,000 for them and people don't want to pay it. You pay more to look onto a green, where people end up parking they're cars.

beauf

Well either they have risen over their original price or they haven't.

It's that simple.

Jesky25

The management fees is 540 which is completely insane.

ml100

daymobrew wrote: »

Jaster Rogue wrote: »

Are these in catchment area for Patrick's NS?

Probably not as it's based on how close your road (not the estate) is to St Patrick's NS. This development would likely be within St Mochta's NS catchment.

They would be in the catchment area but no chance of getting into st Patrick's that far away from it, the admission policy is based on how far you are from the schoom, Hamilton is closer