Is Arklow still bad?

mp3ireland2

I see a thread from ten years ago on the topic but just wanted to know if Arklow has improved lately?
Moving back to Ireland for a job in Rathdrum and looking at options for towns to live in.
Any advice appreciated.

Xterminator

hi.

this question is a bit like 'have you stopped beating your wife'.

i dont think Arklow is bad now. Im not sure it ever was. but the traffic can be crap!

mp3ireland2

Xterminator wrote: »

hi.

this question is a bit like 'have you stopped beating your wife'.

i dont think Arklow is bad now. Im not sure it ever was. but the traffic can be crap!

Yeah just heard a lot of aneqdotal things about it and didn't want to make assumptions based on a few stories. Thanks for traffic warning!

Working class heroes

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

I see a thread from ten years ago on the topic but just wanted to know if Arklow has improved lately?
Moving back to Ireland for a job in Rathdrum and looking at options for towns to live in.
Any advice appreciated.

Why don't you consider living in Rathdrum?

mp3ireland2

Working class heroes wrote: »

Why don't you consider living in Rathdrum?

We may well do, at the moment my wife has a temp remote job but there might be a better chance of her getting work in a bigger town. She doesn't drive, we are working on it!
So we plan to get somewhere temperoarly for a month and she'll look for work in the area or permanent remote work and then we can asses where best to live. She's worked as a legal secretary and for estate agents over here.


Ideally I'd like to be able to cycle to work, assumig work has a shower! Lots of things to sort out as I've to start up a business to do contract work and also am starting a springbord evening course at end of the month.....
A little overwhelming getting to Ireland 2 days before starting work but getting made redundant at end of spetmeber and my wife got redundancy 4 weeks ago so things looking better now!

sandyxxx

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

I see a thread from ten years ago on the topic but just wanted to know if Arklow has improved lately?
Moving back to Ireland for a job in Rathdrum and looking at options for towns to live in.
Any advice appreciated.

Arklow wasn’t that bad 10 yrs ago.....it’s probably a bit better now as 2010 was in the thick of the rescission.....I can see it’s got huge potential to improve with the imminent treatment plant, data centre & harbour developments.....we let our house there since we moved a year ago, housing demand is pretty high,.....the towns main st. itself has seen better days but there’s enough around it that it can be avoided although I do find the buisness owners very friendly & obliging!
I’d pick it over Rathdrum any day!

listermint

Busy town. Traffic is mayhem on exit 20 coming in over bridge. Some lovely houses with plenty of history in them for not alot of money. Newer houses also available for middling money. Has alot of facilities too.

We live close to arklow but would be through it frequently. Never knew it before moving but would have zero problems with it. Certainly could do with more investment and more outside the box thinking . I think move emphasis needs to be put on the river front at rear of main Street moving away from a parking area more into a cafe style rating out recreational space. The town committee I think need some ideas injection.

mp3ireland2

listermint wrote: »

Busy town. Traffic is mayhem on exit 20 coming in over bridge. Some lovely houses with plenty of history in them for not alot of money. Newer houses also available for middling money. Has alot of facilities too.

We live close to arklow but would be through it frequently. Never knew it before moving but would have zero problems with it. Certainly could do with more investment and more outside the box thinking . I think move emphasis needs to be put on the river front at rear of main Street moving away from a parking area more into a cafe style rating out recreational space. The town committee I think need some ideas injection.

Thanks, yeah moving back fto Ireland rom Aberdeen I think we'd find rathdrum very quiet. The traffic seems to be the most annoying thing so far. WE got sorted with a temp accomodation a small garden cabin for 4 weeks, reasonable price and will allow us to suss out area, it's in Kilbride so that looks very quiet.

spyderski

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Thanks, yeah moving back fto Ireland rom Aberdeen I think we'd find rathdrum very quiet. The traffic seems to be the most annoying thing so far. WE got sorted with a temp accomodation a small garden cabin for 4 weeks, reasonable price and will allow us to suss out area, it's in Kilbride so that looks very quiet.

Kilbride is a long way from Arklow no?

con___manx1

Arklow is a commuter town. Not much employment in the area. If your into the outdoors it's surrounded by really nice beaches and Forests within short driving distance.
The road from Arklow to rathdrum isn't the best. Especially in winter. It's very hard to find places to rent in the town aswell. There is a very high demand.

Working class heroes

sandyxxx wrote: »

Arklow wasn’t that bad 10 yrs ago.....it’s probably a bit better now as 2010 was in the thick of the rescission.....I can see it’s got huge potential to improve with the imminent treatment plant, data centre & harbour developments.....we let our house there since we moved a year ago, housing demand is pretty high,.....the towns main st. itself has seen better days but there’s enough around it that it can be avoided although I do find the buisness owners very friendly & obliging!
I’d pick it over Rathdrum any day!

I know both towns extremely well and would pick Rathdrum as a place to live over Arklow, hands down.

mp3ireland2

Working class heroes wrote: »

I know both towns extremely well and would pick Rathdrum as a place to live over Arklow, hands down.

Thanks it also seems easier to find acocmodation there! Only snag is my wife doesn't drive yet, but train to wicklow would seem reaosnable if she got work there, and we can work on the license. She had temp remote working for the time being. All I have to go on is google maps but seems to be a chinse, a few pubs, a centra etc. So i think we are leaning that way but just waiting to see what happens with my wife's job situation. Thanks for the tip.
It'll be a bit of a contrast to living in Aberdeen city but seems to have most of things we'd need (even though i just mentioned a chinese and pubs ) No gym but i could continue my home workouts i've gotten into since lockdown.

Working class heroes

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Thanks it also seems easier to find acocmodation there! Only snag is my wife doesn't drive yet, but train to wicklow would seem reaosnable if she got work there, and we can work on the license. She had temp remote working for the time being. All I have to go on is google maps but seems to be a chinse, a few pubs, a centra etc. So i think we are leaning that way but just waiting to see what happens with my wife's job situation. Thanks for the tip.
It'll be a bit of a contrast to living in Aberdeen city but seems to have most of things we'd need (even though i just mentioned a chinese and pubs ) No gym but i could continue my home workouts i've gotten into since lockdown.

Two Chinese.
One good chipper.
Three pubs, one of which does good food(Jacobs Well). One is probably one of the most unusual pubs in the country, The Cartoon Inn. The other is a traditional Bar/lounge type of place.
One Centra and two smaller shops.
Three primary schools and a large Secondary School.
All the usual sports clubs, GAA, Soccer, Rugby, Athletics amongst others.
Post office, Bank and Credit union.

The entire town centre is currently getting renovated, should be impressive when finished.
Planning gone in for a hotel at the train station as well as numerous hotels within a twenty minute drive.
Massive recreational development about to start for Avondale estate.
Work underway on two housing estates.
Good community spirit.

Yes it would be a big change to what you are used to but its a grand spot!

Just to add very easy to commute to Wicklow Town by train.

mp3ireland2

Working class heroes wrote: »

Two Chinese.
One good chipper.
Three pubs, one of which does good food(Jacobs Well). One is probably one of the most unusual pubs in the country, The Cartoon Inn. The other is a traditional Bar/lounge type of place.
One Centra and two smaller shops.
Three primary schools and a large Secondary School.
All the usual sports clubs, GAA, Soccer, Rugby, Athletics amongst others.
Post office, Bank and Credit union.

The entire town centre is currently getting renovated, should be impressive when finished.
Planning gone in for a hotel at the train station as well as numerous hotels within a twenty minute drive.
Massive recreational development about to start for Avondale estate.
Work underway on two housing estates.
Good community spirit.

Yes it would be a big change to what you are used to but its a grand spot!

Just to add very easy to commute to Wicklow Town by train.

You have advertised well! Yeah I could cycle to work and my wife could have the car if she needed it once the test is got. We were thinking it was likley the best option anyway but good to get the inside info! More than my roaming the streets on google maps could deduce! I'll report my intel back to the boss

Working class heroes

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

You have advertised well! Yeah I could cycle to work and my wife could have the car if she needed it once the test is got. We were thinking it was likley the best option anyway but good to get the inside info! More than my roaming the streets on google maps could deduce! I'll report my intel back to the boss

If you need any other specific info feel free to PM me.

mp3ireland2

Working class heroes wrote: »

If you need any other specific info feel free to PM me.

Much appreciated, a lot of change going on at the min so can be daunting but step by step we'll get it all sorted!

tradtshirt

OP please spend a bit of time in these places before making any decision. With Rathdrum just be mindful that you will still spend lots of time in Wicklow/Arklow. There are no supermarkets or shops to speak of in Rathdrum apart from a convenience and it wouldn't be the best for amenities in general, its more of a village really. Also consider Wicklow town or Aughrim. Aughrim is about the same size as Rathdrum, and one of the nicest places about IMO. Whatever u decide, good luck with the move.:)

Working class heroes

Working class heroes wrote: »

Just to add very easy to commute to Wicklow Town by train.

And just to add to that... the Wexford Bus 740A route is another way to get between Arklow and Wicklow Town.

babaduck

We've been living in Arklow for almost 20 years & things have improved massively since we first drove down the (single lane) N11, as they should. A great range of schools, lots of activities for adults and kids, every supermarket known to man (except M&S) and more chippers than you can shake a stick at. Me, I'm a Burger Hill fan.

There are, of course, cons. Train services to Dublin are expensive and infrequent. Salaries locally are lower than Dublin, but no commuting, car loan or fuel bills to consider. The Main Street is sadly neglected - I wish the landlords would take a leaf out of Gorey's book and inject some life into the empty buildings to regenerate this area. That's a bugbear of most of the residents.

You're right beside the M11 and that's extremely handy for travelling anywhere.

Rathdrum has some beautiful new houses (a friend of mine has bought one and I'm extremely envious of the finish and the energy rating) but I'd sooner live here.

mp3ireland2

Thanks lads for all the tips, in hind sight I should have titled the thread with a less aggressive title! Yeah we have temp accommodation booked for four weeks so hopefully get renting somewhere, the rental market in the area seems like a landlords market from keeping an eye on it the last few weeks!

Sheep breeder

Working class heroes wrote: »

Two Chinese.
One good chipper.
Three pubs, one of which does good food(Jacobs Well). One is probably one of the most unusual pubs in the country, The Cartoon Inn. The other is a traditional Bar/lounge type of place.
One Centra and two smaller shops.
Three primary schools and a large Secondary School.
All the usual sports clubs, GAA, Soccer, Rugby, Athletics amongst others.
Post office, Bank and Credit union.

The entire town centre is currently getting renovated, should be impressive when finished.
Planning gone in for a hotel at the train station as well as numerous hotels within a twenty minute drive.
Massive recreational development about to start for Avondale estate.
Work underway on two housing estates.
Good community spirit.

Yes it would be a big change to what you are used to but its a grand spot!

Just to add very easy to commute to Wicklow Town by train.

Now you wouldn’t call rathdrum a town in any shape or form , a village would be more like it.

Working class heroes

Sheep breeder wrote: »

Now you wouldn’t call rathdrum a town in any shape or form , a village would be more like it.

It has a population of over 2000 so yes, I would class it as a town.

mp3ireland2

Just to update the narrative :-D We are currently living in a Shipping container next to the Barrindarrig service station :-D
Not as bad as it sounds as it's an airbnb and doing the job for now. It seems options are rather limited accomodation wise so it might be a case of taking what we can get!
Most oppertunites for my wife seem to be in Dublin so we are probably going to go somewhere like Kilpedder or Netown mount kennedy, or Bray or Greystones as no a lot in the first two!
Arklow isn't really an option for commuting, Rathdrum would probably be better with the train station, so if we saw something central in Rathdrum we'd probably consider that. In short the availablity and pricing of accomodation in North wicklow was quite a shock, after paying £760 a month in Aberdeen City Centre for an old, but decent sized Flat.
I have been waiting in the shipping container for a laptop to be delivered from work as working from home for first couple of weeks as we are returning from UK. Still hasn't arrived yet so on my 7th day of getting paid without being able to do any work!

mp3ireland2

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

...We are currently living in a Shipping container next to the Barrindarrig service station...

You absolutely must post pictures!

mp3ireland2

haha i'm not sure how to post photos but when we were dirving up to it we saw a black shipping container and were like "what have we done" as it didn't mention it was a shipping container in the add. Pity there's none of the outside!

https://www.gumtree.ie/a-flat-house-for-rent/wicklow/cosy-cabin-studio-available-to-rent/1007929382000912548675909

The woman is very nice and even does our washing! But it does sound so dramatic to tell people

Niles

The amenities have definitely come on a lot in the last few years - the new Rock/Roadstone walk is an excellent addition to the town.

mp3ireland2

Niles wrote: »

The amenities have definitely come on a lot in the last few years - the new Rock/Roadstone walk is an excellent addition to the town.

Yeah we are starting to consider it now due to the lack of availablitiy, the commute to Dublin options for my wife are the biggest draw back but we have enquired about a couple of places. Quite a chronic shortage of rental properties at the moment in the commuter belt! I was blisfilly unaware of how bad it was when living in the UK!

Niles

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Yeah we are starting to consider it now due to the lack of availablitiy, the commute to Dublin options for my wife are the biggest draw back but we have enquired about a couple of places. Quite a chronic shortage of rental properties at the moment in the commuter belt! I was blisfilly unaware of how bad it was when living in the UK!

I commuted from Arklow by bus to Dublin for... far longer than I'm willing to mention . It's doable but as a friend pointed out, it's at least 3 hours of your day gone (I lived in Dublin for a while and found the concept of getting home 30 mins after leaving the office alien!). There's a hardy bunch of regulars doing it, you just sort of acclimatise after a while, and to be fair between the two bus companies there's a good service range.

mp3ireland2

Yeah it sounds like a tough commute and to be fair she hasn't a job in Dublin so maybe she'd find something in Arklow, she has an interview in Dublin next week, pending no lockdown i suppose.
We are now looking at a place in Arklow tomorrow it's a bit more reasonably priced and ticks a good few of the boxes, don't think it's the time to be overly fussy about finding a place!

mp3ireland2

Well we are moving ot Arklow! We got a place beside the church, st mary's court. Nice apartment decent amount of room (negatives are electric heating and what seems to be a very pricey elec service from pinergy which agent said couldn't be changed, I've asked RTB if that was legal, will sign lease anyway and see) It's nice and central so can walk to everthing (if anything is open). Was reasonalby priced comapred to some others we saw, even if the elec will be expensive and might need to pay for TV! A new bed is a bonus and the spare room has no bed so can be used as home office/ music studio/ storage. Just over 20mins to work or just over an hours cycle as might do that a bit in spring/summer depending on what I make of roads and if there's a shower at work!

Good to get something sorted before the likely restrictions increase!


Edit: Does Anybody know where the post collection place is in Arklow if parcels arrive and you aren't in, googling seems to send me to the post office on the main street ut not conviced they'd hold them all there! I'm sure a card would state it but just curious?

sandyxxx

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Edit: Does Anybody know where the post collection place is in Arklow if parcels arrive and you aren't in, googling seems to send me to the post office on the main street ut not conviced they'd hold them all there! I'm sure a card would state it but just curious?

It’s behind Mr Price in the Knockanrahan ind. estate,at the back!

mp3ireland2

sandyxxx wrote: »

It’s behind Mr Price in the Knockanrahan ind. estate,at the back!

Thank you! Any idea of opening hours?

NickMondo

Hi,

Just wonder how the OP is finding it down there, sizing up the area myself.

Quick question i've never seen addressed. Is their any flooding due to the river?

mp3ireland2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118856794#Comment_118856794

I've actually moved out now to Gorey, but that is because we decided to buy a house. We had started looking Arklow initally but then widened the net a little and ended up in Gorey, mainly due to availablity of houses. Not that there's that much more here but we just got lucky.

Aside from the last week there was always some element of Covid restrictions in Arklow when we were there so that would have to be taken into account.

The main street has quite a high amount of deralict and unused shops and a big cinema that was burnt down. The tiday town's comitte do a lot of good work and paint up the windows and keep flowebeds in good shape and hanging baskets all along the street.

The shopping centre has an argos and TK max which were handy. PLenty of supermarket choice in the town.

The pubs were very good i thought, for the size of the place there were plenty with live music -which is what I like so that was well above what i expected.

My wife is a vegetarian and there wasn't much selectoin when we dined out. The place has too many Chinese take aways and not enough variety. There is only one sit down resteraunt in the town (As oppoed to pub foIt od) and it's a chinese - it was nice but as they used crustacians not much for a vegetarian.

Teenagers cycling on the footpaths all the time was annoying!

IT was nice being close to the beach and there was a random walk through a quarry onto a lovely beach which was cool, and you could loop aroudn for a big long walk - essential during lockdown! The Centra has massive 99's

That's my random thoughts in no particular order, let me know if there's anything in particular. Traffic can be bad enough over the bridge, especially now with roadworks for the next 6 months or so I think.

Baybay

Arklow is, I think, due a bit of a boost. The sewage treatment works are in progress which will probably see more new builds going up. The old cinema & large site it’s on have been recently sold with apparently a mix of residential & commercial units going in. The current road works & one way system aren’t doing too much to help the town at the moment but the Main Street is expected to be more pedestrian friendly & allow for more outside dining etc. There’s also chat about redeveloping the bandstand car park & river frontage there to make it more of an amenity for the town. The proposed off shore wind farm there should also bring needed investment into the town.

mp3ireland2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118861698#Comment_118861698

Good points there about the wimdfarm. Good that cinema was sold, be nice to see development there. I forgot to mention about housing being able to proceed due to the sewage works.

Like every where else the rental market seems very tight, if thinking of renting when you move.... But no where easy these days

sandyxxx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118861698#Comment_118861698

and the data centre could be a huge gain also.....still think the main st. is to long for one way system and needs an M11 exit at the vale road to make the town viable!

Baybay

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118863096#Comment_118863096

I think the fact that the town is so long makes it look like there’s little enough in town. Things are so spread out. It’s a long walk from Pettit’s to the Arklow Bay!

mp3ireland2

If you do move and fancy 6 a side on astro turf on Tuesdays let me know.... We struggle for numbers. Varying levels of fitness and skill, but mostly at the lower end of both (including myself). Demographic seems to range from about 30-55 with a young lad about 18 from time to time. Mainly lads who drink in the gallery pub and has expanded a bit too a few that work with me! We took a winter break as we weren't getting enough to justify the weekly booking. Or if anybody else sees this and is interested!

Galwayhurl

Can I chime in here with a question?

The number 2 bus timetable says that the bus leaving Arklow at 8.10 a.m. gets to Clare St/Merrion Square at 9.25 a.m.

Anyone know if this is accurate?

Thanks a million.

kc78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119319096#Comment_119319096

It should do when the schools are off, when they are back it can be a half hour late.

Galwayhurl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119319152#Comment_119319152

Thanks for that.

Had my heart set on rathdrum but prices gone way out of reach so now looking at Arklow. Might be able to afford something there. Only in the office 2 days a week so hoping it's an option.

The search for a home is grim!

kc78

Wexford bus goes through Arklow as well, and there is always driving to Greystones for the dart an odd day. Its not the time to rush into buying somewhere though, who knows what will happen if Putin doesn't turn the gas back on.

Galwayhurl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119326021#Comment_119326021

Yeah I see your point. However, given my age, it's buy shortly or never at all. I'm at last chance saloon age-wise unfortunately. I'm getting close to banks not being willing to give me a mortgage, for the required amount at least.

mp3ireland2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119330545#Comment_119330545

Wexford bus is actually faster from Gorey, if your would consider Gorey as well to open options up. As the 740 doesn't go into arklow town, Wicklow, rathnew etc. My wife travels from Gorey twice a week for work and finds it better than when we lived in Arklow

Galwayhurl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119330747#Comment_119330747

Hey. Thanks for that.

I think Gorey is a lovely fine town, but aren't the prices there higher than Arklow?

test account 123

Interesting discussion this as we're currently applying for a mortgage, given current prices we're looking at Athy but Arklow/Gorey is a great option. I spent every summer of my youth in the 80s going to Courtown so know Arklow and Gorey well. Gorey is a lovely town. If you think traffic in Arklow is bad now you should have tried driving through it before the M11 when half of Dublin was going to Wexford for the holidays 😁

I am considering Arklow because imo it has huge potential. I think its an overlooked town, maybe due to everything discussed here but if that all gets fixed it would be a great place to be. Very good golf course, plenty of beaches, stones throw to the mountains and N11 is handy. I've heard the waste treatment plant is now a priority, once that gets sorted I think investment may flow in.

100% agree with a previous post about taking a leaf out of Gorey's book. Gorey main st is really well kept.

Galwayhurl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119372565#Comment_119372565

I went down to Arklow yesterday to have a look and it's much nicer than portrayed by some on here and the internet in general.

Fine shopping centre, the main st is looking much nicer than what you see on Google Maps and there's a good selection of cafes restaurants etc. I was quite impressed to be honest.

test account 123

Good to know, thanks. Might take a spin down for a day soon. I'm very familiar with the golf club having played it a few times over the years, that side of the river always felt much more neglected and dull driving to the course than the north side of the river which always seemed far more mature and brighter.

seldomseenkid

is that offer for Astro 5/6 a side still open ?

if so I’d happily join in.

Recently moved to area and I’m looking for a regular game.

I fit the “lower end” entrance criteria also 😁