What's Waterford City like for a young family?

DC2018

Hey,

We've been living abroad for the last decade or so and getting to the stage now where we're thinking of moving home. We live in a nice part of the uk and are pretty well settled here but we had a kid recently and having them grow up close to family is the main reason for moving back. Dublin or any other of the bigger cities are out of the question due to the house prices and Waterford was recently voted nicest place to live or something like that by the Irish Times. Anyone have any opinions or advice? I found another thread on here asking more or less the same thing but it's from 2014.

Replies from Waterford locals and blow-ins welcome!

Thanks

friendlyfun

I am a young man in my late 20s. I will give my experience of what Waterford is like for me. Retail in the City Centre is fine but could be better, has everything you need for the most part, but there is a couple of empty premises on Michael Street and O'Connell Street. The Spraoi outdoor entertainment festival in late August is great for families has been running since the early 1990s, ends with a parade and fireworks.

There's the Harvest Festival in the City, Alltogether Now in Portlaw, and other festivals in Dungarvan and Tramore. At Christmas time there's Winterval which is very popular and attracts families from all over the South East. The Greenway is a great amenity to use and is very popular. Mount Congreve is an 18th century house with world renowned gardens that is also on the Greenway route, definitely worth a visit (currently under major refurbishment) but will be open sometime early next year.

There's also the Viking Triangle with the award winning Medieval Museum. No shortage of beautiful beaches along the Waterford Coast and lots of Mountains and Hills to Climb. Nice pubs like Tullys, Mahers, Downes's, Uisce Bheata, etc if you like drinking. If you like locally produced food Ardkeen Quality foodstores has a lot to offer.

I would say Waterford is generally a safe place to live, but like anywhere crime does exist, so just use common sense I guess. Public transport could be better but that's Ireland for you!

DC2018

Thanks very much for that! Very helpful. Sounds like there's loads to keep us entertained. Are there any parts of town in particular we should look to move to (or avoid!)?

friendlyfun

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119653958#Comment_119653958

I feel safe honestly in most parts of the city. The only place I do not always feel safe is perhaps John Street after 12 am! (where the clubs and bars are). Carickpherish is an area that has been getting a bad name due to some anti-social behaviour, illegal settlements from a certain group, and lack of amenities.

DC2018

Great. Thanks for all your advice

zg3409

Waterford is relatively small as cities go, so does not have the size you may expect.

In terms of location there is now a very good motorway straight to Dublin and it's relatively close to Dublin compared to other cities. In terms of traffic getting from one side of river to the other there is only one bridge (+ bypass) so traffic can be a bottleneck at peak times in the area.

In terms of where to live you get what you pay for. There is traditionally large council housing estates that would ideally be avoided. I won't mention names here as it's unfair on ,99% of the people living there but ask a local auctioneer or look at prices and it's easy to see where to avoid.

In terms of work there are only a few big employers so depending on your needs you may find it hard to switch jobs without leaving Waterford if you become specialised or if you want to move jobs but stay local.

As it's small it's locally well knit, many people know each other. There is good night life and restaurants and countryside on the doorstep.

In general beware the cost of living in Ireland, food is expensive, cars and car insurance and fuel expensive, electricity and taxes high. House prices are high with maybe a housing crash coming and interest rates are starting to rise which may trigger a housing crash in next 12 months. You may have trouble getting a loan outside of Dublin and there are strict income to loan regulations.

DC2018

Thanks for the info. Hopefully things will fall in to place soon enough and we'll move. The UK looks like it's in serious trouble!