Are you happy where you live?

sporina

I'm from the countryside originally - but been living in cities/large towns for the last 26 yrs.. I am defo a country girl at heart.. prefer the peace and beauty of the countryside.. but I do like/love living where I am now (tis Cork so nice n small and lovely walk area near me).. but I often wonder about moving - to somewhere less urban.. but I dunno.. I/we would miss so many things about where we are now..

How about ye?

Jim_Hodge

Born and raised in a large town but living very rural for the past 38 years and I absolutely love it. I always tried to go to the countryside as a child, so I'm now living the dream. Not a neighbouring house in sight, green fields, woods, lakes and rivers yet still a decent community spirit and good neighbours & friends. We often said we'd never move, even if we had a big lotto win because there's nowhere we'd rather be.

AxelF84

Grew up in the countryside in Waterford and moved into the city when in college and ended up spending 15 years there. I loved the fact I was only walking distance from everything but did miss the greenery and peace of the country , met my wife who again was a countryside girl but she really didn't like the city. We were lucky to get the opportunity recently to move back to the countryside again can honestly say have never been happier

Mister Vain

No I live in a village where you have to fight for parking.

Karppi

My view, after quite a long time on the planet, is to try to be as close to nature, ie the real world, as possible. The main barriers to this, it seems to me, are the constrains of work - both where your work is and what hours you need to devote to it - money, which is tied to the first, in most cases - and obligations; family, especially children.

Follow you instincts and emotions, if you can.

Larbre34

I am happy where I live, its suburban, very quiet, very safe, very pleasant surroundings, good amenities, handy for public transport and the City and all that.

But my wife will be finishing up her main career this summer and we'll be heading off to live in a rural spot near to a big town where we have family connections and I plan to be even happier, with more space and even nicer surroundings and fresh air and peace. Can't wait.

Graces7

Islanded and all at sea here and that is what I sought all my life long. Far from town life etc. It has its....moments ..... , but compared with other situations.....

Inaccessible too is excellent... privacy and many aspects of peace... yet with access to all I need.... All thanks to good communications.

An easier place to live in old age. Without the fuss that was gathering!

Ms2011

Grew up and lived in a Dublin council estate for the first 37 years of my life, moved to a rural village an hour outside Dublin 5 years ago and have never been happier. I feel I have the best of both worlds in that I have neighbours but they are not on top of me, my house is detached and my garden is an acre. We are surrounded by countryside and it's a peaceful life. There are some disadvantages but the advantages far outweigh them and I can't imagine ever leaving here.

No, I live in the middle of fvcking nowhere. Can't go out anywhere without a lift, can't work or study. Only leave the house for mental health related appointments.

EDIT: Almost like they're related

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120162840#Comment_120162840

Much the same with me. Magnified by this being a small island.. .

Purple Mountain

Born and bred in deep rural Ireland.

It's my haven. I love nothing more than waking late on a Saturday morning to cattle bawling in the field next door.

I lived in Dublin in my 20s for a short stint and I absolutely hated the city life.

Country life is tough in the winter when roads can be inaccessible with frost or snow and there's definitely more maintaining a detatched house with a few acres but overall the privacy, quietness and unspoiled views I have trump that.

I'm a country mouse for sure.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120162889#Comment_120162889

wow - your post made my heart swell.. really resonated with me..

i pretty sure we will move in the future..

Not just yet.. as we are v sociable and love all our social outings from here - friends all near by for walks/coffee's etc.. and most within walking distance.. we have fab walking areas near by for sure - the lee fields.. the marina.. etc.. and the mountains and beaches are not too far away..

We would be ok work wise - to move - both have cars..

But yeah.. when I'm older.. as I have noticed.. the older I get - the more I crave nature.. as they say.. "you can take the girl out of the country - but you can't take the country out of the girl"..

And my fav hobbies are hiking and beach walking (off season)..

But I love the idea of a walk down a country rd under the moon light - on a dry might - any season..

So yeah.. countryside for us soon.. (himself is the same.. but just more laid back about it than me)..

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120162795#Comment_120162795

what fuss? dare I ask?

isn't it hard to be on an island so small in old age? lack of geriatric services etc

Motivator

We live in a fairly populated part of Cork, it’s grand but it’s not my home. My wife is comfortable being near her parents but I would love to move back to my home and build on the family land. With the planning nonsense nowadays I don’t know if it’s a possibility. A neighbour at home tried to get planning last year and was refused. His parents have circa 30 acres, he’s a solicitor and couldn’t find any loophole to get around his objection from ABP/County Council.

My home is the most magical place and I yearn to get back there. Lovely neighbours and peace and quiet. My family home is in the country despite being less than 10 mins from the middle of town. As some above have mentioned, the air and everything is just different and better in the country. We have all sorts of animals that come around the garden and it’s just a lovely place.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120162889#Comment_120162889

do you live near Purple Mt by any chance?

Yes. The area I live in is both friendly and quiet. Our house is lovely because I've created a fairly unique space. It's still a work in progress but we're tipping away at it. There's a big tree in the front garden and I have all sorts of yokes hanging out if it.

The dream though is a ginormous pile in the middle of nowhere. I don't know what it is about very large houses but I love them. One of these please.

gary550

Born in a medium town, still live in that medium town.

I'm nowhere near unhappy here but I'd happily move at the same time.

The dream would be ruralish, just close enough to civilisation that getting what I need isn't a hassle but far enough away that I've no chance of at all of hearing the neighbour f*cking his missus.

Get myself a nice bit of land, build a fence and scowl "get out of my swamp" at every opportunity I get. I can only dream.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163261#Comment_120163261

oh i don't like that garden - so controlled

Purple Mountain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163228#Comment_120163228

I didn't know there was such a place 😊

I really fell in love again with where I live in lockdown 1.

Myself and my son spent days exploring our 2km limits and even within those 2km we found places we'd never been before: natural forests, a river, a valley.

I was so grateful for that time to appreciate what was literally on the front door.

I love the sense of community in rural Ireland too. Nobody uses the front door in the country side. Any callers come to your back door. I find that really homely.

If the front door bell ring, you know it's a sales person or a politician canvassing 😆

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163307#Comment_120163307

its in the reeks

Count Dracula

I set up my current lair in the attic of a disused wing of Leinster House during the 17th century. It was previously used as a private apartment by the illicit mistress/close friend of the Marquess of Kildare. I claimed her one evening after following her home from a ball she attended at the Mansion house held in honour of the late Earl of Inchiquin. The marquess sealed the door shut after his aide de comp removed her mortal remains for fear of retribution from one of King George III's secret rent boy lovers, with whom she often shared her bed with.

I spend my daylight hours resting, arms folded across my chest, in a 13th century mahogany coffin I stole from an ancient orthodox monastery once located high in the Caucasus mountains near Eastern Georgia. It is reputed to have once held the sarcophagus of Attila the Hun. The inside is magnificently preserved in 3rd century authentic Szechuan worm silk, fermented in mint seed and cumin extract. The hues of dark purple are still fervently puerile and I have never found a more comfortable " my space " in all my long immortal existence.

The now boarded up attic is a fantastic hideaway, guarded unwittingly by the most gormless and inept Garda Síochána the Irish State Service has ever employed. They spend all their night duty shifts playing late night poker games or screwing expensive sex workers smuggled in by special branch alcoholics who get locked in to the Dáil bar downstairs. You would be amazed that goes on in there after hours.

One of the benefits of being an immortal vampire lord is that I can take the form of any living creature during the night hours. This comes in useful when getting around. Even the fairies are baffled by my whereabouts at times.

I plan to move to the US in around 3 or 4 hundred years, hopefully by then it will have nurtured a schism of culture? As thing's are it is failing terribly to convince me it is worth considering at all? They are the modern equivalent of a deranged grouping of Teutonic Vandals, raping and pillaging their putrid existence of perverted greed for their own benefit.

Keep on rocking in the free world mortals. Be kind, live a little, embrace your passions?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163306#Comment_120163306

Yes it is very manicured. It would be far nicer if it were wilder 😊 They are my favourite types and go particularly well with rambling old houses.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163331#Comment_120163331

sorry - not reading that - no offence - mind yourself

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163333#Comment_120163333

yeah - got ya

Deregos.

Although I lived there for years, and enjoyed my time there immensely, I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than even drive up to Dublin anymore. I've been assimilated to this country life and could never be happy living in the big smoke again.

Jim2007

I was born and grew up in the countryside, spent a decade in Dublin going to college and first job before moving to Zürich for another decade or so of work. I eventually ended up in a village on the edge of the Emmenthal, where I have been for over 25 years. On a warm summer night, with the windows open, you hear the cow bell, get the smell of freshly cut grass and hear the odd freight train off in the distance - a nice way to fall asleep.

Its OK to visit the city every couple of years but I would not want to live there now.

Strumms

A primarily residential neighbourhood of Dublin…

generally safe, quiet and a nice area.

It’s close and walkable to convenience shops in different directions such as Gala, Centra , Spar, alo to the post office, my GP, big supermarket 5 minutes away, a good barber there too… area is reasonably served by public transport, was better though before they cancelled one route quite inexplicably, my gym is a 4 minute drive away.

not a major effort to get to the city, Dublin airport is accessible by car so if I don’t get lifts a taxi won’t break the bank

no desire to move…

iniscealtra

Yes. Grew up rural on a farm and lived it.Lived in a city for University and first two years of work. I then activly choose not to work in cities and rented in the countryside mostly. I lived in my husbands village for 10 years but found it too claustrophobic. Its a lovely village but I found it uncomfortable due to lack of privacy. Small overlooked garden. His family lived in the five neighbouring houses. Bought a place múch more rural with a few acres of land. 15 minute drive to the shop. I love the access to nature on the doorstep and have good neighbours. Great peace of mind. Best decision we ever made.

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163129#Comment_120163129

It is lovely being out here in such a peaceful, beautiful and private place and no need of any services beyond basic medical care. . IF needed. Apart from repeat prescriptions via the receptionist I have had no GP contact for literally years now. People have lived out on the islands for centuries and folk look out for each other , No idea what 'geriatric services' are... Being old is not an illness or a medical condition..

triona1

Grew up in the south side of Dublin near the mountains and dundrum a 30 minute walk or just 1 bus service to get anywhere near town absolutely miss it so much, now based for 18 years in Kildare not far from the Curragh and only 2 buses a day in or out of the town, luckily we drive there's all the amenities needed but it's never felt like home. Walking in my mams front door it's Dublin it's home.

ALB2022

Born and raised in North Dublin along the coast and living here all my life. I dont think I could live more than a walk from the sea, eveyones different though. Easy access to everything you need (including the airport for short breaks) and the countryside is close by when you really want to switch off. Family in all corners of the Island, north, south east and west and I enjoy visiting there when I can.

It's a fine place and worth fighting for (a stricter Judiciary).

retalivity

Born and raised in the country, but living in Dublin city centre this past 9 years. Hating it more and more with every passing day, plotting a route back to the countryside all the time, just need to convince herself...

ALB2022

Incidently I took this photo yesterday afternoon and it looks like the southside was nuked. In which case some of your earlier replies may need to be amended :)

theboringfox

I grew up in countryside outside a village in Cork. Always longed for urban loving and lived in Cork and Dublin cities and loved both. Bought in Cork City and like being urban. Thought I'd never leave but now drawn to moving to smaller town as we have kids. Want bigger house with space and still urban but better access to countryside life and beaches. Im filled with massive fear ill regret leaving city.

John_Rambo

Wide open public spaces & large woodlands, access to nature on the doorstep, short walk to the beach & wildlife sanctuary, nice village with restaurants, bakery, pub, butcher etc... all within walking distance & topped off with a strong, friendly community where people look out for each other. Can't be beaten.

rob316

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163667#Comment_120163667

We're one of the same. I'm smack bang in the city centre for 13 years, I thought I loved it, but since the pandemic I've hated it. Just want a big house, garden for the kids but within 30km to the city.

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163081#Comment_120163081

Just in from a wander up th elane,, I had to wait for dawn as darkness in deep rural with no street light is like being blind as I learned the hard way a while ago. A life like no other. The gorse that proliferates is just starting to show gold. Utterly lovely and mine whenever .. I never need or want to be anywhere else now.

I do so hope you too find this fully... for me it sanctifies being old and disabled as were I not both I would not be here or free to live as I do.

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163667#Comment_120163667

Ah no. Once you settle in you will be fine and these days you can be within easy reach if you seek that. And nothing is for ever in a country this size.

brokenbad

Grew up in a large town for the first 26 years of my life - then bought my first house out in the sticks with my partner and lived there for 3 years before we sold on and moved back to town again - primarily because we moved to an rural area where we knew no one and it was very isolated and we didn't have kids at the time. After spending the next 13 years living in a estate on the outskirts of town, we got the itch to move again due to having two young kids and a back garden the size of a box room, we wanted somewhere with a bit more space and privacy - so we made the move to the countryside again, but circumstances were different this time - we were only 10 mins from town and schools, etc. As you get older i think you appreciate having more privacy and less about the conveniences that urban living brings.....living in the countryside now over 5 years and can definitely say it was the best move we ever made!

yaknowski

Moved around as a child, Ballyfermot => Killinarden => Cherry Orchard => Drimnagh. Bought a gaf in Clondalkin,moved then to Templeogue. Suburbs are pretty boring but I appreciate the peace and quiet of where I am now.

Quitelife

Live in rural Co Limerick now which in the round is good with nice scenary, walks etc but not as good as it used to be with reduction in services particulary with closed garda stations .

Travelling Burgular gangs are a huge issue creating widespread fear and leads to many older people bolting themselves into their homes at night and day which has lead to less locals visiting each other & a breakdown in the community spirit , some of the burglars relations also control the drug trade in our area which is as big an issue and the amount of drug debt threats is out of control with parents trying to pay inflated drug debts to these parasites of our area. Young men get beaten up and threats of burning their parents houses or farm buildings is the new threats our community is facing . Pubs are closing anyways but drug gangs taking over pubs to sell cocaine is forcing older pu owners to accelerate their thoughts on closing down which impacts a lot of older / middle aged locals who lose their local pub and another community outlet shuts down which leads to more loneliness/mental health problems .

Love where I live. So much so, it kills me to leave the peace, quiet and nature to head into town to work every day and feel so comforted when I get back to it. Part of that too is I have a nice little bubble with my wife and two young kids. I'm a real home bird I suppose you could say.

Grew up in town til I was 13 and we moved beside a beach but very far out of town. Hated it at first but then fell in love with the nature and peace of rural living.

Myself and my wife bought our first house in town and sold up after a few years and moved to where we are now only 10 minutes from town and beside the beach. We all could not be happier there. It's peace and calm away from any nonsense and the nature is nourishing for the soul. Different kind of living to town altogether.

Naked Lepper

I run a home in Dublin, Castlebar and Brussels. I wanna tell you something, try it sometime…

Sgt Hartman

I love where I am at the moment in a small town 30k north of Dublin. The area is really quiet. There's a Dunnes, an Asian Market, a really good pub and brill off license just 2 minutes from my place. The beach is just a 10 minute walk away with great coastal areas for walking. The only downside is the bus commute to the city centre for work.

Cluedo Monopoly

Born and bred in a town. Now live in rural Galway and I absolutely love it. Love the outdoors. Good community too.

sporina

looks like loads of interesting replies..

will revert over the weekend

Happy Friday all x

Deregos.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120163331#Comment_120163331

That's quite the novel imagination you've got going on for yourself there Count Dracula. Nearly worthy of the great Bram Stoker himself.

DoctorEdgeWild

Dublin for almost 30 years of my life, now I'm over a decade in a town in England with great countryside all around. Close enough that its only a few hours drive into London every weekend. I don't spend much time at home at all, only just really to sleep, but the area I live in, on the rare occasions that I am there, is great!

Ush1

Live in Tallaght all my life. I like where I live but wouldn't mind moving either, more boredom than anything really. Couldn't live rural though, need to be close to stuff.

freshpopcorn

Live on a country road a few KM from a town.

Few neighbours on the road but nobody on top of one another.

Everyone is friendly but private at the same time.

Supermarkets, most amenities in the local town which we drive to. You could walk if you had to.

Live 40 - 60 minutes from other cities/large towns.

Living with people on top of me would not be for me. I wouldn't be pushed about being near shops/restaurants/etc that are in cities.

Equium

I lived and grew up in a housing estate in north Leinster until I was 14. It was bliss, as I had so many friends and amenities just a mere walk from the house. Indeed I remember spending most of my time outside during those years. We then moved to the middle of absolutely nowhere. There was nothing to do and nobody to do it with. Have to say that this experience, especially coming as it did during secondary school, really festered in me a real dislike of the countryside.

I moved out at 23 or so and have since lived no more than 4km from Dublin City Centre, albeit in rented accommodation. My partner and I are now looking into buying a house of our own. I love where we live but we most likely can't afford a decent house in the area. There is no way that I will buy in the countryside, and even the thought of living in an endless housing estate without amenities within walking distance is something I can't entertain. The convenience of having shops, restaurants, bakeries, pubs, etc. on your doorstep is an absolute deal-breaker for me.