Safe/Unsafe Towns in Ireland 2023

pihjin

Hi everyone. 

Looking for advice from anyone aware of towns in Ireland that are nice to live in, and more importantly, those that should be avoided (or dodgy neighbourhoods in otherwise nice towns).

As I start house hunting outside of the Dublin commuter zone I realise the biggest difficulty I have is not knowing if the area is safe, or if its very run down etc. All advice is welcomed. 

At present I am looking around Portlaoise, Carlow, Sligo, Ballinasloe, Carrick on Shannon, Abbeyfeale, Longford, Carlow, Dundalk.

I'm applying for a single applicant mortgage so have very little to spend so can't afford a city. I don't drive due to health conditions so would need public transport to Dublin. And I work remotely so need solid broadband as well as access to a GP, vet, and decent supermarket .

Thanks everyone.

Jim_Hodge

Impossible question. All towns have good areas and less good areas. You'd need to be more specific about what area in which towns.

pihjin

I guess I was hoping if anyone was familiar with the towns I mentioned that they could like me know of areas to avoid. Like if someone asked me about Dublin I could give them the top 10 places to avoid as well as 10 really nice areas. Just as a start of a guideline

NattyO

Well, I don’t have an in-depth knowledge of all those towns, but based on my experience, Longford would be at the bottom of the list. In fact Longford would probably be at the bottom of any list. I wouldn’t be rushing off to live in Dundalk, Ballinasloe, or Abbeyfeale either.

Bicyclette

Abbeyfeale is a good bit away from Dublin. You'd need to take a bus to Limerick and then a train to Dublin. Its not a bad town though. And its close enough to Kerry and to the coast.

If Dublin is a priority, look at somewhere on a Dublin train route. Portarlington might also be worth a consideration.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120488695#Comment_120488695

Even your list of Dublin would be wildly inaccurate and open to dispute

You listed towns spread the length of the country. Very hard for anyone to offer any real info at that level.

What i will say, based on the info in your post, is to take a look at the likes of Athlone etc. Places that are around 20k population. As you are also without a car, you not only want transport to Dublin, but transport around your town would also be useful aswell. The likes of Athlone offers train, regional and local buses, local taxi services, bike share scheme etc. Towns with approx 20k pop will give you a selection of supermarkets, GP's, amenities, PT options, and so on.

If I may offer a suggestion, you seem to be starting your search from a place of "it must not be". You may have a better outcome if you shift your perspective a bit. Allow me to explain what I mean. When I was looking I made lists. What I did was make lists of my redlines i.e. things that it had to have or I wouldn't waste a second look.

First list was for the property, the second list was for the location. Then I made the same 2 again for "nice to haves". Finally, 2 lists of "it must not have". Then and only then, I started looking. You'll be very surprised what you deem important to you once you start jotting things down.

Start with that, then when you find a place, go to the area, talk to people, go into local cafe's, pubs etc and ask to get a real sense of the place.

In the end I found only 1 place that came close. Grabbed a GoCar and visited the area a few times before I even put in an offer and ended up buying.

Now, I'm not dismissing your concerns over safety, but Ireland is a pretty safe place

Sophia Petrillo

Just moved from Dublin to just south of Dundalk.Property prices much lower than nearby counties adjacent to Dublin

Dundalk is thriving, and it has evolved from its “El Paso” reputation during the troubles.

Within walking distance of my new home is the beautiful seaside of Blackrock.

Broadband is excellent, and there are good express bus routes straight in to Dublin City centre.

Worth checking out, best of luck and remember most places in a Ireland are safe.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120488820#Comment_120488820

Thank you. Even eliminating a few places is handy . Some seem too cheap to be true and I can't help but wonder if that's due to the towns being run down or dodgy.

Caranica

Nothing wrong with Ballinasloe, great community spirit there.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489030#Comment_120489030

The place I saw there seemed really nice too. In Cleagmore?

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120488951#Comment_120488951

Thank you! I knew it used to be considered a bit of an "in development" area so its good to know its found some roots.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120488893#Comment_120488893

I appreciate that and already know what I want in a property and in a town. Its just that there are nice homes in towns that also tick all my boxes in terms of amenities, but I don't have time or money to go visit them all to see if places around are all boarded up, or crime rate is high etc .

Any head start is useful.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120488820#Comment_120488820

Thank you. That is helpful.

Water John

I think that by looking at rail transport to Dublin would narrow down your list of towns.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489126#Comment_120489126

Ive been going along the main rail lines leading into Dublin when searching. Most of the areas mentioned above are on a rail line. Unfortunately still leaves a lot of options !

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489074#Comment_120489074

A boarded up building is an indicator of nothing more than a disused building 🤷‍♀️

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489074#Comment_120489074

What's to say that crime rates won't be high a year after you buy? Have a chat with people you know in real life and go from there.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489182#Comment_120489182

I have asked people I know in real life. I just thought I might find more advice on here also. I know I can't predict the future but I'd obviously rather not move in somewhere with a known (to locals) crime problem and find out too late.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489175#Comment_120489175

Obviously not just one. If half the homes in a housing estate are boarded up its not a good sign. Especially if they look run down with that or have graffiti all over them.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489197#Comment_120489197

I'd recommend Dundalk as regards House prices and commuting options to Dublin. Many fine areas within the town and surrounding area.

Water John

The Co. Louth area gives great options. The town you pick along with Belfast and Dublin on either side of the rail link.

pihjin

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

herbalplants

Drogheda is another one with good links to Dublin.

House prices are really reasonable.

Mullingar is another safe bet.

road_high

Carlow has issues but parts of it are very nice, it’s a fine town with plenty of facilities on a par with bigger cities. An hour to Dublin on the train. Better weather too, not saying it’s the Mediterranean but the weather up the west would drive me insane.

boombang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489175#Comment_120489175

I would definitely take a boarded up building as a bad sign. Has it been burnt out because of crime? Is there not enough demand in the area to merit putting it into use?

Nothing surprises me now

Carrick on Shannon nice town. Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, SV. GP's, Vets. Nice restaurants, bars. Lovely walks along the Shannon. People quite friendly and good community spirit. Very little crime. House prices good. Train, bus to Dublin numerous times daily.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489668#Comment_120489668

Thanks! It's top of my list so far so fingers crossed I find somewhere once I've mortgage approval.

Nothing surprises me now

Re Carrick, if you're a single mortgage applicant, there are some nice solidly built 2 bedroom terrace houses (originally built by council) in St Patrick's Terrace area, stone's throw from town centre which may interest you. Lots of other choices too though prices are rising.

I have relatives in Carrick that moved from Dublin over 20 years ago and they love living there, they have all they want regarding facilities, amenities etc.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489854#Comment_120489854

That's really useful !Thank you. I've seen a couple in Summerhill that look good too?

Nothing surprises me now

Yes, Summer hill lovely area.

Banzai600

'll say one thing - dont isolate yourself completely, none of us are getting any younger, pick somewhere with a community, close transport access if you have health issues, and amenities for shopping etc. Some " country " towns can be spread out, with shops that little bit too far if you have shopping to carry, unless you can order online.

i know someone who moved to south of drogheda and loves it, ppl in Mullngar, like the town vibe there too. In case kells comes up, i know ppl there and the bus service can be hit / miss as they dont turn up sometimes.

all areas go through bad patches, all it takes a a small cohort of degenerates, but its important you feel safe where you live.

questioner22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120488951#Comment_120488951

remember most places in a Ireland are safe.

It's not as safe as it used to be.

The Spider

Dunno if you’ve looked south, Gorey is a great town but is getting pricey, but again it’s very safe, same goes for Wexford town further down but lovely, good bus and rail links straight into the city centre.

tippingpoint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489683#Comment_120489683

One thing to keep in mind with Carrick on Shannon is that the nearest hospital is in Sligo. Something to note if you have health issues!

Great town otherwise though! I moved here 3 years ago.. well 10 minutes from Carrick.

RichardAnd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120517558#Comment_120517558

I second Gorey. It's an hour's drive from Dublin, and there are regular buses and trains to boot.

Butson

Double post

Butson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120489056#Comment_120489056

Used to live there, worked in the hospital for a time. There is a small nomadic minority there who are rough, but it's kept among themselves.

It's on the Dublin Galway train line, motorway will have you in Galway city in 35 mins and Athlone in 15mins. Wouldn't be great for shopping like any provincial town really, but really good for sports and they have great facilities. Few nice pubs and places to eat too. In my experience 99% of provincial towns in Ireland are the same. Few local gurriers but 95% of people are sound and there pros and cons to every town and city.

pihjin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120517558#Comment_120517558

I've had a look but prices are a far bit higher in Wicklow, Wexford, Gorey etc due to proximity to Dublin so they are out of my price range unfortunatly.