Buying a 4 bed semi for under €500k in Wicklow - where do you think?

Chiliconkeni · 13-05-2021 4:55pm #1

Hi everyone,

We bought a 3 bed semi-d in south dublin about 5 years ago, and we are now thinking about moving further out to Wicklow as our family has grown.

Obviously Greystones is very attractive but we can't afford the size of house that we would like if we were to move there. My wife works in south end of Bray and I work in Stillorgan - I have to be on site 2/3 days a week. I'm from Galway so I do like to be a small bit more rural and the density of housing in Stepaside is just gone off the charts. She's from Dublin.

I'm looking to be able to raise our child in an area that could have access to decent schools, good and friendly community - GAA club. My wife would more be looking for access to nice walks, coffee shops and restaurants. Doesn't matter if we have to drive to a restaurant just don't want to be miles from a town. We both really like being active.

We were thinking places like Kilcoole, Bray, Delgany, Newtown Mount Kennedy seem to be more in our budget. Ideally we would like a 4 bed new/recent build for around €470k. We would love to be by the sea, but probably unlikely we could afford it without going too far South.

I would appreciate any help on answering some of these questions we have, as we would like to settle somewhere and have our forever home.

Does anyone have any experiences of these towns and villages, or are their other places you think we should check out?
Any advice here on what it is like to move from the suburbs to a smaller town/village, as during lockdown sometimes you can become a bit more negative about your area.
I've heard some of these places mentioned like Kilcoole/NMK can be rough around the edges - is that really true?
Is this part of Wicklow - Greystones/Delgany/Kilcoole headed towards high density housing and reduced facilities? Our next move we hope will be our forever home
What is it like to raise a young family in these areas?

Thanks a lot for reading, and please move this topic to whatever forum you feel is the correct one. Thanks a lot.

Moonbeam · 13-05-2021 5:00pm

I would rule out Newtown tbh .
Delgany or Greystones would be my first choices but can be super expensive.
Is public transport important?
Do you want to be in a housing estate or house on it's own?

Chiliconkeni · 13-05-2021 5:04pm

Thanks for your reply.

Why would you rule out Newton Mt Kennedy ?

Public transport not that important in terms of our jobs. We have been beside the luas for the last five years and neither used it for work commuting. That said could be different when we move out - but I imagine we would both drive - she will be WFH a lot too.

I grew up in a small housing estate and so did she, so I think we would like that rather than a house on it's own that's miles from the local village.

mariaalice · 13-05-2021 5:41pm

Rough around the edges is not the same as rough, really Good GAA clubs in the areas you mentioned. All the areas you mention are very family-friendly.

The big issue, all of the areas you mentioned are going to have huge developments in the next few years, you are not going to be moving to some idyllic little village.

500k is a good budget.

Chiliconkeni · 13-05-2021 6:05pm

mariaalice wrote: »

Rough around the edges is not the same as rough, really Good GAA clubs in the areas you mentioned. All the areas you mention are very family-friendly.

The big issue, all of the areas you mentioned are going to have huge developments in the next few years, you are not going to be moving to some idyllic little village.

500k is a good budget.

Thanks for the reply. I suppose I’m wondering about anti social behaviour ruining a town/community that you won’t necessarily read about but you’re right. If it’s around the edges it isn’t so bad. Great to hear that they’ve good GAA clubs there.

I’m not looking for an idyllic little village just don’t want another 8 story SHD build to rent apartments popping up all around me. I don’t mind any amount of houses really. It’s the tall buildings and transient community it brings with people not as invested in the area.

Thanks a million for your insight, I really appreciate it.

batyushki · 13-05-2021 7:07pm

We've lived near Newtown 3 years and now for 6 years in Kilcoole, four children in a housing estate. Prices are a little higher in Kilcoole but for us it has several advantages, there is a secondary school, several countryside walks and beach walks immediately from the town, and choice of train or bus. Both towns are fine and have a good community with the vast majority of people being from elsewhere and therefore open to new friendships. There is some antisocial activity as in any place but manageable. Lots of sport and many clubs in both places. A few cafés but a lot more of that available in Greystones which is 10 mins away. Plenty of new houses in Newtown but some newer estates in Kilcoole as well. For us walking to the beach has been priceless during pandemic so I recommend Kilcoole for that reason, and because the kids can walk to both schools in only a few minutes.

batyushki · 13-05-2021 7:09pm

And your budget is more than adequate at the moment.

MaccaTacca · 13-05-2021 9:44pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Hi everyone,

We bought a 3 bed semi-d in south dublin about 5 years ago, and we are now thinking about moving further out to Wicklow as our family has grown.

Obviously Greystones is very attractive but we can't afford the size of house that we would like if we were to move there. My wife works in south end of Bray and I work in Stillorgan - I have to be on site 2/3 days a week. I'm from Galway so I do like to be a small bit more rural and the density of housing in Stepaside is just gone off the charts. She's from Dublin.

I'm looking to be able to raise our child in an area that could have access to decent schools, good and friendly community - GAA club. My wife would more be looking for access to nice walks, coffee shops and restaurants. Doesn't matter if we have to drive to a restaurant just don't want to be miles from a town. We both really like being active.

We were thinking places like Kilcoole, Bray, Delgany, Newtown Mount Kennedy seem to be more in our budget. Ideally we would like a 4 bed new/recent build for around €470k. We would love to be by the sea, but probably unlikely we could afford it without going too far South.

I would appreciate any help on answering some of these questions we have, as we would like to settle somewhere and have our forever home.
Does anyone have any experiences of these towns and villages, or are their other places you think we should check out?

Any advice here on what it is like to move from the suburbs to a smaller town/village, as during lockdown sometimes you can become a bit more negative about your area.

I've heard some of these places mentioned like Kilcoole/NMK can be rough around the edges - is that really true?

Is this part of Wicklow - Greystones/Delgany/Kilcoole headed towards high density housing and reduced facilities? Our next move we hope will be our forever home

What is it like to raise a young family in these areas?

Thanks a lot for reading, and please move this topic to whatever forum you feel is the correct one. Thanks a lot.

Bray is probably denser than Stepaside if that's a deal breaker.

Chiliconkeni · 14-05-2021 12:01pm

batyushki wrote: »

We've lived near Newtown 3 years and now for 6 years in Kilcoole, four children in a housing estate. Prices are a little higher in Kilcoole but for us it has several advantages, there is a secondary school, several countryside walks and beach walks immediately from the town, and choice of train or bus. Both towns are fine and have a good community with the vast majority of people being from elsewhere and therefore open to new friendships. There is some antisocial activity as in any place but manageable. Lots of sport and many clubs in both places. A few cafés but a lot more of that available in Greystones which is 10 mins away. Plenty of new houses in Newtown but some newer estates in Kilcoole as well. For us walking to the beach has been priceless during pandemic so I recommend Kilcoole for that reason, and because the kids can walk to both schools in only a few minutes.

Thanks a lot. Now that restrictions lifting we will take a drive around Kilcoole and Newtown and get to know the area a bit more.

Is it tricky to get to Greystones - walking or by bike? Also what made you pick Newtown and Kilcoole rather than Greystones or even further down the coast to say Wicklow town?

If you knew any upcoming new build estates around there then please send them on to me.

Thanks again for all your local knowledge.

batyushki · 14-05-2021 12:26pm

From Kilcoole to Greystones there is a footpath out of the village until you get to the main dual carriageway and then there is a cycle trail the rest of the way. It takes about 15 minutes to cycle there. You can also walk down Sea Road or Ballydonarea Lane from Kilcoole, and on the beach track to Greystones, which is about an hour and a half walk.

We looked at some houses in Greystones, as well as a few in Charlesland (a large estate that lies between Greystones and Kilcoole). Greystones is very busy especially on a school morning - traffic is a nightmare during drop-off. Houses in Greystones are easily 150K more for the same type of house. The beach can be crowded in summer. We're not big cafe goers and don't like crowds, so there was no attraction.

Charlesland is fine for some folks but we found it too massive and impersonal. That area is one of high and continuing growth, which we were looking to avoid. There are schools coming online nearby now which make it more self contained. There is a large sports complex and a good set of artificial football pitches between Charlesland and Kilcoole where I play 5-a-side, and the swimming pool is on the other side nearer Greystones.

Wicklow town is a lot further out and not terribly near the motorway. It is a bigger town than we like and a bit sprawling. House prices are a little lower there but for us that did not justify the additional distance. The beaches and country walks are better in our opinion near Kilcoole, and we spend a lot of time outdoors, so that was a factor.

There is an estate being built in Newtown called Rockfield. I think they are also expanding Wicklow Hills. In Kilcoole they just finished building Ternlee and there are no new major estates approved for planning that I'm aware of. A few second hand houses going though. Newer estates are Holywell and Woodstock, and there are occasionally a few 4 beds going in one of those. There are renovated houses in Beachdale / Meadowbrook that occasionally come up. Because of the price pressures in Greystones you will find many people coming to Kilcoole and buying an older house to renovate.

There were more houses available in Newtown when we were looking too, but we waited to find something we liked in Kilcoole for the reasons mentioned before.

Johnny Jukebox · 14-05-2021 12:34pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

Public transport not that important in terms of our jobs. We have been beside the luas for the last five years and neither used it for work commuting. That said could be different when we move out - but I imagine we would both drive - she will be WFH a lot too.

Public transport might be very important if and when your children go to college so I would give it some consideration. The other option is to budget and plan to have them driving before they start 3rd level education or work.

Baybay · 14-05-2021 12:56pm

batyushki wrote: »

Wicklow town is a lot further out and not terribly near the motorway. It is a bigger town than we like and a bit sprawling. House prices are a little lower there but for us that did not justify the additional distance. The beaches and country walks are better in our opinion near Kilcoole, and we spend a lot of time outdoors, so that was a factor.

Wicklow town is not a great deal further south on the motorway than Kilcoole, Greystones or Delgany & probably not much further off it either.
It is a bit spread out, especially where some of the newer houses are being built but there are a good few older, perhaps more central properties on the market also.
I’m sure normal time facilities in the town have been posted multiple times before, including by me, so this time I’ll refrain from writing a list!
But I will say beach & Murrough walks plus swimming access have been very popular throughout lockdown as have the skate park facilities & walking circuits along the Port & Hawkstown Roads. Boat watching has passed time for many, both in harbour & along the coast.
And the history of the town itself is quite an interesting read.

Chiliconkeni · 14-05-2021 12:59pm

batyushki wrote: »

From Kilcoole to Greystones there is a footpath out of the village until you get to the main dual carriageway and then there is a cycle trail the rest of the way. It takes about 15 minutes to cycle there. You can also walk down Sea Road or Ballydonarea Lane from Kilcoole, and on the beach track to Greystones, which is about an hour and a half walk.

We looked at some houses in Greystones, as well as a few in Charlesland (a large estate that lies between Greystones and Kilcoole). Greystones is very busy especially on a school morning - traffic is a nightmare during drop-off. Houses in Greystones are easily 150K more for the same type of house. The beach can be crowded in summer. We're not big cafe goers and don't like crowds, so there was no attraction.

Charlesland is fine for some folks but we found it too massive and impersonal. That area is one of high and continuing growth, which we were looking to avoid. There are schools coming online nearby now which make it more self contained. There is a large sports complex and a good set of artificial football pitches between Charlesland and Kilcoole where I play 5-a-side, and the swimming pool is on the other side nearer Greystones.

Wicklow town is a lot further out and not terribly near the motorway. It is a bigger town than we like and a bit sprawling. House prices are a little lower there but for us that did not justify the additional distance. The beaches and country walks are better in our opinion near Kilcoole, and we spend a lot of time outdoors, so that was a factor.

There is an estate being built in Newtown called Rockfield. I think they are also expanding Wicklow Hills. In Kilcoole they just finished building Ternlee and there are no new major estates approved for planning that I'm aware of. A few second hand houses going though. Newer estates are Holywell and Woodstock, and there are occasionally a few 4 beds going in one of those. There are renovated houses in Beachdale / Meadowbrook that occasionally come up. Because of the price pressures in Greystones you will find many people coming to Kilcoole and buying an older house to renovate.

There were more houses available in Newtown when we were looking too, but we waited to find something we liked in Kilcoole for the reasons mentioned before.

This is fantastic insight - thanks a million, really appreciate this.
That's exactly what we are hoping to find out. I think we will adopt a similar strategy regarding waiting for something we like in Kilcoole. I think that we are too late to be getting any sort of good value in Greystones itself. I would be the same regarding crowds, and sure no point having it on your doorstep if it is thronged with people. Tricky to find the balance.

Chiliconkeni · 14-05-2021 1:00pm

Johnny Jukebox wrote: »

Public transport might be very important if and when your children go to college so I would give it some consideration. The other option is to budget and plan to have them driving before they start 3rd level education or work.

Thanks a lot, that's a very good point that I hadn't considered. Our baby is only three months old, but I should consider how she would get to college or work. Hoping for self driving cars at that stage!

15-05-2021 2:05pm

Bray has some great parts but unfortunately haven't seen new builds going for around the 500K mark in a while. The most recent ones were The Friary and were going for over 650 into 700 in some cases. Can still get a house in Bray for approx 500K but would be second hand!

Chiliconkeni · 15-05-2021 10:05pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Bray has some great parts but unfortunately haven't seen new builds going for around the 500K mark in a while. The most recent ones were The Friary and were going for over 650 into 700 in some cases. Can still get a house in Bray for approx 500K but would be second hand!

Thanks a lot for info. Yeah im struggling to see any new builds in our price range. That’s why we are looking towards Kilcoole and Wicklow town.

If only we’d bought when prices were lower in the likes of Greystones. Seems to have shot up in recent years. I wonder is it destined to level off in a Wicklow or keep rising. Asking prices vs sold prices another thing. Saw in today’s Irish times a 3 bed in rathfarnham that went for €100k(25%) over its asking price!

sandyxxx · 15-05-2021 10:51pm

2 big estates just broken ground in tinakilly Rathnew & Ashford....might be worth a look!

JustAThought · 15-05-2021 10:58pm

BIG difference between a detached house with a semi decent sized garden somewhere like Wicklow or Arklow and some of the super-congested housing estates with ‘management companies’ and houses beat on top of each other in places that had previously been sleepy
villages like Delgany.

With little room for kids to play in tiny gardens and roads that are quaint but supercongeated and child bike deathtraps this would certainly be a factor as would a lot if lovely, new but very small sized ‘family’ houses that you will outgrow quickly and maybe find yourself priced out of bigger houses by the time you come to
moved & want to trade up to somewhere that dosn’t have yelling kids outside in timy gardens & nowhere safe for them to spread their winds to run & play in.

Also IMO there’s a LOT to be said for having the sea on one side & in walking distance - no room
for more houses or traffic for one. Better quality of life, more headspace, better air, growing up by the sea. What’s not to want there!

Greystones - grossly overpriced & super-congeated. Traffic nightmare.

16-05-2021 9:09am

To be honest OP, you'll probably end up buying somewhere that will work out even better than you had planned. Especially with this increased working from home model etc, you'll probably end up on a nice detached house on a bit of land further down and will probably be great for the lifestyle. Greystones and even parts of Bray are just way too busy these days. You're better being accessible to both than being smack bang in middle of either to be honest but different strokes etc

Chiliconkeni · 16-05-2021 12:19pm

sandyxxx wrote: »

2 big estates just broken ground in tinakilly Rathnew & Ashford....might be worth a look!

Thanks a lot, will check them out. Do you know anything about these areas? Both not as far south as Wicklow town so might be easier to access

Chiliconkeni · 16-05-2021 12:27pm

JustAThought wrote: »

BIG difference between a detached house with a semi decent sized garden somewhere like Wicklow or Arklow and some of the super-congested housing estates with ‘management companies’ and houses beat on top of each other in places that had previously been sleepy
villages like Delgany.

With little room for kids to play in tiny gardens and roads that are quaint but supercongeated and child bike deathtraps this would certainly be a factor as would a lot if lovely, new but very small sized ‘family’ houses that you will outgrow quickly and maybe find yourself priced out of bigger houses by the time you come to
moved & want to trade up to somewhere that dosn’t have yelling kids outside in timy gardens & nowhere safe for them to spread their winds to run & play in.

Also IMO there’s a LOT to be said for having the sea on one side & in walking distance - no room
for more houses or traffic for one. Better quality of life, more headspace, better air, growing up by the sea. What’s not to want there!

Greystones - grossly overpriced & super-congeated. Traffic nightmare.

Yes, you raise some good points there, thanks a lot.
The sea being on one side is a great point - that's what has me thinking about moving down. Plus having grown up by the sea, I think you miss it when you are not living beside it.

I don't mind moving further down the coast in order to have the extra space as you have described. Perhaps we won't be able to afford a detached house, but certainly looking at more bang for our buck. It's a tough balance between how far do you go out without becoming isolated from family/friends.

I would really like an area where there is a sense of community and pride in the place as itself. Some places I have viewed in counties bordering Dublin seem to be just a greater Dublin suburb with a lot of transient renters.

Chiliconkeni · 16-05-2021 12:30pm

Deleted User wrote: »

To be honest OP, you'll probably end up buying somewhere that will work out even better than you had planned. Especially with this increased working from home model etc, you'll probably end up on a nice detached house on a bit of land further down and will probably be great for the lifestyle. Greystones and even parts of Bray are just way too busy these days. You're better being accessible to both than being smack bang in middle of either to be honest but different strokes etc

That's exactly it, I would be very happy with what you are saying - accessible to Greystones/Bray but not smack bang in the middle of them. That's why I am thinking likes of Kilcoole or Wicklow town, however my wife isn't too keen being that far away down in Wicklow town.

Are there any other areas you think I should consider? We're going to drive down to Kilcoole today after we get the baby changed/fed/calmed down!

Baybay · 16-05-2021 2:14pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks a lot, will check them out. Do you know anything about these areas? Both not as far south as Wicklow town so might be easier to access

Rathnew & Wicklow town are getting closer very year due to building, road improvements etc & in some parts it’s difficult to tell where one ends & the other begins! There’s only a couple of kms between them anyway.

Ashford is a nice village, in it’s past considered a little up market due to the presence of Mount Usher perhaps. About 10km or so from Wicklow town, some new estates in completion or already inhabited just outside the village & are probably considered within walking distance of school, shops, church etc.

Moonbeam · 16-05-2021 4:44pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks a lot, will check them out. Do you know anything about these areas? Both not as far south as Wicklow town so might be easier to access

I wouldn't be a big fan of Rathnew tbh , I would not want to bring kids up there personally .

Moonbeam · 16-05-2021 4:47pm

Baybay wrote: »

Rathnew & Wicklow town are getting closer very year due to building, road improvements etc & in some parts it’s difficult to tell where one ends & the other begins! There’s only a couple of kms between them anyway.

Ashford is a nice village, in it’s past considered a little up market due to the presence of Mount Usher perhaps. About 10km or so from Wicklow town, some new estates in completion or already inhabited just outside the village & are probably considered within walking distance of school, shops, church etc.

Ashford is and isn't nice. it is nicer then Rathnew but there are not many facilities. The primary school is good but it can be a hard place to raise kids.

sandyxxx · 16-05-2021 6:42pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks a lot, will check them out. Do you know anything about these areas? Both not as far south as Wicklow town so might be easier to access

Yeah,
Would know them fairly well....Rathnew has a bit of a rep but it’s not bad and can see the Rathnew of the future being very different to that of the past/recent present!....I think the new development’s due to have link roads cycle lanes built so that will change things and probably increase links with Wicklow....

Ashford s’more of a village,would have thought it’d be good for kids I think it’s currently doing well facility wise but probably relies a bit on Wicklow for clubs/retail etc!
Don’t know how the developments will affect it though!

bluesteel86 · 16-05-2021 8:55pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks a lot, will check them out. Do you know anything about these areas? Both not as far south as Wicklow town so might be easier to access

Drove past Tinakilly today and it looks like the new development will have a road leading into it from the rathnew side and another leading out on the far side near the murrough in Wicklow town. Ashford also has a lot of new houses going up, lovely village but not a massive amount there in terms of amenities. My sister lives there and spends a lot of time coming in and out of Wicklow town. Rathnew had a bit of a reputation around 20 years ago but it has certainly improved over the years. Wicklow town itself is a lovely spot and has a nice sense of community to it. Lots of shops, pubs, restaurants and sports clubs. The town is buzzing now that more and more people are working from home

Chiliconkeni · 17-05-2021 2:13pm

Thanks a lot for all your help. Drove down to Kilcoole at the weekend and saw some nice estates. I think Ternlee it was called seemed lovely. Also Holywell seemed nice too.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the Sea Road walk down to the Beach - no footpaths and cars flying past. Probably went on a very busy day though in fairness, car park was full down there and angry guard handing out tickets. People we met seemed very friendly. Once we got across the railway station and on to the beach and a bit away from people it was very nice.

What I thought was really beautiful though was this walk you could do coming from the back of the Railway carpark that seemed to be Ballydonarea Loop I think. It lead up back to Kilcoole village from the Sea using a farm lane/rural footpath. If we had got to the sea via this walk rather than Sea Road I think we would have thought it paradise. The rocky beach and trainline reminded me a bit of Shankill, but you could walk along the sandy track by the railway line which was very nice.

Passed by Glenheron and wasn't overly impressed for the price of them. That being said I think it is about 30 min walk to south beach It seems like Greystones is really stretching wide now.

Will have to plan now trips to Wicklow town and Tinakilly. Thanks for all your advice.

Chiliconkeni · 22-05-2021 10:20pm

Thanks for people’s help here previously. Having visited few towns that are relatively close to Bray we have thought that we should go further down to Wicklow town for a look instead.

What are people’s thoughts on Wicklow town?
Are there parts to avoid? Where would you recommend buying a 4 bed? Any nice established estates or are there new build developments that you would recommend?
What about the local community - is it young/old or local/blow ins?
Is there much to do in the town or are you always looking towards Dublin?
Is it a total commuter town or is there a good sense of community in the town? Is Rathnew and Wicklow now becoming one town?

Tldr- if you have anything to contribute about living in Wicklow from your experience I’d love to hear it.

Onthefence · 22-05-2021 10:38pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks for people’s help here previously. Having visited few towns that are relatively close to Bray we have thought that we should go further down to Wicklow town for a look instead.

What are people’s thoughts on Wicklow town?
Are there parts to avoid? Where would you recommend buying a 4 bed? Any nice established estates or are there new build developments that you would recommend?
What about the local community - is it young/old or local/blow ins?
Is there much to do in the town or are you always looking towards Dublin?
Is it a total commuter town or is there a good sense of community in the town? Is Rathnew and Wicklow now becoming one town?

Tldr- if you have anything to contribute about living in Wicklow from your experience I’d love to hear it.

Facilities in the town: tennis club, football club, GAA, basketball, hockey, swimming pool, beach swimming, athletics club, numerous dance, drama and music schools, yoga studios, golf club, gyms, coffee shops and some nice restaurants, limited retail but has Aldi (Rathnew) and Lidl, a very poor Tesco and Supervalu, and Sports Direct. A fabulous fruit and veg shop, a decent fishmonger, excellent butchers. Good choice of schools, including a Gaelscoil and Educate Together primary and secondary.
I'm not local but living here 20 years~. Great community sense but like anywhere, it's what you make of it and how you choose to get involved.
You'll get more bang for your buck down this way!
Hope that's helpful.

bluesteel86 · 22-05-2021 11:06pm

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks for people’s help here previously. Having visited few towns that are relatively close to Bray we have thought that we should go further down to Wicklow town for a look instead.

What are people’s thoughts on Wicklow town?
Are there parts to avoid? Where would you recommend buying a 4 bed? Any nice established estates or are there new build developments that you would recommend?
What about the local community - is it young/old or local/blow ins?
Is there much to do in the town or are you always looking towards Dublin?
Is it a total commuter town or is there a good sense of community in the town? Is Rathnew and Wicklow now becoming one town?

Tldr- if you have anything to contribute about living in Wicklow from your experience I’d love to hear it.

We moved down around 3.5 years ago and we love it. Plenty of amenities such as sports clubs, lovely restaurants & pubs, coffee shops and several supermarkets. Also has some fantastic butchers, fish monger, garden centers, sports shops and fruit/veg shops. It has everything that you would need but clothing/homewares retail is a bit lacking. Not a major complaint though as Carrickmines and Bridgewater are just 20 mins away in either direction.

Its fantastic too if you enjoy the outdoors. You can't beat Wicklow for scenic forest walks, cliffside hikes and its beaches. All of them are right on our doorstep and that was a huge selling point for us.

The people are very friendly and welcoming, great sense of community here. The town has experienced a bit of a boom over the last year like most others which is great, as more people are working from home. Overall we're very happy here, beautiful place to live.

K.Flyer · 23-05-2021 12:21am

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

... Having visited few towns that are relatively close to Bray we have thought that we should go further down to Wicklow town for a look instead.

What are people’s thoughts on Wicklow town?
Are there parts to avoid? Where would you recommend buying a 4 bed? Any nice established estates or are there new build developments that you would recommend?
What about the local community - is it young/old or local/blow ins?
Is there much to do in the town or are you always looking towards Dublin?
If you have anything to contribute about living in Wicklow from your experience I’d love to hear it.

I can't answer all of your questions as my circumstances are a bit different.

Spring 2019, like you, after living / working in Dublin started looking southward. Looked at most of the towns and villages you have mentioned. Didn't need as big a house as you, but did prefer to be close to things.
One main criteria was no more than an hours drive to Dublin for work, pref less.
Long story short ended up in Wicklow Town within a few minutes walk of the town centre itself.
Now I have always been a city person, wanted to have everything nearby etc.
And after settling in I find that i have enough of what I need here or a short drive away.
The people I have met here so far are very welcoming and friendly. Yes I have also noticed the odd dubious character, but you get them everywhere.
Lots of little shops, butchers, banks, cafes, pubs etc. There is Super Valu, Tesco, Lidl all within shouting distance of each other and a new Aldi in Rathnew.
If you want takeaway delivered there seems to be the usual varieties available.
I have hi speed broadband and can walk to almost anything I need including down to the harbour or the sea front areas, or a short drive.
As has been said already, recently big new schools built, new developments and in the town itself it seems to be going through a tidy up phase and is becoming more attractive.
Now I won't pretend to know everywhere yet, but from what I have seen so far there are some very nice mature attractive areas all along the Friars Hill road starting at the town end and going towards Rathnew.
There are some really nice large detached properties along that road, so definitely worth looking around there.
The bus service seems to be running quite frequently (133 I think is one of them) and then you have the train, albeit a limited service.
Couple of what may be small negatives to some...
It's hilly, except for a few areas, you are either going up or down a hill, but hey.
Traffic.. pre Covid it could be a bit of a nightmare depending where you work in Dublin and what time you had to be there. I have personally seen the dual carriageway (M11) chock full of Dublin bound traffic at 6.30 - 7.00am as far back as Ashford. But I'm lucky, I rarely would have to be in Dublin very early, I would leave them to it and scoot up when the traffic died down and be there in about 45 -50 mins to say Baggot St. or just over an hour or so to the Airport. During normal time it might take 1.5 hrs each way at very worse during the rush hour peak.
Overall after 19 months here I have to say I really like Wicklow Town, strangers say hello to you as you walk along the road, it feels safe, people seem very pleasant and helpful. I get my Dublin "fix" when I'm up there working, then I wind-down and relax listening to music on the way home.
So, hope that helps, ya never know we could end up being neighbours.. best of luck.

sandyxxx · 24-05-2021 5:20am

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

What are people’s thoughts on Wicklow town?
Are there parts to avoid? Where would you recommend buying a 4 bed? Any nice established estates or are there new build developments that you would recommend?

If your looking for a 4/5 bed detached then most estates are grand.....the only places I’d avoid would be some of the council estates,but really you don’t buy houses there, much as get them handed to you!....although be careful with the buy up of the newer estates from the “approved housing bodies”

The main estates providing your desired house type would be seacliff/seapoint on the Dunbur road.....keatingstown,pebblebay/Burkeen on Friarshill....you’ll probably find a few on the Marlton road estates also,.....some of the areas nearer town would include Churchgate and glebemount by the train station but some of the townier estates,rosehill mount Carmel etc wouldn’t interest me personally.
The towns not really big enough to have no-go areas completely!

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

What about the local community - is it young/old or local/blow ins?
Is there much to do in the town or are you always looking towards Dublin?
Is it a total commuter town or is there a good sense of community in the town?

The town has a good mix of established and newer faces, Pre COVID there was more of a pull towards Dublin for work retail etc but since then the retail in the town seems to be on the way up.....people,especially the kids seem to stay local for most things day-to -day!

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Is Rathnew and Wicklow now becoming one town?

Don’t mention the war!.......

Chiliconkeni · 25-05-2021 12:46am

Thanks a lot everyone that’s some great advice and insight.
We went down to Wicklow town on Sunday and it was exactly what we were looking for in terms of it being a decent sized town and seemed more than just a Dublin commuter village. It was a shocking day and the baby was kicking off so couldn’t get out and look around but what we saw of it was beautiful. Lovely sea views from the golf club and the town centre seemed really lovely too with lots of coffee shops. It looks like it would be ideal for us.

We also stopped in Newtown MK on way down and looked in a new estate there. It reminded me of Stepaside village actually. I would be slightly hesitant in believing that the local facilities/town would match the level of housing that is in its surrounds. Could be totally wrong here.

Back to Wicklow town. Few things I wonder about but I think you’ve guided me well with regard location. One new build estate I think it was Marlton hall seemed a bit too vast for us without much green space. Perhaps we went in wrong entrance. I think we will have to keep our eyes peeled for new smaller developments and also an eye on the more traditional estates you have kindly recommended.

Where do people go for a swim in the sea in Wicklow town. Is it within the harbour itself? Or does everyone head down to Brittas?

Anybody been on the glen beach Cliff walk? Would you recommend it for a couple with a baby in a sling and a dog? Or is it very difficult/dangerous

How long would it take to get to Greystones in the morning?

Is the train any use at all for travelling to Greystones or south Dublin? People don’t seem to have much good things to say about it for some reason.

Thanks a lot for all your advice and insight. It really is very helpful to hear of your experiences.

Also finally any crèche that you’d recommend in the town?

sandyxxx · 25-05-2021 3:16am

Chiliconkeni wrote: »

Thanks a lot everyone that’s some great advice and insight.
We went down to Wicklow town on Sunday and it was exactly what we were looking for in terms of it being a decent sized town and seemed more than just a Dublin commuter village. It was a shocking day and the baby was kicking off so couldn’t get out and look around but what we saw of it was beautiful. Lovely sea views from the golf club and the town centre seemed really lovely too with lots of coffee shops. It looks like it would be ideal for us.

We also stopped in Newtown MK on way down and looked in a new estate there. It reminded me of Stepaside village actually. I would be slightly hesitant in believing that the local facilities/town would match the level of housing that is in its surrounds. Could be totally wrong here.

Back to Wicklow town. Few things I wonder about but I think you’ve guided me well with regard location. One new build estate I think it was Marlton hall seemed a bit too vast for us without much green space. Perhaps we went in wrong entrance. I think we will have to keep our eyes peeled for new smaller developments and also an eye on the more traditional estates you have kindly recommended.

Where do people go for a swim in the sea in Wicklow town. Is it within the harbour itself? Or does everyone head down to Brittas?

Anybody been on the glen beach Cliff walk? Would you recommend it for a couple with a baby in a sling and a dog? Or is it very difficult/dangerous

How long would it take to get to Greystones in the morning?

Is the train any use at all for travelling to Greystones or south Dublin? People don’t seem to have much good things to say about it for some reason.

Thanks a lot for all your advice and insight. It really is very helpful to hear of your experiences.

Also finally any crèche that you’d recommend in the town?

The newer estates do suffer from a lack of green space, the Redmond built estates ending in Marlton hall have varying degrees of green space with the latest,”the meadows”,ironically,having practically none!

The main swim spots would be the harbour,the black castle and a spot in front of the Glenturn car park at the beginning of the cliffwalk, which is doable but tricky in parts,with a baby in a backpack but I’d go straight to the lighthouse with a dog!

I recommend Ashvale as a Créche,but demand is high.

Train service is sadly token due to lack of investment,you’d make it to Greystones in 30 min on a clear road.....double that on a pre- Covid rush hour.

Baybay · 25-05-2021 11:05am

Wicklow town has many good things going for it already & probably like many other places, has a bit to go yet.
The train service is certainly one area that could be improved. Frequency, increased number of carriages etc. But the town does have a station so that’s a positive & perhaps as the town continues to expand, so might the service.
Another swimming option is the pool in the leisure centre, located near the station itself.

sandyxxx · 28-05-2021 11:55pm

There seems to have a been a surge in transactions since restrictions ended in the area...every Wicklow house I followed on daft has gone sale agreed,2 of them had significant price increases in the last week....one by €100k!

sandyxxx · 15-06-2021 12:40pm

It seems things are tightening up building wise in the county….I’ve spotted an estate being granted permission in the last months that the 1st phase can only be sold to those from or employed in the locality…..looked into it and came across this article from earlier this month!…..

http://wicklowtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wicklow_Times_01_06_21.pdf

Buying a 4 bed semi for under €500k in Wicklow - where do you think?

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