Is City Centre living vastly underrated in Ireland?

dilbert2 · 17-11-2011 01:33PM #1

Now before I begin, I concede that I grew up in a suburb in North County Dublin. However, I have always had the desire to live in the City Centre, if not now, at least one day. Why? Well because of a few factors such as

(a) Been so central first and foremost,

(b) Never having to own a car given all the buses and trains

(c) More variety of shops of all kind

(d) Attractive parks such as St. Stephens Green, the Phoenix Park etc.

(e) Countless cinemas, theatres, libraries and of course museums, mostly free of entry.

(f) Much closer to work, and not only that, more employment in general.

(g) General culture and great architecture.

Could list countless other positive aspects of city centre living, and I include all city centres around Ireland including Cork, Galway etc. However, whenever you mention the words "city centre living" to a lot of Irish people, even to those who grew up the cities themselves, there is a lot of negative association with them, particularly from people who use the old "move to a bigger house in the suburbs to raise a family" bunch.

But I don't think we give City Centres enough of a chance in this country, and think too positively of (at least during the boom years) buying a semi-d in the suburbs, particularly if we want to raise a family. But consider the numerous disadvantages,

(a) The huge distance from work and the long commute.

(b) Car ownership, usually in newer 90s and 00s developments necessary in nearly every instance. Thinly spread public transport system.

(c) Dead green spaces left over after development, usually for the kids to kick the ball around on during the summer. In comparison to a city park such as the Phoenix Park, they appear dead and sometimes depressing.

(d) Very limited choice of shops and cultural venues - maybe a spar and a pub, with a shopping centre if you’re lucky. Nothing is free or educational such as museums etc.

(e) Dull architecture and poorly built houses that cost a lot more to heat and maintain.

(f) Gardens that hardly anybody uses (the front in particular), unlike a city park.

And countless other examples. What does everybody think? I personally think that we underrate and even demean City Centre living despite it been a wonderful living arrangement (there are obviously some danger areas in every city, but that’s another story), and vastly overrate buying a home in the semi-d suburbs, particularly during the boom years.

billymitchell · 17-11-2011 01:36PM

dilbert2 wrote: »

....
But I don't think we give City Centres enough of a chance in this country,
......

What??

Iwasfrozen · 17-11-2011 01:36PM

dilbert2 wrote: »

Now before I begin, I concede that I grew up in a suburb in North County Dublin. However, I have always had the desire to live in the City Centre, if not now, at least one day. Why? Well because of a few factors such as

(a) Been so central first and foremost,

(b) Never having to own a car given all the buses and trains

(c) More variety of shops of all kind

(d) Attractive parks such as St. Stephens Green, the Phoenix Park etc.

(e) Countless cinemas, theatres, libraries and of course museums, mostly free of entry.

(f) Much closer to work, and not only that, more employment in general.

(g) General culture and great architecture.

Could list countless other positive aspects of city centre living, and I include all city centres around Ireland including Cork, Galway etc. However, whenever you mention the words "city centre living" to a lot of Irish people, even to those who grew up the cities themselves, there is a lot of negative association with them, particularly from people who use the old "move to a bigger house in the suburbs to raise a family" bunch.

But I don't think we give City Centres enough of a chance in this country, and think too positively of (at least during the boom years) buying a semi-d in the suburbs, particularly if we want to raise a family. But consider the numerous disadvantages,

(a) The huge distance from work and the long commute.

(b) Car ownership, usually in newer 90s and 00s developments necessary in nearly every instance. Thinly spread public transport system.

(c) Dead green spaces left over after development, usually for the kids to kick the ball around on during the summer. In comparison to a city park such as the Phoenix Park, they appear dead and sometimes depressing.

(d) Very limited choice of shops and cultural venues - maybe a spar and a pub, with a shopping centre if you’re lucky. Nothing is free or educational such as museums etc.

(e) Dull architecture and poorly built houses that cost a lot more to heat and maintain.

(f) Gardens that hardly anybody uses (the front in particular), unlike a city park.

And countless other examples. What does everybody think? I personally think that we underrate and even demean City Centre living despite it been a wonderful living arrangement (there are obviously some danger areas in every city, but that’s another story), and vastly overrate buying a home in the semi-d suburbs, particularly during the boom years.

Suburbs are ****, the country is were you should go to raise a family.

TheZohanS · 17-11-2011 01:37PM

The thing that I find amusing about people living in Dublin is that some bemoan having to travel a few kms around the county as if they were travelling the length of the country of something!

kfallon · 17-11-2011 01:37PM

I live in the City Centre.....get in

Fallon 1 - 0 Public Transport :P

Logical Fallacy · 17-11-2011 01:37PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Suburbs are ****, the country is were you should go to raise a family.

As someone who was raised in the country....are you crazy?:D

pow wow · 17-11-2011 01:38PM

You're giving Irish city centres wayyyyy too much credit OP.

Latchy · 17-11-2011 01:40PM

TheZohan wrote: »

The thing that I find amusing about people living in Dublin is that some bemoan having to travel a few kms around the county as if they were travelling the length of the country of something!

With some comparing a trip over from the northside to the southside as like a trip from Manchester to London ... even with the motorway it's the other side of the world

Iwasfrozen · 17-11-2011 01:40PM

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

As someone who was raised in the country....are you crazy?:D

As someone who was raised in the country, no. Are you?

parker kent · 17-11-2011 01:43PM

I'd hate to live in the city centre. There are enough shops, cinemas, libraries etc near me. Plus I can get a bus to the city centre to see anything else that is on and I will be there in 20 minutes. I walk to work every day as well. So living 20 minutes away from the city centre in a bigger apartment for less rent is the ideal IMO.

Obviously as I age my desires will change. Long term I want to live back in Wicklow. Where I will still a short drive away from Dublin Shítty Centre if needs be (for the concerts, soccer matches, theatre etc). They have shops and cinemas and "culture" there too :eek:

spoofilyj · 17-11-2011 01:44PM

There are advantages and disadvantages to both for I think I depends on where you are in Life.

At the moment I'm in my late 20's and single working away in the city centre and living close by so its grand now, but there is no way I'd stay here to have a family, there's not enough privacy and space.
Parks are great but what about the scumbag element that is a lot more prevalent in Cities and are a constant annoyance.

In the country you have your own space and privacy and the noise level is way lower and I think its more plesent over all for familys.
Over all its down to personal preference though...

Logical Fallacy · 17-11-2011 01:44PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

As someone who was raised in the country, no. Are you?

I get the feeling you woke up without your sense of humour this morning.

Corvo · 17-11-2011 01:45PM

The huge amount of scum in cities is what would drive anyone from taking up that life (if previously living elsewhere)

summerskin · 17-11-2011 01:49PM

having grown up in the countryside in the UK, lived in the mountains in France and also spent 1 year in Geneva, 10 years living in London (a real city, not an oversized town like Dublin), 2 in New York before moving to Clare I can tell you that country life and a commute is far better than city life, at this time in my life.

However, if you're young and have no responsibilities, city life can't be beaten. But it has to be a real city. Not Dublin.

Eoin · 17-11-2011 01:50PM

TheZohan wrote: »

The thing that I find amusing about people living in Dublin is that some bemoan having to travel a few kms around the county as if they were travelling the length of the country of something!

Pretty understandable given the inordinate amount of time it can take to travel a short distance. It used to take me over an hour to travel 10 miles into work. That's over 2 hours a day - not far off how long it would take to drive to Galway.

SEPT 23 1989 · 17-11-2011 01:51PM

summerskin wrote: »

having grown up in the countryside in the UK, lived in the mountains in France and also spent 1 year in Geneva, 10 years living in London (a real city, not an oversized town like Dublin), 2 in New York before moving to Clare I can tell you that country life and a commute is far better than city life, at this time in my life.

However, if you're young and have no responsibilities, city life can't be beaten. But it has to be a real city. Not Dublin.

Stop slagging Dublin

ScumLord · 17-11-2011 01:51PM

dilbert2 wrote: »

(c) More variety of shops of all kind

All selling the same crap.

(d) Attractive parks such as St. Stephens Green, the Phoenix Park etc.

We call them fields out here, my town has over a hundred "parks"

Main disadvantage to the city is it's full of people, people are awful to be around and it only gets worse the more of them there are.

Iwasfrozen · 17-11-2011 01:52PM

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

I get the feeling you woke up without your sense of humour this morning.

Oh you were making a joke, I get jokes.

Fbjm · 17-11-2011 01:52PM

Look at my location.
Now look at the city centre.
Now look at my location again.
Now back to the city centre.

You're missing out.

stovelid · 17-11-2011 01:56PM

dilbert2 wrote: »

(f) Much closer to work, and not only that, more employment in general.

What I always find strange about this mantra is that it is often untrue.

I think it's a hangover from the property boom where the population were brainwahsed into buying apartments in central locations.

I've been working in my current field for 12 years and am with my 4th employer: all in Dublin and only one of them have been in the city centre.

Each location has its merits but I'm happy to be 8-9 miles out of the city centre but on a Luas line for quick access to the city.

suicide_circus · 17-11-2011 01:57PM

Well as a young, mostly single male with no real commitments,debts, a very active social life etc I think I would find living any great distance from Dublin city centre highly inconvenient. I can walk to oconnell st in 15mins, perfecto.

My name is URL · 17-11-2011 01:57PM

I live in the best place in the country. A small quiet village which is less than 1.5 hours drive to the two largest cities on the island, and less than a half hours drive to a couple of the largest towns. I'd hate to live in a city or town tbh.. a lot of people who do; portray themselves as been more cosmopolitan and modern than country folk, despite actually being some of the most insular people you could ever meet.

dilbert2 · 17-11-2011 01:59PM

TheZohan wrote: »

The thing that I find amusing about people living in Dublin is that some bemoan having to travel a few kms around the county as if they were travelling the length of the country of something!

Good for you if you don't mind devoting 3-4 hours of your day sitting in a car. Some people are just debating the merits of alternative living arrangements, and imagining not having to be in such a situation (aka. spending half the day on the M50).

biko · 17-11-2011 01:59PM

I used to live in city centres (in various cities) and loved it. Mind moving a bit further out is good too but that means it's farther to shops and other amenities.

dilbert2 · 17-11-2011 02:02PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Suburbs are ****, the country is were you should go to raise a family.

This isn't about the country, its about city centre living -vs- the suburbs. I'm sure country living is wonderful if you work in the middle of the country, but most jobs are in the city. Also, suburbs have none of the advantages of either city centre living, or country living, just a crappy compromise with the best of neither.

WindSock · 17-11-2011 02:03PM

I'd love to live in a city for a spell, suburbs are for zombies.

TheZohanS · 17-11-2011 02:04PM

Eoin wrote: »

Pretty understandable given the inordinate amount of time it can take to travel a short distance. It used to take me over an hour to travel 10 miles into work. That's over 2 hours a day - not far off how long it would take to drive to Galway.

dilbert2 wrote: »

Good for you if you don't mind devoting 3-4 hours of your day sitting in a car. Some people are just debating the merits of alternative living arrangements, and imagining not having to be in such a situation (aka. spending half the day on the M50).

I used to commute to Contarf daily, by leaving 20min earlier I could shave 1hr off my commute. My daily commute was 200km, took 1hr 20min each way. Had I used public transport I probably would have gotten there quicker too.

mal1 · 17-11-2011 02:05PM

I'm from the countryside. Living in the city and staying here. Not city centre but close to work. Any commuting will have to be on foot or on a bike.

I don't see a difference in bringing up kids in a good city area or in the countryside. My girlfriend and most of my friends grew up in the city and all they seem fine.

So far this thread is just pointing out the generalities of both lifestyles.

dilbert2 · 17-11-2011 02:07PM

ScumLord wrote: »

All selling the same crap.

We call them fields out here, my town has over a hundred "parks"

Main disadvantage to the city is it's full of people, people are awful to be around and it only gets worse the more of them there are.

Again, nothing about the countryside here, its suburbs - vs - city centre, and a comparison of green spaces in suburban areas - vs - city centre parks. Also, I wish you the best in those "parks", before you are greeted with a shotgun and "this is private property".

starbelgrade · 17-11-2011 02:09PM

It's not the City Centre.

It's called "town".

starbelgrade · 17-11-2011 02:12PM

dilbert2 wrote: »

(b) Never having to own a car given all the buses and trains

Only a Dub who's never lived outside Dublin & can't drive would see never owning a car and having to share public transport with the great unwashed as a plus.

Cars are friggin' awesome.

Is City Centre living vastly underrated in Ireland?

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