Should I proceed with Drogheda?

FrankC21 · 29-07-2019 7:45pm #1

Hi,

I am having second thoughts on buying a house up in Liscorrie, Drogheda, 260K 3 Bed Semi-detached. A3 rating. I already put 5k down on it, What I like about the place is the location:

*The house is perfectly located at a corner therefore we don't have a neighbour on our left side.
*Close to m1 motorway
*Close to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (my wife is a nurse)
*When I drove up there I was happy that the entrance is close to the shop, a petrol station close to the entry.

compared it to the houses we viewed were we drove past grass and fields until we reached the estate.

My only concern is that:

*Location to work is an issue 1hr commute. Currently we work in Dun Laoghaire at the moment wife is on a 2 year contract.
*Liscorrie is quite near Moneymore where the petrol bomb was. I asked around the forum and Liscorrie is quite far from all troubles.
* I researched and in the estate Tuath social housing located right in Liscorrie - But everything seems quite when we went up, kids playing and people from forum said its a quite area, I googled no crime.

But with all these going on in my mind I am thinking about the future my kids are they gonna be safe, Job we can always get job nearer.

Places I consider Kildare (Monasteverin quite far from aminities), Gorey(Are there big hospitals nearby), Wicklow, but the location up in Liscorrie have more advantages.

What do you think?

Eric Cartman · 29-07-2019 7:51pm

Drogheda to dun laoighre can be 2 hours of a commute at certain times of the day especially in winter.

Social housing generally doesn't rear the 'problems' till the kids are teens, so its still a dice roll.

With the new m11 eniscorthy to gorey section and the better location for your needs, id be inclined to go there rather than drogheda.

whippet · 30-07-2019 8:13am

I wouldn’t even consider a commute like that.

During the summer I can do the commute to the red cow from just north of Drogheda in about 1h10 ..but as soon as the schools are back you’d be looking at the gut of 2 hours and what ever it take to get to DunLaoghaire on top of that.

I’m working from home 4 days a week so doesn’t bother me

Brego888 · 30-07-2019 8:26am

It'll be a one hour commute if you start work at 6am, finish at 9pm and are breaking the speed limit.

Northern Monkey · 30-07-2019 8:33am

I’ve a similar question. Found a house we love near Drogheda but we both work in Dublin (city centre) and are worried about the commute. We did a trial run of the drive yesterday morning and it took about 50 minutes. Traffic was heavy but was moving. We will generally be on the road by 6.30 most mornings so I presume the school traffic shouldn’t have an impact on it?

Monkey2019 · 30-07-2019 8:52am

Northern Monkey wrote: »

I’ve a similar question. Found a house we love near Drogheda but we both work in Dublin (city centre) and are worried about the commute. We did a trial run of the drive yesterday morning and it took about 50 minutes. Traffic was heavy but was moving. We will generally be on the road by 6.30 most mornings so I presume the school traffic shouldn’t have an impact on it?

School traffic will have a big impact.
I used to commute to Dublin and what used to take me just over an hour during the summer turned into 2 and half hours when the schools were back.

Northern Monkey · 30-07-2019 8:59am

Monkey2019 wrote: »

School traffic will have a big impact.
I used to commute to Dublin and what used to take me just over an hour during the summer turned into 2 and half hours when the schools were back.

Thanks, even at that time of the morning? We were hitting Drumcondra around 7am yesterday.

off.the.walls · 30-07-2019 9:02am

Checkout Naas, lots of nice priced houses, also sallins to heuston station is 16 minutes, the train also goes under pheonix park to connolly, you could switch over for dun laorighe there.

PhoenixParker · 30-07-2019 9:07am

You can set a date and time in Google maps to see how long the winter commute takes.

Wouldnt touch that commute with a barge pole especially in a job like nursing where you can't work from home in inclement weather.

pconn062 · 30-07-2019 9:22am

Drogheda to Dun Laoghaire would be madness IMO. I used to commute (very briefly) from just outside Drogheda (Dunleer) to Ashtown which is close to Blanch and it used to take me 50 mins at 10am and could take 1hr-1hr 10 to get home at 6pm. Dun Laoghaire would be a nightmare. The area is not bad and despite the current fued Drogheda is a nice town with nice areas nearby such as Clogherhead, Termonfeckin, Oldbridge etc.

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 9:27am

Drogheda - Dun Laoghaire is a mental commute (if 9-5) long term but manageable for a few months or a year if you were to think of changing jobs. It's dead handy on the train but Liscorrie is the wrong side for that.

Most people who live on the Dublin road side of the town would be commuters to Dublin, it's a lot more manageable and well connected. Grange Rath is 25 minutes to Dublin airport for example, you'd be doing well to get to the airport in that time from some south city locations.

Monkey2019 · 30-07-2019 9:54am

Northern Monkey wrote: »

Thanks, even at that time of the morning? We were hitting Drumcondra around 7am yesterday.

Maybe at that hour it might be quieter - I used to aim to be in before 8 and leave at 4 but even if you get in early the traffic at home time is desperate. My office was near Clonskeagh so had to go M50.
Used to take an hour alone to get from there to the Red Cow, Fridays were the worst.

Look its doable but it gets a bit soul destroying if you are stuck with it long term.

whippet · 30-07-2019 9:58am

Northern Monkey wrote: »

Thanks, even at that time of the morning? We were hitting Drumcondra around 7am yesterday.

you can't compare summer times with the rest of the year.

When I have to be in the office for 8/9am I will leave the Drogheda area for about half six at the latest and that can get me to the RedCow for anything between half seven to half eight … you just can't predict.

It is horrendous .. I did the commute for about 3 years until I managed to set up the home / remote working.

My wife needs to get to city west once a week but fortunately she doesn't need to be there until about half ten so leaves after nine and it takes about 1h to 1h15 mins

and then there is the nightmare of the M50 northbound in the evening .. coming from south Dublin you will be a mess inside a couple of weeks

Before I bought out here I rented for about 6 months to get a feel for the area .. I loved it and was willing to suffer the commute as I was going to look for work locally but ended up not having to worry about that

Bandana boy · 30-07-2019 10:01am

Is the house in an estate with kids ?
If so visit it around 9pm at night and see if your corner is a hang out spot
I bought the house before my current on a corner as it gave me the ability to extend but it was haunted with kids hanging out there till all hours , I had to replace a bathroom window about 8 times over 11 years smashed/cracked with an errant sliothar/ball .

I also had a bike and a lawnmower taken by our friends who do not like Peter Casey as the corner gave access to the back garden that you would not have mid terrace.

Hoboo · 30-07-2019 12:13pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

Hi,

I am having second thoughts on buying a house up in Liscorrie, Drogheda, 260K 3 Bed Semi-detached. A3 rating. I already put 5k down on it, What I like about the place is the location:

*The house is perfectly located at a corner therefore we don't have a neighbour on our left side.
*Close to m1 motorway
*Close to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (my wife is a nurse)
*When I drove up there I was happy that the entrance is close to the shop, a petrol station close to the entry.

compared it to the houses we viewed were we drove past grass and fields until we reached the estate.

My only concern is that:

*Location to work is an issue 1hr commute. Currently we work in Dun Laoghaire at the moment wife is on a 2 year contract.
*Liscorrie is quite near Moneymore where the petrol bomb was. I asked around the forum and Liscorrie is quite far from all troubles.
* I researched and in the estate Tuath social housing located right in Liscorrie - But everything seems quite when we went up, kids playing and people from forum said its a quite area, I googled no crime.

But with all these going on in my mind I am thinking about the future my kids are they gonna be safe, Job we can always get job nearer.

Places I consider Kildare (Monasteverin quite far from aminities), Gorey(Are there big hospitals nearby), Wicklow, but the location up in Liscorrie have more advantages.

What do you think?

Liscorrie is slap bang in the middle of the cement road (old Maguire halting site and permanent "settled" Traveller site, and Moneymore).

It's a ****e hole of an area, and for 260k for a 3 bed semi youd be mad.

Quick search on daft.ie and plenty of properties in much nicer areas available.

mariaalice · 30-07-2019 12:26pm

Why would you not go to Bettystow or Lawtown http://duneimear.ie/ A rated and around your price, however its a mad commute even if you went M1 M50.

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 12:34pm

Hoboo wrote: »

Liscorrie is slap bang in the middle of the cement road (old Maguire halting site and permanent "settled" Traveller site, and Moneymore).

It's a ****e hole of an area, and for 260k for a 3 bed semi youd be mad.

Quick search on daft.ie and plenty of properties in much nicer areas available.

Liscorrie is not on the cement road ?

antix80 · 30-07-2019 12:53pm

The estate agent no doubt arranged for the viewing at 12pm so you'd see how smooth the commute was... that wasn't the commute.
Driving through the city or around the M50 during rush hour will be a soul-destroying experience and that's on a good day.

tedpan · 30-07-2019 12:55pm

Quincy Shaggy Trailer wrote:

Liscorrie is not on the cement road ?

He meant in the middle of the three places..

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 1:18pm

tedpan wrote: »

He meant in the middle of the three places..

By that logic the whole town is between Rathmullan, cement road and Moneymore.

Hoboo · 30-07-2019 2:12pm

Quincy Shaggy Trailer wrote: »

By that logic the whole town is between Rathmullan, cement road and Moneymore.

That's not logical at all. Liscorrie is seperated from moneymore by DIFE, and cement rd by the north Rd. It's slap bang in the middle of the two and all within a stones throw (which also happens to be a local hobby)

FrankC21 · 30-07-2019 2:35pm

I am really confused now, I already paid 5k secured deposit, I found another place up in viewmount rathdrum which more of a country side feel. But i do not know about it in terms of school and shops how convenient it is.

FrankC21 · 30-07-2019 2:38pm

mariaalice wrote: »

Why would you not go to Bettystow or Lawtown http://duneimear.ie/ A rated and around your price, however its a mad commute even if you went M1 M50.

Dun eimear have increased their prices and the next phase will be available next year.

italodisco · 30-07-2019 2:50pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

I am really confused now, I already paid 5k secured deposit, I found another place up in viewmount rathdrum which more of a country side feel. But i do not know about it in terms of school and shops how convenient it is.

A friend live in liscorrie for 2 years. Between the commute amd the constant anti social behaviour he gave up, take into consideration that hes from north inner city dublin and well used to nonsense but couldnt put up with the attempted break ins by the 'joycers', the gangs of teens running amok and all the young 'wans' with 5 kids letting them loose til all hours.

FrankC21 · 30-07-2019 2:54pm

italodisco wrote: »

FrankC21 wrote: »

I am really confused now, I already paid 5k secured deposit, I found another place up in viewmount rathdrum which more of a country side feel. But i do not know about it in terms of school and shops how convenient it is.

A friend live in liscorrie for 2 years. Between the commute amd the constant anti social behaviour he gave up, take into consideration that hes from north inner city dublin and well used to nonsense but couldnt put up with the attempted break ins by the 'joycers', the gangs of teens running amok and all the young 'wans' with 5 kids letting them loose til all hours.

Ive just found out there is a social housing estate in it none of the agent have said it to me. I feel worried now reading it I was really excited at first but after finding out it is near moneymore with all the trouble just today in today an arson attack near Liscorrie.

antix80 · 30-07-2019 3:01pm

Op, I feel for you. The house is affordable but you want a Dublin salary and career-and of course, the better jobs seem to be southside. Personally I couldn't hack the commute. Many people can, and some people do it for a few years in the hope that something "closer" comes up that doesn't come with a massive paycut.

FrankC21 · 30-07-2019 3:11pm

So if it was you guys rathdrum or liscorrie? What I really want now is a safe place to live.

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 3:26pm

Liscorrie for me, but at that I would still be looking at areas like Bettystown / Laytown over that.

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 3:27pm

Also I would ask locals / people who have already moved in how they are finding it, I have been in the houses and they are a very good finish.

wardides · 30-07-2019 4:08pm

italodisco wrote: »

A friend live in liscorrie for 2 years. Between the commute amd the constant anti social behaviour he gave up, take into consideration that hes from north inner city dublin and well used to nonsense but couldnt put up with the attempted break ins by the 'joycers', the gangs of teens running amok and all the young 'wans' with 5 kids letting them loose til all hours.

OP I wouldn't be taking nonsense like this into consideration. Know people who have lived there all their lives and have not much complaints. None more so than any other estates across the town anyway.

And this nonsense about it being in the middle of the fued? Some of the biggest players in the fued live in Ashfield across the way, some live across by St.Oliver's school. It's a pile of nonsense. Nobody lives on the cement road (in regards to targets) anymore, and how many of these attacks have actually been based here? People have been targeted in estates across the town, that does not mean they are all "slap bang in the middle of the fued".

You're best way would be to even drive down and ask someone who's there what the estate is like IMO. The commute will be all the same regardless of where you live in Drogheda by the way, and having done Citywest for a year, I would not say it is sustainable. Time can be managed if you have flexible working hours, but even from a costing point (tolls, fuel etc), it's a good long commute.

Also don't get dragged into the usual crap of worrying about social housing going up. Firstly, it's a law for most new builds these days that a certain amount are handed over for social housing, and secondly the stereotype of a shameless family moving in next door is bonkers. Unless you buy a detached house in the middle of nowhere you're going to be surrounded by some arseholes!

Hoboo · 30-07-2019 5:46pm

wardides wrote: »

OP I wouldn't be taking nonsense like this into consideration. Know people who have lived there all their lives and have not much complaints. None more so than any other estates across the town anyway.

And this nonsense about it being in the middle of the fued? Some of the biggest players in the fued live in Ashfield across the way, some live across by St.Oliver's school. It's a pile of nonsense. Nobody lives on the cement road (in regards to targets) anymore, and how many of these attacks have actually been based here? People have been targeted in estates across the town, that does not mean they are all "slap bang in the middle of the fued".

You're best way would be to even drive down and ask someone who's there what the estate is like IMO. The commute will be all the same regardless of where you live in Drogheda by the way, and having done Citywest for a year, I would not say it is sustainable. Time can be managed if you have flexible working hours, but even from a costing point (tolls, fuel etc), it's a good long commute.

Also don't get dragged into the usual crap of worrying about social housing going up. Firstly, it's a law for most new builds these days that a certain amount are handed over for social housing, and secondly the stereotype of a shameless family moving in next door is bonkers. Unless you buy a detached house in the middle of nowhere you're going to be surrounded by some arseholes!

No one said it's in the middle of the fued as the media calls it, it's in between moneymore which has consistently been the biggest ****show in the country, and a halting site. Presuming they have kids who would probably walk to Joe's or Greenhills the wife's nursing skills will come in handy.

And commute varies hugely depending where you live.

pearcider · 30-07-2019 5:58pm

Go with your gut OP. If you are posting for reassurance on the internet, then I would say you’re not happy.

road_high · 30-07-2019 6:02pm

Do you lose the €5 k if you pull out now?
Drogheda to dun laoighire is an awkward commute as it’s the opposite end of the city (as you’re no doubt aware!!). Is public transport an option ? Ie bus train to Dublin abs or DART to Dun Laoghire

wardides · 30-07-2019 6:27pm

Hoboo wrote: »

No one said it's in the middle of the fued as the media calls it, it's in between moneymore which has consistently been the biggest ****show in the country, and a halting site. Presuming they have kids who would probably walk to Joe's or Greenhills the wife's nursing skills will come in handy.

And commute varies hugely depending where you live.

A previous poster said it was in the middle of the feud. It is as close to Moneymore as it is Ashfield or Boyle O'reilly. And there's nothing wrong with those. The ****show comment is a typical sheep comment - could think of 4/5 estates (within Drogheda) that have produced just as bad eggs, nevermind the country. Few hundred in the estate, typical Irish sh**e to put everyone in the same basket. The "halting site" causes absolutely no hassle, besides maguire shot at the completely different end of the road, a site which has been abandoned since!

I'd love to find out where you've been living all your life, imagine it's a dream.

And OP, commute won't matter too much if you decide to pick an estate within Drogheda. Each will have it's own benefits which will generally net out. It's when you have to decide between Bettystown, drogheda, Gormanstown etc that it will differ largely.

I would say however, if you're put off by thoughts of antisocial behavior and fued related "incidents" Bettystown & Laytown wouldn't exactly be full of wholesome folk either.

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 8:47pm

OP I would dismiss most of the advice in here as it's very inaccurate.

Ask locals.

Spanish Eyes · 30-07-2019 8:52pm

Just wondered (apart from the area that I know nothing about), why you haven't considered PT to Connolly and onwards on DART to Dun Laoghaire? Or whatever the connections are?

Just wondered.

FrankC21 · 30-07-2019 10:37pm

Thank you guys for all your opinions. To be fair my mind is telling me to go with Liscorrie, when I went up there, I was amazed of how close the property to the hospital, retail park and shops like lidl and aldi. I can definitely see a huge potential if we want to rent a spare room as it is that close to the hospital. Oppose to Rathdrum to which mostly it is a country side not much really going on. I realise that wherever we lived there will be trouble, it isn't safe anywhere at this day and age. I was renting in Dalkey for a year and i was thinking it is safe there but it wasn't there are recorded burglaries and anti social behaviours. It is really up to being vigilant and try to minimize risks.

FrankC21 · 30-07-2019 10:43pm

antix80 wrote: »

The estate agent no doubt arranged for the viewing at 12pm so you'd see how smooth the commute was... that wasn't the commute.
Driving through the city or around the M50 during rush hour will be a soul-destroying experience and that's on a good day.

It was weekend between 2pm to 4pm

FrankC21 · 30-07-2019 10:46pm

By the way guys my shift starts at 8am until 8pm

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 10:47pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

By the way guys my shift starts at 8am until 8pm

This is the important part. You miss traffic going both directions.

That's some shift !

I did Drogheda - Templeogue for a year, 10-7 and missed traffic both ways too, no worse than getting a bus from Blanchardsrown to D2 at rush hour.

30-07-2019 10:51pm

I can't attest to anti-social problems as I don't live there, but the Hospital Road and the junction out onto the North Road is an absolute traffic nightmare at peek times. You could be 20 minutes in your car before you even get to the M1 to begin the bulk of your commute.

Local planning and infrastructure in that part of Drogheda in particular is close to non-existent, yet they keep throwing up houses wherever there's a bit of land.

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 11:02pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I can't attest to anti-social problems as I don't live there, but the Hospital Road and the junction out onto the North Road is an absolute traffic nightmare at peek times. You could be 20 minutes in your car before you even get to the M1 to begin the bulk of your commute.

Local planning and infrastructure in that part of Drogheda in particular is close to non-existent, yet they keep throwing up houses wherever there's a bit of land.

No road from Ballymakenny Rd - Rosehall roundabout will be built in 2020 to alleviate all that.

Juwwi · 30-07-2019 11:10pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

By the way guys my shift starts at 8am until 8pm

The only way that commute is possible in the winter is to leave around 600am
at the latest to be there by 8 .

google says its 83km each way , plus 2 toll bridges ? , thats going to cost a lot every month to run the car .

there is a 610am train from laytown arrives in dun laoghaire at 733am

antix80 · 30-07-2019 11:13pm

FrankC21 wrote: »

By the way guys my shift starts at 8am until 8pm

In that case... Your commute's probably doable. A 9 to 5 is not.
The only devil's advocacy is that if you finish in that job you'll be restricted where you can work. South Dublin won't be an option during "office hours".
I'd recommend a fixed rate mortgage

30-07-2019 11:17pm

Quincy Shaggy Trailer wrote: »

No road from Ballymakenny Rd - Rosehall roundabout will be built in 2020 to alleviate all that.

Huh? This is actually happening??

Juwwi · 30-07-2019 11:20pm

Northern Monkey wrote: »

I’ve a similar question. Found a house we love near Drogheda but we both work in Dublin (city centre) and are worried about the commute. We did a trial run of the drive yesterday morning and it took about 50 minutes. Traffic was heavy but was moving. We will generally be on the road by 6.30 most mornings so I presume the school traffic shouldn’t have an impact on it?

Northern Monkey wrote: »

Thanks, even at that time of the morning? We were hitting Drumcondra around 7am yesterday.

What hours do you work ?
You would need to be hitting the whitehall church area by 645am (bus lanes dont open until 700am).l reckon you will need to leave the house by 600am

Its a nightmare journey in winter ,if you can leave work around 330pm its
not too bad getting to the M1 but after that you could be 2 hours getting home

antix80 · 30-07-2019 11:28pm

Juwwi wrote: »

you would need to be hitting the whaitehall church area by 645am (bus lanes dont open until 700am).l reckon you will need to leave the house by 600am

I think the bus lanes there are 24 hour now.

Yea the trick is to beat the traffic. You'll get to work too early,but better than sitting in traffic

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 11:35pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Huh? This is actually happening??

Yes planning approved and works started (but since paused). if coming from Drogheda look to the right (what would be exit 3 of the roundabout ) and you'll see the early stages. Can also see the Ballymakenny side has started (and paused).

q85dw7osi4lebg · 30-07-2019 11:38pm

Northern Monkey wrote: »

I’ve a similar question. Found a house we love near Drogheda but we both work in Dublin (city centre) and are worried about the commute. We did a trial run of the drive yesterday morning and it took about 50 minutes. Traffic was heavy but was moving. We will generally be on the road by 6.30 most mornings so I presume the school traffic shouldn’t have an impact on it?

Matthews coach leaves on the half hour in morning from both North and South sides of town, far superior to driving for anywhere in D1/2/ 5/7 IFSC

Sleepy · 31-07-2019 1:21pm

For me, we ruled out Drogheda because Mrs Sleepy just couldn't bear the thought of the kids picking up the accent!

bikeman1 · 31-07-2019 1:51pm

antix80 wrote: »

I think the bus lanes there are 24 hour now.

Yea the trick is to beat the traffic. You'll get to work too early,but better than sitting in traffic

The Bus lane from Whitehall / Collins Ave all the way into town is 07:00 - 10:00 & 12:00 - 19:00 Monday to SUNDAY (a recent change and most welcome especially on match days).

There is a 24 hour stretch past Whitehall Church with the bollards around it. I used to do a drop off in Barrow Street coming in that way for 07:00, need to be coming past Whitehall Church 06:35 at the latest. Once you get across the Liffey you could sail out to DL and have breakfast before starting your 12 HOUR shift!

Leaving at 8pm you will be home in about 1 hour and a half, watch if there is a match on at Lansdowne Road or a gig on at the Point - at that hour can cause a bit of delay.

To summarise:

Depart Drogheda 05:50
Toll
Whitehall 06:35
River Liffey 07:00
Dun Laoghaire 07:40

Start 08:00
Finish 20:00
Home 21:30

That's one heck of a day with a VERY stressful AM drive and a dangerous sleepy one home. Never in a million years would I consider that as a regular commute!

Should I proceed with Drogheda?

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