Balbriggan, should i move there?

cold_filter

Hi all, i've been thinking about it for a while now about moving to balbriggan, though as i dont know anyone from the area i have a few unanswered questions!!

If anyone could help me out i'd really appreciate it,

1) What are the best areas to live in?
I know there are lots of new estates which i don't mind living in but i'd prfer an estate which has been there more than 2 or 3 years.

2) Whats the social scene like, is there many pubs with good craic?

3)Are most of the locals commuters?

Any other info would be great.

Praetorian

Balbriggan is a great town. I'm living there for just over 10 years, go for it I'm sure others will answer more of your questions!

cold_filter

I can get a lot more for my money up there and it will take the same time if not less to get to work

sgarvan

to answer your questions

1) What are the best areas to live in?
now this is personal preference, I am born and bred in balbriggan and bought a house last year myself in Westbrook. I prefer the more established estates than the new ones, with one execption of Mount Rochford. The estates that I like are Westbrook, Chapel Gate, Ashfield, Hampton Court, Fancourt Heights, Tara Court/Cove and Bremore Estate.

2) Whats the social scene like, is there many pubs with good craic?
Depends on what you are into. If you want your usually get locked and go to a nightclub, O'Sheas ,DeBrun and The Harvest Bar are there and then onto Home (loacated beside O'Sheas). Other pubs around the town are good for the quiet pint.

3)Are most of the locals commuters?
I am a commuter into the city centre. I get the train at 7.30 and am in work at my desk for 8.20 and coming home I get the 5.07 or 5.20 and am home in around the 6 mark. Trains can be busy and crowded but when they run on time they are generally fine.

Any other questions give us a shout, and there is a fair few other balbriggan people on here that will answer more for you.

Moonbeam

It is fine.

There are supermarkets,a cinema,schools, and easy access to the M1.


The social scene depends on if you know any one else living there.

The water pressure is bad and the water is full of lime.


1/2 the population of Balbriggan to me appear to live there as it was the only place they could afford a house near a trainline.
The trains are packed,and little chance of a seat in the mornings or coming home unless you can start work really early or coming home if you get on in lawnsdowne.

There are lots of irish speakers,(the highlight of life in Balbriggan for me!)

blastman

Moonbeam wrote:

The water pressure is bad and the water is full of lime.

Depending on what part you live in. Water in my house is fine on both counts.

aniascor

Moved to Balbriggan last summer and have no regrets about it. It took a couple of weeks to get used to no longer being in the city centre, but since I got my bearings out here, I have been loving it.

There are quite a few nice restaurants - an Indian and an Italian in particular that I really like. There are a variety of pubs as has been pointed out. The town has a few coffee shops and good places to go for breakfast on the weekend.

The trains aren't as bad as I expected, and neither is the early start (and I am NOT a morning person, so this surprised me). However, in the winter months, it's difficult to get a seat no matter which train you get. You'll soon learn which ones are most packed. If you can finish work at 4.30, the 5.07 train from Connolly is one of the better ones to get home.

Having a cinema in the town in great. And the library has been redone and reopened recently, which is also good.

During the summer, it was lovely to be able to go down to the beach. Of course there's no guarantee that we'll get such a nice summer again this year.

When looking at houses, I suggest you come out and walk around the town to get a feel for the different estates. One thing you want to ask the estate agent about is whether or not there are any property management fees for estates. Some of the newer ones have these, and they can be a hidden expense if you aren't expecting them.

The water pressure in our house is fine - but limescale is a huge issue. We have already replaced one kettle, and calgon is a must with every wash!

People in the town are very friendly - and one of the nicer things we had to get used to was people saying hello when you pass them if you're out walking.

My only complaint about the place is that it is hard to meet people. I wouldn't mind having a few more friends in the town. I'm not big on pubs/nightclubs as places to make friends. And I did join a fitness class but didn't really make any friends there. However, we're only here six months, so I'll give it time.

wow sierra

Been here six years now and love the place. Like most people I only moved here for the house prices but got to love it.

Most of the points I have to make have been made already - the list of estates sounds good to me. What I would look for is: near to the town centre, have front and back gardens and individual parking and no management fees. A lot of the new estates dont have these advantages. At the end of the day price is going to make your decision for you but I would certainly be wary of shared gardens or management fees.

A lot of the new people in Balbriggan dont seem to socialise much so the town still has a very local feel to it when you are out - you'll get to know the faces in the pubs and they yours fairly quick when you are out. (That is good and bad!!!! but mainly good.)

If you want to do what I did when I moved first and behave like you still live in Dublin city it is easy to do - its only 30 mins into Dublin now with the M1 at night and theres a nightlink if you don't want to drive( obviouly the nitelink takes a scenic route home so at least an hour I'm afraid.)

Love the beach, winter and summer.

Like already said lovely restaurants -( cant beat the Harvest for pub food,) a cinema, lots of Clubs (GAA, Soccer, Boxing,Cricket,Set Dancing,Irish, Historical Soc, Walking Club, Book Club etc) to help you get to know people( or just to enjoy).

Just down the road you have really rural areas with lovely pubs like ManOWar, Naul Seamus Ennis Centre etc.

Only disadvantage (mainly if you are female!!) no decent clothes shopping - doesnt bother me but if thats your idea of an enjoyable Sat afternoon be prepared to chat to all the(few) shop owners.

Bluetonic

wow sierra wrote:

at night and theres a nightlink if you don't want to drive( obviouly the nitelink takes a scenic route home so at least an hour I'm afraid.)

Of you could just get the Bus Eireann Nightrider at 3am which takes only 30 minutes.

http://www.buseireann.ie/site/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/local/101N.pdf

aniascor

Based on that link Bluetonic, it looks like it takes 50 minutes, and leaves at 3.30?

wowsierra wrote:

Most of the points I have to make have been made already - the list of estates sounds good to me. What I would look for is: near to the town centre, have front and back gardens and individual parking and no management fees. A lot of the new estates dont have these advantages. At the end of the day price is going to make your decision for you but I would certainly be wary of shared gardens or management fees.

Agreed - but it all depends on what you want. I really think you won't get a feel for which estates will suit you until you go out and walk around them - during the day and in the evening time if you can. Some estates have lots of kids running around them, some don't; some look onto greens, some don't; some have parking to the front, some to the side, some haphazardly scattered through the estate... There is plenty of variety in the types of houses available, so you should be able to find something to suit.

sgarvan

aniascor wrote:

Based on that link Bluetonic, it looks like it takes 50 minutes, and leaves at 3.30?

yup, the buses leave at 12.30 & 3.30am and even though the timetable says it takes close on 50 minutes, it rarely does. I have got this bus a fair few times and 30/35 mins is the average journey length

Bluetonic

sgarvan wrote:

yI have got this bus a fair few times and 30/35 mins is the average journey length

I've gotten it around 20 times and it's always around the 30/35 minute mark.

aniascor

Thanks Bluetonic. That's good to know. Is it the same with the earlier Bus Eireann Nightrider?

simona

Hi, will live start my studies in DCU and looking for advise finding best way to travel ( trai+bus) from Balbriggan to DCU.

Many thanks

EmiliaK

This will be a trek! As far as the train goes, you'd have to get a train to Howth Junction, and then a 17A outside the station to Ballymun and walk down to DCU. All in all you'd be talking 30 mins on the train and a possible 40 mins on the bus - traffic can be mental on the Oscar Traynor Road, and Santry Avenue during rush hour so this will depend on when you're travelling.

As far as the bus goes, you could get the 33 from Balbriggan to Whitehall Church and then walk down Collins' Avenue to DCU (20 mins). In my experience, it takes about an hour from Balbriggan to Santry, but I've never done it in rush hour, which I can imagine is far worse....

There's always the Bus Eireann 101 route from Balbriggan which will also drop you at Whitehall Church. I've never been on this, so maybe someone else can help there...

If anyone wants to correct my time scales feel free, but I think those times are pretty much what you can expect.

dubmick

EmiliaK wrote:

There's always the Bus Eireann 101 route from Balbriggan which will also drop you at Whitehall Church. I've never been on this, so maybe someone else can help there....

This is definitely the way to go. The bus will take about 40 minutes and it is about a 10/15 minute walk to DCU from Whitehall Church.

Gillo

The Bus Eireann bus would be your best option, I know of a fair few people who used to drive in, that said it's a few years since they went to college.

simona

Thanks a million
what about the bus stop,is it around the same place as the rail?

Fingleberries

simona wrote:

Thanks a million
what about the bus stop,is it around the same place as the rail?

The 101 stops at:
- Bath Road (at Traffic Lights just after Shell Garage - heading south)
- Xtra Vision
- Bank of Ireland
- St. Peters and Pauls Church (just before the roundabout leaving town - heading south).

I think it might also stop at St. Maloga's School (just before the Garda Station).

I'd recommend the Bus Éireann 101 ahead of the Dublin Bus 33 any day for a daily commute to DCU - it's much more direct for getting in to City Centre.

Not sure if you can get a monthly or weekly ticket for this, as that would be much better value than having to buy a daily return ticket. Maybe check with the Student Union in DCU if there's any benefits for Student types...

wow sierra

Yes the 101 does stop at St Malogas.

January

Fingleberries wrote:

The 101 stops at:
- Bath Road (at Traffic Lights just after Shell Garage - heading south)
- Xtra Vision
- Bank of Ireland
- St. Peters and Pauls Church (just before the roundabout leaving town - heading south).

I think it might also stop at St. Maloga's School (just before the Garda Station).

I'd recommend the Bus Éireann 101 ahead of the Dublin Bus 33 any day for a daily commute to DCU - it's much more direct for getting in to City Centre.

Not sure if you can get a monthly or weekly ticket for this, as that would be much better value than having to buy a daily return ticket. Maybe check with the Student Union in DCU if there's any benefits for Student types...

I think you can get a 10 journey ticket. I've been researching it (thinking of moving to Balbriggan and looking at ways to commute!).

Does anyone know how much the train would cost? (Weekly/Monthly ticket?) I've looked at Irish Rails website but I can't find where it says it?

sgarvan

a weekely train ticket is around €22 and a monthly is around the €80 mark.

Moonbeam

you can get a monthly student bus and rail one,or annual tax saver ones too.

January

Wish I was still a student and the company I might be working for doesn't do tax saver tickets! Oh well!!

It's €26 euro for a weekly and €98 for a montly

june28

I've found it hard to get information on the 101. The website doesn't have fares for weekly tickets from balbriggan to city centre and when I called into bus aras, staff were really unhelpfull. Does anybody know where the 101 stops when it gets into the city centre- mountjoy square, parnell square...? I'm trying to plan a commute but if the 101 goes straight to bus aras, then I may as well get the train and combine it with a dublin bus pass. I was thinking of keeping a few tickets for the 101 in the event of me missing the train or there not being a train. any more advice? thanks

shopaholic

In Balbriggan it also stops at Flemington Lane and St Malagas. Ring Drogheda station instead - they're much more helpful!

oceangirl

aniascor wrote: »

Moved to Balbriggan last summer and have no regrets about it. It took a couple of weeks to get used to no longer being in the city centre, but since I got my bearings out here, I have been loving it.
Having a cinema in the town in great. And the library has been redone and reopened recently, which is also good.

During the summer, it was lovely to be able to go down to the beach. Of course there's no guarantee that we'll get such a nice summer again this year.

People in the town are very friendly - and one of the nicer things we had to get used to was people saying hello when you pass them if you're out walking.

My only complaint about the place is that it is hard to meet people. I wouldn't mind having a few more friends in the town. I'm not big on pubs/nightclubs as places to make friends. And I did join a fitness class but didn't really make any friends there. However, we're only here six months, so I'll give it time.

feel the same! moved here with my husband about 5 months ago. love this town, though its sometimes way too busy (traffic on the main street!)

we also have the feeling its hard to make friends here.... though we go out a lot and have a few pints )

Callie

Hi, my BF and I are looking in Balbriggan at the moment and are a little about the whole situation out there. There seem to be some fairly conflicting opinions on the threads/ boards. A previous poster mentioned the Chapel Gate area as being OK, would these be fairly settled streets? Any general info would be very welcome - we're (nervous) first time buyers and like most, we have to look in areas we're not at all familiar with!
Thanks x

clg23

Chapel gate is one of the nicer parts of the town wont be much anti social behaviour there

Callie

Thanks clg23, good to know! From what I've heard these streets are quite handy for the town/ shops/ train. But I guess I'll know soon enough- heading out there for a look tomorrow!

100gSoma

Ok. Im sorry to be the only person who seems to have anything negative to say, so please don't attack me. Just my opinion.
Living here 30 years. In the past 10 years the population has doubled. There are 1000s of new houses built recently but with no proper infrastructure to support the new inhabitants. The already over crowded trains are running at nightmare proportions now. Dangerously packed. People have to park 1 mile from the train station and pay for a feeder bus to avoid paying parking in the streets near the station as the train car park is itself full by 8am.
There has been a fingal CC policy of housing asylum seekers in balbriggan with 1000s of rented properties being paid for by the HSE to house the wide diversity of cultures in balbriggan. this is fantastic, however, integration seems to be a problem at the moment and some areas are bordering on ghetto-ism. another problem is the lack of schooling for everyone. There is not enough schooling facilities to support the population. Recently an all-black school (educate together) had to open to accommodate 70 African children who could not get places in the regular primary schools. Alot of the new estates like cardy rock and the ones up near Dunnes are not very well designed and feel crowded. They were not mentioned in the list of "recommended" places in the previous posts, but they do account for 30 or 40% of the towns population. Did I mention that the only way that Dunnes can get its deliveries is by driving an 18 wheeler up through a residential area where kids play on the grass in front of their house. They never built a service road, so you have 18 wheelers going through little roundabouts and up residential roads not 10 feet from the front of houses. this is the type of planning issues I am referring to. The town centre is over crowded and impossible to drive through on most evenings with the influx of people trying to drive form the train station out of town to the houses on the outskirts. Im not sure of anti-social behaviour as I have not been out in a while. you hear the usual stories but nothing beyond what you would hear anywhere else to be fair. With so many people having moved to balbriggan for the cheap housing in past 5 or 6 years, a certain sense of community has been lost. Perhaps that's just me, but I don't recognise many people at all now, whereas I remember a time you recognised everyone. all 7 or 8 thousand people from the town. Anyway, move here? Yeah, why not. I just really hope the builders will take on their responsibilities and build proper roads and green spaces, and the council will make sure proper facilities like schools and a larger medical centre are built to accommodate the exponential growth here. Everything has the feel like it was just "thrown up" as the money came pouring in. no real aesthetic planning in the design. There are some successes. The library, the hotel, and the new spicers mills apartments look ok.