areas in balbriggan

june28

hi, I'm seeking some info on living in Balbriggan. My husband and I have 2 young children and are looking for an area in which we can afford to live. With FCC taking so long to process an affordable housing application, we decided to look for a house on our own. We rent near dublin city centre but have no family ties and are looking to settle and become part of a community. We've looked at a few houses and are unsure of the large developments. However, we were looking at property in the pinewood green road area and felt there was potential. I was informed that the estate has a "reputation" but it didn't seem all that bad to me. Yes, houses were boarded up but there were no burned out cars. I ended up wondering what will the new estates be like in 15 years. Any insight, advice or guidance would be really appreciated. Any body know if there is a residents' group and what some of the issues have been/are? thanks to everybody who responds.

Chinafoot

Hi June,

I've moved your post so it can have it's own thread and not get lost in the muddle of the bigger thread.

Rooshter

Sent you a private message June28.

june28

I finally found my post! I'm new to this so it took me a while but glad it has it's own place. Rooshter, thanks for your message. it was well ballanced and very insightful. Haven't made a decision yet on a house but hope to look a bit more. thanks to all!

simona

i am planning to move to Balbriggan with my little daughter because it seems a peaceful location .also looks attractive because the buses/rail are going very often.am i right?
please tell me which areas you prefer /dislike in Balbriggan.
Thanks a million!

wow sierra

I don't think people are going to start criticising specific areas on this forum (at least I hope not!!)

You need to decide your own priorities - nearness to bus/train, shops, schools etc. Decide if you want to let your child play on the road and then if yes, is the road safe or has it a lot of traffic. Do you want a private garden. Do you want a big living space or are you willing to take a smaller living space for an area where you might feel happier with the neighbourhood. Do you want to avoid management fees?

Think about your own priorities and decide on the area based on that.

Balbriggan prices are very good compared with a lot of areas. It has a very young population which is good if you want lots of children for your child to play with, join clubs with etc and there are lots of parents of young children to get to know. Obviously as you can see on the other thread, there are problems with regard to school places but the situation will probably improve in the next few years. Theres no McDonalds, Kidzone type kids adventure place or swimming pool etc at the moment but again I'm sure these businesses will open to meet the demand.

Good luck with your search.

PS Yes there is an excellent (if crowded) train service and the bus service is good too and theres a late night service from Drogheda and Dublin.

simona

wow sierra wrote:

I don't think people are going to start criticising specific areas on this forum (at least I hope not!!)

You need to decide your own priorities - nearness to bus/train, shops, schools etc. Decide if you want to let your child play on the road and then if yes, is the road safe or has it a lot of traffic. Do you want a private garden. Do you want a big living space or are you willing to take a smaller living space for an area where you might feel happier with the neighbourhood. Do you want to avoid management fees?

Think about your own priorities and decide on the area based on that.

Balbriggan prices are very good compared with a lot of areas. It has a very young population which is good if you want lots of children for your child to play with, join clubs with etc and there are lots of parents of young children to get to know. Obviously as you can see on the other thread, there are problems with regard to school places but the situation will probably improve in the next few years. Theres no McDonalds, Kidzone type kids adventure place or swimming pool etc at the moment but again I'm sure these businesses will open to meet the demand.

Good luck with your search.

PS Yes there is an excellent (if crowded) train service and the bus service is good too and theres a late night service from Drogheda and Dublin.

Thanks for your reply. I am definately moving to Balbriggan in a week!!!

Moonbeam

wow sierra wrote:

PS Yes there is an excellent (if crowded) train service and the bus service is good too and theres a late night service from Drogheda and Dublin.

The train service is very far from excellent,but at least it is there and someday they might upgrade the service and capacity to deal with the population of the town and the amount of commuters living there.


Balbriggan isn't too bad a place to live.
It is still in Dublin as a result public transport costs aren't high.
There are loads and loads of small kids for yours to play with.
House prices are cheaper compared to most other areas in Dublin.
Facilities are lacking but I think there is effort being put in to improve this.
There are plenty of good schools though getting a place in one maybe a challenge!

I think the cost of living there vs the standard of living is definitely worth it.

EmiliaK

I moved to Balbriggan 2 months ago, and I love it!

There's a nice atmosphere in the town, everyone is very nice and friendly.

It's great living so close to such lovely scenery and the sea. I wondered what it would be like being 20 miles further away from the city compared with where I was living before, but I like having that bit of distance and if you really want to still go out in the city centre, you can. It's also handy to nip up to Scotch Hall in Drogheda on the train for shopping if you haven't the car.

The train journey to and from the city centre can be trying, and it did take me a bit to get used to it, but I would rather it any day over the bus!

The town service bus is also handy if you live a bit from the station. It's only €1.05 and does a ring route of the town. It cuts 20 minutes off my walk when I get it. It hasnt always been there of late though when I get off the train, but when it is, it's cool. ...the mile walk and the packed trains are a very small price to pay for all of the big positives there are to living in this town!:D