Neighborhood Advice

Allanimal

My wife and I will be moving to Dublin soon, and been trying to find out about possible neighborhoods to live in. I will be working at Intel in Leixlip, and we want to have relatively easy access to the city center. It seems to me that somewhere near the train line between Connolly station and Maynooth would allow me the option to commute via train to work, which is appealing, as well as allow us to get into the city center relatively easy.

So it seems somewhere near the Clonsilla, Coolmine, Castleknock or Ashtown stations would be a good. But it is hard to tell from the ads on daft.ie what the neighborhoods are like. Are there plenty of shops, restaurants, etc. in these areas? Are they safe? Is there some other places we should be looking?

Thanks for your help!

The Stand Side

Ashtown newest area with loads of apartments, some shops, restauraunts and close to train. Also bus options to town and Blanchardstown centre good and close to nightlink route.
Plenty of areas in Castleknock have shops restaurants.
Coolmine and Clonsilla Station areas mostly residential but are close to the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

athtrasna

Be aware that Castleknock train station is actually closer to Blanchardstown Village than Castleknock! Residential areas nearby include Roselawn and Laurel Lodge

Gaspode

Ashtown is well worth looking at in terms of neighbourhood, but the trains can be pretty much full by the time they get to that station.

Allanimal

Gaspode wrote: »

Ashtown is well worth looking at in terms of neighbourhood, but the trains can be pretty much full by the time they get to that station.

Thanks, that is good information. By "pretty much full" do you mean standing room only, or absolutely no way to squeeze on the train?

Gaspode

I'd say you'll get on alright but it can be uncomfortable at times. A lot of people leave a Drumcondra, so it's not so bad after that. Trains going to Spencer dock tend to be less full in my experience.

Allanimal

Gaspode wrote: »

I'd say you'll get on alright but it can be uncomfortable at times. A lot of people leave a Drumcondra, so it's not so bad after that. Trains going to Spencer dock tend to be less full in my experience.

Oh, it looks like you are talking about going into the city centre. My daily commute, if living in Ashtown, would be the other direction, towards Leixlip.

Anyone know how full the trains are going west at typical commuting times?

kenon

When I used to work in Intel I used to get the train from Castleknock to Louisa Bridge and it would be a bit of a squeeze somedays at 7am. Some other days you would get a seat though. Standing on a train for the 15 mins it is from Castleknock is grand though.

Same sort of squeeze going to Maynooth (next stop) at 9am.

Pat Dunne

Allanimal wrote: »

Oh, it looks like you are talking about going into the city centre. My daily commute, if living in Ashtown, would be the other direction, towards Leixlip.

Anyone know how full the trains are going west at typical commuting times?

No problem heading out of town at any time now. I guestimate that train passenger numbers are down about 20% in the last 3 years.

Gaspode

Yes, heading away from City Centre is no problem.

Allanimal

athtrasna wrote: »

Be aware that Castleknock train station is actually closer to Blanchardstown Village than Castleknock! Residential areas nearby include Roselawn and Laurel Lodge

kenon wrote: »

When I used to work in Intel I used to get the train from Castleknock to Louisa Bridge and it would be a bit of a squeeze somedays at 7am. Some other days you would get a seat though. Standing on a train for the 15 mins it is from Castleknock is grand though.

Pat Dunne wrote: »

No problem heading out of town at any time now. I guestimate that train passenger numbers are down about 20% in the last 3 years.

Gaspode wrote: »

Yes, heading away from City Centre is no problem.

Thanks everyone. Those are all good to know.