Toddler in Dublin without a car

zara86a

Hi all!

I'll be moving to Dublin in couple months and need an advice. Also new to boards.ie.

We are moving from a place in Europe where car was absolute necessity, especially with a toddler (doctors, etc...). Now, we're in doubt about buying second hand car in Dublin - something cheap to get us from A to B with a baby, no commute - say Ford Fiesta or similar. Also, what could it cost yearly to maintain - insurance, tax, repairs cca.

To add some context, we would like to rent somewhere in the south, Rathfarnam, Sandyford, hopefully close to Luas if we get lucky.

I'd like to hear some thoughts about parents that have no access to a car in Dublin. Is it doable? How do you go to doctors when kid's in fever in middle of the night? How do you get around in public transport? Is it a hassle? Are there taxis with car seats for babies?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

December2012

You could always buy a car seat that can use straps to fix onto a taxi seat.

I do have a car but that suits my life and my travels, eg to family who live elsewhere in Dublin.

The areas you're talking about should be fine.

You will want to be close to transport for your jobs, a selection of crèches / child care options, a few schools. Preferably shops - chemist, groceries, newsagents etc - in walking distance.

Ideally somewhere for swimming / activities for your child nearby or on easily accessible transport.

kandr10

While I've got a car, I also use public transport. To answer some of your questions, taxis don't have car seats, you'd have to provide it. The luas is fine for travelling with a pram/buggy but if you're getting the bus bear in mind that most buses can only accommodate one pram, sometimes two. If the spot is taken you have to fold your pram or wait for the next bus. In case of emergency you'd be looking at a taxi or friend :-)
In terms if the cost of a car, somewhere between 200-300 per year for tax. Insurance would clearly depend on your circumstances but for an experienced driver on full licence around 350-600. Nct (national car test) is 50. You can buy cheap cars of course for less than 1000 but to get one with decent mileage that's been looked after you'd need to spend at least 1500.
Other boardsies might have more accurate picture of figures. Hope that helps! Good luck with your move!

Stheno

kandr10 wrote: »

While I've got a car, I also use public transport. To answer some of your questions, taxis don't have car seats, you'd have to provide it. The luas is fine for travelling with a pram/buggy but if you're getting the bus bear in mind that most buses can only accommodate one pram, sometimes two. If the spot is taken you have to fold your pram or wait for the next bus. In case of emergency you'd be looking at a taxi or friend :-)
In terms if the cost of a car, somewhere between 200-300 per year for tax. Insurance would clearly depend on your circumstances but for an experienced driver on full licence around 350-600. Nct (national car test) is 50. You can buy cheap cars of course for less than 1000 but to get one with decent mileage that's been looked after you'd need to spend at least 1500.
Other boardsies might have more accurate picture of figures. Hope that helps! Good luck with your move!

Your figures are a bit off, tax is dependant on the car being pre or post 2008 in terms of year of registration, so the value of 200-300 per year is on the very low side imo.

Insurance for the OP who has not lived here for some time is going to be very heavily weighted and imo would be probably double €600 (check the motors forum for details of people having difficulty even getting insurance)

NCT is actually €55 with retest at €28

€1500 is imo very low for a reliable car unless the OP knows a good indie mechanic etc, that said it can be done, I paid €800ish for my car 2.5 years ago, but tax on it is almost 700 a year

How Strange

By law you don't need to have a baby/child in a car seat in a taxi although I think that's bonkers as a crash in a taxi will be the same as in any car.

The luas and the train are great for buggies although it's not very pleasant during peak times. I hate getting the bus and avoid it if I can.

If you're getting a cheap car then it's a bit of a false economy because what you save on the cost of it you'll pay in servicing and repairs. We've learned this the hard way and we have a low mileage 14 year old car which is only used at weekends. I'd actually suggest you try spend around €3-4k. That would give you a half decent car.

I think it's doable to rely on public transport though and you could always invest in car seats and hire a car by the day whenever you need it or fancy getting out of Dublin. There's a company that specialise in day rentals but my post baby brain can't remember the name.

kandr10

Stheno wrote: »

Your figures are a bit off, tax is dependant on the car being pre or post 2008 in terms of year of registration, so the value of 200-300 per year is on the very low side imo.

Insurance for the OP who has not lived here for some time is going to be very heavily weighted and imo would be probably double €600 (check the motors forum for details of people having difficulty even getting insurance)

NCT is actually €55 with retest at €28

€1500 is imo very low for a reliable car unless the OP knows a good indie mechanic etc, that said it can be done, I paid €800ish for my car 2.5 years ago, but tax on it is almost 700 a year

Thanks for clarification. Apologies to op.
1500 would certainly be extremely low I meant that as a absolute absolute min. Similar with car tax. That should've been clearer. Was not aware of issues with insurance. Obviously if you pay minimum amounts across the board you're likely going to have a lot of repair costs on your hands later. Unless you get lucky of course!

Op, There's a lot of variables really. Public transport is doable and I'm sure it'd be fine for you if only for a few months while you price around for a car.

Stheno

kandr10 wrote: »

Thanks for clarification. Apologies to op.
1500 would certainly be extremely low I meant that as a absolute absolute min. Similar with car tax. That should've been clearer. Was not aware of issues with insurance. Obviously if you pay minimum amounts across the board you're likely going to have a lot of repair costs on your hands later. Unless you get lucky of course!

Op, There's a lot of variables really. Public transport is doable and I'm sure it'd be fine for you if only for a few months while you price around for a car.

Thanks. Apologies if my post was harsh, but as someone who drives bangernomics, the initial purchase price is the least of my concerns.

Also if OP is from a country who drive opposite to us, they may have difficulties getting insurance, and be severely weighted as a result.

NCBS don't appear to transfer across the EU

kandr10

Stheno wrote: »

Thanks. Apologies if my post was harsh, but as someone who drives bangernomics, the initial purchase price is the least of my concerns.

Also if OP is from a country who drive opposite to us, they may have difficulties getting insurance, and be severely weighted as a result.

NCBS don't appear to transfer across the EU

Not at all! I have to say though I have quite a few European friends and a few laughed at how expensive my insurance was compared to theirs. Entirely dependent on circumstances I guess!

Moonbeam

I live just outside Dublin but we purposely live in an area with relatively good public transport and a car would not usually be a necessity here .
Tax and insurance in Ireland can be ridiculous even compared to the UK .
There are on call doctors services eg care doc and k doc but luckily we have never had to use them.
School places can be a huge issue though and as a result of that a car can become a necessity .

lazygal

I didn't pass my driving test until my older child was several months old. I found it difficult enough relying on public transport. Just my experience but we're on a well served bus route and DART line, but neither were 100% reliable. I might get to the DART station, and the lift would be out of order, or a delay to trains for half an hour. With the bus if there's already a buggy or wheelchair on the bus, you have to fold up your buggy (not the easiest to do if you've a pram or a two part buggy) and hold the baby and your stuff, maybe while standing, or wait for the next one.
As another poster said school days are a different kettle of fish, or having more than one child. I'd find it very difficult to juggle two children on public transport and the school we hope to get ours into is too far to walk on rainy days and isn't feasible to get to on public transport.
And totally OT have you looked at rentals in the places you mentioned? There is very little availability in those areas, mainly because they are well served by the LUAS, so make sure you have a place to move to before committing.

Moonbeam

I sometimes find it easier with my 4 on the train but the oldest is 5 so I can play with them etc .