Where to live - working at UCC

Jimbo516

Hello all

Looking at where to live with a young family that would be commutable (40 mins max) for UCC. I know Midleton is not bad, but not much else. Do people live down at Kinsale for the beach?

On the other hand, if we stay in the city somewhere, where is best to avoid?

SandStone

I'd avoid Midleton if you intend to drive: it's the wrong side of the city for UCC and the Dunkettle roundabout is notorious. Kinsale itself doesn't have a long beach, but it's very pleasant in any case. Ballincollig would be practical I'd say, but without Kinsale's charm.

overmantle

Are you intending to rent or to buy? It would be possible to UCC walk from Bishopstown / Model farm Road area in 15/20 minutes, depending on where you find a property. It may be difficult to find a place to rent but there are some nice properties to buy there at the moment, depending on your budget. If you have a young family, it would also be convenient to schools and colleges for later on.

blindsider

Are you on the main campus? If so, there are some lovely quiet areas in Glasheen and Bishopstown. Some studenty areas to avoid also...

Schools will be important for you - Glasheen Boys has an excellent reputation. St Catherines is probably the best of the girls schools, but Glasheen Girls is good also.

As asked above, are you renting or buying?

pwurple

Midleton is wrong side of the city and across the river from ucc.

Try bishopstown, wilton, togher nearby. Or ballincollig, riverstick, kinsale further away but on the right side of the city.

razorblunt

Turner's Cross / Ballyphehane is an option too. All within a 30 minute walk, quiet and big enough houses, they're older build though but most have been modernised.

Jimbo516

Thanks all. We'd probably be buying rather than renting. How long would the commute be from Kinsale? Google is saying 30 mins but that sounds a bit optimistic...

pwurple

If you are buying, try lenaghmore maybe too? New houses up there I think.

Kinsale is do-able to UCC. Your problem might be parking though if you plan to drive. Parking is a disaster in ucc. The benefit of living nearer is being able to get there by other means... Walking, cycling, public transport.

blindsider

Jimbo516 wrote: »

Thanks all. We'd probably be buying rather than renting. How long would the commute be from Kinsale? Google is saying 30 mins but that sounds a bit optimistic...

I'm guessing that you're trying to get the best of everything - location, good commute etc - when you buy, which is a good idea.

Kinsale is nice (but busy with traffic) in summer and pretty quiet in winter. The road to/from Cork isn't great - single track with lots of farm machinery on it - and a PITA on cold dark winter mornings/evening. Driving there in summer at the weekend etc is fine.

Have you looked at www.daft.ie for an idea of prices and availability?

You might consider renting a place for a yr before buying - that way you'd get to really know Cork before committing to an area......

Finally, as Pwurple says, parking in UCC is v. poor.

SouthernBelle

WRT to parking, you'd need to be in by 8am to get a spot on main campus or by 8.30 for Castlewhite or Aras na Laoi. There's a park & ride at Dennehey's Cross and also Tougher. Of course, the UCC campus is huge, spreading from College Road to Wilton, Mardyke, North Mall, Sunday's Well, depending on the department.

roundymac

Jimbo516 wrote: »

Thanks all. We'd probably be buying rather than renting. How long would the commute be from Kinsale? Google is saying 30 mins but that sounds a bit optimistic...

You better get a move on, prices are starting to rocket lately. What were going for 275K are now more likely to be 325K.