Move from London to Longford / surrounding area

Sminogue

Hi all

I am moving over soon, from London suburbs, and I'm looking for some advice...

I am 26, single and currently working as an administrator in finance (I work for Capita - they also have offices in Dublin and Maynooth)

I am looking to live close to edgeworthstown or Longford city - my nan lives in edgeworthstown and I have family all around the county, I don't want to live with my nan as she is in the middle of nowhere. I have been recommended Mullingar, as close to Longford but apparently has more going on, I've only been to the shopping centre and hospital there so not seen much more.

Could anyone help me work out the following;

Work - I have the option of staying employed by Capita, and working in Dublin/ Maynooth. However can't afford to live in central Dublin, and would rather not share.

I've heard Longford is not great for work, I would rather stay in administrative work but not fussed about working in investments anymore, just after job security.

Nightlife - I am a fan of nice bars and restaurants, but also traditional pubs. I would preferably like to live somewhere with a lot of people of similar ages so I'd find it easier to make friends, also somewhere where there are things to do, close to gym etc. I also want to meet new people (and hopefully a man)

Driving - I don't currently drive, but I am learning - I was planning to pass before moving, but the roads are so different I think it could be worth moving and then finish learning, so I'd probably have to live close to shops work etc. Also somewhere with a decent taxi service, which I know e'town does not have! Lol

Also, some "not nice" bits...

Crime, I love Longford as it holds sentimental value - but I've heard it's very bad for crime, there are a lot of drug addicts and travellers (I am not tarring all travellers with same brush, but I have heard there are some not so nice ones in Longford). As a young girl living alone - where would be safest to live?

Locals attitude - I've always had a great time and never experienced hostility when I've been there, but I've always had the security of family with me. I am English, and mixed race - am I likely to experience hostility from some small minded folk as suggested in other threads I've read? I've never experienced it in any part of Ireland I've visited - but could be different Living there.

I feel like I've wrote way too much - so any other advice/ info etc anyone could give would be great!

Thanks

Sophie

Lucy8080

Just by chance I saw this. Latest posts!

I would go for the job in Maynooth (on reading your post). You will have an income, be close to nightlife in Dublin, and close enough to Longford to check out your suspicions about each town.

London can have it's racism/share of ignorant folks just like all places. It will also feel more accepting /understanding/safer than many other parts of England ,as I'm sure you know.

Apply the same logic to Ireland. The bigger place is more likely to have the bigger space.

The smaller places can be a little more clannish/slow to acceptance. Both places will have the best/worst of folks.

Dip your toes in both waters as you see fit.

Best of luck with your move o.p.

James Bond Junior

I lived briefly in maynooth and thought it was a fantastic town to live in. Close to Dublin but still had a small town feel.

Longford would have been hit hard by the recession having not really benefited from the Celtic tiger to begin with and wouldn't exactly be the most attractive place to live or socialise especially for somebody in their 20's. Most people that age leave small Midlands towns and villages for work in Dublin or other larger urban areas so you'll be up against it trying to find friends. I wouldnt because you'll probably be back on here after 6 months asking for advice on what to do or how to make friends in Longford.

Maynooth is a university town with direct trains to both Longford and the centre of Dublin.

All the other towns you mention are provincial towns and would have very limited employment opportunities compared to London.

Cosmo Kramer

Wow, considering moving from London to Longford at 26...very brave if you choose to do it! I don't think it's a good move though. If Dublin is unaffordable and Maynooth is an option then I would say Maynooth is 100% the way to go.

Sminogue

Thank you so much for the replies everyone!

Everybody has kind of confirmed my thoughts.

I did consider commuting from Longford to Dublin, but I'm moving to spend more time with my nan, if I have a long commute I won't get to do that, I'm using this time to relax and try and reclaim a quality of life as such, I guess that's why I'm not too fussed about work.

Sminogue

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Wow, considering moving from London to Longford at 26...very brave if you choose to do it! I don't think it's a good move though. If Dublin is unaffordable and Maynooth is an option then I would say Maynooth is 100% the way to go.

Yeah I've heard from a cousin who went college there that she had a great time, I've been looking at Dublin 1 and €1000 to share a room is ridiculous. Nothing self contained that looked decent and in a nice place for less than £2000, am I looking in the wrong place... I don't really understand the Dublin numbers, just know that work is by the Bord Gais theatre. I've been looking on the daft.ie site, is that the way to go?

Thanks, sophie

_Lady_

If Mullingar is an option, I'd consider that as well as Maynooth. It might be better value in terms of rentals and commuting and you'll have better access to services and nightlife than some of the smaller towns. Maynooth is a great spot, but you're battling with more higher rents / students / commuters there than you would be in Mgar. Either will afford you great access to Longford, Edgeworthstown and Dublin all on the train line and via the bus services as well until you get your driving sorted. If you like countryside life, county Longford is a fab place to live, but I would say most people need to be able to drive to get around etc so until that is sorted I'd say plant yourself in Mullingar or Maynooth. You can always move down for the quieter life in a few years time if you fancy it... and it is lovely living in the countryside - I couldn't recommend it enough!!! As someone who came back home to live in a quiet rural town from around age 26/27 (granted with other half) I can vouch for it, but every one is different and it depends on what you're looking for and what you're into. The very best of luck with the move!!!

Graham

Maynooth is a lovely town and handy enough for commuting to Dublin by public transport if necessary. Being a university town, there's a good vibe around the place during term time.

It's also on the Longford trainline which would be useful for the OP.

The only downside I can see for the OP is accommodation costs in Maynooth. It's cheaper than Dublin but nowhere near as cheap as Mullingar. On the plus-side, working in Dublin should pay significantly more than working in Mullingar.

OP, take a couple of weeks off work and find an AirBnB in Maynooth and Mullingar for a week each. Try them both on for size.

nice_guy80

you could buy a great house in Longford for about 2/3 of the cost of one around Mullingar or 1/2 the price of around Maynooth

Sminogue

nice_guy80 wrote: »

you could buy a great house in Longford for about 2/3 of the cost of one around Mullingar or 1/2 the price of around Maynooth

Thank you, I've had a look and you're definitely right. The thing is I have quite a large family and I've always planned to either live with my nan permanently once she's elderly (she's still quite young and able), or if I married etc I would settle in Ireland and build on the family land in Galway where the family are originally from. So I don't think I would buy a house unless I was to settle in Longford

beveragelady

nice_guy80 wrote: »

you could buy a great house in Longford for about 2/3 of the cost of one around Mullingar or 1/2 the price of around Maynooth

Of course the problem with buying a house in Longford is that then you live in Longford.

I worked in a school in Longford town for a year about 13 years ago. There are social problems and deprivation that you would expect to find in an inner city slum. The kids would casually say things that revealed heartbreaking details of their home lives. A highlight was when I was taken for a spin around some of the estates in a Garda car and it opened my eyes to the way some people live. As we were driving around, the Garda radio started squawking; there was a disagreement in an estate on the edge of the town. It escalated very quickly and every update was more urgent until the dispatch lady was shouting "It's pitchforks in ___________." (I'm not going to name the estate.) When we got there an ambulance was on its way but as soon as the squadcar entered the estate the onlookers dragged the injured people out of sight and wouldn't respond to any of the guard's questions. I was fecking terrified.
I actually grew up in county Longford, well outside the town, and had a great time. Lovely lakes and rivers, quiet villages, rural idyll. I maintain that the Longford town is the armpit of Ireland though.

TheBody

beveragelady wrote: »

Of course the problem with buying a house in Longford is that then you live in Longford.

I worked in a school in Longford town for a year about 13 years ago. There are social problems and deprivation that you would expect to find in an inner city slum. The kids would casually say things that revealed heartbreaking details of their home lives. A highlight was when I was taken for a spin around some of the estates in a Garda car and it opened my eyes to the way some people live. As we were driving around, the Garda radio started squawking; there was a disagreement in an estate on the edge of the town. It escalated very quickly and every update was more urgent until the dispatch lady was shouting "It's pitchforks in ___________." (I'm not going to name the estate.) When we got there an ambulance was on its way but as soon as the squadcar entered the estate the onlookers dragged the injured people out of sight and wouldn't respond to any of the guard's questions. I was fecking terrified.
I actually grew up in county Longford, well outside the town, and had a great time. Lovely lakes and rivers, quiet villages, rural idyll. I maintain that the Longford town is the armpit of Ireland though.

I agree with the above. I've lived in Longford most my life.

Rural Longford is beautiful but the town needs to be bulldozed. It's just one scumbag after another in there.

nice_guy80

TheBody wrote: »

I agree with the above. I've lived in Longford most my life.

Rural Longford is beautiful but the town needs to be bulldozed. It's just one scumbag after another in there.

yeah, and most of them not even from longford...

the reason so many people move there is that housing is cheap.
to build, to buy or to rent.
and that's why so many dublin corporation and other dublin councils have exported so many of their tenants down to longford

as someone who works in schools in longford, the kids aren't the problem

nice_guy80

All I can add is that there are some lovely villages to live in around Co Longford

Ardagh, Abbeyshrule, Kenagh, Abbeylara, Ballinalee, Newtowncashel, Clondra

all with schools, shops post offices
get over, visit them all and see what the options are
don't let anyone else's opinions sway you

Sminogue

nice_guy80 wrote: »

All I can add is that there are some lovely villages to live in around Co Longford

Ardagh, Abbeyshrule, Kenagh, Abbeylara, Ballinalee, Newtowncashel, Clondra

all with schools, shops post offices
get over, visit them all and see what the options are
don't let anyone else's opinions sway you

Thank you! Yes I'm over for a week late august, so will look around then. Thanks for all your help

Sminogue

Hi all

Just wanted to update everyone and also ask a few questions if anyones still following or happens to stumble across this post!

So I have a potential job offer for one of the investment banks in dublins north quay... if I get the job I will be taking it and will start at the end of the month meaning I will be moving 25 November, (I say moving packing two suitcases and hopping on a Ryanair flight is not really moving I will take the rest of my stuff/ donate to charity at a later date).

So I will be living with my nan probably until the new year although I have seen 2 nice houses to rent one in mullingar and one in edgeworthstown.

Now for all my questions;

1. It's a 6 month FTC which suits me perfect has potential to go perm but at least at end of 6 months I will know if I want to stay or not.... is €16 ph enough to live off for the initial 6 months, it will rose afterwards. Baring in mind I will be commuting which is €400 a month and rent around €600 a month once I move out. I believe tax and deductions are around 20% same as UK.

2. I will he catching train into Dublin Connolly station for my commute i think the 6:28 from edgeworthstown to get me in at 8:25 - is this the best option I have allowed 30 mins for delays as I don't believe Irish rail is the most reliable, would the bus be a better option?

3 I am assuming that I would get a seat Getting on at E-town? Planning to use that time to do make up and eat breakfast to save time in morning.

4 on that note is there still a trolley dolly on the trains at that time to buy a coffee etc??

I will probably think of more questions lol but thank you so much for ALLLL your advice and help so far, I can't believe I'm finally getting there haha xx

Angron

I've never been on the train that early to be honest, so I'm not sure how easy getting a seat would be. The Irish rail site seems to indicate that the train won't have one of the trolleys that early though.

Nekarsulm

You're going to need to get the driving licence sorted, and if living in E'town you'll probably be best getting a bike, as the station isn't in the town. No food trolley that I know off. Seats shouldn't be a problem, as even during the bus strike we had earlier in the year my wife had no problem getting a seat on the train.

Sminogue

Thank you Both!

Today I had another thought, i am now thinking of getting a Monday - Friday let in Dublin and catching a bus in to work each day, as the price of a let is roughly the same as a travel card.

This will also mean I can have a social life and possibly make friends in Dublin and with work.

I will then go and stay with my nan Friday- Sunday. Just have to break it to her now xx

Angron

Sminogue wrote: »

Thank you Both!

Today I had another thought, i am now thinking of getting a Monday - Friday let in Dublin and catching a bus in to work each day, as the price of a let is roughly the same as a travel card.

This will also mean I can have a social life and possibly make friends in Dublin and with work.

I will then go and stay with my nan Friday- Sunday. Just have to break it to her now xx

Well I hope that works out well for you.

BrianBoru00

I'm in the Longford is a kip brigade as it does have a lot of social problems BUT if you look beyond that there are a lot of positives. . . .There are some nice shops and restaurants in the town and it has the cinema and a nice theatre. And there a lot of great people and community groups - musical society/ drama society to help get to know people.
What are your interests?
A general trend would be that people move to Dublin or Galway or Cork etc for college and work but when they get to "Settling" down age many of them would prefer to return down the country to raise a family. Train is very expensive if your living in Dublin Mon-Fri and getting it home every weekend its adding to your costs.

You sound as though you should apply for a job in the civil service not great pay but permanent and a pensions guaranteed.

nice_guy80

you'll get a seat on the early train in Mostrim (edgeworthstown)

best of luck with it

Sminogue

BrianBoru00 wrote: »

I'm in the Longford is a kip brigade as it does have a lot of social problems BUT if you look beyond that there are a lot of positives. . . .There are some nice shops and restaurants in the town and it has the cinema and a nice theatre. And there a lot of great people and community groups - musical society/ drama society to help get to know people.
What are your interests?
A general trend would be that people move to Dublin or Galway or Cork etc for college and work but when they get to "Settling" down age many of them would prefer to return down the country to raise a family. Train is very expensive if your living in Dublin Mon-Fri and getting it home every weekend its adding to your costs.

You sound as though you should apply for a job in the civil service not great pay but permanent and a pensions guaranteed.

Haha, it is a bit of a kip yes - Some great pubs though.
I enjoy reading, shopping and drinking nice wine - apart from the latter they are not very sociable hobbies, but hopefully I can meet some like minded people.
I have worked out - cost of rent (approx. 400-500e for room), bus travel to and from work (I am looking at swords and the express bus would cost me approx. 30e pw) and travel bi-weekly to ETown (50e p/w approx.) In comparison to my travel card from Etown - Dublin Connolly (432e - I am not sure how this increases from dec) I will be paying out roughly 400 - 450e extra pm, I now just have to work out if throwing away that money is worth it for the increase in my quality of life.
With regards to other jobs, the 'exciting' world of Investment banking currently has my heart, If I could find a job I enjoyed that paid well in Longford/ West Meath I could probably be tempted to switch!

nice_guy80 wrote: »

you'll get a seat on the early train in Mostrim (edgeworthstown)

best of luck with it

Oh good! I couldn't imagine trying to put on make up standing up for 1hr 50mins!!

Thank you!!

Plopsu

Worth checking if your new employer uses the taxsaver scheme. This will allow you to buy your travel ticket through them and your don't get taxed on the cost.
Edgeworthstown station is walkable from the town but it all adds up in terms of commuting time.

Sminogue

Plopsu wrote: »

Worth checking if your new employer uses the taxsaver scheme. This will allow you to buy your travel ticket through them and your don't get taxed on the cost.
Edgeworthstown station is walkable from the town but it all adds up in terms of commuting time.

Thank you I did wonder what the tax saver scheme is.

Yes walkable from town, except my nan actually lives up the Dublin road towards Mullingar so around a 30 minute walk! Way more commuting plus the fact the N4 is not the safest to walk on in the dark!

nice_guy80

you could car pool
plenty of people driving up and down to Dublin daily

messrs

OP if you are staying in Dublin during the week look into getting a Leap card for use on the busses - saves you having to have coins on you all the time and there is a slight discount also.
In terms of going back to Edgeworthstown on a Fri - i would suggest the bus over the train, I get the bus back to Longford every second weekend and bus ticket is €24 return as opposed to €39 ( i think!) on the train - plus you are guaranteed a seat on the bus whereas if train is busy its possible you could be standing the whole way from Dub to Edge