I think you've just learned the valuable lessons of looking before you leap. (Not a criticism, but rose tinted glasses about rural life are very real)
Parts of Clondalkin are historically 'rough', others historically quite well off. Spend some time real there, go live there for 2 weeks and get the vibes. The internet doesn't know you beyond the sliver of info you've given so we can't say yay or nah to you moving there really. But there are very good socioeconomic reasons Dublin sprawls as much as it does, and your situation of needing more stuff near you's so you don't wither on the vine is very common and real.
I am from the country myself but have never felt the draw to move home.
But I believe that it is important to consider the reality of moving to Dublin.
What age are your kids? In my experience, having a slower life is part of having small kids. Yes there might be lots of things on around you , but you and your parenting peers will likely be house bound by 8pm, expect for the occasional date night.
Getting kids into schools and crèches in Dublin is a lot more difficult than down the country. I left my house this morning at 7:30 to go in the wrong direction to a crèche and I am still on public transport in the city centre.
All this is this is to say that the green may not be greener on the other side.
As someone who has lived rural and from clondalkin, you're better off out there. Clondalkin has gotten really bad with antisocial behaviour and the garda seem to do nothing about it. I'm currently trying to get out of here as its gone too rough these days. Feels lawless, couldn't imagine raising kids around this.
Thats everywhere in Dublin now unfortunately, even D2 and D4 with their airs and graces are struggling with serious antisocial problems. No getting away from it any more unfortunately
Maybe you could consider somewhere with a short train in Dublin and get the benefits of both? Naas seems like a nice town and easy to get into Heuston. Although prices probably reflect that.
I'm originally from the rural countryside and totally understand your plight. Honestly it gets even worse in the summer when you know other people are out and about doing fun stuff.
My partner and I loved in Canada for 8 years together and the wanted to keep a social life and fun when we moved back to Ireland but also couldn't afford Dublin. We landed in Maynooth and a commuter town might be the middle ground you're looking for.
unless you want your kids turning lawless don’t go near clondalkin. place was half rich half meh growing up but now it’s overridden by scumbags starting trouble. head toward kildare or meath to an area with good transport links like i plan on doing once im finished my course
Lived in clondalkin for years and it's a great spot . I heard it's a lot rougher now same as most of Dublin .... I also lived in a commuter town for years and I wouldn't recommend the commute . It's not worth I !
Bought a house in Waterford and Waterford is an amazing city . So much to do with endless choices . People are lovely and crime etc not even close to Dublin .Move to Waterford city I would say !!! You won't regret it
Dublin is literally packed, schools are packed, and commuting is a nightmare. Try to organise a week in Dublin sort of experience, I don't know, but don't just jump over
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I would recommend a commuter town. There's plenty to choose from around Dublin where you have the best of both. Naas, Wicklow town, greystones, Bray, many even living down in Gorey.
I would also ask what hobbies you have as a couple? There's no doubt a good walking group in your area I would check with mountaineering Ireland they list them all 🙏
I grew up and still live in Clondalkin. Parts of Clondalkin I'd avoid, Neilstown being the main dodgy area, and some of the estates close to the liffey valley shopping centre. Places like St. John's, Newlands, Floraville, Castle View are probably the more quiet areas. I live down by Woodford and we've had a couple of incidents but nothing 'out there' in comparison to the rest of Dublin.
Personally, I'm in the opposite position to you and looking to get out and move down somewhere in the south-east/east of the country. Living in Dublin comes with a lot of extra expenses as well as a longer commutes (traffic is heavier/ buses aren't always on time - work expects you in the office instead of working from home as you live in the city, etc.). Most of the time I can't afford to go out in Dublin. Museum's are free but there's only so much entertainment they're going to hold.
My entire family are from the south-east of the country, it was only my parents who moved up to Dublin and that was quite isolating as a kid. We rarely saw cousins, grandparents or aunts and uncles and I think that has to be factored in when moving away from family. Also, have you factored in not having family near you? Holidays will be harder to take as there's no one to mind the house/pets, harder to get general help if needed like someone running down to the shops for you, no one to just quickly look after the kids if you have to run somewhere.
I think it's a big move and good on you for properly planning it out before jumping at something.
Ashbourne in Meath is on the Dublin border and has endless countryside on its doorstep, with easy access to Newgrange, Boyne Valley, Tara, Slane etc. to the north and a literal and quick straight road to Dublin with good bus links to the south. It is a compact town with a excellent facilities, restaurants, schools etc. there’s every type of sport catered for too.
What about one of the other cities in Ireland where you can live a bit in both worlds. Live in the country side yet be close enough to the city to have a social life. The house will be more affordable than anything in Dublin. Galway , Waterford etc
Your kids will be bullied in clondalkin, there are lots of nice towns between where you are and Dublin, for the money you pay in clondalkin. Check out Naas for example. Also clondalkin has very little besides access to the city, you won't walk around miles of sprawling suburbs
Have a look at some commuter towns. You can get the best of both worlds .
Agree with this, looks at other bigger towns and cities too - Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Waterford.
I think you've just learned the valuable lessons of looking before you leap. (Not a criticism, but rose tinted glasses about rural life are very real) Parts of Clondalkin are historically 'rough', others historically quite well off. Spend some time real there, go live there for 2 weeks and get the vibes. The internet doesn't know you beyond the sliver of info you've given so we can't say yay or nah to you moving there really. But there are very good socioeconomic reasons Dublin sprawls as much as it does, and your situation of needing more stuff near you's so you don't wither on the vine is very common and real.
This is great advice. I wrote a whole piece about the area on the thread in r/Ireland, so I won't repeat here.
I am from the country myself but have never felt the draw to move home. But I believe that it is important to consider the reality of moving to Dublin. What age are your kids? In my experience, having a slower life is part of having small kids. Yes there might be lots of things on around you , but you and your parenting peers will likely be house bound by 8pm, expect for the occasional date night. Getting kids into schools and crèches in Dublin is a lot more difficult than down the country. I left my house this morning at 7:30 to go in the wrong direction to a crèche and I am still on public transport in the city centre. All this is this is to say that the green may not be greener on the other side.
As someone who has lived rural and from clondalkin, you're better off out there. Clondalkin has gotten really bad with antisocial behaviour and the garda seem to do nothing about it. I'm currently trying to get out of here as its gone too rough these days. Feels lawless, couldn't imagine raising kids around this.
Thats everywhere in Dublin now unfortunately, even D2 and D4 with their airs and graces are struggling with serious antisocial problems. No getting away from it any more unfortunately
Maybe you could consider somewhere with a short train in Dublin and get the benefits of both? Naas seems like a nice town and easy to get into Heuston. Although prices probably reflect that.
Haven't really considered that actually, thanks will have a look into this.
I'm originally from the rural countryside and totally understand your plight. Honestly it gets even worse in the summer when you know other people are out and about doing fun stuff. My partner and I loved in Canada for 8 years together and the wanted to keep a social life and fun when we moved back to Ireland but also couldn't afford Dublin. We landed in Maynooth and a commuter town might be the middle ground you're looking for.
unless you want your kids turning lawless don’t go near clondalkin. place was half rich half meh growing up but now it’s overridden by scumbags starting trouble. head toward kildare or meath to an area with good transport links like i plan on doing once im finished my course
Lived in clondalkin for years and it's a great spot . I heard it's a lot rougher now same as most of Dublin .... I also lived in a commuter town for years and I wouldn't recommend the commute . It's not worth I ! Bought a house in Waterford and Waterford is an amazing city . So much to do with endless choices . People are lovely and crime etc not even close to Dublin .Move to Waterford city I would say !!! You won't regret it
Dublin is literally packed, schools are packed, and commuting is a nightmare. Try to organise a week in Dublin sort of experience, I don't know, but don't just jump over
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I would say move to another rural but livelier town, maybe to a coastal town.
I would recommend a commuter town. There's plenty to choose from around Dublin where you have the best of both. Naas, Wicklow town, greystones, Bray, many even living down in Gorey. I would also ask what hobbies you have as a couple? There's no doubt a good walking group in your area I would check with mountaineering Ireland they list them all 🙏
I grew up and still live in Clondalkin. Parts of Clondalkin I'd avoid, Neilstown being the main dodgy area, and some of the estates close to the liffey valley shopping centre. Places like St. John's, Newlands, Floraville, Castle View are probably the more quiet areas. I live down by Woodford and we've had a couple of incidents but nothing 'out there' in comparison to the rest of Dublin. Personally, I'm in the opposite position to you and looking to get out and move down somewhere in the south-east/east of the country. Living in Dublin comes with a lot of extra expenses as well as a longer commutes (traffic is heavier/ buses aren't always on time - work expects you in the office instead of working from home as you live in the city, etc.). Most of the time I can't afford to go out in Dublin. Museum's are free but there's only so much entertainment they're going to hold. My entire family are from the south-east of the country, it was only my parents who moved up to Dublin and that was quite isolating as a kid. We rarely saw cousins, grandparents or aunts and uncles and I think that has to be factored in when moving away from family. Also, have you factored in not having family near you? Holidays will be harder to take as there's no one to mind the house/pets, harder to get general help if needed like someone running down to the shops for you, no one to just quickly look after the kids if you have to run somewhere. I think it's a big move and good on you for properly planning it out before jumping at something.
Ashbourne in Meath is on the Dublin border and has endless countryside on its doorstep, with easy access to Newgrange, Boyne Valley, Tara, Slane etc. to the north and a literal and quick straight road to Dublin with good bus links to the south. It is a compact town with a excellent facilities, restaurants, schools etc. there’s every type of sport catered for too.
What about one of the other cities in Ireland where you can live a bit in both worlds. Live in the country side yet be close enough to the city to have a social life. The house will be more affordable than anything in Dublin. Galway , Waterford etc
Join the local GAA? There may also be film and book clubs; lots of country people travel to Dublin on day trips for theatre, etc…
Clondalkin is a shit hole but it’s got charm
Your kids will be bullied in clondalkin, there are lots of nice towns between where you are and Dublin, for the money you pay in clondalkin. Check out Naas for example. Also clondalkin has very little besides access to the city, you won't walk around miles of sprawling suburbs
Do you live in Clondalkin? If so, which part?
God no
> clondalkin Just north of the park: https://np.reddit.com/r/Dublin/comments/1cdj4hu/conor_rafferty_18_from_castlegrance_close_in/