hi rde,
I know the area quite well, although I don't live there. So I'll try to give you an objective opinion.
Pros:
- 20 mins walk to luas station.
- 51B, 51C buses pass nearby. They arrive about every 10-15mins in the morning. Generally about half full at that stage if you're heading towards city. If you get either bus there it'll take you approx 40 to 50 mins to get to central bank most mornings even when the traffic on the monastery road looks bad, it still takes the same length for some reason! Even the work on the red Cow round about does not seem to have affected it.
- Close to LIDL, Dunnes, Mill shopping centre.
- 5 mins walk to the village
- Not close to Neilstown / Ronanstown
Cons:
- Property value increase? Who knows at the moment!
- You might get some grafitti on the walls nearby or a neighbours car might be broken into every few months (petty crime for Dublin), but you shouldn't have any problems with serious crime, serious vandalism or violence. (It can happen but the chances are low)
- The drug seizure must be off-putting, but imho it was exceptional for the area, and thats why they stored it there in the first place as it is not somewhere the gardai would have normally suspected.
Verdict:
Not bad area, but not great either - If you're the type who'd consider Neilstown to be '1/10' and Foxrock/Ballsbridge to be '10/10', then I reckon you would give it 4/10 (or possibly 5/10 on a good day) for location/safety/amenities. This is based on my assumption that you have preconceived ideas of what Neilstown,Foxrock and Ballsbridge are actually like, which most people seem to.
I've included my own opinion (which won't be popular) on locations so you can decide whether or not we would have similar views/opinions and whether or not you can rely on my opinions. I've included all the areas that I actually know very well or have lived/rented in, for comparison (This is based on crime/vandalism, upkeep of area, property values, amenities, safety, what its like to actually live in - not based on traffic congestion, proximity to city centre which affects property value but does not indicate the general feeling you get living in the area as a newbie/blow-in) - This is based on my own experiences having lived/stayed/worked in these areas for different durations (I've gotten around quite a bit!) - obviously someone who grew up in neilstown with all their friends and family living there might love it and give it 10/10 and that's up to them, but that doesn't mean its an objective opinion or useful to someone who doesn't have those kind of personal attachments and is considering buying there. Hopefully this will be useful to you.
Neilstown (in general): 2/10 to 3/10 depending on location
Killinarden, Tallaght: 2/10 to 3/10 depending on location
Drimnagh Road: 3/10
Springfield, Tallaght: 3/10
Aras na gCluain: 4/10
Riversdale: 4/10
Woodford: Between 4/10 and 5/10 depending on location
Kingswood, Tallaght: 5/10
Drumcondra (generally): 5/10
Belgard Heights, Tallaght: 5.5/10
Monastery Gate: 5.5/10
Castle, Monastery Heath, Clondalkin: 6.5/10 (Varies between 6 and 7 depending on location)
Monastery Drive/Park/Walk etc / Floraville / Laurel park, Clondalkin: 7/10
Beaumont Woods: 7/10
Terenure (in general) 8/10
Ballsbridge: 9/10
If you're budget can stretch to it, try to get an apartment (or a house)nearer the luas, eg. Mount Talbot, Shalimar. Don't be put off by the road works, they will be finished eventually. Or alternatively go the opposite side of the village to the apts at Newlands (longer traffic delays). Try not to move away from "Old Clondlakin Village".