Apt. or House

Thanks. There are some lovely houses in both locations, i'm gonna have to venture out there to have a look around. I dont drive so walking distance to train stations will be near the top of the checklist !
 
If you're happy with Cork St, why not look around Dublin 8? Walking distance to town, nice mature, residential areas (OK some parts, not all)...

Granted not many new builds, but some great second hands in great nick for your budget.

I got lucky last year, and got a fab second hand, 3/4 bed, ready to move into, very little work needed in the area, only 20 years old, so no gas/ electric/ structural problems.

I would never have considered a new build though....estates are too far out, estates can be unfinished, you don't know what the estate will be like in 20 years time, could get taken over by the council, bad residents, etc, lack of facilities, transport, etc. Also, unless all the fixtures and fittings are included, can end up costing you a lot more when you decide on what kitchen, tiles, etc you want. I got all the kitchen appliances, curtains, etc included in sale of my house...have been changing bits slowly as I go along, but was under no pressure on moving in straight away! Also, think a lot of new estates really lack character and personality! And can be structurally really crap!!!
 
I've an apartment and would definitely recommend a house just for the sake of your sanity.............
 
Hi Charlie,

Just to go against the grain here;) I would actually prefer an apartment that near to the city centre. Houses are fine in the countryside but I never felt that secure in houses in the city. (this is from personal experience every house I lived in the neighbours had robberies but never in apartments- funnily the houses I stayed in were in 'better' areas than the apartments) Sure in apartments there are management fees but for your own security I think that it is worth paying aswell as having insurance, bins and ground maintenance taken care of. Naturally

I have lived in 2 different apartments and haven't heard a thing from the neighbours when they are not out on their balconies. Whereas both semi detached houses that I lived in we were able to hear the phone ring and the neighbours using the stairs. Admittedly one of these houses was an old build but one was only built 5 years by a then respected builder.

The drawbacks to apartment living is lack of storage(no attic) so if you are looking at apartments check the storage and consider it carefully and the and lack of a grass in the garden(funny I don't miss mowing the lawn but I do miss standing on the grass having a cuppa)

Small children out playing on the road is less of an issue in an apartment block (people seem to bring them to local amenities to play rather than around the apartments)


Just a few things to consider.
 
The apt. block i'm in at the moment is not so bad at all in fact it's pretty quiet for the area i'm in(Cork St.). I agree that apts are more secure than houses, that's why I would never buy a house in the city....At the mo i'm looking in areas like Raheny, Clarehall, Santry for 3 bed semi's, not alot out there to be honest...but thanks for advice
 
I would only go for a house.. more privacy, a back garden which is great if you want to have pets. Moreover, the appartments tend to lose faster in value than houses.
 
Bought an apartment a few years ago and haven't regretted it for a minute. Bought a top floor apartment so don't have any problems with noise. Also bought a fairly large three bed apartment so have no complaints about space. It like having a bungalow up high :).

Only one other apartment on the same level as me and have had quiet neighbours. Feel really safe and secure as there is a security gate and two locked doors between me and the outside world. Management company do their job very well and are well worth the fee which is directly related to the service they provide. Am close to town on the northside.

Good luck with your decision. Like you I wanted something new that didn't need work done. Apartment live suits me very well.
 
Mpsox said:
+1 on that, you need only look at the whole pyrite saga in North Dublin to be nervous about buying any new build.
Click to expand...

Not a very helpful comment from one who has to live with the effects of pyrite in their home everyday. The 'infected' infill is only found in a tiny number of estates. If the op is talking about a budget of approx. 300k, it might get you a 3 bed semi in the Artane/Beaumont/Elm Mount areas, eg [broken link removed]
[broken link removed]

I know they are not near a DART station but would be close to frequent cross-city bus services and probably a better quality build than a newly constructed dwelling. I too would strongly recommend buying a house. Too many people are not paying service charges so many apartment blocks will look in a sorry state fairly soon
 
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I'm starting to think that maybe a new build might not be the best way to go. With new builds\estates you dont know who your neighbours are going to be and in general the type of clientelle that will be in your surroundings. But defo moving away from apts now...house all the way
 
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