Kilgobbin Wood, Sandyford, D18

Hi;

I am a FTB, after loosing out many mad bidding wars in Beacon sandyford Apts, decided to look little further on the otherside of M50. We liked kilgobbin wood - 2 bed apartment. Put an offer for asking price for 2 bed apt with decent specs. Mad bidding started on this property as well and now we are at asking +35k. The price is hoovering around 240K. Before going for any further bids, wanna ask few questions.
1. How is Kilgobbin Wood, Sandyford, D18 for a small family ?
2. Positive / Negative sides
3. Quality of Schools around the area
4. What is rental prospect for apts in this area ?
4. And finally is it worth putting 240 - 250K for 2 bed apt in Kilgobbin wood ???

Thanks in advance !!

Personally, I would not buy a small apartment with a young family. Your space needs are only going to increase. You are banking on the apartment holding its value or increasing, and as we have seen from the crash, this is far from inevitable. Do you see yourself in an apartment complex outside the M50 in 5-10 years?

A quick daft search tells me that 2-beds here are renting around €1250.

I live in the area with small kids and it's certainly a "nice" area with access to good schools and reasonable amenities for small kids such as playgrounds, green space, good playschools etc. Word of warning though: for the local primary schools you need to get your kid's name down as soon as they're born.

I wouldn't however recommend an apartment with kids beyond a year old. In my own experience of apartment living with a baby, the apartment itself or the complex simply wasn't built or set up for family living, there's very little access and storage space for bikes buggies toys etc. and small kids need a bit of space for messing about and exploring which just isn't available in apartment living in Ireland in the way it is in mainland European developments.

Best of luck with your decision.

Thx leonmahon and pearlroscoe for your valuable inputs. Still waiting from Estate Agent to get back on the final bid price. Will keep you updated.

Hey pearlroscoe; You mentioned that you are currently living in the area. So do you think 240k - 250k is the current market price ? Also, if 1250 pm rent is achievable in that area ?

Sorry for bothering you with too many questions but me getting anxious

Hi taquilasun,
I currently live in Kilgobbin wood with my husband and child. As other posters have said i would seriously think before buying an apartment to live in with a family long term. The estate itself is lovely, very family friendly with lots of green space but I do miss not having some outdoor space of our own. Storage space is also an issue although if the apartment you're looking at is top floor they come with a large attic which is of help. Since you said you've been looking at apartments for a while I'm sure all of these considerations have come up already! There are a lot of small families in the apartments here so they do have a quiet, settled feel.

The area in general is good, shops and playground within walking distance although I do find you become a bit car reliant when it comes to parks, libraries etc. The luas is two minutes away. There are a number of primary schools in the area and while demand is high, we didn't have a problem getting a place, name down early though.

I'm not sure about asking prices, last year I think they were around 200k but everything in the area has gone up a lot so they're probably no exception. Rents are about 1200 pm alright.

Good luck with whatever you do, my only reservation is apartments long term, both the estate and greater area are recommended!

Thx for detailed inputs , findcat1.

findcat1 said:

Hi taquilasun,
I currently live in Kilgobbin wood with my husband and child. As other posters have said i would seriously think before buying an apartment to live in with a family long term. The estate itself is lovely, very family friendly with lots of green space but I do miss not having some outdoor space of our own. Storage space is also an issue although if the apartment you're looking at is top floor they come with a large attic which is of help. Since you said you've been looking at apartments for a while I'm sure all of these considerations have come up already! There are a lot of small families in the apartments here so they do have a quiet, settled feel.

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There are indeed important isssues, and you're dead right to bring them up. However, it's worth remembering that the OP may have very few non-apartment options within their price range, unless they want to move to a different location alltogether.

You are absolutely correct RainyDay, in this current economic situation, we don't want to go beyond overall 250-260k budget which we can easily afford and may be mortgage free in max 5-7 yrs. By that time, the whole irish economic condition will also be clear ( booming / stable / worst ) and won't be affected too much.