Waterford - good or bad move

Anyone out there working/living in Waterford?

I have the opportunity to move from Dublin to Waterford and I am seriously considering it as I cannot afford to buy a shoe box here in Dublin whereas I could afford a semi D down in Waterford.

I would also be closer to my home town - it would be about an hours drive away so that is also appealing.

The only thing is I do not know Waterford at all having only been there a couple of times about 10 years ago so I know it has probably changed so much over the past few years.

What areas would people recommend in the city to buy so I could get an idea of the prices in these areas?

I will be working out the Cork road so I am correct to say that it wouldnt be to bad driving to work from any part of the city or is the traffic manic down there also?

My Brother in law lives in Clashmore, very close to the Cork border and he is driving upto an hour to the west side of Cork city. It's getting a bit of a chore now. He bought a 4 bed detached bungalow for 150K two years ago. Seems happy. Not sure if this is any use or not as you seem to want info on Waterford city?

The traffic is not busy in comparison to Dublin, it is heavy from time to time especially if you live around Arkane. Why not consider buying just outside Waterford, like Carrick-on-Suir (25 minutes drive) or Mooncoin (10/15 minutes drive) - the house price are cheaper than Waterford city - Tramore would be a good spot (10/15 mn drive) but I think it is more expensive pricewise than Waterford.

do you have a job in waterford , if so what part of the city ?

Waterford is a good spot, it has really came on in the last 8 -10 yrs, for a long time rests were in scarce supply but that seems to improved.

The Cork road can be pretty hectic at peak times, alot of industry with W. Crystal, WIT and the industrial estate, basically if you are heading in for 9 it can be hell, but at 9.30 you could run a formula one race up the road.

As to areas, lots of good ones, as others mentioned the Dunmore (effectively Ardkeen) road has a huge amount of new estates (some quite upmarket) and is very popular, (and very scenic if you travel a bit further) only thing is from there to the Cork road is a traffic jam from about 8.20 to 9.00. Have a look at the new ring road for both Dunmore Road area and eventually the other side of the Bridge, it should make the New Ross a really option or people working on the Cork road. Loads of really nice estates all around the city and huge Developments up around Gracedieu.

Tramore has attracted a lot of people working in the city and is a great place to live from Sept to May. Only thing is coming in the main road means joining the Dunmore Road jam!

Sorry to be so long winded, if your not tyed to times (or even 9) the Cork road is great to get to from anywhere.

Lived and worked there for about 8 years, left last year and still wondering why??

Sorry - meant New Ross Road, Golf club area, (some new estates) rather than New Ross.

Thanks for the replies - it sounds as if the traffic can be pretty bad down there as well.
I guess I could try starting work before 8.30. Is it as bad from the Cork road to the Dunmore Road after 5?
It sounds as if the Dunmore Road/Ardkeen are pretty nice apart from getting to the Cork road.

Coming from the Piltown/Portlaw/Kilmeaden side there is a back road into the Cork Road Industrial Estates, smaller road but also less traffic. Portlaw has had a lot of housing development in the last few years but there are hundreds of houses and very little facilities, 5 pubs 1 or 2 small shops, no bank or even in-shop ATM. There are oodles of new developments coming onstream in the Carrick-On-Suir/Piltown area, I'd say the Carrick ones will go up in value quicker than Piltown

Thanks Sinead76.
I would like to live in waterford city to have the night life and facilities but I will keep your suggestions in mind as the price of houses in those areas would be a lot cheaper I am guessing.

Just to let you knkw that even though I am from the City I moved to Portlaw 5 years ago, in those years I have seen many new developments all for the good of the town, There is a atm in one of the many shops (4 in total, two takeaways, library, off licence, great playground, good primary school, creche etc) and this shop has a great deli too. House prices are competitive and compared to the what you get in Waterford a lot more for your money. I get into work in about 20-25 minutes, if i was living on the dunmore road it would take me a lot longer and more time stuck in traffic! Its very easy to get onto the Main Cork Road, approx 4 miles from town so you miss the city centre traffic.

I will be working out the Cork road so I am correct to say that it wouldnt be to bad driving to work from any part of the city or is the traffic manic down there also?


bear in mind that the Cork road starts at the end of Manor Steet,(ie practically City centre) so if you are on the Cork road before the first roundabout its often easier to get at.

Just logged onto this site and saw this message - you probably have decided whether or not you are moving to Waterford. I moved to Waterford a 11 years ago - I have worked in Dublin and Cork.

Waterford is fantastic - traffic, nothing compared to all the other cities(Cork,Limerick and need I mention Dublin). I always here people complaining down here about the traffic, they are some small backlogs - nothing more - go to Dublin to see real traffic.

What other city can you drive from one end of the city to the other in 20 minutes - probably 40 to 50 when busy.

It's a good city - friendly people - good restaurants and pubs, it is eventually geting in some children facilities(People's park), if the gurriers can be kept out of it -

Not a bad spot at all, and I am not even a Waterfordian !!!!!!!!!!