Commuting into Dublin

[CJ]

I'd be interested to hear the experiences of Dubs that have moved out to some of the neighbouring counties such as Meath and Kildare from a commute perspective. I've been considering the option of moving out (max 40kms from the city) with a view to getting better value for money in terms of a home but at the same time I appreciate that theres a trade off in terms of commute time and traffic if you work in the city. That said, there are plenty of positives with regard to moving out to the sticks which might outweight the commute issue. Any comments?

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

Hi CJ,

I live in a wee-town just outside Drogheda. There's a shop - a B&B/pub/restaurant, a school and church.

It's possible to get broadband in most parts of the village.
It's nice and quiet, nice friendly neighbours - a couple of fellow car nutters in the estate.

Kids are nice - no scummers throwing rocks at cars or fighting/bleeding in the driveway.

Only sounds at night are..me snoring, cows moo'ing in nearby field..and the occasional race going on somewhere out by newgrange.

As for the commute I've tried a few different destinations over the past couple of years.

Blanch Corporate park or Ballycoolin - 35-45mins ..nice drive, busy but not insane.
Blanchardstown center - 45-60mins ..current situation, not too bad..
Eastpoint business park - 60-90mins (m1/swords road) .. slit your wrists kinda traffic ..
Sandyford officepark/industrial estate - 120-150mins (N2,N3,m50)..OMG what the hell was I thinking?? No job is worth that torture.

If you move move to somewhere with LOADS of backroads - find a backroad to the back road and you're sorted.
I have 5 variations of my route to work so it's always an option to turn around and take a backroad if I get stuck.

I do enjoy the time I spend in the car, but I must admit sometimes I come close to thumbing somebody for blocking a roundabout..

[baldtyres]

Yeah, I have a comment, If you move house, move jobs also, DO NOT COMMUTE unless 100% necessary.
There is very little trade off.
Time is limited, do not spend 10-15 hours a week in traffic, this is time that can be spent doing anything better. It is expensive, stressful, soul destroying and life is way too short.
I had to commute daily in Dublin (and a few other european cities) for a good few years and even spent a year travelling from Tramore to Kilkenny (12 wasted hours + per week). Boring & Tedious.
No joke on wet, cold winter nights with road works and/or flooded roads, icy roads or just crap roads.
I know I come accross with a stong point of view on this matter but I had to do it at the time to further my career and dread the day that I'd ever have to do it again.
Remember an hour and a quarter each way per day works out as over 23 full days per year commuting. I know a certain amount of time must be spent travelling anyway but work it out if the commuting time became 2 hours or more each way.
I understand everyones circumstances are different but I know a lot of people who spent quite a lot of time in the past commuting and are of the same opinion as I am.

There- I've said it!

[Dave]

newbridge to dublin commute isn't too bad actually, some mornings can be crap obviously, but generally take less than an hour to get into work and with the N7 being mostly 3 lane the whole way it only takes about half an hour to get home....
a few people from the office have taken the plunge and moved out of dublin...

[Mustang]

I'd be inclined to agree with BT -move house, move job. Commuting is a soul destroying endeavour. If you have a straight run to work, without getting caught in traffic then not too bad. But if you have to drive 3 hrs a day, 1.5 of which is in stop start driving that's just cat.
I know many people who commute from Portlaoise to Dublin, both driving and on public transport. No matter what way you cut it, youre looking at a 12hr day on the round trip. (I realise this is outside your catchment area but just illustrating a point.)
A bigger house, garden, garage, would be nice, but when you don't have the time/energy to enjoy them then it seems pointless.
We'll make a culchie out of you yet CJ!

[CJ]

We'll make a culchie out of you yet CJ!

A culchie - doubtful. A 'dulchie' - possibly (term robbed from 'The Popes Children' on RTE1 last night )

CJ

[Mustang]

A culchie - doubtful. A 'dulchie' - possibly (term robbed from 'The Popes Children' on RTE1 last night )

CJ

Doh! I was meaniiing to watch that last night. Yer man with the double barrel name does like making up those terms alright. -Dulchie
He has a little pigeon hole for everybody.

[pergau]

Don't do it CJ,

I live in Lucan and work in the city centre. When we were buying a house, we looked at Celbridge and Maynooth but eventually decided that although we could get a bigger house, we would have to spend an extra hour or two in the car. and the trade off isn't worth it.

I'm wrecked when I get home and often in a bad mood - from traffic so I count my blessings that I don't have to do another 40Mins driving each way.

[Muad_dib77]

Another aspect to add to the equation is the social life..

when living in the sticks it's not just a matter of popping down to the pub..I practically don't have social life since moving out here..

Ok - I know I was never the most woohah lets go dance on the tables in the pub person whilst living in Ireland..but living out here definately hasn't improved matters.

When I go on the lash I either have to stay at a friends place, book a b&b or pay 100squids for a taxi..(I kid you not!) Having said that I go out in Dublin, not in Drogheda..From Drogheda a taxi is only a tenner, but dear god....those extra 90e are better spent on a taxi than in a Bar in Drogheda..

(Drogheda isn't that bad, it's just that I don't like the place!)

Having said that I do love living outside the city - it's greener out here. Nice wee bit of garden at the back of the house. Fields all around - loads of hills and trees. Very pretty - can't get any of that in the city..