Going to live in Dublin will present you with opportunities and amenities that no other place in Ireland can offer you.
Being the most densely populated place in Ireland the infrastructure and range of services in Dublin is second to none. From an abundance of shops to public transport that will get you just about anywhere.
Dublin has two of the largest sports stadiums in the country that host not only sporting but music events so there is always something going on.
There are museums, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs galore, in fact, everything you would expect to find in a world-class city.
And of course, Dublin is home to the Guinness Distillery, which is reason enough in itself to move to Dublin.
Dublin is a city of two halves, North and South, split as it is by the River Liffey.
So that is how the moving to Dublin guide below will be split, to make it easier for you to decide which half of the city you want to move to.
There is certainly much to attract people to want to move to Dublin but there must be some drawbacks, right?
Here we will offer you 5 pros and 5 cons of relocating to Dublin City.
5 Pros of Moving to Dublin City
#1 Culture
Nowhere else in Ireland will you find such an eclectic mix of cultures.
Dublin attracts people to come to live here from not only all over Ireland but from every corner of the globe.
It is this wonderful mix of people that gives Dublin a vibe and energy that cannot be equaled.
#2 Nature
Not only is Dublin a very green city with many local parks but the stunning Irish scenery and coastline are within easy reach.
So you can have the best of both worlds, city life and the ability to escape to the tranquility of the superb countryside of Ireland.
#3 Education
Ireland is renowned for having very good schools, and Dublin certainly has its fair share of excellent schools as well as four world-class Universities.
#4 History
Everywhere you go in Dublin there is history to discover and some amazing museums to teach you all about your new city in years gone by.
#5 Getting around is easy
Dublin is a fairly compact city, so getting around on foot is easy, and it means all the great things to see and do are never far away.
5 Cons of Moving to Dublin City
#1 Housing is expensive
There is a high demand for, and shortage of, housing in Dublin, and the prices reflect this.
#2 Public transport
Dublin is renowned for not having the most reliable public transport in the world.
Although there is a tram service from the suburbs and a coastal train, buses are less than reliable.
It may also come as a surprise if you have lived in a city before that buses stop around 11.30 at night.
#3 Closing time
If you are expecting a city that stays open 24/7 you are in for a shock.
Most bars close around 12.30, and late-night shopping has not come to Dublin yet.
The city centre is where to head if you are a night owl, but out of the city centre you will find closing time comes early.
#4 Congestion
On match days particularly you will find the traffic horrendous in Dublin and even on a normal day, finding a parking space can be a challenge.
Luckily Dublin is quite a small city so walking is always the easy option.
#5 There is no number 5
Of course, Dublin has its problems, every city in the world does, but speak to any of Dublin’s residents and they will all tell you what a wonderful place Dublin is to live if you can afford it.
You may also like to read: Is Retiring to the City a Good Idea? Dublin is an amazing city to retire to and in this guide, we suggest 16 great reasons why moving to the city in retirement makes good sense.
How Much do Movers Cost?
Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts.
But below are some figures that will help you work out how much your home move may cost when hiring a professional removal company, hiring a man and van service, or moving home yourself.
Average Full-Service Removal Costs Within Ireland
1 bed €490
2 bed €620
3 bed €930
4 bed €1,100
Average Packing Costs For a Home Move
1 bed €225
2 bed €275
3 bed €350
4 beds €450
Average Man and a Van Removal Costs
€25-€30 per hour with aminimum charge of €60
50c per KM
Average Costs to Hire a Van and Move Yourself
Medium van €52
Large van €60
Packing boxes €80 for a 1 bedroom standard house move €80 – €155
medium boxes €4.00
Large boxes €5.00
Wardrobe boxes €18
TV Box €8.00
Hire enough plastic totes for an apartment move for about €140
Postcodes in North Dublin: Dublin 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17
Generally, you will find older but cheaper homes to the north of the River Liffey.
There are some very desirable areas of North Dublin in which to live such as:
Smithfield D7 is within easy walking distance of all of Dublin’s top attractions as well as some great shopping on Henry Street and Grafton Street. Smithfield is also home to the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery.
Stoneybatter D7 is popular with young families and students, and despite being so close to the city centre retains a very Irish village feel about it.
Howth D13, just 15 km from Dublin City centre, Howth is located on the peninsula of Howth Head and is a village that is steeped in history and is popular with tourists who come to sample the locally caught fish.
Clontarf D3, with some highly regarded local schools and a beautiful seafront, Clontarf is a popular choice for families moving to Dublin.
Drumcondra D9, although a bit further out from the city centre, Drumcondra is becoming a very popular area to live in.
Ashtown D15 is popular with families because the houses here tend to have large gardens and prices are slightly lower than a lot of other areas in Dublin.
Blanchardstown D15, is where you will find one of Dublin’s largest shopping centres and is just 10km from Dublin and on the N3 motorway, making this an ideal location for commuters.
Postcodes in South Dublin: Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6W, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24
D2 is probably one of the most sought-after areas to live in Dublin, but housing is in very short supply and those that do come up are very expensive.
Ballsbridge D4 has some very exclusive roads, and prices to match. Just a short stroll from the city centre, there are some large houses set in good-sized gardens in this area.
Dundrum D14 is home to Ireland’s largest shopping centre.
Portobello D8 is a very desirable area of Dublin city to move to. Within walking distance of the city centre, there are many trendy bars and restaurants in this area.
Sandymount, Donnybrook, and Ballsbridge in D4 are very picturesque places to live in.
D8 is further away from the city centre but has lots of local amenities.
D6, around the areas of Rathgar, Ranelagh, and Rathmines is much sought after, and prices and availability are reflected in this. But you will be within walking distance of the city centre and there are some great bars and restaurants in this area. Dartmouth Square in Ranelagh is a beautiful park just off the main street. Rathmines was recently voted one of the top places to live in Ireland.
What is the Cost of Living in Dublin?
It is estimated that the average family of 4 would need of income of €3,732 per month excluding rent or mortgage payments.
A single person would need an income of €1,080 per month excluding rent or mortgage repayments.
The cost of living in Dublin data taken is from www.numbeo.com where you can also view the regularly updated cost of everyday items in Dublin.
You may also like to read: 10 Sneaky Ways to Cut the Cost of Moving Home. Moving home is never cheap so in this guide, we suggest 10 slightly unusual ways of saving money during your home move.
Going to University in Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
How many students study in Dublin? Around 120,000 students come to study in Dublin, with about 25,000 of those students coming from overseas.
With so many students living here, it is no surprise that Dublin is well set up to deal with all your needs as a student.
There is a vast selection of bars and restaurants, museums, art galleries, music venues, culture, history, and of course some wonderful places to go if you enjoy the outdoor life.
Dublin is a fairly small city and is easy to get about on foot while there is also a comprehensive public transport service in the city centre.
Don’t forget to pick up your student travel card from the student union which will entitle you to not only discounted travel but discounts at lots of stores and eateries within Dublin.
Dublin is a notoriously expensive city in which to live, and accommodation is hard to find, so in the university guides below you will find some useful links to help you find somewhere to rent whilst you study here.
You may also like to read: How to Move Into a Shared House. In this guide, we offer some tips to make moving into a shared home easier and cheaper.
Dublin has four universities:
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin is home to Ireland’s oldest and largest library and is Dublin’s oldest university dating back to 1592.
The campus is located on College Green, right in the heart of the city so you will never be far from all that Dublin city has to offer its students.
So as you by now know, moving to Dublin is an exciting prospect, but as with any home move, finding a good removal company to safely move you and your precious possessions will take careful planning and research.
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