House prices in Dublin have been on the up for quite some time, but that doesn’t stop plenty of people settling down here. With fantastic career options, bustling nightlife and great public transport, many are willing to bear the high property prices to enjoy a life in Dublin city.
If you’ve recently been house-hunting in Dublin, you’ve likely struggled with figuring out the most cost-effective areas that are still in close proximity to the city. Keep reading for our complete guide for the most affordable areas to buy a house in Dublin.
Average House Prices in Dublin
Dublin is among the most expensive capital cities in the world with regards to housing, and these prices increased by 3.4% in 2021. For example, the upper-middle-class suburbs of Dublin 4 can set you back around €800,000.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of people can’t afford to become homeowners in Dublin and there are a lot of rental properties. However, if you’re reading this article, you’ve presumably saved up enough for a deposit and you’re ready to step on the Dublin property ladder.
If you’re not sure what you can afford right now, consider getting a mortgage in principle from a trusted broker like Trussle. They will run a soft credit check and then check your eligibility with up to 18 different lenders, which will give you an accurate estimate of how much you can borrow. This can narrow your house hunt significantly. But where should you be looking?
Affordable Areas in Dublin City
Thanks to rent pressure zone legislation in Ireland, among other factors, there are a surprisingly large number of affordable areas within close distance to the city.
“Great GAS” (CC BY 2.0) by Cityswift – Ireland
Ballyfermot
A suburb that’s just 7km from the city centre, Ballyfermot is a great place to call home if you want to start a family. There is an abundance of schools, as well as a number of parks, cycling routes and leisure centres to keep little ones entertained; in fact, the famous Phoenix Park is practically on your doorstep.
In Ballyfermot, you can expect to pay around €250,000 for a terraced home.
Finglas
Finglas (situated in North Dublin) is halfway between the city centre and Dublin airport, giving you the best of both worlds – and the best part is that many properties go on the market for less than €200,000. With an Odeon cinema, an indoor challenge area and the famous Finglas Village, you’ll never be short of things to do or places to visit.
Clondalkin
This suburb in the south of Dublin is home to many commuters who work in the city, due to the fact that it’s only 10km away from the centre. Clondalkin offers natural scenery, plenty of walking trails and a thriving retail and leisure scene.
The median price for houses in Clondalkin is currently €260,000.
Overall, buying a house in Dublin doesn’t have to cost you a fortune; if you’re hoping to get on the property ladder soon, you don’t have to give up your dreams of living in Ireland’s capital. As we’ve seen, there are plenty of areas that offer affordable housing, great local amenities, and a very short commute to the city centre.
Feature Image: “Dublin” (CC BY 2.0) by Sean MacEntee
