Areas and suburbs in Dublin

The best places to live in Dublin

As with all cities, the area in Dublin that an expat chooses to live in can completely change their lifestyle.

From the laid-back beaches in North Dublin to the hustle and bustle of city-centre living, there is a number of diverse areas for expats to choose from.

When choosing where to settle in Dublin, expats should consider the area's proximity to their workplace, good schools and public transport. Traffic is surprisingly heavy for such a small city and commutes of an hour or more both ways are not unheard of. 

Seaside areas in Dublin

The southern beaches of Seapoint and onward to Killiney are great places to live. These areas tend to be more expensive than those in the city centre, but there are some beautifully restored Georgian properties for expats who prefer to rent a house rather than an apartment.

One benefit of living close to the beach is being able to walk or swim every morning. Howth and Malahide mark the beginning of the northern beaches. Both the northern and southern beaches are served by the DART, giving residents the option to avoid traffic and take public transport. 

Upmarket suburbs in Dublin

Ranelagh on the south side and Clontarf on the north are popular with expats. They both have good access to public transport, are roughly 10 minutes from the city centre and boast lively nightlife. There are some beautiful houses in these areas too – large enough for any expat who wants a garden, parking and privacy for their family. 

The areas of Ballsbridge and Donnybrook cater for a more settled crowd and most of the embassies are located here. Still, the closer one gets to Baggott Street the more the tempo rises.

City life in central Dublin

Smithfield has been the most desirable area of Dublin for the last decade. Expats should take their time looking at apartments, as not all of the developments here are created equal.

The artsy Light House Cinema, a great gym, an artisan supermarket and plenty of busy bars mean there is little reason to leave. If residents are in the mood to wander beyond this area, the Luas tram line runs through the suburbs and travels to the Heuston and Connolly train stations in the city.