Neighborhood guide for Dublin
Dublin is a progressive city that is full of beauty, entertainment and culture. There are interesting characters everywhere you go, and there will never be a dull day when you are living in this city. Everything is reasonably close together, and there is a reliable public transport system allowing you to get from A to B. Just like any city, it has its drawbacks, but overall it is one of the best cities in Europe to live in.
The general vibe in Dublin
Dublin is a very welcoming city, and most Irish people will be happy to have a chat with you if you are in a shop or having a pint at a local pub. In the city centre, there is a lot of hustle and bustle, but outside of the city centre people generally are a lot more relaxed when they go about their business.
Some people compare the city to a smaller version of New York. Generally, the people are friendly, the city is cleaner, and the city is smaller than the Big Apple.
The most popular neighbourhoods in Dublin
Ranelagh is one of the most popular areas for young professionals. It is ideally located just on the outskirts of the city centre on the southside. There are many great bars and restaurants in the area, and it has good access to public transport.
Ballsbridge is another area which is ideally located just outside of the city centre. You are close to the sea, and there are a lot of activities to do around the place.
Finally, Sandyford is a popular area to live in as there are plenty of apartments, and it is in the middle of a business and industrial park. Therefore, a lot of workers can live within walking distance of work, as well as having the LUAS line nearby.
Culture
Irish people are very patriotic, and they like to hold onto their traditions. Generally, the further outside of Dublin you go, the more of this you will see.
While Dublin has a large population of non-Irish inhabitants, it still holds onto its unique culture. People spend a lot of time in pubs and bars, as these are meeting places for social gatherings. Irish people also love their song and dance, with traditional music being played in most authentic Irish pubs.
If you had to sum up the culture of Dublin in a single word, it would be 'craic'. Having the craic is a common expression in Ireland, and it means having a fun and enjoyable time with great people. If you are going to Dublin, this is definitely a word you need to have in your vocabulary.
Crime rate in Dublin
Dublin as a whole is a welcoming and friendly city. However, you do need to have your wits about you, or you can be the victim of a mugger. The city centre at night is generally opportunistic, and if you are out walking alone, you may become a target for a robbery or an assault.
Most of the crime is non-violent, but as you get into the early hours of the morning, you may encounter aggression from drunk people. Just like all cities, there are certain areas that you should best avoid. Generally, areas in the north of the city can be a bit dodgy.
If you are vigilant and do not put yourselves into potentially unsafe situations, you should have no trouble when you are living in Dublin. If you are looking to live in a particular area, it is worth checking out the crime statistics in the area for peace of mind.
Parking
Parking in Dublin can be tricky. Most areas in the city will not have free parking. You will usually have a 15-minute grace period after your parking ticket expires before you will be clamped.
Busier areas will be pricier when it comes to parking charges. If you are going into the city centre, a lot of people prefer to take public transport for that reason. Outside of the city centre, parking is generally easy to find and will normally be free when you are not parking in large car parks.
