West Living Case Studies

Mary says that she decided to relocate to the Northwest because she wanted to get away from the traffic in Dublin, she wanted a better environment for her son to grow up in where he would be able to learn in smaller classes and schools, and where it would be less expensive to buy a house, eat out, and enjoy other aspects of life.

“I love the countryside, walking and spending time at the beach.    And I could not believe how reasonable the price of property is here!  I bought a 400-year-old stone farmhouse in a wonderful peaceful setting for less than half the cost of a suitable house in Dublin.  I have a large garden and private parking which I didn’t have in Dublin,” says Mary. “Eating out, drinking, socializing, joining a gym, activities my son takes part in - all cost less than in Dublin.”

Another advantage of moving that Mary cites is that there is no traffic for her 10-minute commute between work and her countryside home.  “I feel this is the perfect work life balance; a rewarding and challenging career with a multinational company combined with a tranquil and peaceful living environment.”

“When I moved here, I missed some of my friends in Dublin, and it took my son a while to get used to having cows and sheep living next door rather than his friends.  My friends from Dublin now use the Donegal airport sometimes to visit me.  Also, the roads to Dublin and Galway have improved greatly in the past nine years putting each city just a little over three hours drive away” says Mary.

Her son is now 17 years old and Mary feels that he has a better quality of life than he would have had in Dublin. “He goes to an excellent school and gets the bus from very near the house.  This arrangement is very easy for us both,” Mary says.

“There are beautiful places to walk and picnic all around where I live, that we really enjoy in the summer. I can walk out my front door and go for a walk through lovely country boreens,” she adds.  

On childcare Mary says, “I had no problem at all.  When I moved here nine years ago my son started immediately in the primary school which was about a mile from my house.  It is a wonderful little country school with just three teachers. He is now in his final year in Loreto Community School in Milford and I am really pleased with the education he is receiving and the ethos of the school.  It is one of the most modern schools in the country with all the latest technology and a canteen offering healthy lunches.  I’m very pleased with the facilities, the quality of education and dedication of the teachers.

Mary and her son enjoy many leisure and social amenities including the cinema, bowling, theatre, restaurants, pubs, gyms, sports clubs, swimming pool, night clubs etc.  Outside the town, there are other amenities in the locality including horse racing, riding schools, water sports, hill walking, golf etc and Mary considers that they are more convenient than in Dublin.

Summing up Mary says “I am really pleased that I moved.  I feel I have a much better quality of life as a result. I did enjoy spending time in Dublin and I would never regret it, but the city was just getting too expensive and too busy for me.”