Commuter town with a country feel

Although a well-established commuter town, Naas has retained its country charm while offering a great outdoors scene, says Paul O'Doherty

HOME TO some 20,000 people, Naas is a phenomenon in Dublin's commuter belt. Rural in its slopping market-town main street and surrounded by wide open green spaces and the talk of horses, its connectivity to urbanity and the jobs market begins every morning and evening with the workforce - some who bought in Naas for a lifestyle change - making the slow grind to and from the capital.

However, and aside from the bogged down traffic and parking in the town, the richness of what it's about is in its people, good pubs, eateries, boutique shops and community spirit that's as alive in its outdoor life as in the passing "hello" on the street.

How's the market?

Colm McEvoy Auctioneers' Sinéad Ross says that while the market "is price-sensitive with potential buyers looking for value, it has bottomed out, or there or there abouts", having dropped by 10 to 20 per cent over 18 months.

Douglas Newman Good's Richard Doyle says the market is down as much as "25 per cent" in places, and although the market is quite, "there is activity".

Into the bricks, a one-bed ground floor apartment at The Court, Bán Na Gréinne, Craddockstown is down €18,000 to €207,000 after two months on the market, while a two-bed first floor apartment with a south-facing balcony at Oakglade, that 12 months ago would have got €330,000, is now on the market for €30,000 less. Around the same price at €295,000, there's a ground floor apartment within walking distance of the town centre at the Garden apartments at the Osprey.

A three-bed semi with a decent back garden at Oakfield Heights is down from a value in 2007 of €315,000 to €285,000, while something more stylish in a quite cul-de-sac at Morell Dale is down from a potential €370,000 12 to 18 months ago to €335,000 today.

Going for a little exclusivity and something to write your own identity on, outside the town at Stephenstown Court there's a five-bed house that looks better to the back - with a large garden - than it does to the front with reception, entertainment and gym rooms inside, that at €1.3 million (down 19 per cent on 2007 prices) would ideally suit Olga, Masha or Irina, tired of their boredom in Chekhov's Three Sisters, opting for life as a Stepford wife.

Incidentally, the slump has also visited the newer developments with builders open to offers even lower than the recent collapses. Two-bed mid-terrace houses at Primrose Gardens are down €50,000 to €299,000 (14 per cent), a three-bed townhouse at Alder Grove is down €50,000 to €349,000 (13 per cent), while a four-bed mid-terrace house at the same scheme is down €41,000 to €399,000 (9 per cent).

And to rent?

Everyone agrees, while prices might be down €100 a month here or there, it's buoyant with continuous movement. Sinéad Ross acknowledges that "it has come back five or 6 per cent" with Wiltshire Property and Lettings Management's Tracey Devlin agreeing "it's still competitive".

Typically, a first floor two-bed apartment at Oakglade, close to most amenities, is between €950 and €1,000 a month, with three-beds adjacent to Naas hospital at Craddockstown looking for €1,100 a month. A four-bed semi in a cul-de-sac at Almer Park seems pricey at €1,350 a month, with six-beds at Stephenstown Court, outside the town, looking at €2,000 a month.

Going out?

While a couple of pubs have closed in recent times, there's still plenty of warm favourites from Kavanagh's to the Thomas Fletcher, with restaurants like the Lemon Tree, La Primavera, The Storehouse, Butt Mullins and Vie de Chateaux all having their supporters. Also, the charms of the Osprey and Killashee hotels pop up in conversation.

Price of a pint

€4.10 in Kavanagh's.

Good for families?

There are places available at Apple Tree Crèche and Montessori at €850 a month full-time. Obviously, it's quite a trek to the national children's hospital. And, while there were problems with school places, Fr Tom McDonnell from Scoil Bhríde's board of management maintains "overall, Naas at the moment has no problem with school spaces", the building of a new 16-classroom primary school "having relieved the pressure" with a drop-off in people coming into the area also responsible. "And, at secondary school level the VEC is building a new community college and that will also help the situation."

What's to do?

Great for the outdoor life with sports from horse racing to GAA. There's also a five-screen Storm cineplex. Plenty of existing and developing retail areas with town shopping centre on the way (Dunnes as anchor), and Tesco and Superquinn moving to new greenfield sites - with Penneys moving into the Superquinn slot on the main street.

Home to . . .

The Oxegen music festival at Punchestown.

Locals say

"For a town so close to Dublin, people enjoy wandering along the main street from shop to shop" (Lucy Dixon).

"The town is badly missing a department store" (Deirdre Coyne).

"The parking is a problem for businesses and customers alike" (The Wine Buff's Peter Donnelly).

"Having the Curragh, Punchestown and Naas racecourses so closeby is a great advantage" (Ollie Gleeson).

"The place is crawling with teachers, guards and Dubs" (Timmy Fitzsimons).