Greystones

Fine old houses and a village bursting with character, make up the heart of Greystones. Relatively new three-beds on the outskirts of the vilage range from £140,000. Four-and five-bed detached new homes cost between £220,000 and £350,00. Period homes start around £200,000.

Drive time

City centre: 18

60-90 mins. Off-peak: 45 minutes.

Roadworks: Leopardstown, where the road widening seems to have ceased and the traffic cones have become permanent.

Traffic lights and roundabouts: over 35.

White-knuckle factor.

Peak-time bottlenecks in Kilmacanogue, Lough linstown, White's Cross, Leopardstown and Donnybrook.

DART/train/bus

The DART starts at Bray so it's initially empty, taking 45 minutes to Tara Street. Two trains run from Greystones in the morning - the 7.50 and 9.37. Feeder buses from Greystones to Bray train station at 7.05 a.m., 7.25, 8, 8.10 and 9 a.m. The DART is extending to Greystones in late 1999.

Enniskerry

One of Wicklow's most popular film locations, this picturesque, rustic village has a decidedly upmarket feel, with its cosy shops, restaurants, gourmet food and wine shops and Powerscourt estate and golf course. In recent years, it has seen considerable development. A good selection of old and new homes are available. New four or five-bed detached houses start at £350,000 to £435,000. Older homes of the same size range from £750,000 to £2 million. There are very few cottages and bungalows available, but they range between £120,000 to £140,000.

Drive time

City Centre: 13 miles

Peak: 45-60 mins. Off-peak: 35 mins

Roadworks: Stillorgan dual carriageway, White's Cross.

Traffic lights and roundabouts: 16-plus.

White-knuckle factor

Long tailbacks from White's Cross traffic lights with on-going roadworks.

DART/bus

Nearest DART stations are at Shankill and Bray. Feeder bus service from Enniskerry to Bray station. No secure car-parking is available at the stations. A single bus route, the 44 to Hawkins Street, takes 60-80 minutes.

Dalkey

House prices are increasing at a rapid rate in fashionable Dalkey. Modern three-bedroom terraced homes now cost around £240,000; larger family homes cost in the region of £400,000 to £600,000, while period seaside houses fetch upwards of £1 million.

Drive time

City Centre: 8 miles

Peak: 60-80 min. Off-peak: 25 mins

Roadworks: New pipe-laying works along Dun Laoghaire sea front.

Traffic lights and roadworks: 17-plus.

White-knuckle factor

Traffic build up through Dun Laoghaire and Monkstown from the ferries. Rock Road congested regularly each day.

DART/bus

DART takes 25 minutes to city centre. Bus: Number 8 takes 45 minutes to 60 minutes to reach the city centre.