This tidy north Dublin seaside village with rural roots boasts many fine restaurants and pubs. Residents enjoy sailing and horse riding, as epitomised by the locale's most famous family, the Haugheys, of nearby Kinsealy. As a long-established community, most houses are older but developments on the Swords Road mean new houses are also available. Three-bed semis range from £150,000 to £175,000. Four-bed houses on the waterfront start at £250,000.

Drive time

City Centre: 12 miles.

Peak: 54 mins. Off-peak: 20 mins.

Roadworks: Artane roundabout.

Traffic lights and roundabouts: 27

White-knuckle factor

Heavy congestion at Artane roundabout and Collins Avenue/Malahide Road junction.

Train/bus

Trains take about 20 mins to reach city centre. Two buses, the 32A, 42 take 40-60 minutes.