Swords

The capital's fastest-growing suburb, Swords has a rake of new developments coming on the market each month. Residential rezoning several weeks ago means this trend is sure to continue. New three-bed semis cost between £115,000 and £120,000. Older properties range from £100,000.

Drive time

City Centre: 9 miles

Peak: 65 mins. Off-peak: 25 mins

Roadworks: throughout Main Street, Swords.

Traffic lights and roundabouts: 14-plus.

White-knuckle factor

Roadworks in Swords village and delays at Naul roundabout, gradually building up closer to the city centre.

Bus

Seven buses run from Swords to city centre: the 33, 33B, 41, 41B, 41C, 41X and 43, taking 50-90 minutes to Eden Quay. Most go via Dublin Airport, increasing travel time.

Castleknock

Affluent north Dublin suburb where detached five-bedroom homes change hands for £500,000-plus. Threebed semis in nearby Blanchardstown and Carpenterstown cost from around £130,000.

Drive time

City centre: 5 miles

Peak: 30-40 mins. Off peak: 15 mins

Roadworks: none at present.

Traffic lights and roundabouts: 8-plus.

White-knuckle factor

Traffic, including heavy transport vehicles coming from the west, crossing Frank Sherwin Bridge on to the quays has right of way at Parkgate Street. Very congested along quays.

Train/bus

Castleknock station on Maynooth-Connolly train line, with several trains in the early morning. Station is a good walk from most estates and trains are always very crowded. Only one bus through Castleknock, No 37. Every 20 minutes. Nearly always crowded during morning rush hour by the time it gets to the village; often does'nt stop.