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.
