Go east for value and affordability and a quick link to the city centre

A trio of three-beds are for sale with diverse price tags. Tommy Barker reports

Go east, young men and women, if you want more affordability in a three-bed semi d — and try saving €80,000 in the process.

Estate agent Suzanne Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing has a trio of three-beds, of similar recent vintages, all with C1 BER ratings, but with quite diverse price tags, depending on proximity to Cork city.

First up, the cheapest buy is the three-bed semi at 4, The Meadows in Midleton’s Tir Cluain estate, with a good 16’ by 11’ front room, and an 18’ by 14’ rear kitchen/dining room, giving an all-in floor area of 1,025 sq ft. Well-kept, it’s priced at a very affordable €115,000.

With a similar layout and spec (ie main bath, master bed en suite and guest WC,) but €40,000 dearer is 26 The Pines in Rushbrooke Links, up above the cross-river ferry linking Great Island/Cobh to Glenbrook/Passage West and Monkstown: No 26 The Pines has an even 1,000 sq ft, and a price tag quoted by Cohalan Downing of €154,000.

Scoot up closer to the city, to 36 Ardfield Road, in Grange above Douglas, and a three-bed with marginally more floor area at 1,100 sq ft and a more open plan ground floor layout is guided at €195,000 — making for a series of €40k steps up from Midleton (€115k), to Rushbrooke (€154k), to Grange (€195k). You pays your money, and you makes your choice...

VERDICT: For those doing car/commute cost calculation, it’s worth noting that Rushbrooke and Midleton have commuter rail links to the city.