Starter homes: Cork City €200,00/235,000

Size: 1,100/950 sq ft

East or west? Broadly similar homes within the reach of first-time buyers are listed with agents Cohalan Downing in Bishopstown in the western suburbs, or Victoria Avenue in the east.

Dearer of the two, and the smaller, is the O’Brien and O’Flynn-built mid-terraced townhouse at 16 Rochelle Park (pic right), a three-bed with 950 sq ft.

Agents Cohalan Downing guide at €235,00o, and say that while it’s in pretty good order, it could do with a bit of updating. It’s by a green, with off-street parking, has a small walled back garden and routes back to town are via the Boreenmanna Road, or the Old Blackrock Road. It has a living room, lounge, kitchen/breakfast room and guest WC, with main bath and three beds upstairs.

Across the city at Bishopstown, No 22 Woodhaven guides at €200,000, and has one of its three bedrooms en suite, with a bright glazed rear dining area off the kitchen. It too has two ground floor receptions, and like No 16 Rochelle, one of these rooms is billed as an optional fourth bedroom by Cohalan Downing.

VERDICT: You pays you money and you takes your choice.