Moving to Ballinasloe/Loughrea/Athenry area

[Brokenfurnitureandroses]

Hi.
We live in Dublin but we are considering a move to Ballinasloe/Loughrea/Athenry (not sure which yet). We want to be close to the M6. Just looking for any advice really- where would be best? Where are facilities best eg schools, sports, shops, parks/walking areas, etc? Is it easy to get childminders (3 children under 6). Oh and anything else you can think of!! I would be grateful for any advice at all. The main reasons for thinking about a move are more living space, quality of life and raising children away from potential crime.
Thanks to anyone who can help.

Bumping

Athenry used to be a very rough town but it's changed due to expansion. I'll ask my sister about it. The motorway makes Loughrea very accessible but I'll always remember how it was a well known swingers hot spot back in the 80's. 😂

I live near those places and Loughrea is definitely the nicest. It's got a beautiful lake and a nice main Street with lots of cafes and restaurants and a few shops. There's a lot going on as well, with sports clubs and a great musical society, that kind of thing. It's also very near Portumna which has a fabulous Forest Park and Marina, Shannon boat cruises etc.
I'd definitely steer clear of Ballinasloe, it's completely dead and quite rough. It's a pity as it's a fine big town but nothing going on and a lot of shops are closed now.

Agree that you should steer clear of Ballinasloe, like Drinksangria said it's rather rough. I don't know enough about Loughrea or Athenry to advise between them though.

I’ll pm you @Brokenfurnitureandroses

Those views are very interesting - seems that Loughrea is the winner so far. For property, Ballinasloe seems to be cheaper, then Loughrea, then athenry. We are moving primarily for space, we have a young family (3 boys) and our house feels like it is getting smaller! However, accessibility to Dublin is v important.

Oh and thank you all for your replies so far.

Another voice saying stay clear of Ballinasloe. There's a reason the houses are cheaper.

I know this thread is a bit old but another vote for Loughrea. You have Aldi and a large SuperValu for your main shopping, Tesco do delivery. They have baby groups and if your kids are slightly older there are lots of sport groups (hurling, football, athletics, even a tennis club). Also a very popular drama club. The family resource centre are great for doing events (first aid talks, money management talks, yoga, art classes etc that sort of thing). The main street is lively and clean. There are walkways and a playground by the lake. 30 min drive to Galway city. Limerick and Athlone are both relatively close too with the motorways. You drive less than 10 mins on the connecting road and then straight on the motorway to Dublin. Ballinasloe is awful, rough as anything, steer clear.

Thank you Slomi for your input, it ismuch appreciated. We have certainly decided to steer clear of Ballinasloe and the responses on here have contributed to that decision. In fact, we are now directing our search more towards the athlone area, especially the Roscommon side of it, in the countryside. So if anyone has any input, I’d be delightes to hear it!

Hi

From Ballinasloe originally - can't say I would move back to the town because I like city life too much but feel the need to defend it a bit . Parts of the town are "rough" in terms of a few small housing estates but parts are also really lovely. I depends on your budget and whether you want to be in the town or outside in a one off house and using a small rural national school. Generally down teh country there are lots of bungalows built in the 70's onwards which are in need of updating and which are cheap - if you want a decent garden and are happy to do work over time a very good option. I you are hoping for a big house in walk in condition they can be much pricier than you would think in all of the locations. I would be hesitant to commit to anything in a housing estate which seems cheap without really doing your research in any of the locations you are looking at - same as Dublin really. I think the main driver on house prices is the lack of work locally - Athenry (in particular) and Loughrea are commuter towns for Galway city and thats the primary driver on house prices. Ballinasloe would act more as a commuter town for Athlone - I think your plan to look on the Roscommon side of Athlone is a good one - just be clear how long it will take you to get on the motorway from here you chose as you would need to join at either Ballinasloe or Athlone. For shopping cinema etc from any of your 3 areas you are looking at going into Athlone or Galway city for pretty much anything other than groceries and doing a lot of driving for schools activities etc. Very different to how I live in Dublin. You could be dropping kids 50km to a GAA match across Galway county if they play as my brother does regularly. Access to Athlone is much easier than access to Galway. Parking is much cheaper and there is good shopping in Athlone. Hospital would be Ballinasloe for routine stuff. Not sure if thats all very obvious but if you have any questions let me know.

Huge choice of schools between Roscommon/Athlone. Creche and childminders tend to be busy, I would look at booking places as soon as your move is confirmed as there may be a waiting list. There is lots on Athlone, one of the bigger rural towns. Also some crime but that is every where, even rural areas. Lots of sports/clubs/swimming pools etc.

Superlooper, we were down in athlone today and we were pleasantly surprised by athlone - lots of shops, restaurants, etc. V nice out by Coosan too.
Good tip re childminding - it’s a worry, especially if we move in the middle of the school year.
Im relation to doctors, is it difficult to get in with a practice? We will be private patients apart from the kids under 6.

Worth saying to check and check again for flooding, history of flooding and whether that shiny new build with Dermot Bannon-esque glass box is built on a floodplain. Athenry (and Ballinasloe?) has flooded in the past iirc

GP would be same as creches...all busy and maybe some not taking on new patients but again, lots of options and put your names down as soon as you decide to move.