Commuter Town Living: A Smarter Choice for HSCP
Introduction
In the 12 months leading up to April 2025 31,500 Irish citizens returned home to live in Ireland. For the majority of health & social care professionals the decision to move home is often driven by career progression and long term stability. While moving home after having lived abroad for a long period can be exciting, the current housing landscape in Ireland presents some immediate challenges.
Why Commuter Towns are Increasingly Popular
The cost of renting and purchasing a home in cities such as Dublin, Cork & Galway remains high although supply is limited. For health & social care professionals working shifts, burnout and childcare needs can mean increased financial pressure and a longer road to finding suitable housing. As a result, many professionals are looking beyond the city to established Dublin commuter towns such as Kildare, Louth and Wicklow.
Naas, Leixlip & Drogheda have become particularly attractive as commuter towns to Dublin due to their more affordable housing supply and transport links to Dublin.
Commuting & Transport Links
Living in commuter towns offers several benefits including more affordable housing options and a more balanced lifestyle with access to amenities and transport links that facilitate a commute. The average commute to work is now 45 minutes with some even longer, which is why commuter towns in Ireland have become highly sought after.
The Irish rail commuter train operated by Iarnród Éireann connects the best commuter towns around Dublin. The DART runs from Malahide/Howth to Greystones every 10 minutes between 6am and midnight. From Drogheda in County Louth commuters can reach Connolly Station in approximately one hour by rail.
More people have started commuting from various locations such as Louth, Wicklow and Kildare with Newry becoming an up-and-coming destination that provides residents easy access to both Belfast and Dublin. Reliable transport is a one of the most important amentites in commuter towns as it serves as the main method of transport for those working early starts, late finishes or rotating shifts.
Hybrid working has now made it much more feasible for workers to commute to their day to day in the city while avoiding the high costs of rent. Additionally, taxsaver tickets offer up to 52% savings for regular commuters.
Lifestyle & Wellbeing Benefits
Choosing to live outside the city offers health and social care professionals access to green space, coastal walks and quieter residential environments. For those working long or emotionally demanding shifts, returning home to a less congested setting can play an important role in recovery and overall wellbeing.
Smaller towns foster strong community networks, often offering a tight knit community with shorter waiting lists for local schools and easier access to childcare.
Considerations
Commuter towns are growing in popularity and attracting professionals are unable to purchase a home in Dublin, Cork or Galway. However, this increase in reliance on the commuter belt has also put pressure on infrastructure, schools and has a placed strain on the commuter towns to keep up with the increasing populations.
Summary
As the population of Ireland continues to expand as does the burden of housing. The best commuter towns near Dublin provide a the best of both worlds in terms of access to public transport and commuter services. Apps like the TII Journey Planner provide live updates on delays and disruptions to traffic and train times.
At Medforce our HSCP team recruit Health & Social Care Professionals in commuter towns so if you are interested in relocating you can always start your journey by contacting us.
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