All you golf aficionados, Dublin is the city of your dreams! With numerous professional golf tournaments, and world-class golf courses, you will certainly find plenty to like in Dublin.
Spread out over three counties in central Ohio, Dublin is a hotbed of finance, headquarters to many large corporations, and a good place for those seeking to further their careers. As part one of the stops on golf’s PGA Tour, the Memorial Tournament is a draw for sport lovers in general, and golf lovers in particular. More than 41,760 people call this thriving suburb home, and why not. The weather is quite predictable, with a median high of 74.3°F in August, and a chilly median of 28.6 °F in February.
Moving to Dublin
Despite the obvious perks of telling people that you live in Dublin, all without having to fill out Irish visas and forms, the cost of living is also decent. It's below the national average, but not by much. While renting a place here won't break the bank, it's also not likely you'll score some huge amazing deal, either. The average rental price is almost twice the average for Ohio, and a little more than the national average. The benefits of living in this city will more than offset this potential cost increase.
Finding an Apartment
There are enough vacant apartments in Dublin to go around, so finding a roof over your head isn't the issue. To find a really good apartment in Dublin however, you must have a solid game plan to help you score that sweet pad. Here are a few tips to get you started.
To Use an Estate Agent or Not
This is a purely personal decision that depends on factors like your resources, your confidence in your ability to find a place on your own, and whether you even have the time to search for an apartment. If you decide to utilize the services of a real estate agent, you will do well to have a list of your top requirements in an apartment. The list will most likely include a budget or price range, your preference in terms of amenities, and other little details peculiar to your taste. On the other hand, you can certainly search for rental housing in Dublin yourself through several means. Look online on reputable real estate sites for listed rental property in Dublin. Make phone calls to property managers to find out the requirements for renting an apartment.
Put in Some Legwork
If you can manage it, you stand to gain a lot by hitting the streets of Dublin in search of hidden gems that may not be advertised online. Even if it is a place online, it never hurts to swing by after you hear about it. Some landlords simply put up a “for rent” sign and rely on word of mouth to fill up a vacant apartment. Who knows, you might find a really good apartment in this way. And chances are, it'll be one with a lot of character, too.
Requirements
Put together an “apartment rental kit” to help facilitate your move, with a rental application form, letter or letters of reference, proof of income (usually your pay stub), and other essential items. Your landlord will also most likely conduct a credit check, in addition to asking for a security deposit, and, if you are accepted, your first month’s rent.
Dublin Neighborhoods
While not the most expensive in the country, Dublin rental property costs are quite high, and the particular neighborhood you chose to live in will undoubtedly affect how much you pay for renting an apartment. Using the $ symbol to represent the value, let's look at the prices in some Dublin neighborhoods.
Jerome: You won't find many apartments in this newer area of town. It's mostly larger homes and townhomes, but it's certainly a developing area and more sprawling apartment complexes are to be expected in the future. Its location on the north side of town may be a drawback for those who plan on commuting south into Columbus on a regular basis.
The Outerbelt to Hayden Run Rd: This large swath of area was the original town border. Today, many people flock to it for the riverfront area. It has more apartment complexes than other sections of town, and it's more densely packed which cuts down on commute time.
Scioto Village: North of the Outerbelt, Scioto Village is a more upscale and expensive neighborhood. If you own golf pants (and not ironically) and you've got the cash to plunk down on a rental here, this might just be your sweet spot. You've got world-class golf just down the road at Muirfield Village Golf Club, and the Outerbelt will take you into Columbus in no time.
Living in Dublin
Much like the stereotypical Irish, Dubliners like to work hard so that they can play hard. Several large corporations -- Nationwide, Verizon Wireless and Quest are just a few -- employee residents, while many more citizens drive into Columbus every day. This group of people like to spend their off-hours fishing, hiking, canoeing and biking the green grass of Ohio. In addition to these activities and the ever-present golf (seriously, even if you don't play, you may want to brush up on a few terms before you load up the U-Haul), are the annual events, like the St. Patrick Day Parade, and the Fourth of July Music Festival.
