If you’ve checked out our previous article Is Limerick a Good Place to Live, you probably already know that it’s a great city to consider moving to. It’s generally considered a safe place to live, has a more affordable cost of living compared to Dublin, and has easily accessible transportation options.
But now begs the question, where exactly is the best place to live in Limerick? In this article, we’ll help you figure that out, and also give you other neighborhoods in Limerick you might want to consider.
Where is the best place to live in Limerick?
While there are many good areas to settle down, Limerick City Center stands out as the best place to live in Limerick.
Not only is it safe, but it also offers accessible transportation, plenty of attractions, a variety of shopping options, a vibrant nightlife culture, and is home to a renowned university.
To give you a better idea, let’s dive into each of the reasons why the city center is the best place to live!
Accessible Transportation Links
One of the biggest advantages of living in Limerick City Center is the convenient access to public transport.
Firstly, getting around Limerick is easy thanks to the city’s well-planned bus routes. You’ll find plenty of bus stops that can take you to not only different areas in the city center but also the surrounding suburbs.
If you’re coming from People’s Park, it’s just about a 10-minute walk to Limerick Bus Station (also known as Colbert Station), where major bus services like Bus Éireann, Eurobus, and Dublin Coach operate.
Secondly, intercity travel is seamless. From Colbert Station, you can board a train to Limerick Junction, where connections to Dublin, Galway, Cork, and other major cities are available. The journey to Limerick Junction takes around 30 minutes.
For international travel, Shannon Airport is just a 30-minute ride from Colbert Station and offers flights to the US, the UK, and other European destinations.
Safe and Peaceful Environment
Limerick City Center is relatively safe and peaceful, with a lower crime rate (crime index of 40.06) compared to Dublin (52.44), making it a good place to live in. Visible police presence, strategically placed CCTV cameras, and well-lit areas contribute to a sense of security.
However, like any city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded tourist areas.
While the city center experiences typical urban activity like heavy traffic and bustling streets during peak hours, it’s generally more relaxed than Dublin.
Plenty of Attractions to Explore
There are numerous attractions in the city center, ranging from historical landmarks like King John’s Castle to cultural hubs like the Hunt Museum.
Perfect for an afternoon stroll or picnic, People’s Park is an ideal spot to relax. Located near Colbert Station, it’s a convenient place to unwind before catching a bus or train.
Next to People’s Park, the Limerick City Gallery of Art showcases an impressive collection of contemporary artwork from local and international artists—great for inspiration or a reflective moment.
Located where the River Shannon and River Abbey meet, Arthur’s Quay Park offers scenic river views. From here, you can start the Three Bridges Walking Route, which crosses Thomond Bridge, Sarsfield Bridge, and Shannon Bridge, providing fantastic riverfront vantage points.
Range of Shopping Options
Limerick city center offers easy access to shopping, with a variety of malls, shops, and boutiques to choose from. You won’t have to travel so far to get what you need as these options are basically within reach.
A popular shopping destination is the Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre, conveniently located right across Arthur’s Quay Park. There, you can buy a wide range of products, including clothing, food, accessories, electronics, and so on, which makes it a one-stop shop for your daily needs.
Alternatively, you can head over to Dunnes Stores at Harvey’s Quay, which also offers a variety of choices for your personal needs, including groceries, clothing, and cosmetics.
If you’re in the mood for some leisurely window shopping without a specific destination in mind, take a stroll along O’Connell Street. You’ll find a mix of international and local clothing stores such as Penneys and Brown Thomas, as well as a variety of fast food joints, cafes, restaurants, and more.
Lastly, you’ll definitely find yourself frequently visiting the famous Milk Market, where you can buy fresh, high-quality groceries, ranging from meat and cheese to bread and fruits and vegetables. At this weekend market, you’ll also get to talk to friendly vendors and ask questions to learn about the products they’re selling.
Vibrant Nightlife Culture
You think only Galway and Dublin have a vibrant nightlife scene?
In Limerick city center alone, there are plenty of options for night owls and partygoers to make the most of the night, and where you can also meet locals and make new friends.
One of the most popular pubs in Dublin (and the oldest one at that) is JJ Bowles Pub, located just a few minutes’ walk from Thomond Bridge. On the opposite end of the bridge, you’ll find another notable pub called the Katy Dalys Heritage Pub and Kitchen, with an interesting exterior design that you won’t miss.
Other pubs worth visiting include Dolan’s Pub and Restaurant and Nancy Blakes, both of which are renowned for regularly featuring live Irish music performances.
In terms of nightclubs, you also have a lot of options, one of which is the bright and loud Angel Lane nightclub, located on Robert Street. You can also head over to Amber nightclub or the suave Opium @ 101.
What are the best neighborhoods to live in Limerick?
Living in the city center isn’t always feasible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find other great places to live. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods to live in Limerick that you might want to consider.
Castletroy
Castletroy is a suburban area located not that far – around 5 kilometers east – from Limerick City Center. It is home to the world-renowned University of Limerick, making it a good place to live if you are pursuing your studies there.
Because of its proximity to the university, you can expect a lot of amenities that cater to students, including shops, bars, and cafes.
Annacotty
Annocotty, located on the east side and neighboring Castletroy, is a quiet and peaceful suburb you should consider if you want to get away from the bustling urban life. There, you can appreciate the picturesque countryside and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.
A great advantage of living in Annacotty is that you’ll have the Annacotty Business Park nearby, where you can find work opportunities without having to travel far. Apart from that, the area also boasts several shops and restaurants worth visiting.
Dooradoyle
Dooradoyle, located just a bit further from the city center on the south-west, is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Limerick due to proximity to essential amenities.
The University of Hospital Limerick, one of the largest acute care hospitals in Ireland, is located here. On top of that, the Crescent Shopping Centre, one of Ireland’s largest shopping centers, is located in this area and offers a range of shops, restaurants, and a cinema.
Moreover, the area is highly accessible via public transport and major roads like the M7 motorway and N18 national road, making it easier to travel to other destinations like Dublin and Galway.
Monaleen
Situated south of Castletroy, Monaleen is considered to be one of the most family-friendly suburbs because of the many available amenities suitable for families and children.
One of which is Monaleen Park which provide ample outdoor space for children to play and explore. In addition, there are several schools in the area, such as Monaleen National School and Niki O Connell Montessori School.
Caherdavin
Caherdavin, located north of the city center, is rich in amenities, including Thomond Park and The Gaelic Grounds, both renowned sports venues. The area also boasts excellent educational institutions like TUS (formerly LIT), Thomond College, Ardscoil Rís, and the private Villiers School.
The local Na Piarsaigh GAA Club is a community hub for sports enthusiasts. Caherdavin also benefits from its proximity to River Shannon, making it ideal for leisurely walks and picnics.
The Haymarket
The Haymarket is a neighbourhood in Limerick that’s easily within easy walking distance of the city center. It’s no wonder why both professionals and families prefer to live here.
What’s great about the neighborhood is its excellent transport links. You can take advantage of the regular bus services or easily access major roads, which means that you can quickly get to all the amenities, attractions, and nightlife that the city center has to offer.