Up

A very attractive town centre, good cultural and sporting facilities and cheaper houses make Portlaoise a safe bet for anyone looking for a change of lifestyle. Most of the major supermarkets are here, including Lidl, the German discount chain. Dunamaise theatre is a wonderful facility and the hub of many of the town's cultural activities. Good schools abound, including the famous Ballyfin College, worth a visit for the grounds alone.

Down

The journey to and from Dublin will add at least three hours to the working day. While there are plans to build a motorway all the way to the city, this could take a few years. Monasterevin and Kildare are notorious bottleknecks according to some drivers; others say the traffic moves freely as far as the Dublin outskirts. Trains come into Heuston station, so there is another bus journey along the quays for most commuters. Schools which are bursting at the seams, and lack of parking, are the main gripes locally.