On Forest Road in Swords, Ridgewood has proved very popular, particularly with first-time buyers, since its initial launch a few years ago.

A new neighbourhood development close to the centre of town, this development has its own medical centre, Tesco Express, and 'Bright Horizons' creche on-site, while nearby Swords is a busy hub with dozens of shops, restaurants, a supermarket, banks and a large shopping centre.

Fingal County Council have their state-of-the-art headquarters in the town, and there are several primary and secondary schools, while a new 11-screen cinema is due to open this Autumn.

The overall development comprises a mix of houses and apartments, all laid out in small cul-de-sacs and courtyards. A lot of emphasis has gone into landscaping and, with most of the homes sold and occupied, Ridgewood has a nice settled look, which can be difficult to achieve in new residential schemes.

Just opposite Forrest Little golf club, these homes also benefit from being so close to a large green area, giving the setting a slightly rural look.

And included in the development is a six-acre open space with two playing fields.

About 10 miles north of Dublin city, Swords is less than 15 minutes drive from the airport, and is a short drive from the seaside villages of Malahide, Rush and Skerries. The town has a good bus service and is just off the M50.

The apartments on offer in this phase are well finished and have good internal space.

Accommodation includes a hall, kitchen with open-plan living/dining area, bedrooms and bathrooms.

One-beds are larger than average at 59sq m (640sq ft), while two-beds are also spacious, averaging 90sq m (970sq ft), and three-beds are around 97sq m (1050sq ft).

All units come with natural gas central heating, large balconies and terraces, contemporary cream gloss kitchens with oak block worktops, floor and wall tiling and fitted wardrobes. Penthouse apartments come with Llano oak kitchens with grey fog worktops and private roof terraces. All units include parking, while some apartments also include storage facilities.

Price: one-beds from 259,000, two-beds from 310,000 and threebeds from 350,000.

Agent: Hooke & MacDonald 016318402 and Morton & Flanagan 01-8404011.