One of the most affluent south Dublin suburbs, the area between Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire is the closest we have to a 'stockbroker belt'. Blackrock is five miles from the city centre, running from Booterstown Avenue to Monkstown Road and bounded by the N11/Stillorgan dual carriageway Average house prices:

"You won't find many three-beds for under Euro800,000 in Blackrock, " according to Peter Wyse of Wyse Estate Agents, but it has a good range of housing.

Modern two-bed townhouses start around Euro600,000, while three-bed townhouses range between Euro750,000 and Euro800,000. Mature three-beds cost from Euro900,000 to Euro1.2m, with four-bed semis fetching between Euro1m and Euro1.5m, according to Wyse. The area also has a good selection of trophy houses and modern detached houses fetching anywhere from Euro1.75m/Euro2m to Euro3m/Euro5m, according to Janet Carroll of Savills HOK. There are also a number of apartment schemes where one-beds start from Euro350,000 to Euro450,000 and two-beds from Euro500,000 to Euro800,000 according to agents.

N1 Type of houses:

Blackrock has a good mix of apartments, townhouses and mature three- and fourbed houses, as well as period houses and large, detached houses.

Rental market:

Houses rent extremely well, according to Wyse, with very strong rental growth here, particularly in the last 12 to 18 months. One-bed apartments earn up to Euro1,000 and two-beds between Euro1,500 and Euro1,600. Blackrock also has strong corporate lettings with three-bed houses earning Euro2,000 to Euro4,000 per month.

Most popular streets to live:

Avoca Avenue, Glenart Avenue, Waltham Terrace, Mount Merrion Avenue, Carysfort Avenue, Sydney Avenue and Cross Avenue are the best locations, according to agents.

Transport:

Excellent transport links include a range of buses (114, 115, 17, 45, 46E, 7, 7A, 7N, 8) as well as Dart and easy access to the Stillorgan dual carriageway and the M50.

Amenities:

Part of Blackrock's attraction is its wide range of amenities, including two shopping centres, cafés, bars, restaurants, Blackrock Park, an indoor market - hairdressers, boutiques and office blocks.

Schools:

Several popular and exclusive schools including Sion Hill, Carysfort Avenue National School, St Andrew's College, Blackrock College and Smurfit Business School. It is also within easy reach of UCD and Dun Laoghaire Collge of Art and Design.

Future development plans:

The Monkstown ring road will help ease traffic congestion in the village and the new bus corridor along the Rock Road is now nearing completion, says Carroll.

On the market No 17 Cloister Square, The Cloisters, Blackrock, Co Dublin Price: Euro965,000 Bedrooms: 3 Details: This semi-d is perfect for a growing family with three bedrooms and potential to extend, subject to permission. Laid out over 120sq m (1,300sq ft), accommodation includes a study/of"ce, living room, kitchen/breakfast room with patio doors to rear garden, utility, family bathroom and master bedroom (en-suite). All rooms are generously sized and there's plenty of scope to make your mark on the interior Agent: Savills Hamilton Osborne King, 01-288 5011