About 19kms south of Dublin, in northeast Wicklow, Bray stretches along the coast from Shankill to Greystones. Nearby neighbourhoods include Dalkey, Killiney, Glenageary and Dun Laoghaire.

Average house prices:

According to estate agent Brian Dempsey of DNG, Bray is one of the few places so close to Dublin that you can still get a house for under the stamp duty cut-off of 317,500. "A modern three-bed costs anything between 450,000 and 600,000, while a period house in Bray will set you back between 1m and 1.5m, and a fourbed bungalow in somewhere like Ardmore Wood costs between 580,000 and 600,000, " says Dempsey. Elsewhere twobed terraced houses in North Bray in somewhere like Wolf Tone Square cost around 375,000, while two-bed modern apartments sell for 380,000 plus.

Type of houses:

Bray has some of the finest Victorian and Edwardian houses in the country, particularly on Strand Road, Meath Road and Sidmonton Road. The town has a few estates of three and four-bed semis, dating back to the late '60s and early '70s, such as Charnwood. There are new apartments in developments like Kilmantain Park, 1930s terraces, former local authority houses, and cottages in Bray town dating back to the early 20th century.

Best streets to live in:

The most elegant and expensive roads include Meath Road, Thornhill Road, Strand Road and Sidmonton Road, where a period house in good condition will cost 1.5m-plus. But for those on lower budgets looking for something more contemporary, the Old Conna Wood estate, built about 11 years ago is one of the most sought-after developments in the area. Three-bed houses sell for around 600,000-plus while four-beds go for between 760,000 and 780,000.

Rental market:

Rents in Bray are strong, owing to its seaside location and good transport links.

A two-bed, two-bath apartment in Riversdale on Upper Dargle Road, currently rents for 1500 per month, while a three-bed semi in the Swanbrook development, achieves a similar rent of 1500 per month. Three-beds in the Brookwood estate rent for 1300 per month, while four-bed redbricks on Meath Road get about 3000 per month. A sixbed, eight-bath detached house of 8,500sq ft on Thornhill Road, complete with pool, is on the market for 9,000 per month.

Transport:

Good bus service, including routes 84 and 185, and Dart to the city centre.

Amenities:

Mermaid Arts Centre incorporating a cinema and theatre, Barracuda seafood restaurant, Royal Hotel & Leisure Centre, and Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre.

Schools:

Gaelscoil Ui Cheadaigh na Deargaile, Bray School Project NS, St Andrew's NS, St Gerard's Junior School, St Patrick's Loreto Primary, St Peter's NS, Bray Senior College, Colaiste Raithin, Loreto Secondary School, Presentation College, St Gerard's, St Killian's Community School.

Future development plans:

An Bord Pleanala has recently granted permission for a 60m shopping centre.

On the market No 3 Conna Wood Green, Bray, Co Wicklow
Price: 535,000 Bedrooms: Three Details: This charming three-bed semi comes to the market in excellent condition and is ready to walk into. Accommodation comprises a hall, guest WC, living room, kitchen cum dining room, three bedrooms, bathroom and one en-suite. The property has offstreet parking, a landscaped front garden and large back garden with deck, pebbled area and flowerbeds
Agent: Douglas Newman Good 01-286 7625