Moving to Dublin with children changes the question from "where is fun" to "where can we get a school place, a garden, a park and a commute that does not eat the evening". This guide walks through the suburbs that families in Dublin consistently choose, what each one offers, and what a family-sized home costs there right now. Rent figures come from the Daft.ie Rental Report for the second quarter of 2026 (published August 2026) and the RTB Rent Index for the first quarter of 2026, so treat them as a snapshot rather than a promise.
What to weigh up before you pick an area
Also consider the type of school your family wants. Most primary schools are Catholic-patron national schools, but every area now has Educate Together (multi-denominational) and Gaelscoil (Irish-language) options, and secondary school choice is wider again. Citizens Information explains how enrolment works.
North side favourites
Clontarf and Raheny (Dublin 3 and Dublin 5) sit on Dublin Bay with the seafront promenade, Dollymount Strand and St Anne's Park, one of the largest parks in the city with playgrounds, a rose garden and weekend markets. Both are on the DART, about 10 to 15 minutes from Connolly. Rents are high but you get established schools and a real village feel.
Malahide and Portmarnock in north County Dublin are the classic family choice: a marina, the beach, Malahide Castle demesne with its playground and fairy trail, and a DART ride of roughly 25 minutes to Connolly. Expect to compete for houses here; supply is tight.
Castleknock (Dublin 15) borders the Phoenix Park, which at over 700 hectares is the largest enclosed urban park in Europe, with the zoo, playgrounds and endless cycle routes. It has well-regarded primary and secondary schools and rail at Castleknock and Coolmine stations on the Maynooth line.
Swords is cheaper than the coast, has a large stock of three and four-bedroom houses, several new schools and quick bus access to Dublin Airport. It has no rail yet, so check bus times for your workplace.
South side favourites
Dundrum and Rathfarnham (Dublin 14 and 16) combine strong schools with Marlay Park (about 300 acres of woodland, playgrounds and a Saturday market) and the Luas Green Line, roughly 15 minutes from Dundrum to St Stephen's Green. Rathfarnham also has St Enda's Park and Bushy Park.
Blackrock, Stillorgan and Booterstown in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are close to the sea, the DART and a dense cluster of primary and secondary schools. This is the most expensive local authority in Dublin for new tenancies, so budget accordingly.
Lucan and Adamstown in west Dublin offer newer, larger houses at lower rents, with Adamstown and Kishoge stations on the Kildare line and a new community college. Many families trade a longer commute for an extra bedroom here.
What a family home costs by area
The table shows average asking rents for family-sized homes in the Daft.ie Q2 2026 report, split by Daft's Dublin regions. Percentages are the year-on-year change.
| Dublin region (Daft.ie, Q2 2026) | 2-bed house | 3-bed house | 4-bed house |
| City Centre | €2,579 (+3.7%) | €3,203 (+2.5%) | €3,996 (+7.6%) |
| North Dublin City (Clontarf, Raheny, Drumcondra) | €2,617 (+11.9%) | €3,119 (+10.2%) | €3,771 (+7.2%) |
| South Dublin City (Rathmines, Rathfarnham, Terenure) | €2,779 (+4.8%) | €3,464 (+2.2%) | €4,531 (+8.7%) |
| North County (Malahide, Swords, Portmarnock) | €2,353 (+8.0%) | €2,803 (+7.5%) | €3,717 (+13.4%) |
| South County (Dundrum, Blackrock, Stillorgan) | €2,781 (+8.7%) | €3,525 (+6.7%) | €4,346 (+7.2%) |
| West Dublin (Lucan, Castleknock, Tallaght) | €2,340 (+7.7%) | €2,889 (+12.6%) | €3,436 (+7.4%) |
For context, the RTB Rent Index for Q1 2026 puts the standardised average rent for a new tenancy at €2,629 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, €2,301 in Dublin City, €2,269 in Fingal and €2,267 in South Dublin. Existing tenants pay noticeably less, which is why families who find a good house tend to stay put.
Practical tips for a family move
- Apply to schools before you have an address if you can; many accept applications for the following September from early autumn.
- Ask the letting agent whether the property is a "family let". Some landlords prefer families for longer tenancies, which can work in your favour.
- Check the Dublin Bus, Luas and DART journey planner from the actual door of the house, not the suburb name.
- Look for a home within walking distance of a primary school; the school run in Dublin traffic is a daily cost people underestimate.
- Register your children with a GP as soon as you arrive. Children under 8 are entitled to a free GP visit card.
