Finding a place to live

Right now, it’s a buyers’ market, and that might be good news for you if you’re hoping to buy Cork property for the first time.

Euro for euro, property prices here compare very favourably with Dublin.

Whether you’re looking for a chic studio apartment overlooking the River Lee in the city centre, a comfortable family home with a large garden in one of Cork’s leafy suburbs, or a secluded country retreat in one of the county’s beauty spots, you’ll find there’s plenty on offer.

There’s lots of choice in the rental sector too with dozens of new apartment buildings constructed and refurbished in the city centre over the past few years. And with the Docklands Regeneration Programme just taking off, 6,000 new homes will be added to the city centre housing stock in the coming years.

If you intend to rent, it’s best to get your accommodation organised during the early summer because Cork’s 35,000-strong student population joins the property rental market just before the academic year starts in October.

But whether you’re renting or buying, The Irish Examiner’s property supplement each Saturday will give you a good feel for what’s available across the city and county and the Evening Echo’s “To Let” advertisements list all the latest houses and apartments available in the rental sector.