Introduction
The decision to move home represents one of life’s most significant transitions. Whether relocating within the same neighborhood, moving across the city, or venturing to surrounding counties, each move tells a story of changing needs, evolving priorities, and new beginnings.
At Expert Removals, we’ve witnessed firsthand the ebb and flow of Dublin’s residential mobility patterns, and we’re fascinated by the forces shaping our city’s dynamic housing landscape.
In 2024, Dublin’s residential mobility scene has been characterized by remarkable trends that reflect broader economic, social, and demographic shifts.
Understanding these patterns isn’t just academically interesting – it’s essential knowledge for anyone considering a move in today’s complex housing market.
This comprehensive analysis explores the key trends, driving factors, and implications of residential mobility in Dublin throughout 2024, offering valuable insights for homeowners, renters, and families planning their next move.
The Big Picture: Dublin’s Mobility in Numbers
Our analysis of multiple data sources reveals that approximately 53,000-62,000 household moves involving Dublin occurred in 2024. This represents roughly 10-12% of Dublin households experiencing some form of residential mobility during the year – a significant portion of our city’s population on the move.
These moves can be broken down into several key categories:
Property Purchases
Approximately 13,644 household moves occurred through property purchases in Dublin during 2024.
This figure, derived from Central Statistics Office (CSO) data, represents families and individuals who bought homes and relocated within the ownership sector. Interestingly, this number reflects a 14% decrease compared to 2023, indicating changing dynamics in Dublin’s property market.
Rental Mobility
The rental sector saw the highest volume of movement, with an estimated 25,000-30,000 household moves in 2024. This substantial figure highlights the inherent flexibility of renting, but also reflects the challenges of securing long-term rental accommodation in Dublin’s competitive market.
For many Dubliners, particularly younger adults and newcomers to the city, the rental journey involves multiple moves before finding the right long-term solution.
New Housing Occupancy
Approximately 10,000-12,000 new households moved into newly completed dwellings in Dublin during 2024. This category represents a positive development in addressing housing supply challenges, with new construction creating opportunities for fresh starts in brand-new homes.
However, as our analysis shows, this supply still falls short of meeting overall demand.
Outward Migration to Commuter Counties
An estimated 5,000-7,000 households relocated from Dublin to surrounding commuter counties in 2024.
This growing trend reflects the search for affordability and space, with families increasingly willing to trade proximity to the city center for larger homes and gardens in counties like Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow.
What’s Driving Dublin’s Moving Patterns?
Behind these numbers lie compelling stories and powerful motivations. Our analysis identifies several key factors driving residential mobility in Dublin during 2024:
1. The Affordability Challenge
Housing affordability remains the single most influential factor in Dublin’s residential mobility patterns. With Dublin’s median house price reaching €462,000 in 2024 – 34% higher than the national median of €345,000 – many households are making difficult decisions about where they can afford to live.
This price pressure is particularly evident in the substantial movement from Dublin to commuter counties, where families can often secure larger homes for significantly lower prices.
The 10.8% increase in Dublin property prices during 2024 has only intensified this affordability challenge, pushing more households to consider options beyond the city boundaries.
Within Dublin itself, price differentials between regions also drive significant mobility. The substantial gap between median prices in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (€635,000) and Fingal (€430,000) creates natural migration patterns as households seek value while balancing location preferences.
2. Space and Lifestyle Priorities
The post-pandemic era has brought lasting changes to how we view our homes. Many Dublin households are prioritizing additional space, home offices, and outdoor areas – features that can be challenging to find or afford within the city.
This shift in priorities has accelerated the movement to Dublin’s outer suburbs and commuter counties, where larger properties are more attainable.
For families with children, the search for suitable space often coincides with school considerations, creating distinct mobility patterns around school catchment areas and family-friendly neighborhoods.
At Expert Removals, we’ve noticed a clear increase in families moving to areas with strong educational options and community amenities.
3. Work Flexibility and Commuting Patterns
The normalization of remote and hybrid work arrangements continues to influence where Dubliners choose to live. With less need to commute daily to city center offices, many households are prioritizing housing quality and affordability over proximity to work.
This trend has expanded the geographic range of viable housing options, contributing to the strong outward movement to commuter counties.
However, it’s worth noting that good transport connections remain important, with areas along major transport corridors seeing particularly strong demand.
4. Life Stage Transitions
Life events and transitions continue to trigger many moves within Dublin. Our analysis shows that the 25-44 age group represents the largest segment of movers, aligning with key life transitions such as relationship formation, family expansion, and career advancement.
First-time buyers accounted for approximately 35.3% of property purchases nationally, suggesting around 4,800 first-time buyer moves in Dublin – each representing an important step on the property ladder and often marking significant life transitions.
Geographic Patterns: Where Dubliners Are Moving
Dublin’s residential mobility shows distinct geographic patterns that reveal much about the city’s evolving landscape:
Within Dublin
Internal mobility within Dublin represents the largest component of overall movement, with approximately 40,000 household moves occurring within the city’s boundaries. These moves follow several patterns:
- Movement from rental to ownership, often involving a change of neighborhood
- Upsizing for growing families, typically moving outward from central areas
- Downsizing for empty nesters, frequently moving to well-connected, amenity-rich locations
- Sideways moves to similar properties in preferred school catchment areas
Areas with significant new housing development naturally experience higher rates of in-migration, while central Dublin areas with high rental concentrations see greater turnover and mobility.
Dublin to Commuter Counties
The movement from Dublin to surrounding counties has intensified in 2024, with Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow being the primary destinations.
This pattern is predominantly driven by families seeking larger homes at more affordable prices, with good transport connections back to Dublin remaining a key consideration.
Of the 32,695 new homes completed nationally in 2023, close to six in ten were in Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, and Wicklow, reflecting the strong demand in these areas and facilitating this outward mobility trend.
International Mobility
Dublin’s position as Ireland’s primary international gateway means it experiences significant international mobility. Approximately 42,000 people moved to Dublin from abroad in 2024, creating substantial demand for housing, particularly in the rental sector.
This international dimension adds complexity to Dublin’s housing market and contributes to the city’s vibrant, diverse character.
At Expert Removals, we’ve seen a notable increase in international relocations, each bringing unique requirements and expectations to the moving process.
What This Means for Dublin Movers in 2025
For Dublin households considering a move in 2025, these trends offer valuable insights for planning and decision-making:
Timing Matters
With property transactions showing seasonal patterns and new housing completions following predictable cycles, timing can significantly impact moving experiences. Based on 2024 patterns, spring and early summer remain the busiest periods for residential mobility, with potential implications for service availability and pricing.
Budget Realistically
The continuing rise in Dublin property prices means that budget expectations need regular recalibration. Households planning moves within the ownership sector should account for the 10.8% annual price increase when setting expectations about what their budget can secure.
Consider the Full Spectrum of Options
The distinct mobility patterns between Dublin regions and to commuter counties highlight the importance of considering a wide geographic range when planning a move.
Areas that might initially seem too distant may offer compelling value propositions when factoring in housing quality, space, and overall lifestyle benefits.
Plan for Competitive Rental Markets
With rental mobility accounting for 25,000-30,000 moves, the rental market remains highly competitive. Prospective renters should prepare accordingly, with strong documentation, quick decision-making capabilities, and realistic expectations about the search process.
How Expert Removals Supports Dublin’s Movers
At Expert Removals, we understand that behind every moving statistic is a household navigating one of life’s most significant transitions. Our services are designed to support Dublin movers through every aspect of this journey:
Tailored Solutions for Every Move Type
Whether you’re moving within Dublin, relocating to a commuter county, or arriving from abroad, our team offers customized solutions that address the specific challenges of your move type.
From apartment moves in the city center to family home relocations in the suburbs, we bring specialized expertise to every situation.
Flexible Scheduling
Understanding the seasonal patterns of Dublin’s residential mobility allows us to offer flexible scheduling options that accommodate peak periods while maintaining our commitment to personalized service. Our capacity planning ensures availability when you need us most.
Comprehensive Services
Beyond transportation, we offer packing, storage, and specialized handling services that address the full spectrum of moving needs. Our comprehensive approach means you can focus on settling into your new home while we manage the logistics.
Local Knowledge, Global Standards
Our deep understanding of Dublin’s neighborhoods, traffic patterns, and building types combines with international best practices to deliver a moving experience that’s both locally informed and globally excellent.
Conclusion: Dublin’s Dynamic Future
Dublin’s residential mobility patterns in 2024 tell a story of a city in transition – adapting to economic pressures, embracing new work patterns, and expanding its effective boundaries.
The estimated 53,000-62,000 household moves represent not just statistics, but thousands of personal stories of change, aspiration, and new beginnings.
As we look forward in 2025, these patterns will likely continue to evolve, shaped by housing supply developments, economic factors, and changing lifestyle preferences. At Expert Removals, we remain committed to supporting Dublin’s movers through these transitions, bringing expertise, care, and professionalism to every relocation.
Whether you’re moving within the city, venturing to a commuter county, or arriving from abroad, understanding these broader mobility trends provides valuable context for your personal moving journey.
And when you’re ready to make your move, Expert Removals is here to ensure it’s a smooth, positive experience that sets the stage for your next chapter.
This analysis is based on data from multiple sources including the Central Statistics Office (CSO), CBRE Ireland Market Outlook 2024, and property market reports. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, individual experiences may vary. For personalized moving advice, please contact Expert Removals directly.
