No matter what life stage you’re at, choosing to buy a home is a massive decision. But once you’ve nailed down the location, you’ve taken a huge step forward. If Dublin is on the cards, you’ll open yourself up to a host of great opportunities and amenities. Read on for 10 things you’ll love about calling Ireland’s capital city home.

With over 500 aircraft flying in and out each day, Dublin Airport is an impressive beast. It already hosts 34 airlines and has set its sights on becoming even bigger, with the development of a new runway starting soon. So, whether you’re planning to travel for business or you just like jet-setting for pleasure, you won’t find it difficult to get flights to and from Dublin.

No matter which area you’re working in - you’ll find lots of career opportunities in the capital. The technology scene, in particular, is thriving in Dublin, with Google, Facebook and Twitter and a host of other multinationals opting to set up their European headquarters in the city centre.

Wherever you choose to live in Dublin, you should be well-served with transport routes to the city. If you fancy making some savings, use a Leap Card for cheaper fares on Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, Luas and some private bus operators. Those living closer to the city can also avail of the hugely popular bike sharing scheme, dublinbikes, which costs just €20 a year.

The city’s huge population means that there are lots of new people to meet, things to do, and diversity in general. More people also means more restaurants, more schools and more activities. When it comes to Dublin – bigger is definitely better.

Dublin has the distinct advantage of being located in close proximity to lots of natural beauty. Parks and beaches are dotted around the city, ranging from the magnificent Malahide Castle to the charming strands of Dalkey Island. And let’s not forget about the wild and beautiful Phoenix Park. It’s one of Europe’s largest urban green spaces – and it’s right in the heart of the capital.

There’s a host of options for further education in Dublin. From the world famous and history-steeped Trinity College to more art-focused institutions like the National College of Art and Design, the city’s universities and colleges offer a vast range of globally recognised degree and post-graduate courses. It’s a fantastic place to achieve academic excellence in your chosen field in the midst of a truly international student population.

You’ll never struggle to find a new outfit in this fair city. From exclusive boutiques to high street clothing chains, you’ll find everything you need by taking a stroll through Dublin’s shopping districts and markets. If having everything under one roof appeals to you more, then there’s no shortage of modern shopping centres both in the city and the suburbs.

Looking for a dose of culture? Let your imagination run wild in the city’s selection of museums. The Museum of Modert Art, Science Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland are just some of the places offering wonderfully dynamic programmes in accessible, central locations. The best part? Almost all of them offer free admission.

The passion. The grit. The community spirit. Getting involved in sport is easy when you live in the nation’s capital, and coming together to watch a match is one of life’s greatest pleasures. If you have an undying love for GAA, then an endless supply of great memories are waiting to be made in Croke Park. If your heart lies with rugby and soccer, then you can roar on the boys in green at the Aviva Stadium.

Music is a special part of Ireland’s past and present, with some of the world’s best musicians coming from this little island. Passion for live music is everywhere in Dublin and there are plenty of gigs to keep you entertained no matter what genre you’re into. Most of the big international acts stop in Dublin on their tours and there is an ever-expanding selection of music festivals popping up each summer.

If you see yourself buying a home in Dublin, we can help to make this a reality. Our handy mortgage calculator can help you get a quick idea of what your repayments might look like.

If you’d like to find out more about how to get a mortgage for a home in Dublin, take a look at our mortgage website . You can also follow us on @AIBIreland and on Facebook.

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