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Waterford

Ireland’s best place to

live

The county of Waterford boasts some of Ireland’s most stunning natural landscapes, a myriad pristine beaches, beautiful villages and the best quality of life Ireland has to offer.

1st

In liveability index
Ranked 1st in Ireland Liveability index 2025 Irish Times ‘Best Place to Live in Ireland‘ 2021

52%

Cheaper rent
On average, rent prices are lower than Dublin by 52% and availability of high quality housing stock is meeting demand

10 Beaches

4 blue flag / 6 green coast
147km of stunning, clean coastline with a wide range of activities to enjoy

2 Mountain ranges

Lakes, waterfalls and unspoilt nature
Breathtaking natural beauty and tranquility, all accessible within 45mins of the city

Ireland’s

Best Place to Live

Waterford is a sustainable and vibrant city where people choose to live, work, invest, and enjoy life. As Ireland’s oldest city, our rich history inspires an exciting, forward-looking future.

The city centre is coming alive again — a place to live, work, and play within a walkable “15-minute city” where shops, work, and amenities are all close by.

Waterford leads a green transformation, connecting the city and region through three major greenways. Our walkable core is the heart of this sustainable network, with shared public spaces for movement, creativity, and community life.

In 2025, Waterford topped the table of Ireland’s most liveable cities on Ireland’s Liveability Index. In 2021, Waterford was named Ireland’s Best Place to Live by The Irish Times, praised for its beauty, friendliness, and pedestrian-friendly public spaces that make it truly a “walkable, liveable and happy” city — day and night.

Discover more about why Waterford is such a great place to call home.

Waterford’s annual Spraoi festival, Ireland’s biggest street party sees hundreds of performers gather to fill the city with spectacle, theatre and music

Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, led to the city being named European City of Christmas, comes to Waterford in November and December

Housing

An affordable place to live

With average rents over 50% cheaper than Dublin and an abundance of homes for purchase, Waterford offers quality housing at prices with reach.

Waterford stands out as one of the most affordable cities in Ireland when it comes to buying or renting a home. The average home price in the city is around €200,000, significantly lower than in Dublin, Cork, and Galway. That means first-time buyers or people stepping onto the property ladder can get far more for their money here.

For renters, Waterford offers housing costs that are generally more reasonable than in larger cities. While average rent has risen to about €1,590 in recent times, this is still lower than what renters pay in Dublin and many other urban centres. On top of that, programs like “Cost Rental” offer homes at least 25% below market rents.

There are also strong support schemes for those buying: the Affordable Purchase Scheme lets first-time buyers pay a reduced price by having the local authority take an equity stake.
Middle income households who can’t afford traditional rent or purchase have options through Cost Rental and other affordable housing programmes.

All of this adds up: Waterford offers good value for those looking to live in a city with amenities, culture, and community — without the high housing prices found elsewhere.

Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, one of Ireland’s most idyllic seaside villages enjoys the best of the weather in Ireland.

Ardmore with its iconic round tower is also home to one of Co. Waterford’s blue flag beaches

Breathtaking Scenery

A place to explore

From forested walks to cliff edges, tumbling falls to reflective lakes, Waterford’s landscapes provide a rich mix for everyone from family explorers to seasoned hikers, all within a short drive of the city.

Among the county’s standout locations, the Mahon Falls is a majestic 80-metre waterfall, where the River Mahon plunges over rugged sandstone cliffs on the southern slopes of the Comeraghs. The walk to the base is a gentle round-trip on a gravel path, making it suitable for most people, including families.

For the more adventurous, Coumshingaun lies high in the Comeraghs, an extraordinary glacial “corrie” lake surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides — creating an amphitheatre-like setting. The reward for the moderate uphill hike is huge: mirror-like lake waters, dramatic mountain panoramas, the sense of being in the wild, far from anything but hills and sky.

Experience

Relocating to Waterford

The Haughey Family

As time went on we found it harder and harder to leave Waterford. We’d spend so much time out of doors when we were there, being active as a family, whether on the beaches of the Copper Coast, up the Comeragh Mountains, or out cycling on the Greenway, there’s just so much to do,”

Find out more

Found out More

Waterford’s Attractions

From its vibrant city life to its rural charm, majestic mountains and breathtaking coastline, Waterford has something for everyone. Find out more over at Visit Waterford

Visit Waterford