Why do Irish people not want to live in apartments?
Summary
Moncrieff discusses the cultural and practical barriers to family apartment living in Ireland with UCD’s Orla Hegarty. They explore how developers prioritize high-rent rentals over affordable ownership, while government policies fail to address family housing needs. The conversation highlights poor construction quality, weak tenant protections, and the lack of suitable options compared to European norms. Hegarty advocates for design-led, sustainable housing communities that offer better quality of life and long-term value for families.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Is apartment living acceptable for families in Ireland?
The scarcity of family-sized apartments for purchase
Developer incentives favoring rentals over sales
Government housing plans ignore family needs
Why downsizing from family homes is not feasible
Long-term housing needs and urban design limitations
Rethinking density: Sustainable models beyond high-rises
Cultural resistance and poor quality of past builds
Declining standards: Balconies, storage, and space
Experiences of international residents in Ireland
Privacy, security, and hotel-style corridor issues
Design-led vs. spreadsheet-led housing development
Advantages of living in a good apartment vs. a house
Benefits of density: Services, transport, and community
Listener query: Cost comparison of apartments vs. houses
Why large-scale apartment phases increase costs
Historical efficiency of smaller, phased apartment builds
Listener insights: European storage and retirement concerns
Service charge enforcement and building maintenance
Closing remarks and show sign-off
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