"Go west young man" advised a US editorial in 1851. These days many Irish families heed that call as a steady stream move from cities to all part of rural Ireland.

Many more may contemplate such migration, as evidenced by the 1,200 hits to the Look West website - www.lookwest.ie - each week. The advantages of relocation are less commuting, more reasonably-priced housing and childcare, and that less tangible commodity - quality of life.

Lower property prices are a big plus for the country over the city. For example, the price of a new three-bed semi in Connaught in 2004 was €204,000, just half the cost of something equivalent in Dublin's commuter belt.

But the traffic is by no means one way: the continuing popularity of homes and apartments in or near Dublin city centre and public service resistance to relocation are witness to that.

Thousands of singles and young couples choose to live in or near the Pale, relishing the many attractions of an increasingly sophisticated and cosmopolitan city.

The joys of the country are not for everyone and one size does not fit all.