A Man who understands the property market, John O'Sullivan is a senior negotiator with Lisney on St Stephen's Green, Dublin. John grew up in Blackrock and liked living near the sea, so top of his shopping list when he decided to move two years ago was a seaside property. "I didn't want to live too far away from the sea, but the houses I was looking at in the greater Dublin area I just didn't like or couldn't afford.

"I looked at Greystones but I wasn't seeing great value for money and so I extended the search further into Wicklow." Finally he settled on Wicklow town and a three-bedroom semi with an open aspect to both the front and back of the house and the benefit of a 120ft back garden. "It's not the prettiest house to look at," John admits, "and it was in poor order, but I was immediately drawn to it." Price was a big factor in his choice. "You get more bricks per pound south of Dublin," he says.

"It was the right move for me. I still have the buzz of the city during the day, but the peace of the country at night. I don't mind driving or sitting in traffic - you have congestion wherever you live - but I do have to be more disciplined now. I wasn't known for my time keeping when I lived in Blackrock, but I arrive in the office each morning by 8.45 a.m. these days."

The country offers a better standard of living for O'Sullivan. He's just joined the local golf club, and there's a large selection of pubs and restaurants nearby.

"People are friendlier here, I know my neighbours, and I know people in the town, even though I'm not here that long."

Another perk of country living is his relationship with his grocer. "I know my grocer very well and he will leave things into the garage for me if I'm stuck in Dublin. Last Christmas he even left my tree out for me - it's small gestures like that which are very important for me."

A downside of country living would have to be the mice infestation which troubled O'Sullivan when he first moved in. He also missed the late-night shopping, the DART service and the fact that he can't travel out to Blackrock, have a few drinks and get home without driving. But it's a small price to pay. "I'm very happy at the moment and will stay here for the short to medium term at least - but who knows what the future may bring. . . ?"