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Are we mad to contemplate retiring to Ireland

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FlowerFairy
  5/11/2014 02:16 EST

We left Northern Ireland in 1971 and are now Australian Citizens (now in our 60s). After 43 years in Oz we are contemplating retiring to the Republic of Ireland as soon as we sell here. It is time for a change. .Are we mad to even consider it?

Mellis5910
  5/11/2014 08:55 EST

Well, I don't think it would be mad, since I'm planning it myself, but everyone's circumstances are different. Can you pop over for an extended visit too thoroughly check it out?

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billmiller54
  5/11/2014 09:26 EST

Me neither, as I also plan to retire there. I have been to Ireland twice. I've learned some about various towns and roads. I know little about housing rentals, taxes, visas, car ownership and driving licenses. The rest will be a giant adventure.

FlowerFairy
  5/11/2014 16:00 EST

Hi there - yes we will do that as soon as we sell here. We have a house picked out in ROI but of course until we see it in situ. Problem is, if we sell soon we will probably jump! We have spent so many years in Oz (40-plus) one wonders if one cannot see the wood for the trees. Also our age and budget mean that once we jump there will be no going back. If we can get over for a holiday first we will do so but when one is on holiday everything looks good and if you are spending your Oz dollars things will be different when one is living there on a pension. Too much time to think - if we had sold we would be there by now and getting on with it. We will be living on a pension and the cost of living in Ireland is a big question.

FlowerFairy
  5/11/2014 16:03 EST

Yes it is the 'adventure' we are looking for and Ireland's proximity to Europe etc. Oz is a long way from anywhere - though it has been good to us during our life here BUT it is time for a change. Basically we are bored with the 'same old' but will we be throwing the baby out with the bath water? As I said in my other reply, if we had sold we would be there by now and not questioning.

Mellis5910
  5/11/2014 20:30 EST

I'm thinking of it as an adventure, too. We are retiring, too and will be on a pension with some savings to fall back on...but I want to get a feel for the cost of living so will spend a month or two exploring all that before making a permanent move. I've done a lot of research on the Southwest, Cork and Kerry, so let me know if you have any questions about that area.

Where are you thinking of living?

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FlowerFairy
  5/11/2014 21:33 EST

We were originally thinking of Southwest Cork and Kerry but at the moment our minds have moved to half way between Kilkenny and Wexford - found a lovely cottage there that on paper would suit us down to the ground.

Mellis5910
  5/11/2014 23:01 EST

I was checking out some houses in Wexford this evening. Seems a nice area and I like that it is closer to Dublin. They say it is sunnier than Cork, don't know if that's true but it may be less rainy.

I'm eager to get over and check it out in person--you can tell a lot from research and pictures on the Web but nothing beats checking personally.

FlowerFairy
  5/11/2014 23:04 EST

I agree re checking out personally. We are heading to Italy for a month in September but are not at this stage planning on making a side trip to Ireland/UK even though family are located there. Until we sell I do not want to look at anything, find I love it but cannot make an offer. We have also been tossing up retiring to Italy but a lot more 'problems' with that, language etc etc BUT the lifestyle really appeals. Ireland will be easier as far as language, driving licences etc but I feel the cost of living will be much higher on a day-to-day basis

mmccrane
  5/12/2014 00:05 EST

Spent some time in Ireland two years ago and my wife and I were sold on living there. While the West coast is absolutely gorgeous the rain can be painful and the winters more aggressive compared to the Southeast. Wexford looks to be a great town and from the research I have done, Waterford, Dunmore East, Tramore, Dungarvan and Kinsale all get good reviews.

jenoir
  5/12/2014 12:06 EST

I left Ireland a few years ago, but would be happy to provide some input where I can.
We lived in Cork. First, outside of a tiny village called Courtmacsherry, down on the coast. This area is referred to as West Cork.
We later moved to the Cork City, as we couldn´t tolerate the long drives or the depressing winters by ourselves.
I think if you can be happy alone or make good friends out in the country, you will be fine.
I would highly suggest renting first, so that you can get a feel for the area, do your research and make a good decision.

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FlowerFairy
  5/12/2014 15:11 EST

I agree :) Unfortunately, the vendors of a cottage we very much liked have just received an offer. Never mind, there will be more (though I doubt we will ever find a garden as good!). We can do nothing until we sell here. Italy is the other option but....????

FlowerFairy
  5/12/2014 15:16 EST

Thanks jenoir for your input. We like to be away from people but close to 'colour and movement'. The quicker we get across to Ireland to get the feel of the place the better!

FlowerFairy
  5/12/2014 16:03 EST

If you all knew where we currently live (Magnetic Island in the Coral Sea) you would all think and agree we are bonkers contemplating retiring to Ireland but rightly or wrongly we are moving on.

Mellis5910
  5/12/2014 17:12 EST

Well, the heart wants what the heart wants. I live on a beautiful island in New England but I hear the pipes calling and have to answer.

FlowerFairy
  5/12/2014 17:12 EST

Yes, it is amazing, isn't it?

Mellis5910
  5/12/2014 17:17 EST

It is amazing. My husband and I are writers/artists so we don't mind a bit of solitude, as long as it is in a beautiful place. I'm looking for a place with a beautiful garden, too.

FlowerFairy
  5/13/2014 01:01 EST

Have you checked out the property at 'The Pocket' near Blackwater in Kerry?

http://www.daft.ie/sales/coomlumnina-blackwater-kenmare-kerry/677408/

Mellis5910
  5/13/2014 10:44 EST

That's so beautiful! But we are looking to rent, not buy.

jenoir
  5/13/2014 13:40 EST

If you are looking for solitude with a bit of color, I suggest Clonakilty! It's in West Cork, has a beautiful beach, lovely little town, but surrounded by beautiful country, much like the rest of Ireland.
I quite miss it :(

Mellis5910
  5/13/2014 15:03 EST

I have looked at places in Clonakilty on Daft. It is one of the places I'd like to check out...seems a great location. I do worry about transportation if we are too isolated, as we are going to rely on public transit and I hear from some folks on here that it is unreliable.

jenoir
  5/13/2014 15:12 EST

Ah, ok.
I didn't realize that.
Well, there is a bus, but I wouldn't want to be dependent on that alone.
You could consider Cork City, which has a pretty decent bus system. When I broke my wrist, I used it quite a bit.
And there is a train to Dublin, in case you need to get to the airport. I can't say much about anyplace else, as I only visited other cities on holiday.

FlowerFairy
  5/13/2014 16:19 EST

That property was our first pick, particularly for my husband but although we like to be away from people we also like to be within easy striking distance of 'colour and movement'. Renting may not be a bad way to go.

jwana
  5/19/2014 14:04 EST

Hi there - I don't think you're mad at all. I am Australian born but left there many years ago & have been living in various places around the globe since then, including the UK & hope to one day retire somewhere overseas.

However, you mention that you are Australian citizens & are planning to live in Northern Ireland on a pension. I'm assuming that this means you will be in receipt of an Australian pension so have you made sure that you will be able to receive this overseas? UK nationals can receive their pension if they live outside the UK (at this stage anyway) but as far as I know the Aust. government has made it very difficult for Australian nationals to receive a govt. pension if they leave the country for more that 12 weeks.

Of course if you will be receiving a private pension then all should be Ok.

Good luck!

J.

jwana
  5/19/2014 14:22 EST

Sorry just realised that you're planning a move to the Republic of Ireland not back to Northern Ireland! But my comments re Australian govt. pension remain the same - maybe more so if there is no agreement about this between ROI and Oz which I doubt there is.

J.

FlowerFairy
  5/19/2014 16:05 EST

Thanks Jwana
You are correct re Northern Ireland but it appears that Ireland (ROI) is one of the countries that has a reciprocal agreement with Australia (Italy too). From my investigations it means that one can even move to Ireland (ROI) prior to pension age and apply from there to receive the Australian pension. The UK (including NI) reciprocal agreement was cancelled out roughly 10 years ago as the UK refused to 'top up' pensions.

FlowerFairy
  5/19/2014 16:08 EST

I posted my reply before seeing this post. Yes, ROI is one of the countries that has a reciprocal agreement, Italy too (which was the other choice but there are more problems with Italy - lack of language for one, having to get one's driving licence in Italian - you can only drive on an IDP for 12 months - etc etc). I would LOVE to move to Italy but ROI is the second 'reality' choice.

FlowerFairy
  5/19/2014 16:37 EST

Have to say that I am still more than a little apprehensive re the cost of living in ROI, especially living on a government pension. One can certainly buy a small home for a reasonable price but I doubt the cost of living has improved since we left 40-odd years ago. 23% VAT for a start! Utilities have always been a nightmare. As mentioned previously, Italy was my first choice but my husband is unsure for all the obvious reasons and then I thought, apart from the weather, Ireland is a good stepping off point to travel to Europe. Australia is so far away and so very expensive to travel from. Asia has no appeal at all to us (too much animal cruelty - markets etc). If we had sold when we originally thought about all of this, we would be there by now having too much time to think is not always such a good idea! :)

jwana
  5/20/2014 00:29 EST

Hi there - oh well that's good news. Maybe just make sure you make the move before the govt. changes anything again! A friend of mine has just had to return to Australia for 2 years of residency to qualify for a pension leaving her house & husband behind but it sounds like you've checked it all out thoroughly. Good luck & enjoy the new adventure!
J.

FlowerFairy
  5/20/2014 07:28 EST

HI J

Yes, if appears that if you are not living in a country with a reciprocal arrangement you have to return to Oz for 2 years before you are eligible. 'They' don't make it easy for people. Life is hard enough at times without all the 'red tape'. Cheers

FlowerFairy
  5/20/2014 07:28 EST

HI J

Yes, if appears that if you are not living in a country with a reciprocal arrangement you have to return to Oz for 2 years before you are eligible. 'They' don't make it easy for people. Life is hard enough at times without all the 'red tape'. Cheers

jwana
  5/20/2014 08:29 EST

Jeez Louise - they really do make life difficult particularly given that many people who live outside their own country of origin (like my friend & myself) have paid loads of taxes to the Aussie govt. over the years + to other govts. Can you possibly advise the best section of the department to get up-to-date information from on these issues? Cheers J.

FlowerFairy
  5/20/2014 16:08 EST

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/international-social-security-agreements

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/international-services

At one stage I wrote to the then PM (Julia Gillard) saying that if paying one's taxes all of one's life isn't 'contributory' I don't know what is! The now PM has raised retirement age to 70!

ppkhalsa
  6/12/2014 12:49 EST

I'm late to this conversation, so I hope others are still checking this thread.

After many years of planning, my daughter and I traveled to Ireland (and Scotland) last year and honestly we left our hearts there.

We currently live in Austin, TX, which in itself is a wonderful place. But we're ready for a much slower pace of life and somewhere with more mountains and coolness.

I fell in love with the Irish countryside, the wonderfully friendly people, the climate (yes, I love rainy weather) and the history.

Can anyone tell me what our first step would be in investigating a move from the U.S. to Ireland?

Mellis5910
  6/12/2014 14:45 EST

Do you have Irish citizenship or the possibility of employment there? I'd suggest getting one or both in place before seriously considering a move. You can do an online search for info on obtaining citizenship through descent. Basically, you must have an Irish grandparent from whom you can prove descent.

If you don't have citizenship, it will be a daunting challenge to overcome, you'll have to get a job before moving, most likely with an American company, as irish companies must hire citizens before foreigners.

FlowerFairy
  6/12/2014 16:05 EST

Hi there
We left Northern Ireland as British Citizens and are now Australian Citizens (with right of dual citizenship). Ireland and Australia have a reciprocal agreement which means we can reside, claim our pensions etc. We have acquired our PPS Nos so all is good. We are heading to Europe in September/October and will be spending two weeks in Ireland looking at areas and properties.

billmiller54
  6/12/2014 17:14 EST

Or as retirees you must prove sufficient income so as not to be a burden on the country.
My suggestion would be to go there for a week or two, find towns you might like to live in and ask while there.

Mellis5910
  6/12/2014 17:31 EST

Retirees with Irish citizenship are required to undergo income verification, BillMiller54? I'd appreciate a link to that. Don't recall running across that info.

mmccrane
  6/12/2014 19:50 EST

My great grandmother and grandfather were Irish citizens and migrated to the US. Does that satisfy the requirements to gain Irish citizenship or does it have to be a grandparent or father/mother?

Mellis5910
  6/13/2014 00:42 EST

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/irish_citizenship_through_birth_or_descent.html

Usually it has to be grandparents. More info at the link above.

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