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Lithuania: English to Lithuanian translation:
I'm assuming you're not a native English speaker so I will try to explain why this doesn't make sense in the Anglosphere.
When one uses the phrase "to burn one's bridge", it's 'ex post', not 'ante'.
So if a person is burning one's bridge, it means "to cutoff the way back to where you came from"
Now the phrase "light the way" is not 'ex post' but 'ante'.
So if a person is 'lighting the way', it means they are 'forging a path' (going forward)
So you see combining these idioms wouldn't make any sense to an English speaker, even if one were capable of time travel.
Lithuania: Native English speaking students in Lithuania ?:
I don't think Rikmo is so inaccurate or mistaken. Although the views are perhaps a little out of date now.
Many Lithuanians of Russian ethnicity certainly feel disenfranchised. The Lithuanian government are 'Lithuanian-ising' their Birth Certificates, changing their given name. Although they also do this to Poles and others, not just Russians.
My experience has been that you won't have any problems in Vilnius speaking English or Russian. But Vilnius is considerably different from the rest of Lithuania obviously.
Kaunas is not quite the same story - but it IS improving year on year.
Part of the mistake English speakers make is that they feel they are being discriminated against when they are treated discourteously by Lithuanian people - who generally did not share a similar concept of 'courtesy' as you would experience in Europe or the US, but this is not really a problem among the younger generation, only with the older generation.
I have even seen young people QUEUE! this year in Lithuania, which was unthinkable just 7 years ago!
Ireland: Dublin rent costs and tax deduction:
1) Unless stated explicity, then No.
€900 is on the cheap side for Dublin rent
2) Varies totally depending on the BER. Don't forget, there are now property taxes and water charges to be paid aswell, so landlords will factor these prices into rents going forward.
3) No, You can only claim this relief if you were already renting at 7 December 2010. If you were not renting on that date and you subsequently entered into a rental agreement, you will not be able to claim tax relief on your rent.
Rent relief is being phased out in line with huge tax increases
Ireland: Wannabe Expats:
Try before you buy!
"small town" vibe sounds appealing I'm sure but don't forget, that comes with 'small town' services and very limited opportunities!
Our public roads are like the surface of the moon, public transport is non-existent outside the capital, cost of living is high and services are very poor, Marginal rate of tax is 52% at any income over €32,800 and our health service is appalling.
Ireland has it's strengths too, such as the enduring sense of humour in the face of adversity, but many Americans do not appreciate the humour and sarcasm.
Caveat Emptor!
Ireland: Still finding it difficult to settle:
Become an air hostess?
Probably not what you want to hear but many friends and family have moved to the UK and despite missing family here, they openly admit they could never return for similar reasons as you have outlined.
I'm from Cork and find it isolated and very badly serviced compared to Southern England.
So going from Southern England to the West of Ireland is like going back in time I imagine!
Ireland: Moving to Ireland 2011:
Healthcare - 2 main health insurance companies are VHI (state) & Quinn (private). Both will be increasing prices by 10% p.a for the next number of years due to losses in the financial sector.
Healthcare in Ireland is pricey, slow and poor.
Dentistry is hugely exploitative and you will need to travel to another country if required.
Taxes - Vat is 21%, this is already included in displayed goods/services, no federal taxes (yet).
Specific info available from citizensinformation.ie and revenue.ie
Purchasing & insuring a car - cars are far cheaper in Ireland at the moment compared to several years ago due to the economic implosion banking and there are definitely some good deals to be had, altho still far pricier than US/Germany. Many still import cars from the UK, but you must pay VRT, which is a tax at about 20% of the car's value,
We are looking to rent a furnished place. What comes with furnishings? Linens, towels, silverware, appliances, blankets?
- Should be easy to rent a place in Ireland at the moment, altho the cost is still far higher than other EU countries, rent in a rural Irish town is usually on par or in excess of rates in Berlin for example, the exception being Dublin where rent is often twice average rates.
If you request items not provided, there is a good chance a landlord will provide it as they are desperate for your business!!
Be very wary of renting in Ireland however, there is no legislation to protect the renter as there are in other countries, it's a cowboy operation and many landlords are not returning deposits.
- What should we look for in the rental agreement?
If you agree to a 12 month contract, try to get a reduced price.
Longer the contract you are willing to take, request a lower price.
Ensure parking and refuse collection are provided, frequently not the case! You may require a parking permit from your local council which your landlord must arrange - do not
sign any contracts until this is provided, as landlords will do anything until you have sign the dotted line, and after the signing, they will do nothing!
- How does the wife obtain a visa;
Your wife is a US citizen, she does NOT require a Visa for a 3 month stay: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/coming-to-live-in-ireland/visa-requirements-for-entering-ireland
In excess of 3 months, she must apply for a residence card:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/rights-of-residence-in-ireland/residence_rights_EU_national
Driver's license - Retain your US License, you are exempt from "penalty points" but must still pay fines.
The Irish DVLA is the laughing stock of Europe
Lithuania: Considering move from Chicago to LT:
My partner is also Lithuanian.
I considered it myself, but was advised against it at every turn (both here and everywhere else).
Now I have more in-depth knowledge of the country, I fully understand why.
Even my partner says she doesn't want to return there anymore.
I won't go into reasons why, but I will just say this: why do you think emigration is such a massive problem in Lithuania?
It's not because it's a wonderful country to live in, that much is certain.
Ireland: Looking to leave US:
Moving here now, is a very bad idea.
The economy is suffering heavily and the EU have threathened the Irish government to clean up their act or they will assume control.
There is corruption of epic proportion being uncovered in our Financial system, same as Enron.
And the government, are wasting all our reserves and pocketing a lot of the cash themselves, delayed the prosecution of the fraudulent bankers for their own means.
This government could expire at any time before the next election.
There will be strikes and protests starting from Saturday 21st February.
Racisim - there is some among the older generation.
I doubt you will find much from the younger generations.
People may be hostile until they hear her accent.
If they hear an Amecian accent, they will be friendly.
If they hear an African accent, they'll lock they bags and put their head down, hands in pockets.
Lithuania: Moving to Klaipeda:
Where are you now?
One of my best friends is from Klaipedia. He told me avoid it like the plague.
The country is falling apart at the seams right now. I find the people quite friendly tho and its gorgeous in the summer.
My girlfriend and her family are from Kaunas.
I've been to Kaunas a few times now and I still get a shock when I go there. People are extremely rude and everyone is trying to screw you because they think you're rich.
I was aware to it and they Hertz Kaunas still got me,
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055394615
I've been to Vilinus twice and both time I quite liked it.
You can speak Russian, Lithuanian and even Polish.
I don't speak Lithuanian, but I speak Russian and Polish so its often a relief to go to Vilnius, as the people in Kaunas tend to frown upon Russian or Polish.
Ireland: Irish-German relations:
I think Irish- German relations are good/fine.
Nothing particularly special about it however.
There does not exist a special relationship between Ireland and Germany in the way that there exists a special relationship between Ireland and America.
I suppose Germany would be on an equal footing with countries like Australia & Canada.
Regarding the German ambassadors remarks, I think most of the people I spoke to agreed completely with what he said.
It was really only the Irish politicians were protesting, because their incompetence was exposed.
The Irish Health system has been the laughing stock of Europe for a long time. In my opinion, the most exposure it gets, the better.
I had to take my girlfriend back to her own country in Eastern Europe to get decent medical attention and we have expensive private medical insurance. Not all the health services here are inadequate, but a significant amount are.
Its not simply explained away however. Some of our public services such as Revenue are at the global forefront, among the best and most productive organisations in the world, without question, both in office and on line.
Then areas such as Health Services, Transport, Broadband infrastructure are not on a European standard and really are reminiscent of the pre-affluent Ireland.
A number of my friends and colleagues and some family members have lived or are living in Germany at present.
The remarks are usually about a low cost of living, higher taxes but excellent infrastructure and good public services.
Germany is viewed as a model in Ireland in terms of efficiency, but not somewhere Irish people would want to live, I think most Irish people would prefer to live in Spain.
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