10 Tips for Living in Ireland
Summary: Expats living in Ireland say that the transition from tourist to expat is not as easy as one would think -- from challenges making friends with the Irish to the rainy, gloomy weather. Expats who make the effort and take their time are rewarded with life-long Irish friends and a love of Ireland.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Ireland Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Ireland
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Ireland
- Best Places to Live in Ireland
- Real Estate in Ireland
- Guide to Real Estate in Ireland
- Pros & Cons of Living in Ireland
- Cost of Living in Ireland
- Moving with a Pet to Ireland
- Mental Health Care in Ireland
- Do I need Health Insurance When Moving to Ireland?
- Having a Baby in Ireland
- 2024 Guide to Living in Ireland
- Pros and Cons of Living in Ireland 2024
- 2024 Guide to Moving to Ireland
Comments
Mellis5910Thanks, helpful information, I don't think I'll have much trouble adapting, as I'm from an Irish family but my husband will definitely benefit from hearing it put so succinctly. :)
blankkMy biggest piece of advice to people visiting or moving to Ireland is not to listen to the grumbling about the weather. Yes, Ireland is far north of the US, and the winter days are much shorter, and yes, there is a little rain most days. But there is also sunshine almost every day, and in the summers, the sunshine is direct for a lot of hours. I wear SPF15 fall & spring and SPF30 in the summer, and I still get a lot of color and the occasional burn. Tourists stop me every summer to ask where they can buy tshirts and shorts because they didn't bother to pack summer clothes. After a couple of years here, I left 9-to-5 work and started freelancing, because there are just too many nice days, all year round. Now I work when it rains, and pack as much work as I can into winter mornings and evenings, so I can go out and take advantage of all of the good weather here. People love to complain about "gloomy Irish weather", but it's simply what people think because it's what they've been trained to think.
heartsinirelandI found living in Ireland to be the easiest thing I've ever done in my life. I went there as a retiree, single, and knowing only a few folks. I never had the slightest problem meeting people or making friends. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Living somewhere like Dublin City is probably quite different than living in rural Ireland, though - costs alone would make your head spin! I lived in Kerry and every day of nearly 3 years was a delight!