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Top 5 tips for moving to Dublin

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bobamy
  3/11/2006 13:59 EST

We are planning a move to Dublin from San Deigo in early June and are planning to stay for around 18 months. Obviously, there are a thousand things to consider so I wanted to ask for the top 5 helpful tips ( & more if you have them) to help us prep for the move. We need to find a furnished apartment, car, I have to establish an office, obtain broadband access, etc. Well, basically everything. We are a bit overwelmed with all the logistics so any help would be very much appreciated.

I think we want to live in Dublin South, but any specific suggestions about neighborhoods that we should consider would be great.

Thanks for the help,

Bob & Amy

pallega
  3/14/2006 04:42 EST

Bob & Amy,

Top tip #1: Get a relocation agent in Dublin to sort all these things out for you (e.g., furnished apartment, car, I have to establish an office, obtain broadband access) as you'll have no credit or time to establish it here in Ireland. They can help you sort these things out quickly. Just try getting a mobile phone without credit - forget it.

Top tip #2: Leave/sell all your US electrical items before coming to Ireland and replace what you need here.

Top tip #3: Store everything you TRULY DON'T NEED in San Diego and bring the remaining pictures/legal papers/clothing on the plane over in one move. DO NOT TRY MOVING YOUR STUFF AS IT WILL TAKE 2-3 MONTHS TO ARRIVE. Hey, you're only there for 18 months; so, why try to move San Diego to London?

Top tip #4: Only bring essential clothing and buy the rest in Ireland. No matter what you may buy in San Diego, it will not prepare you for the clothes you'll need in Ireland for either weather or for purposes of style. Even things like shoes can be different and mark you out as a foreigner who doesn't understand the weather or style.

Top tip #5: Make a project plan. There are too many things going on all at once. Make lists and dates and know who's going to do them. Work your plan and keep it up to date! This will help TREMENDOUSLY with getting through the transition as quickly and painlessly as possible whilst reducing the amount of stress over so many things happening at the same time.

A few other things that may help:

* Set a date NOW for a weekend getaway shortly after arriving (e.g., a trip.
* Contact university alumni groups to see if any are in Dublin to offer assistance as you ease your way into a wild and fun 18 months.

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filmonger
  3/14/2006 05:19 EST

Bob & Amy,

There are many things to keep in mind when moving from the States to Dublin. I am an American & My wife owns a freight forwarding company and customs brokerage here in Dublin - so we know the ins & outs fairly well. First of all - if you are considering a business set up there will be a few issues ( Visa & Work Permits ) Not as easy as you would think. I would recommend that you have a look at the following websites relating to Work.

www.revenue.ie - they are the Tax authority & also where you will find the forms for importing your hosehold effects.

www.entemp.ie - Here you will find the Work permit & Visa requirements

Secondly - Driving info & how to obtain a drivers licence...www.dublincity.ie Go to the A-Z section index under "D"

Thirdly - Tlelcom info. You will find that Broadband covaerage is spotty in Dublin and very hard to get outside of Dublin - though it has improved over the past few years. The sites I would recommend are: www.eircom.ie for telephone & Broadband info & www.vodafone.ie for cell phone service.

Forthly - For Accomdation.....www1.myhome2let.ie for rentals & www.myhome.ie for purchase.

When exporting your goods from America - find a moving comany that does International Moving as most freight forwarders in the States do not handle personal effects. Remember to fill out the personnal effects form that you will download from www.revenue.ie. Be very specific and add as many sheets as needed for each item. This will make customs clearance much easier when importing your goods. I live in Blackrock and can tell you from experience that rent and housing is very expensive as is eveything else. If you need any other assistance give us a ring at DMF international +353-1-8408000

Best regards,

Will

bobamy
  3/21/2006 00:33 EST

Thanks for the tips. They are very helpful. If you think of anything else, thanks in advance.

Oh yeah, any thoughts on leasing versus buying a car?

LauraA
  3/30/2006 07:00 EST

Hi
I just found this website today and thought I would email you to see if you have ANY suggestions on how an American can find work here without being married to an Irish citizen or having an Irish background??? I've already tried the holiday work visa route and unfortunately, they only issue these to Australians, Canadians, and Japanese.
Back in the states I had a successful career in corporate event planning, sales and also some office administration work. I guess the work permit restrictions here are very tight and lots of companies don't even want to deal with it, however I also understand there are ways to "work the system."
I'm willing to start at a position below where I was in the states, I just really want to live/work here for at least 2 years.
Any suggestions, help, ideas, etc. you can provide me would be appreciated.
Cheers
Laura

Confidential1
  4/16/2006 08:55 EST

Hello everyone, I also just found this site today and have found some of your posts to be quite helpful.

I am a little concerned about the work permits etc...
I am a single parent moving to Ireland. I have an 11 yr old daughter and we are both very excited about moving. I
have not decided on The Republic or Northern Ireland as of yet.
A lot of it depends on the Job situation.

I will have some breathing room when we actually move, so I won't exactly be in a rush, but would like to find something.

Do you have to find sponsorship inorder to move? or can you move and find a job later?
What is it I keep hearing about the Credit issue?
You can't even get a cell phone without haveing been there long enough to establish irish credit?

How do you buy a car, buy a house, etc... If you pay cash, its not a problem is it? I suppose if you rent it is a problem though?

I am currently working in Iraq, and will be looking tio move soon after I am done here.

Would love to hear any additional info you may have.
Best Regards,

Dean

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