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Finding a place

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Katiejo911
  10/8/2018 11:53 EST

My husband and I are planning to retire in the next few years. We're looking for a smaller population, perhaps on a lake or a quiet costal setting, close enough to medical services for seniors. Our most desired activities are walking, gardening, art, history and philanthropic volunteer work. We'd also like to not purchase a car. We want to plant fruit and nut trees and have access to fresh fish. (We currently live in the Texas panhandle where only catfish are fresh). So,a pretty simple life,really. No more 100+ degree days, lower crime, little traffic and even cows and sheep for neighbors is great. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

kyotodeb
  10/8/2018 12:53 EST

I can’t suggest a specific town for you since I haven’t been there for many years, though I am planning to go back at some point now that I have received my dual citizenship
I am curious if you or your husband are citizens. I have been reading the new requirements for retiring there if your aren’t. Yikes! You must show evidence of income of over 50,000€ per person per year plus a savings equal to the price of a house. That will certainly keep some people from retiring there!
This site has information.
I look forward to seeing the suggestions of what cities or towns people say would be good for you!
https://ie.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/living-in-ireland/

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DebAckley
  10/8/2018 12:59 EST

Hello! Do you have dual citizenship or are you an Irish citizen already? If not, you will be limited to staying for 90 days. You may want to check out citizeninformation.ie. I am assuming also that you are aware of the amount of euros per person is needed to stay in the country. We use to live there, but I have dual.
As far as fruit trees ...the ones we saw were mainly apple. I did check on nuts ..hazelnut, walnuts seem to do the best.
There are lake areas...but the ones I can think of are in more rural areas...maybe some one else knows of others. Check daft.ie for information on housing.
We are looking to go back to IE also. Cheers

DebAckley
  10/8/2018 12:59 EST

Hello! Do you have dual citizenship or are you an Irish citizen already? If not, you will be limited to staying for 90 days. You may want to check out citizeninformation.ie. I am assuming also that you are aware of the amount of euros per person is needed to stay in the country. We use to live there, but I have dual.
As far as fruit trees ...the ones we saw were mainly apple. I did check on nuts ..hazelnut, walnuts seem to do the best.
There are lake areas...but the ones I can think of are in more rural areas...maybe some one else knows of others. Check daft.ie for information on housing.
We are looking to go back to IE also. Cheers

Muddled
  10/8/2018 13:32 EST

I hope you do a LOT of research before moving! Much depends on whether you have EU citizenship. There is also a serious housing shortage in Ireland. Hope you have made many trips here, at each time of the year. I am originally from New England, but 23 years later I find the milder, extremely wet winter climate impossible to acclimate to. Our last summer was spectacular, but most summers here are wet, wet, WET.
If you do ultimately decide to move here, my suggestion is Kinsale are (i.e. Garrettstown, Ballinspittle) - not terribly far from Cork, by the sea, and farming villages, so with the right choice you can garden to your heart's content (usually in the rain though).

I wish you well.

Muddled
  10/8/2018 13:34 EST

One other thing......public transport in Ireland isn't great (particulary down this end) so where I suggested won't work for you as you would definatly need a car!

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Mellis5910
  10/8/2018 14:37 EST

Hi KarieJo, two years ago we were looking to retire here in Ireland and because we have dual citizenship, we were able to do so with minimum hassle. Although my family is from the Midlands my research pointed me to the southwest coast for lower cost of living and I spent months researching locations in both Kerry and Cork. We found our home through Daft.ie and it is truly a bargain, a comparable house in the US would be double the price. We lucked out with a house outside of Skibbereen with five bedrooms, three baths and two sitting rooms, with a gorgeous view of the surrounding hills. It is off the main road but very private, with no other houses in our line of sight. We did buy a car and use it primarily to do our weekly shopping in Skibbereen, for longer jaunts we use our free travel passes. Towns and villages along the southwest coast which might fill your needs are: Kenmare, Schull, Ballydehob, Bantry, Skibbereen, Castletownsend, Union Hall, Leap, Glandore and Clonakilty, to name a few. If you have your citizenship, it will make sense to make the move, otherwise, you must have very deep pockets...and in both cases, you must like rain! :)

mmccrane
  10/9/2018 03:25 EST

Mellis5910 : Kenmare is a great town and worth a hard look. What other towns do you recommend that are close to water for fishing and recreational water sports? Also a vibrant but quaint downtown vibe? Kinsale is beautiful but more of a tourist town right ?

Mellis5910
  10/9/2018 05:10 EST

McCrane, if you like small villages, Baltimore, Castletownsend, Union Hall, and Glandore are all coastal.

dave8408e
  10/9/2018 05:33 EST

Welcome! Ireland sounds like a perfect place for you. Have you visited Ireland? If not, I'd suggest a trip or two before seriously considering a move. Secondly, have you researched the requirements for retirement here? Read about those at http://www.inis.gov.ie
Best of luck!

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