Moving to Ireland

What do I need to know before moving to Ireland?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Ireland, they said:

"Advice before moving is DO YOUR HOMEWORK! The things you pay for in your current home will be very much similar and yet some will be different, like the required annual TV license fee here. We made a list of everything we paid for in Florida; groceries, medical and dental, rent, utilities, clothing, personal care like hair cuts, transportation, etc, then did a comparison by communities in our new intended home area. In searching for a home don't rely on real estate sites and photos, like even on a good website like daft.ie. Check with the local Garda (police) and the local papers to do a historical check on the area. We do not recommend renting or buying anything unless you have first seen the neighborhood. What appears "picture perfect" on the internet can be quite a rude awakening when seen first hand. Look for a temporary housing like can be found TripAdvisor.com so you can explore a number of locations. Priority for us was transportation hubs like bus, which is great, or train," remarked one expat who made the move to Tobercurry.

"Renters only have to give one months notice so potential homes won't come onto the market till they are ready (or nearly ready) to be leased. Find out what the different types of houses are like; terraced, semi detached etc. Think about your lifestyle, would you like to be near the beach, a park, the DART (Dublin's main transport system, your office, kids school etc.... Know that Dublin's traffic jams are are really bad and getting worse, a 15 minute journey on a sunday morning can take an hour and a half during the week!The bus system is hopeless, the Dart is more reliable. It's always worth investing time and money on a reconnaissance trip before moving," explained one expat living in Dublin, Ireland.

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How do I find a place to live in Ireland?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"We came to Ireland on a pre-move visit to get a 'feel' for the different areas in and around Dublin. In the months previous to our move we scoured the homes for rent list on www.daft.ie which is THE website for real estate on which virtually all real estate agents and prive landlords advertise their properties. We eventually found our home via an estate agent," remarked one expat who made the move to Dublin.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Ireland?

"Flat. Usual. Most homes are flats, or ugly row homes. Best homes are in the south, but very expensive," commented one expat who made the move to Dublin.

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What is the average cost of housing in Ireland?

If you are thinking about moving to Ireland, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"Remarkably our 4 bedroom home is about half the cost of the 2 bedroom apartment we rented in Florida and our home is private, in an upscale neighborhood with a backyard and abutting a large pasture. Depending on the location, renting and purchasing can vary significantly. We opted to avoid city life, like Dublin, where cost of housing is considerably more. Our location averages €650 per month where in Dublin similar could run €2500," remarked one expat in Tobercurry, Ireland.

"Far more expensive here. House cost about twice the price as in Boston. Food is about 30 to 40% more," said one expat in Dublin.

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Should I buy or rent a home in Ireland?

If you have not spent a lot of time in Ireland, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision:

"We currently rent and may buy once we become Irish Citizens. Our home is in an estate (group of similar homes) and talking to locals and agents got us in," said one expat in Tobercurry.

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What should I pack when moving to Ireland?

We asked people living in Ireland to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded:

"More clothing. More Tech stuff. More everything, because everything is more expensive here," remarked one expat in Dublin, Ireland.

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What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Ireland?

We asked people in Ireland if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!:

"I called and initiated a pollution investigation when I found out the development I was living in was polluting a stream at the edge of our development. They had a "temporary" sewage disposal plant with a expired operating permit and dumping partially treated sewage into this brook. That brook ran for a couple of miles through 2 dairy farms and milk cows drank out of it. It eventually ended up in a river where Salmon and trout live. What I did not know was most people in Ireland will not report illegal activity unless it effects their own bottom line. It goes back to the time when the British were in charge and if anyone reported anything, they could end up being penalized. BTW: It cost the owners 120,000 Euros to correct the problem. They knew about it, but were hoping to fill the place with renters before they fixed it. They were happy when I did not renew my lease. There were a few other problems I made them correct. Irish people, especially older ones tend not to complain," remarked one expat in Enniscorthy, Ireland.

"Well the typical first mistake is always making a comment or extending an invitation including the word "ride" vs "drive". Ie...Can I get a ride? Would you like a ride? Ride here is a sex act. Drive means a lift in the car," said one expat in West Clare.

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Why do people move to Ireland?

When we asked people why foreigners move to Ireland, they responded:

"Ireland is an attractive destination for expats due to its friendly and welcoming people, vibrant culture, quality of life, excellent education system and economic stability. Many expats also come to Ireland to take advantage of the country's strong business prospects and high standard of living. Expats are also drawn to Ireland's stunning natural scenery, ranging from lush green mountains to craggy coastal cliffs, and its vibrant cities full of life and rich history. Ireland also offers expats generous tax incentives, such as the Special Assignee Relief Programme, making it a great place to settle and work," replied one expat when asked about moving to Ireland.

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How are healthcare services Ireland?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Ireland, they replied:

"In Ireland, healthcare services are provided by both private and public institutions. The public healthcare system is comprised by the Health Service Executive, or HSE, and is open to both Irish citizens and foreign residents. Services provided through this system include general and specialty care, basic medical supplies, mental health services, and inpatient and outpatient treatment. Generally, the quality of public healthcare is ranked highly globally and is considered to be comprehensive. Additionally, expats who are residing in Ireland on particular visas and permits are eligible for the public healthcare system. In order to use the system, expats must obtain a valid Public Services Card from Irish Social Service Office. This card is obtained by showing proof of insurance, nationality and residence. After receiving the Public Services Card, expats will gain access to the primary care and secondary care services," replied one expat when asked about moving to Ireland.

"Private health insurance is absolutely essential. The private hospitals are OK provided it is not an emergency. There is no 24 hour A and E. If it were available I would insure also for a fly you back to Germany for accidents and emergencies. I was left on a trolley for 30 hours falling a fall with a broken collar bone and ribs. I am over 70 with a heart condition. Some third world countries have better medical services than Ireland," stated one expat who made the move to Galway.

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What are medical services in Ireland like?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Ireland, they replied:

"Ireland has world-class healthcare, offering a range of medical services, including general practitioners, specialists, hospitals and private clinics. There are major healthcare facilities throughout the country, offering a wide variety of medical treatments, from primary and emergency care to sophisticated medical technology. The Irish healthcare system is also very well-regarded internationally, attracting a variety of medical professionals from around the world. Healthcare in Ireland is provided free of charge to those who are entitled to treatment under the Health Act and those on medical cards. For those who are not eligible for free healthcare, high quality private healthcare is also available," wrote one expat living in Ireland.

"My doctor recently made a house call to visit me when I was under the weather and unable to visit his office. Very happy with the costs and services," commented one expat who moved to Ballyconnell.

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