Anyone have tips/suggestions for moving family from US to Ireland?

Question

The "winds of change" are blowing here in the US and my wife and I are giving serious consideration to relocating to Ireland. We're from the central US, probably considered in the middle-class and have 5 children that my wife homeschools.

Suggestions, tips or any other help would be appreciated (as I've never travelled abroad). We could use input specifically on housing options, cost of living, computer-related job market, homeschooling in Ireland and any potential snags bringing our pets with us.

Thanks in advance! =D

Answer 1

Housing prices range depending on the location you want to move to.Buying in the capital Dublin would be quite expensive,but if you choose a location such as Cork homes are cheaper.Cost of living depends on how much you want to spent.Computer jobs are available and in demand.Home schooling is not really done  in Ireland because the major of society believe social interaction with children is very important for a growing child.Yes you could bring pets but they would have to be registered and screen for disease

Answer 2

don't come here you will regret it.

i have been living here and i am waiting to go to university in America to escape. its cold all the time, it rains and theres nothing to do. trust me you'se are probably better off where you'se are

Answer 3

I did the expatriate thing, moved to a place just outside of Dublin.  Didn't move an entire family.

That said, there's a lot of items you need to consider than just getting up and moving your family.  Work visas, visas in general, taxes (yes one thing that I even forgot and the handling of US to Ireland taxation on income) Selling the car where to live etc.

Here's a website that will help you out to start off with.

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listing...

You'll need to do a lot more research - culture, work, housing, where to live, transportation and schooling.

Given that, let me start you off with some of the specific inputs you asked.

Housing - unlike the US, you need to live relatively close to your job.  Transportation costs (petrol vs public transportation) is outragous (about $8 USD/gallon is petrol, this is the euro conversion and conversion of litres to gallons)  Secondly, don't look to own rolling hills and a vast property that you may have in Central US (Kansas as example).  Depending where you live, will depend on your accommodations.  Housing - that's through the roof.  With the exchange difference and the escalating housing market, depending on what you plan to afford, it won't be the same.  You need to think small.

Cost of Living - in Europe it's higher than in the US.  The good thing is there's no sales tax.  The bad thing - there's a 18%+ value added tax (VAT).  The good thing is many prices include the VAT so you don't buy it and then they add the VAT at the end.  But you need to be aware of it.  Eating out, housing, transportation are all higher here.

Job Market - you'll need to do your research.  I'm not sure on the computer industry.  But things are booming here.  The one item I do know you need to do before you leave is a) know who your employer is (aka have a job) before moving there.  You need this for a work visa.  Sure you can come to Ireland on a different visa but then getting and employment card is tough while in Ireland compared to working it from the US.

Homeschooling - you're on your own on this as I don't know anything about homeschooling.

Pets - this one is the easiest to answer.  Depending on your pets you mention, you can take certain pets with you.  When you arrive, they are quarrantined for I believe 30 days.  You can visit them periodically but they need to be quarrantined to ensure they don't bring any disease with them.

Bottom line - start with the research and looking at the job opportunities in Cork or Dublin - this is where most of the computer industry is in Ireland.

Good luck - it will be nice to see another Yank in Ireland.

Answer 4

You need to make preparations first to get a job in Ireland if you are moving your family there.   Here's a couple of suggestions I posted to answer another question last week.  They seem to apply to your situation, too.  

Here's a couple of sites about getting a work or tourist visa for Ireland.

http://www.traveldocs.com/ie/vr.htm (not great)

http://www.arriveandthrive.com/ire/index... (much better)

Work Visa, this one is very interesting.

http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_ie....

And a work visa for Northern Ireland is through the UK. There has been almost nothing in the way of The Troubles lately, and Belfast particularly has seen a huge growth in the international community as well as better relations between the cities various religions in the past ten years.

http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_uk....

And some new stuff I found specifically to answer the computer jobs part of your question and about your kids' schooling.  

Also, search "Homeschooling in Ireland" on Yahoo!, Google, etc.  

The computer and tech fields are really big job markets in Ireland.  People say the cost of living can be a lot higher in some parts of Ireland than in the U. S., and that may be true in areas, but certainly not most of the country.  

There is actually a website called Computer Jobs Ireland.  Here's the Links.

http://www.eolas.ie/computer-jobs-irelan...

http://www.eolas.ie/

The site looks very high tech and professional.  It appears that it is run by a legitimate and highly respected company that helps people get employment in Ireland.  

Oh, and Pets.  Get them thoroughly checked out by a Veterinarian.  They have to have all their vaccinations and other shots and a clean bill of health.  Don't forget about Quarantine.  Ireland requires an Import License for Pets.  It's not a big deal, but you have to have one.  

The Link below has info. on moving with Kids, Pets, etc.  It's very informative.  The website is called Moving to Ireland.  

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listing...

  The process is a lot simpler than it sounds.  Your Veterinarian should be a lot of help in getting it started.  

Here's the pets part of that page.

"Moving with Pets

Ireland has strict rules and regulations on the importation of pets. If you intend to bring a dog or pet from any countries other than the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, you must have an import license. In order to obtain one, the animal must:

    * be put in approved quarantine in Ireland for at least six months

    * be put in approved quarantine for one month, then in approved private arrangements for a further five months. Depending on the facility you can provide for the animal, the “private arrangements” could be a quarantine facility in your own back garden.

However, the “private option” is feasible only if the animal has been vaccinated against rabies and has a current certificate. For an animal to be “quarantined” at your own residence, you'll need to obtain prior approval from the Veterinary Inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture and Food before bringing the pet to Ireland. The pet (and the premises) will be subject to further inspection by private veterinary surgeons during the five-month period. You should apply for approval of private quarantine premises at least three months before bringing the animal to Ireland.

At present there is only one public quarantine facility: Lissenhall Quarantine Kennels and Catteries, Lissenhall, Swords, County Dublin."

Answer 5

The only real problem is the price of housing,rental is dead money.

Answer 6

Sell or store all (if any) firearms you own because they aren't allowed  anywhere in the UK.

Answer 7

Let me start by saying You wont regret it! Some things to consider.. With five children, You will probably find Irish Housing quite expensive, particularly close to Dublin or the other Major cities, in the Dublin suburbs, or further out don't expect much change from 1Million or so to get a decent house for  (+1500 sq ft) check www.daft.ie or www.myhome.ie for property prices for sale or rent.. You will find better value further out, but the traffic can be horrendous, particularly to Dublin and Galway.

I would say IT is stronger in Dublin area followed then by Limerick/Shannon or Cork or Galway.  If You are working in regular R&D or IT infra mgt then salaries will not vary much down the country compared to dublin. It can be easy to fit in anywhere, You fill find many migrants like Yourself all over the country - indeed there is probably a movement away from the cities anyhow in recent years.

It jobs are available, but really consider Your skills and market your CV correctly so that you can get the high end of close to 75-90K if Your skills match well or just 45k if You have to retrain.  www.monster.ie, www.cpl.ie and www.jobserve.com  are good websites. I would say salaries have remained quite flat in recent years.

Congrats on having them homeschooled, however in Ireland I think You will probably find the free-(ish) primary schools are pretty much all of a good equal quality. That said You should do some research, Ireland has a kid and immigrant boom at the moment, so even after finding the ideal home the school may be full! Post-Primary schooling is also free. That said, best of luck in maintaining the home schooling,some irish families do it.  but eventually the kids will need to pass state examinations if they wish to attend the Irish universities. They will find lots of social contact there too. If You and the kids get stuck into local communities and V-IMPORTANT get to know and be a good neighbour, the social opportunities will be fine without the school contact.

If You could arrange it, come for a long holiday first - rent a house in a regular community and see how You like it. How are You fixed with Visas - do You have an Irish grandparent which I think entitles You to irish passport?

Ireland has  quarantine and passport scheme for pets see

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/index.jsp?...

I will try and answer more, if I log on again

Kev

Answer 8

Housing is very very different there.  I would never up and relocate seven people without visiting first!!!