Moving to Ireland?

Question

I am about to be a freshman in college in the United States. After I graduate I really want to move to a country in Europe. I have decided on Ireland. I know that it is kind of soon to start planning this kind of stuff, but I have to start saving up money, and things of that sort. Ireland isn't locked in as the country, but it is #1 right now. I just have a few questions.

1. Is the cost of living high? How much per month would you say it is to rent an apartment?

2. What would i have to do to live there for about 3-5 years? How would I go about getting a residency visa? Would I have to get an Irish drivers license?

3. The Job Market: What jobs need to be filled? Does Ireland have a very competitive job market?

4. Food: Is Irish food vegetarian friendly? (i know that i could just eat fruits and veggies, but i just wanted to know what you thought)

5. Clothing: What clothing is best in Ireland?

Any help would be wonderful!

Answer 1

Cost of living high north and south, climate temperate to fair but near the coast on the Atlantic side very unpredictable.  Irish driving license yes you'll need one, jobs erm lets just say the ceasefires opened the floodgates from p**s poor countries which has done more harm than good.

Answer 2

Ireland is a lovely place to live (i'm from England but regulary visit as i have family out there)

because it's now in the EU, it's not as cheap as it used to be.

Heres a website that sums up immigrating to Ireland

http://www.overseas-experience.com/irela...

To live in an Irish city you're looking at €1,400 a month.

Ireland does have a competitive job market because their are a lot of European immigrants that are willing to do work, but for cheaper.

There is a lot of choice when it comes to food and you shouldn't find it a problem to find vegetarian friendly places to eat.

It's often said that in Ireland you get four seasons in one day, and there is some truth in this! The weather is never really predictable, no matter what the season.

Summer Storm BrewingIn July and August there can be surprisingly warm weather in Ireland with average temperatures of around 15ºC -18ºC, occasionally as high as 30ºC. It can become humid as the temperature rises and sudden and heavy, though usually short, thunder storms are not uncommon.

In winter clouds and rain are more common with the occasional warm sunny days. Heavy snow falls are rare although the tops of mountains may be covered with snow for much of the winter. Average temperatures in Ireland in January and February (usually the coldest months) are about 5ºC.

Spring and Autumn are less predictable - you could find yourself soaking up the Sun in April but equally you could have difficulty driving on icy roads.

So essentially in Ireland the weather could do anything - be prepared for that!

Answer 3

any were but ireland

Answer 4

Well you must understand that Ireland is seriously offshore and remarkably insular. This makes it great for a holiday, lots of old-fashioned ways and extended families. So if you're of Irish decent, or fascinated by their limited ways it's great.

But to live and get a job? I fear not. There is not the State benefits you can enjoy elsewhere in Europe, and if you're not just taking the lowly jobs (that the Poles do) you'll be regarded with a certain amount of scepticism. You see  the Irish go abroad to work in England or The States and when they visit home they're expected to take the family out for a meal and drinks and generally spend, spend and spend. Someone from the States looking for a job doesn't fulfill the usual role of their expectations. Why don't you get a job easily in London, visit Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and also take easy trips over to Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin by train (via the Tunnel.) If you really like Ireland then you can easily move. But you'll find that Greater London has a huge Irish population and that'll probably do. Good luck!

Answer 5

it depends where abouts in ireland that you live, i love about an hour from belfast and dublin and my rent is half the price of my friends in dublin. you can rent a 3 bedroom house for about 650euro a month here or get shared accomodation from about 50.

since you live in the united states, i know that you don't need a visa when you arrive but if you plan on staying i'm pretty sure there needs to be a few documents filed....and i think you can just get your license transfered!!

jobs???hmmm...you will get one!!!eventually!!if you have experience then you should be ok...what field are you studying??

ireland is vegetarian friendly!!!in most restaurants you will have vegetarian options....not really full menus but options :)!!

jeans and a t shirt somedays...hoody others...light jacket...the weather isn't terrible(all the time)lol

i wanna move out of ireland so you can swap places if you want!!haha

Answer 6

Cost of living is high - to rent an apartment alone would cost between 500 and 1000 euro per month.  You can share a house or apartment to cut down the cost.

Not sure what you have to do to get residency - perhaps marry an Irish guy?

Job market - always looking for accountants, shop managers, people with IT skills and those in the catering industry.

Food - depends where you are.  In the cities there is loads of choice for vegetarians.  More limited in more rural areas.

Clothing - depends on the season. Essential are jeans, t-shirts, jumpers, fleeces and a good raincoat.  Summer time - lightweight trousers, shorts, t-shirts and a rainmac !

Answer 7

1: Yes it is very high. Can't give you prices for apartments though because I'm in student accomodation at the moment.

2: ...Not sure

3: Unemployment is currently rising and the job market is getting very competitive. Hopefully this will change soon but you will need to keep an eye on the matter.

4: It should be fine. Vegetarian options to tend to be more expensive though.

5: Just the usual.

Answer 8

Hmmm cost of living is good, if you have a good job.

Around €375 a month

Not sure about visa

There are jobs but the polish took most of them

Our food is better than yours, no offence

Clothes hmm it rains allot but we have our good days.

Answer 9

Sher come on over and give us a try!

Answer 10

The cost of living in Ireland is currently very high, and rental prices depend very much on where you choose to live. A big pad in central Dublin will cost a lot more than the same in Limerick or Waterford. I suggest going to www.daft.ie to compare rental prices.

As regards visa requirements, driver's licence, etc., contact the Irish Embassy or Consulate nearest to you for more information. You won't get many good answers here.

Job Market: There are a HUGE number of people from other parts of Europe, Asia and Africa living and working in Ireland. EU nationals have an easier time of it, as there's less paperwork for employers to do if they employ them. I don't think you should look at what needs to be filled in Ireland, I think you should just follow a course for something you really enjoy and if it's useful in Ireland, then do it. Bear in mind that the jobs market could be very different in a few years time here.

Vegetarians are perfectly welcome here. And due to the influx of other nationals, there are also plenty of Asian, African and Eastern European foodstores, so you won't have any problem finding protein substitutes.

Clothing: Think layers. It's a maritime climate, and very changeable. Good shoes are a must. And a good jacket or coat.

Answer 11

1.Cost of living is quite high especially if your income is in US dollars. To rent a room in a half-way decent apartment in Dublin (sharing with others) allow at least 120 euro per week.

2.You need to get a work visa and renew it to stay as long as you wish. After 5 years you've been living in the country you can apply for an Irish passport. You would have to get an Irish driver's license if you want to buy a car. I don't think you can swap your american license for an Irish one.

3.It's getting harder and harder to get a job in Ireland but if you are an engineer, or have a techincal or chemical degree, or are a doctor or a nurse, you have better chances to get a job and a good wage.

4. Yeah, you won't have any problems getting vegetarian options that are actually meat-free! There are a lot of vegetarians in Ireland!

5. Same as you would wear in America... a little smarter perhaps. You'll get used to the fashion within 6 months and start shopping for clothes in Ireland anyway...