Moving to a new country is always scary since you don’t know anyone, you don’t know which areas are good to live in, where to go out, where to sightsee, or how the transport works. It is incredibly daunting to pack up and leave, but it doesn’t have to be if you have a little help. So, let me help you decide why you should move to Ireland today!
Reasons Moving to Ireland Is An Amazing Idea
Well, there are many reasons to move to Ireland. It guarantees that you will meet some amazing people and make great lifelong friends. You will eat the best foods available in some of the best restaurants in the world. You will experience the fantastic culture and learn great history about Ireland. There are endless opportunities for you to find the perfect job that will build your career.
It is close to Europe, so you are only a plane flight away from other great countries. So much more companies are starting up their business in Ireland due to Brexit, which means it is the best time to move and secure yourself a great job. You can travel all over Ireland in a car which means you get to experience some of the country’s best landscapes every weekend.
Did I mention the people are REALLY friendly? You need to move to Ireland as you won’t regret it. Let’s go into a bit more detail on some of the reasons you should move to Ireland and how you can integrate & enjoy living as an expat here.
1.Great Weather
If you do not like snow or hot summers, the island is for you. Summers there may reach a high of 27 degrees Celsius, but this only lasts for a maximum of two to three weeks. The rest of the summer is warm but not painfully hot. During winter, it is cold and can get to minus 3 degrees Celsius, but never anything further than that. There is rarely any snow, and if it does fall, it melts within a few days. You will not be going skiing there, that is for sure.
The island has an Oceanic Climate, which means typical weather includes rain, winds, and cloudiness. The weather can, quite literally, have four seasons in one day. Due to this type of weather, flooding is unavoidable in Ireland. High flood risk areas would mainly occur around the coastal areas such as Galway, Kerry, Clare, Limerick, and much more.
If you plan to move there, avoid living close to the coast, especially in the West. The East is still hit with some flood risks, but not as severely as the West. The Irish Government does take precautions to inform the people when a flood may occur and issue a Yellow or Red weather warning for the specific areas. They also take preventative measures to help minimize the severity of the flood damage.
2.Affordable Cost of Living
If you think of moving to a city such as Dublin, prepare to pay a lot! Compared to the US, Ireland is 15% more expensive. You would think this would be significantly less as it is a small country, but unfortunately, this is not the case. Ireland is still much cheaper to live in than countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Luxembourg, or Denmark. It is ranked as the 13th most expensive country to live in, so be ready to survive here.
Dublin is Ireland’s capital city, which means it is the most expensive. Renting an apartment or a house in the city costs anywhere from $1,900 to $3,700 per month. Once you leave Dublin and go to the commuter towns such as Wicklow or Kildare, the prices drop significantly, and the life is quieter with beautiful scenery you would enjoy daily. Salaries in Ireland range depending on the job you are doing. The average wage per month ranges from $2,500 to $3,500 per month. The yearly starting wage could be, on average, $35,440. An average person working on the island is getting roughly $55,500.
3.Amazing Jobs & Careers Opportunities
Due to Brexit, the state is attracting more EU business than ever before. More people are looking to work in media, pharmacy, beauty, sports, childcare, etc. Ireland is within the EU, so many companies based in the UK have set up branches there to facilitate their EU-based clients. The island is a central hot spot now for new companies.
This is the time to move to Ireland for major career opportunities as new offices are based here for Amazon, Facebook, Google, and much more. If you are looking for a job in IT, then Ireland is your place. Companies in Ireland constantly look for people to work in IT, hospitality, and engineering.
There are different types of visas you can apply for, such as Short Stay Visa or a Long Stay Visa. The short-stay applies to people who need to stay for less than three months and are not EEA members. This visa is mainly for visiting family members or coming as a tourist anywhere outside the UK and EEA. You could use this visa to visit Ireland and feel the country before settling down here.
Long-term visas are for people from outside of the EEA who are looking to move to Ireland for work. It is not a complicated process to get these visas, and once done, you can enjoy your time in Ireland. Once you have secured a job there, most of the time, you can prolong your stay with your company sponsorship. Before you decide to move:
- Make sure you have obtained a job and somewhere to live.
- Make sure you understand the location of both places.
- Review the company you will be working with to ensure it is a legitimate company trading in Ireland.
- Research the area where you will be living and plan out the route to your new job to ensure that you are not two hours away from your work office.
4.Reputable Universities
Many famous universities in Ireland if you think of moving overseas for study purposes. Some top public colleges include:
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- Dublin City University
- Technology University Dublin
- University College Cork
All EEA students will have the possibility to study for free. For non-EEA students, there are costs associated with looking in this country, but they are manageable with many payment options available. Student accommodation on campus can range between $590 to $1,180 per month. Studying in Ireland provides high-quality education and is ranked top 10 for education globally, and Ireland also offers globally recognized qualifications.
The post-study visa is an excellent benefit to international students who want to work in Ireland after completing their studies. Once a job opportunity is received, they can apply for a green card in Ireland. There are many prospects for students in Ireland regarding study and work.
5.The Brilliant Culture and Long History
The Irish are incredibly proud of their heritage, so you will get completely immersed in the Irish culture and history when you move to Ireland. It is all around you! The culture here has been influenced by the Normans, Scottish and English cultures. The Irish culture includes music, dancing, sport, language and art.
They have a traditional Irish dance called the “Irish Stepdance”. It’s fascinating to watch when the women and men perform this dance as they have good, stiff bodies and move their feet quickly to the music. The national sports include Gaelic and Hurling. Gaelic is football but moved around both with hands and feet instead of the regular football, which involves feet only.
You can learn other cultural facts when you move here, such as the different accents in Dublin and every country you go to has a different spelling. Dublin has a few accents depending on which area you are from, and I’m sure you will pick up one of these when you move to Ireland.
6.Beautiful Countryside
Ireland is a beautiful country, and because it is so tiny, you can quickly fill your weekends with exploring the hidden beauties of this island. It was voted the 18th most beautiful country globally, which is no surprise as Ireland is known for its greenery, mountains, beautiful countryside, and landscapes. The countryside is spectacular, but Dublin is also one of the best cities to visit as it has impressive architecture and some beautiful canals.
The Giants Causeway
The Giants Causeway is probably the most amazing place you can visit in Ireland. It is in County Antrim and consists of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns created due to an ancient volcanic eruption. This place is also called “The 8th Wonder of The World”.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare is another place to visit when you move to Ireland. The cliffs are 700ft high and go about 14km in length. While the scenery is breathtaking, your adrenaline rush will fly high standing at the edge of the cliffs with no barriers to protect you. A feeling of standing at the edge of the world will consume your body. It is an incredible feeling to visit The Cliffs of Moher, whatever the reason may be for you.
Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
Glendalough in County Wicklow attracts many different people. If you want a bit of history, there is an ancient monastic site which you can visit. This includes a massive round tower and the remains of churches and cemeteries. If it is a walk or a hike you are after, Glendalough has many options to pick from. There is a long hike around the lake, which could take about 2 hours to finish, but the views are incredibly worth it. The Powerscourt Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Ireland, located here also.
Donegal
County Donegal is full of majestic places, such as Murder Hole Beach, Slieve League, Tory Island, Errigal mountain and much more. Slieve League has some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, rising 600m above the waves. Errigal mountain has the tallest peak in County Donegal. It is one of the most scenic hikes up a hill. Make sure to bring knee-high boots as there is no clear footpath. You will be climbing through mud and skidding back down the mountain most of the time. Best experience of your trip by far!
There are so many more places to visit in Ireland, but the list would be endless. Ireland is a beautiful country, and each county has something of its own to offer you. Waterford Greenway, Dingle Peninsula in Kerry, and Newgrange are more scenic and historical places to visit. Moving here could mean you have all these places at your doorstep.
7.A Safe Country to Live In
Ireland is one of the safest countries since guns are illegal here unless you own a farm. Compared to countries such as the USA, gun crime is practically non-existent. There are some bad neighborhoods, just like anywhere else, and you should be cautious. This is also the case for the police in Ireland. Usually, the Gardai do not carry guns when patrolling the city, and only 19% of the Irish Police Force can carry firearms. The highest crime rate in Ireland is related to drugs; next in line would be theft and vandalism, then assault and armed robbery. People smuggle guns into the country, like anywhere else.
You do not need to worry about racism in Ireland, as everyone is quite welcoming. Irish are not the stupid people who attack people for their skin color or origins. You can relax and know that you will always be welcomed no matter what.
8.Lively Pubs and Bars
Ireland has amazing pubs and bars filled with live music every weekend and others every day. Everywhere you look, there is a pub or a bar. Irish people are known for their drinking and their love for Guinness. Dublin, Galway, and Cork cities are always buzzing with great nightlife. Galway city is known to be the go-to place for hen nights. You could easily do “12 Pubs of Christmas” in any county you live in during Christmas. Some of the well-known and famous pubs would be:
- Johnnie Fox’s Pub in Dublin
- Gartlan’s Pub, which is 107 years old based in Cavan
- O’Connell’s in Meath
- McConville’s Pub in Armagh
- The Smugglers Creek Inn in Donegal
- The Harbour Bar in Bray
- The Maghera Inn, which is 200 years old based in County Down
- Peadar O’Donnell’s Pub in Derry
- The Crane Bar in Galway
This is just a shortlist. The complete list would be too long. Each bar has its uniqueness, but all tell their own story and educate you on their history. When you go into any of these, this is precisely where you will experience the whole Irish culture and just how amazing the Irish people are.
9.Friendliest People in the World
Irish people are the nicest people in the world. They smile at you randomly when you walk on the street, do your shopping, or use public transport. You will find yourself immersed in conversation with the locals about anything and everything. They love to talk and are eager to teach you more about the Irish culture and the town in which you are.
The Irish make you feel welcome when you arrive and never treat you differently from the locals. As mentioned earlier, they will never treat you differently because of your race or country of origin. They are accepting of anyone. If you ask for directions, they will tell you where to go and sometimes even walk you there themselves. If you ask do Irish people like Americans, the answer is absolute YES; Ireland is one of the most recommended countries for American expats because there has been a tremendous common heritage and culture between the United States and the Republic of Ireland; for centuries…Keep in mind that the Irish community is one of the biggest in the U.S.
Irish “craic” is a term used to describe fun times in Ireland. The term is used regarding making connections, friends, conversations, and much more. It simmers down to what the Irish people are like, and having the “craic” is what they do best.
10.Amazing Food EVERYWHERE!
There are restaurants, cafes, and bakeries everywhere you go. You can enjoy the “Full Irish Breakfast” anywhere you go, especially after a night out of partying…trust me, this will satisfy you to your core! It consists of fried eggs, white pudding, black pudding, pork sausages, bacon rashers, toast, and a fried tomato. It is the best traditional food you will ever have. It is so good; you will go out of your way to learn how to make it for yourself at home every morning.
The Irish Stew is another feast you need to have when you move over. The meal itself reflects Irish history, and it consists of lamb, potatoes, and onions. This is the original, traditional way it is made. There are many variations of it now, but if you go out to eat in a top-rated excellent Irish restaurant like Johnnie Foxes, this is what you will get.
Bacon and cabbage, boxty, and soda bread are other traditional foods made in Ireland. If you like American, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, or Italian food, then don’t worry; Ireland has enough restaurants offering the best of these cuisines. You will not go hungry when you are here, that’s a fact!
So, do you want to move to Ireland now?
If the above points have not convinced you to move to Ireland, I don’t know what will! Trust me; you will not regret it if you choose to move, as it is one of THE BEST countries to live in as an expat! Ireland is a peaceful and neutral country, and guns are illegal. You can sleep easy at night knowing world war three will not break out soon. The weather here is not the best, but Ireland is the right choice if you like minimal snow in winter and not-so-sizzling temperatures during the summer.
