Possible move to Shannon

swiss

I have a job interview next week with Intel in Shannon and assuming I am offered and accept the position I will have to move to some area around Shannon from Dublin. At the moment, I am between two minds about this. I know very little about the area and have only visited Limerick twice and the Burren a grand total of one time.

So, I would like to know a little more about the area before I make any decision to move.

1. How does the cost of living in the area compare to Dublin? What would be typical prices for rent, for example?

2. What is the availability of broadband in Shannon? Would I have to live in Shannon town for ADSL or are surrounding regions served by fixed line access? As a less preferred backup option, are the wireless broadband services any good?

3. What is the social scene in Shannon like? How long is the commute to Limerick should I wish to go out there?

4. Are there any particular recommendations for places in the area where I should live?

Also, on the off-chance that there is someone here who is familiar with Intels operation in Shannon, what are they like to work for? Would you describe it as a hellish cess-pit or a blissful nirvana?

Any helpful suggestions or advice is most welcome.

Mac 3

I dont live in Shannon but I work there, I'll try answer a few points.

Limerick is a quick spin, 20 mins dual carriageway all the way, but that said some parts of Limerick are difficult to get to at certain times of the day due to traffic problems.

I use wireless BB in Shannon, no problems there.

Regarding socialising, not too many pubs in Shannon, Limerick would have plenty of good pubs. There is a shopping center Dunnes and Tesco are there and the other usual suspects like a chemist, bookie, xtra vision etc..

Lots of people live in Limerick and commute out every day, Like I said above, its only about 20 mins from the outskirts of Limerick.

Clareman

Hi swiss,

Firstly, Intel would be a great place to get into, 2 friends of mine work there and they love it, they seem to reward their staff very well and look after them, they have an active Sports and Social Club, they also have a lot of good travelling oportunities if your so inclined.

In regards to living in the area, I wouldn't live in Shannon, there isn't much here, couple of pubs, no cinema or bowling alley or anything like that. As Mac says, Limerick is about 20 minutes in the road, but depending where in Limerick you live it could be a lot longer, traffic in Limerick is 1 of the worst in the country. Ennis (where I live) has just had the by pass opened, it now takes me 15 minutes to get to and from work. Ennis has loads of pubs, cinema, nightclubs, bowling alleys, sporting areas.

Broadband is available almost everywhere so you shouldn't have any problem getting whatever type of connection you want.

I don't rent myself, but I believe the going rate for an en-suite room is around €250 a month in Ennis (I think). Price of a pint ranges from €4 to €4.50 depending on where and time of the night.

Jay P

Obviously, rent would be much cheaper, average soct of a house is about half of what it is in Dublin

Broadband is pretty widely available in Clare

Social scene in Shannon, from what I hear, is pretty dim. Everyone goes to Limerick which is about ten minutes away, or you could head to Ennis, which is also 10 minutes away

Melion

I live in Shannon, have done all my life(unfortunately )

Im actually looking for a place to live at the minute and its hard to find anything cheaper than 800 p/m which isnt too bad for a 2 bed apartment. Plenty of house sharing opportunities though.

Broadband is available all through Shannon so nothing to worry about there.

Nightlife is terrible, 2 nightclubs if you could call them that. I work on the door at one of them and its not as bad as some people make out but still pretty terrible. Limerick is only 20 minutes in the road and you have plenty of choice in there depending on your music taste.

A friend of mine worked there on co-op(i think) and loved it.

whatsgoinon

My sister and her friend are renting a 3 bed house in ennis for €700 a month, its a really nice house too, 2 main bedrooms en suite, actually more toilets in the house than beds!

i commuted from limerick while working in shannon, I lived in caherdavin so avoided the worst of the traffic, 4 years ago I was paying €200 a month for a double room, house wasn't great but it suited my needs.

Ennis is a great little town, advantage of weekend trips to lahinch always a bonus!!

MarkR

Shannon a fine place to live, if a little short on entertainment. Then again, how many nights a week would you go to the cinema / bowling alley?

As above, BB everywhere really, except maybe some cottage out in the country or something. LOADS of apartments / two bedroom houses built recently. Got all the basic shopping requirements (Dunnes, Tesco (for now), Lidl and a range of smaller convenience stores, xtravision worth a mention I suppose)

For fine cuisine we have McDonalds, Supermacs, Eddie Rockets, Apache Pizza (very greasy last time if you are reading mr pizza man), couple of chinese places and another pizza place in a thatched cottage?

No smart telecom malarky, but sky / chorus are about. Not sure on coverage for chorus internet. Safe place to live I suppose is worth a mention. Tis quiet. Sure we all sleep with the doors open etc.

swiss

Thanks for the feedback. If the commute is only 20 minutes from either Limerick or Ennis then I would probably look to those as likely settling locations. At the moment I would lean towards Limerick as I don't want to leave city life behind just yet. Anyway, 20 minutes is my work commute as it is.

The cost of living seems a good bit lower than Dublin, rent prices alone are half of what one would be expected to pay in the capital (a room ensuite depending on the area of Dublin would likely be €600 or so per month if not more).

I'll find out at the end of the week whether I'll be faced with the decision to move or not. Though the look on my current bosses face when I hand in my letter of resignation might be just the incentive I need to make the change.