The 'my missus is moving to Ireland' thread

El Inho

After two and a half years of long distance, I am finally reaping the rewards.

my missus is moving to Ireland from German in september and just some practical problems are coming up, and figure this is the place to get some answers. I'm going to post them as they come up again because i can't think of them right now.

First up, mobile phone. She has an iPhone 5 (unfortunately) but she want's her network to unlock it, so i can get her a nano sim for herself over here. She is still in contract with tmobile in Germany, but will be keeping her number alive over here in a cheap phone.

So does anyone know if tmobile will give up the NAC code within contract without a fight? I see vodafone will do it if you meet criteria, so would anyone happen to know this criteria? I tried may hardest navigating their site but to no avail.

tatli_lokma

Em, not really a travel question is it? Dunno what the mods think, but I reckon you might get more joy if you post each query in the relevant forum - so this one would go to the mobile phones forum, if you have a query on work, work and jobs etc.

Gatica

agreed.

As far as I know, phone providers don't unlock your phone for you until you're out of the contract.

munchkin_utd

according to t mobile its only possible with their (older) i phones after 24months
http://www.t-mobile.de/sim-lock-entsperren/0,20638,23789-_,00.html
an iphone 5 bought since february though shouldnt have any lock on it at all at all.

El Inho

Thanks for the feedback, i put it here as there are more questions coming..

for example, the best bank account to set up for someone moving here to study for a year?

Looking like AIB or Ulster Bank....any opinions?

Gatica

I'd compare the charges on the current accounts from different banks:

https://www.aib.ie/personal/current-accounts/Personal-Current-Acc-Fees-Charge
http://personalbanking.bankofireland.com/bank/current-accounts/standard-current-account/
http://www.ulsterbank.ie/roi/personal/daily-banking/current-accounts/help-guides/guide-to-personal-acc.ashx

from the 3, Ulster Bank looks the cheapest, Bank of Ireland is the most expensive.

munchkin_utd

Gatica wrote: »

<snip>
from the 3, Ulster Bank looks the cheapest, Bank of Ireland is the most expensive.

if the person is a student then they would be able to get a student account which is normally free

For non students Bank of Ireland has a massive advantage in that you only pay for what you use.
So if your only transfer was say a standing order for rent then you come out at a fraction of what Ulster Bank are charging, which is 4euro per month, 48euro/year, even if you do nothing with your account.

tatli_lokma

El Spearo wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback, i put it here as there are more questions coming..

for example, the best bank account to set up for someone moving here to study for a year?

Looking like AIB or Ulster Bank....any opinions?

I understand that there are more questions coming, but opening a bank account again is not a travel question, it is a personal finance question. You will get answers here, but I just don't think you are not necessarily going to get the best answers by posting here.

Gatica

didn't think of that. I kind of assumed his OH was moving over to live rather than study. Suppose one does not exclude the other...

El Inho

Fair enough...was just hoping to keep them all in one place, but ill divide it into several threads...thanks guys