living in Dublin (finances)

lovenew

Hi,
Never been to Ireland - considering relocating to Dublin from California, USA. Have job offer for net salary of 26k. Am single and have no outstanding loans. I've been doing some research online to try and find information on the cost of living in Dublin and it seems like it can vary wildly.

What's a typical figure for a 1/2 bed apartment in Dublin city center? How comfortable would I be with such salary? I have lived in NYC where 50k$ was a very normal salary so I know it's all relative - I'm hoping 26k is decent for Dublin? What's the breakdown for basic costs when living in Dublin?

I'm trying to come up with ballpark figures for stuff... 1k per month for a decent apartment? 500 for food and entertainment? 500 for random expenses?

Does that seem reasonable? Or are these figures way off?

If there's any single professionals out there, how much do you spend on weekly/monthly groceries? How much do 3-4 beers at the bar cost?

What's the situation like with driving? Is insurance crazy expensive?

Thanks in advance,
Lovenew

PS: sorry if wrong thread

dharma200

Rent in Dublin can be very expensive, if you are looking at an apartment for yourself city centre not sharing, you wouldn't get an apartment for 1000. Look on daft.ie and it will give you a rough idea what to expect, although bear in mind the photos can be misleading.
Dublin is fairly expensive if you like going out and drinking etc but it is all relative and many people budget.
Hths.. I don't live in Dublin so maybe someone else can be of further help

dharma200

Car insurance alps varies depending on your age... Get some quotes from insurance websites with your details and the type of car you might want to drive and it will give you a good idea. A pint of beer in Dublin varies from five euro to seven or even eight in temple bar area.... If you are living city centre you would not want to drive. There are discount food stores such as Aldi and lidl where food is fairly cheap. Eating out in Dublin is not so expensive either if you choose well....

MadsL

26k after you have paid rent (unless you house share) will leave you with less than 1000 euros a month to live on.

Not enough to justify moving from Cali imho.

lovenew

thanks for the responses
my current salary isn't great either :-P

ok what about living outside the city (for cheaper rent) and commuting? is that feasible in dublin?

sabat

Where's the job based?

Ahhhhh its grand

I would consider looking for a shared house/apartment with other professionals at first. You'll save yourself 300-400 euro that way. It's also a good way to meet people.

Arawn

26 grand a year is piss tbh 500 a week in dub. I'd also be checking does your net salary include usc and **** like that. Also you'll have to pay bins, tv licence, internet, and so on.

Billy86

lovenew wrote: »

What's the situation like with driving? Is insurance crazy expensive?

VERY IMPORTANT:
- Get an international licence before moving over, or you will be deemed more or less uninsurable. If you were moving from another EU country it would be fine (because the EU have basically forced them to by law) but as you are not, it will not be recognised Why? F'k you, that's why! Welcome to the Irish car insurance industry.

- Get letters from your car insurers dating back for the last 5 full years to state 'lovenew had a car insurance policy from [DATE X] to [DATE Y] in his/her own name and had no accidents or claims in this period' (if you have been with one company for 5+ years that will save you a LOT of hassle). That is pretty much the verbatim wording you will want. Irish car insurance is a hideous cartel industry, and without these letters (which are sometimes nightmares to get once you have moved abroad) they will try to rip you off completely - we're talking €1,200-2,000 to insure something small like this for the year. Each of these years must run for a full year (so January 10th 2011 - January 8th 2012 does not count as anything, it must be until Jan 9th in that case), and there must not be a gap of more than three months between any of them, or else everything from before then does not count. If you sell your car 3 months and 1 day before moving to Ireland they will basically take it up as if you had never driven a car before in your life. Why? F'k you, that's why!

- Also best to get that international licence switched to an Irish full licence when you get the chance (if it's easier to just convert it then do that, but I don't know what that would involve). The reason is that Irish insurance companies will charge you as if you were on a provisional licence/learners permit even though you would hold a full US and full international licence. Why? F'k you, that's why! I'm dead serious too, I've worked in insurance for a while previously and it's crooked enough to make the banks look like angels.

---

For what it's worth, as best I know we are not as bad in other areas, but the car insurance industry here does all they possibly can to bleed every penny out of any foreigner who comes into the country. Just a heads up.

There is however the plus side that Dublin is TINY compared to California, just took a quick look on wiki and it's about one quarter the land-mass of San Francisco, or one third of Oakland. So if you're stuck in your first weeks here, it's pretty easy and quick getting around in on bicycle or by bus/taxi.

MadsL

Billy86 wrote: »

VERY IMPORTANT:
- Get an international licence before moving over, or you will be deemed more or less uninsurable. If you were moving from another EU country it would be fine (because the EU have basically forced them to by law) but as you are not, it will not be recognised Why? F'k you, that's why! Welcome to the Irish car insurance industry.

- Get letters from your car insurers dating back for the last 5 full years to state 'lovenew had a car insurance policy from [DATE X] to [DATE Y] in his/her own name and had no accidents or claims in this period' (if you have been with one company for 5+ years that will save you a LOT of hassle). That is pretty much the verbatim wording you will want. Irish car insurance is a hideous cartel industry, and without these letters (which are sometimes nightmares to get once you have moved abroad) they will try to rip you off completely - we're talking €1,200-2,000 to insure something small like this for the year. Each of these years must run for a full year (so January 10th 2011 - January 8th 2012 does not count as anything, it must be until Jan 9th in that case), and there must not be a gap of more than three months between any of them, or else everything from before then does not count. If you sell your car 3 months and 1 day before moving to Ireland they will basically take it up as if you had never driven a car before in your life. Why? F'k you, that's why!

- Also best to get that international licence switched to an Irish full licence when you get the chance (if it's easier to just convert it then do that, but I don't know what that would involve). The reason is that Irish insurance companies will charge you as if you were on a provisional licence/learners permit even though you would hold a full US and full international licence. Why? F'k you, that's why! I'm dead serious too, I've worked in insurance for a while previously and it's crooked enough to make the banks look like angels.

---

For what it's worth, as best I know we are not as bad in other areas, but the car insurance industry here does all they possibly can to bleed every penny out of any foreigner who comes into the country. Just a heads up.

There is however the plus side that Dublin is TINY compared to California, just took a quick look on wiki and it's about one quarter the land-mass of San Francisco, or one third of Oakland. So if you're stuck in your first weeks here, it's pretty easy and quick getting around in on bicycle or by bus/taxi.

Well said - Irish insurers absolutely tear Americans apart when they are driving on a US licence.

You cannot exchange your licence either, Americans have to take the Irish driving test. then you will be penalised for being a new driver and at 26 - oh god, you are also a 'young' driver.

clairefontaine

Insurance will bleed you dry. Your experience in the US will count for nothing. It's starting from scratch.

So will gas. Be prepared to pay the equivalent of $12 a gallon roughly.

Motor tax is another expense.

Electricity is phenomenally expensive. So is home heating.

Everything is expensive compared to the US. Except two things, mobile phones and duvet covers, they are cheaper for some reason.

Is that 26k gross or net?

KTRIC

No one talked about the weather here yet. I know we love to bitch about it but the OP will be in for some shock coming from Cali.

NeVeR

€26K is roughly €1,827.00 a month after tax.

You'd be better off looking for a room to rent and not a whole apartment.

here are lets in Dublin City Center Link

Just watch out some have Weekly rents others have monthly.

Firstly, if you're living and working in Dublin, you really don't need a car.

You can definitely find a place to rent with your salary, but it would be a good idea to rent in a shared place and look just outside the city where it's cheaper. Dublin city is small, so just outside the city is still easily walking distance to wherever in the city you need to go, just stay Southside if you'll be spending most time southside or northside if you'll be spending most time northside.

Food and drink for home can be bought pretty cheaply if you shop around, but eating and drinking out can be very expensive. Drinking in particular. Again, going just outside the city can end up being a lot cheaper than right in the city. My local pub would do pints for 3.50 to 4.50, whereas in the middle of town, unless you go for a promotion you could pay anywhere up to 8 euro for a drink.

Dublin is expensive, but you can definitely make it work on your salary. It all depends on what kind of lifestyle you're used to. I definitely wouldn't bother looking for a 1 or 2 bed city centre apartment, even if you did find one it would be a shame because there's far better value if you're willing to look further afield.

hansfrei

Realistically 26k isn't enough to live on. €28.5 is about the minimum you'd need. Nice getting offered a job. I'd politely ask for more money from the employer before you commit.

Billy86

clairefontaine wrote: »

Insurance will bleed you dry. Your experience in the US will count for nothing. It's starting from scratch.

If they can provide written proof of those five consecutive years, that will be mirrored over to an Irish bonus and will cost no more than if they had spent that time driving in Ireland (I've done this a few times with Metlife customers since I knew a guy in their NY branch, friend of a relative). It's really the licence details that they screw people on - and the fact that 'EU licences are grand sure' because the EU forced them to do so pretty much proves this. A full Australian licence should be 'better' than a full German licence, because they drive on the same side of the road... but why is that not the case? Again... f'k you, that's why!

With the full int'l licence (if it's clean) and 5yrs no claims at 26 years of age they should be looking at somewhere in the region of €430ish third party, fire and theft or €470 comp on a 1.2 litre engine car made in the last 10-12 years - a full Irish licence will take those prices down by maybe €50-80 each (just ballpark figures off the top of my sleepy head, mind). Insurance prices also begin to drop dramatically at 25 years of age, so I wouldn't worry about being classified as a young driver.

I can fully understand having to take some form of 'competency test' regarding different rules, and maybe a quick test as we use the other side of the road . I never bothered changing over when I was in Australia because Sydney's transport systems are brilliant, but from what I know off others it's an extremely straight-forward process there... over here, they're just looking to leech off you wherever they can.

---

I also find decent food cheaper here than in the US. You can get food cheaper there, but it's horrific stuff. Cheap bread in the US literally dissolves on our tongue. That's Chicago and NY though, California might be different.

kneemos

What special skills have you got that they need to hire someone from America?and why are they only worth €26,000?

ifeelill

Billy86 wrote: »

Irish car insurance is a hideous cartel industry,

The word you are looking for is oligopolistic


ol·i·gop·o·ly

A market condition in which sellers are so few that the actions of any one of them will materially affect price and have a measurable impact on competitors.


Petrol is expensive this is somewhat offset be the better fuel efficiency of most European cars.

And like the song says If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, It's up to you, New York, New York!!!

hansfrei

kneemos wrote: »

What special skills have you got that they need to hire someone from America?and why are they only worth €26,000?

Shes good looking. They're scabby bastards.


Probably right so I am.

Billy86

ifeelill wrote: »

The word you are looking for is oligopolistic

<snip>

Good point, though it is hilarious how much more generous they are in relation to home insurance (typically not a legal requirement - or with a mortgage, one where you only need to insure the building for a few possible risks) as compared to car insurance.

Having worked in insurance for a while, I have had various questions that not a single person in the building could answer in any way shape of form. Hence why people are so often 'treated' to the "it's that price because it's that price" answer when they query.

Thoie

NeVeR wrote: »

€26K is roughly €1,827.00 a month after tax.

You'd be better off looking for a room to rent and not a whole apartment.

hansfrei wrote: »

Realistically 26k isn't enough to live on. €28.5 is about the minimum you'd need. Nice getting offered a job. I'd politely ask for more money from the employer before you commit.

He said the pay was €26k nett - which means his gross salary must be around €32k - a perfectly reasonable salary. His take home would be around €2,170 (less if he's paying into a pension or towards health insurance).

Frank Lee Midere

You guys do realise that Irish licences don't transfer to the US or Australia either, right?

Frank Lee Midere

Thoie wrote: »

He said the pay was €26k nett - which means his gross salary must be around €32k - a perfectly reasonable salary. His take home would be around €2,170 (less if he's paying into a pension or towards health insurance).

Yes that's fine. People obsess with gross salary here but what matters is net.

Billy86

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

You guys do realise that Irish licences don't transfer to the US or Australia either, right?

Yeah, the licence part is different to an extent, but from what I know it is extremely easy to switch an Irish licence to an Aussie one. Pretty much just going to the licencing office with some proof of ID/address, your Irish licence, paying a $70 fee (in a country where in wage on the working holiday visa is about $21.75) and getting it posted out.

Not sure what the procedure if here but MadsL is back and forth between Ireland and the US an appears to have had far more problems.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

mad turnip

People are blowing the rent prices way out of proportion. If your willing to live even 15-20 minutes (walk) from the city centre, rent will cost 400-500 a month (sharing) if you want a two bed apartment to yourself try doubling that to 1000 a month.

Food and drink is cheap enough unless you drink like a fish, most places in dublin (90%+) charge €5 for a pint and most people drink like its there last week on earth so it costs Irish people alot.

NeVeR

Thoie wrote: »

He said the pay was €26k nett - which means his gross salary must be around €32k - a perfectly reasonable salary. His take home would be around €2,170 (less if he's paying into a pension or towards health insurance).

ah i see. Well there's a few quid extra

Daqster

dharma200 wrote: »

you wouldn't get an apartment for 1000

You'd get a house in Dublin for €1000, nevermind an apartment.

Billy86

Daqster wrote: »

You'd get a house in Dublin for €1000, nevermind an apartment.

I took a quick peek on Daft and found 2 bed houses in Dublin (D8 & Rush) to rent for as low as €800/mo.

Son Of A Vidic

lovenew wrote: »

considering relocating to Dublin from California

Dear god why? Surely no amount of money would ever warrant that.

BNMC

I wouldn't move to Dublin from California for €250,000 per year.

Mocha Joe

There are very reasonable places a few mins walk from city centre for 800-900 a month for 2 bed apartment.

Also who pays €8 a pint? 5 is prob average but plenty of places cheaper.

Canis Lupus

I would think looooong and hard before you make that kind of a move OP. I don't think the money is good enough to warrant you moving from Cali to Dublin. I don't know if I'm second guessing you here but if you've any warm and fuzzy notions of a twiddle de dee Ireland and Dublin let me tell you Dublin can be a pretty bleak city especially when the weather closes in. Life will be very different and I'm not sure it'll be for the best.

cena

If you where getting 50,000 a year in new york. Why move to ire
and making less money.

That 50,000 dollars in euro is about 35,000. That is 10,000 more than you make now.

Ireland is one of the most expensive countries to live in the eu

kneemos

cena wrote: »

If you where getting 50,000 a year in new york. Why move to ire
and making less money.

That 50,000 dollars in euro is about 35,000. That is 10,000 more than you make now.

Ireland is one of the most expensive countries to live in the eu

What's wring with travelling and new experiences?

Holsten

You'd regret that decision a 1000 times over OP.

California or Dublin... like come on! Dublin is a kip.

cena

kneemos wrote: »

What's wring with travelling and new experiences?

Never said anthing about not travelling or new experiences.

Ireland is not for everyone

Legs.Eleven

Holsten wrote: »

You'd regret that decision a 1000 times over OP.

California or Dublin... like come on! Dublin is a kip.

Plenty of absolute kips in California too.


Dublin has a great night life, is friendly and although not as beautiful as other European cities, is definitely charming. Some people from outside Dublin like to make it out to be a total hell hole when they probably don't know Dublin beyond O'Connell Street, so I'd ignore much of the OTT exaggeration about what a kip it is. I'd go for the adventure alone tbh. Why not, sure.

desertcircus

Op, one of the odder things about Dublin is the relative lack of variance in the prices of certain things. With almost no exceptions, a pint of draft beer of any kind will set you back between four and six quid. German weiss in a fancy place will run to the upper edge, and bog-standard beer in a rough pub will come close to the lower, but there's virtually nothing outside that range. Same with rent: a one-bed place to yourself will clock in at about 700 minimum and about 1100 maximum (albeit with a decent number of well-appointed places in nice spots going for more). No matter where in the city you go, it'll be hard to find a place for less.

In terms of major differences to American cities: by far the biggest is the compact nature of the city centre, which struggles to extend as far as the canals a couple of kilometres north and south of the river. If you move into the city and get a job in the city, you'll likely do fine without a car: it's simply not a necessity. The number of bikes is also very different: thanks to tax breaks for cyclists and the Dublinbikes system, a huge number of people get around on bikes, and the city is slowly but surely adapting to their presence.

Regarding your salary: funds may be tight, particularly if you choose to live alone, but it's entirely possible to live a pretty comfortable life on that kind of money, and even easier if you house-share. There's a tendency in Ireland for people to complain how inadequate their salaries are, but if you earn 2k net a month, spend 550 on rent and bills in a share, 30 on a phone and 70 on health insurance, that still leaves you with over thirteen hundred quid.

czechlin

Billy86 wrote: »

I took a quick peek on Daft and found 2 bed houses in Dublin (D8 & Rush) to rent for as low as €800/mo.

2 bed DECENT house in D8 for €800??? More likely somewhere you really don't wanna be... (no offence intended, just experience talking)

Billy86

czechlin wrote: »

2 bed DECENT house in D8 for €800??? More likely somewhere you really don't wanna be... (no offence intended, just experience talking)

Well they're certainly not amazing and as has been pointed out pictures can be deceiving, but they don't look awful either.

D8: http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1404668

Rush: http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1399426

Also, it's a long way out of the way, but this place in Garristown looks pretty feckin' decent alright - http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1405367

bear1

Bloody hell the negativity about moving to Ireland is unreal.
We don't know the OP's expenses in America, we don't know his/her salary.
If he/she shares an apartment then they could easily live off 26k a year. Shop in Tesco/Aldi/Lidl and you are flying.
Honestly for the time being I wouldn't bother with a car in Dublin but I would swap licenses.
Living outside Dublin will be cheaper but you will then be faced with higher transport costs and then a car starts to make more sense.
The weather will be completely different than California but it isn't as bad as other parts of the country like Galway for example.
Plus you can just get cheap Ryanair flights to Spain or Italy so thats that out of the way
I'd say go for it OP, 26k will be your starting salary anyway so it will start increasing and then slowly you will be able to get your own place, car etc.

czechlin

Billy86 wrote: »

Well they're certainly not amazing and as has been pointed out pictures can be deceiving, but they don't look awful either.

D8: http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1404668

Rush: http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1399426

Also, it's a long way out of the way, but this place in Garristown looks pretty feckin' decent alright - http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1405367

Rush is nice, although quite far. You're definitely need a car to live in Garristown and commuting to town would take ages. The D8 needs to be seen in real, as it could be a size of a shoe box. Also that area can be pretty dodgy.

But I do get your point. It's really each to their own. And nothing is impossible, it just takes a bit of time I'm super lucky with my current "home". But tried to look for a place early this year and it was a pure nightmare. (I've moved 5 times in 6 years and every time seemed to be harder to find anything decent in regards value/quality)

eviltimeban

I think we need to establish that OP isn't getting 26K the way we think of it - that is the net figure. So as someone else pointed out, it'd be around 32K. Before tax, obviously.

I don't see anything wrong with moving to Dublin; there's cool funky bars and cafes, shops and venues that make up a nice little artistic hub - what some people might call "hipsters" - and that's something to be getting on with. Plus living in Dublin is also a gateway to other parts of Ireland - Galway, Belfast, the south - so there's places to visit and travel to. Dublin itself can be beautiful on a clear winter night with the lights on, and also fantastic on a hot summer evening with people drinking outside bars and barbecues going in every garden.

We have good clothes shops, all pretty much in the same two areas (Grafton St and Henry St areas). I've lived in Cali and you have to drive EVERYWHERE - you need to go to the mall if you want to shop.

The non-city parts of Cali aren't great, they aren't the California you see in movies (I was around the Cupertino / Sunnyvale / San Jose area). Quite industrial and lots of cars and strip malls and not really anything of any beauty anywhere. Dublin on the other hand has the mountains, areas like Howth and Malahide and Dalkey by the sea, Powerscourt, and the Phoenix Park / Stephens Green / Marlay. And they are all reachable on foot / bike / public transport. Summer concerts on every year.

Oh yeah the weather. And the food. Cali weather is almost boringly predictable; I for one sometimes enjoy cold, clear air. The food selection in Cali IS amazing, but again you have to drive to get there unless you live in a city (and even at that...). In Dublin you can walk around Temple Bar and have any number of restaurants at your disposal.

Billy86

czechlin wrote: »

Rush is nice, although quite far. You're definitely need a car to live in Garristown and commuting to town would take ages. The D8 needs to be seen in real, as it could be a size of a shoe box. Also that area can be pretty dodgy.

But I do get your point. It's really each to their own. And nothing is impossible, it just takes a bit of time I'm super lucky with my current "home". But tried to look for a place early this year and it was a pure nightmare. (I've moved 5 times in 6 years and every time seemed to be harder to find anything decent in regards value/quality)

They're all good point as well - there are a number of other houses for under €1,000 as well though, so at €800 there is of course going to be a bit of a trade off. Also given that just one person would be living in the house full time, a smaller house would likely be less of an issue (unless it's an absolute farce). My main point was just agreeing that getting a house (never mind an apartment) for €1,000/m in Dublin is very doable.

Also for a Californian, the Garristown --> D1/D2 commute would be nothing really as big as it would seem to us, with a car of course - San Francisco and LA are infamous for having some of the very worst commute times in the world. It's a bit dated looking (though that might even build on the 'charm' for an American moving over?) but it's a seriously nice place for the price.

Thoie

To balance some of the other posts, and give you an idea of the cost of living, social welfare in Ireland essentially says a single adult, no dependents, can live on €160 a week after accommodation and medical care is accounted for. There are many posters on boards who think that's a horrendously large amount of money "for doing nothing". In reality it won't get you terribly far. It will feed and just about clothe you, but it doesn't leave a lot of room for luxuries.

On €26k net, you will be living off €2,100+ a month (compared to the €700 of social welfare). Out of that you need to pay your rent and medical costs (which will vary depending on how/where you want to live, and how often you get sick).

A flat/studio apartment will often be a single room + bathroom - your bed, kitchen and sitting room are all the same room. These are obviously the cheapest and are around €450-€600 a month. A room in a shared house will be in the same range. You'll generally have your own bedroom, and share all other rooms (including bathroom). You might get lucky and get an ensuite.

From about €700-€800 and upwards, you start getting into proper apartments with separate bedrooms, sitting room/kitchen, bathrooms.

An annual commuter ticket, arranged through your company, is a tax friendly way to use public transport. It comes to about €100 a month from your net, depending on whether you'll be using bus, train or tram or a combination of 2 or more. It's really only worth it if you'll be using public transport to get to and from work each day. If you're within walking distance and only use public transport a few times per week, there are better alternatives.

Running a car is expensive, and few city center apartments will come with somewhere to park. Trains and buses to other parts of the country are comparatively cheap if you plan and book in advance. Similarly, if you plan in advance, you can often get cheap flights to other European countries.

www.citizensinformation.ie is a good site to give you information on how taxes and general life works in Ireland.

czechlin

Billy86 wrote: »

They're all good point as well - there are a number of other houses for under €1,000 as well though, so at €800 there is of course going to be a bit of a trade off. Also given that just one person would be living in the house full time, a smaller house would likely be less of an issue (unless it's an absolute farce). My main point was just agreeing that getting a house (never mind an apartment) for €1,000/m in Dublin is very doable.

Also for a Californian, the Garristown --> D1/D2 commute would be nothing really as big as it would seem to us, with a car of course - San Francisco and LA are infamous for having some of the very worst commute times in the world. It's a bit dated looking (though that might even build on the 'charm' for an American moving over?) but it's a seriously nice place for the price.

Oh I agree with all mentioned above! Now on the other hand I just imagined a Californian moving to Garristown. I couldn't stop laughing. I've got a friend from there and he's always on about how there's not really anything there. Not sure if that'd be the experience the OP is looking for. It surely'd be interesting to watch

missierex

hansfrei wrote: »

Realistically 26k isn't enough to live on. €28.5 is about the minimum you'd need. Nice getting offered a job. I'd politely ask for more money from the employer before you commit.

I think this is gas! I'm on over €3000 less than the OP per year, and have a mortgage, bills, a car to run along with trying to have a semblance of a social life and also save. If I can do it, the OP can do it on €3000 more!

RDM_83 again

At a guess I would say that most people in your age group in Dublin will actually have a lower wage than yourself, its completely survivable on just don't get yourself a ridiculously overpriced apartment with a long lease

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

Plenty of absolute kips in California too.


Dublin has a great night life, is friendly and although not as beautiful as other European cities, is definitely charming. Some people from outside Dublin like to make it out to be a total hell hole when they probably don't know Dublin beyond O'Connell Street, so I'd ignore much of the OTT exaggeration about what a kip it is. I'd go for the adventure alone tbh. Why not, sure.

I agree about Dublin having a good nightlife, but if the OP has a choice of other cities in Ireland I'd recommend Galway as a better experience for a year its more casual and relaxed, it may be a different depending on your gender but I think I was at more randomers house parties in Galway in two years than I was in Dublin in 8.

Ray Palmer

Well I can tell you I know plenty of people who have moved to Dublin from all around the world and they love it here.

Lots of people do move to Dublin from the rural areas as they have no choice and then sit around moaning without ever exploring what the city has to offer. As an American coming to Ireland you will find lots of interest.

What my friends found is it is a great place to travel around Europe from. Easy access to most European cities with direct flights.

You are earning enough to live well enough but the best way is to share a place and it is also a good way to make friends or at least mix with Irish people.

hansfrei

I seriously wonder what planet some people here are on.

hansfrei wrote: »

Realistically 26k isn't enough to live on. €28.5 is about the minimum you'd need. Nice getting offered a job. I'd politely ask for more money from the employer before you commit.

Seriously? 26K is more than enough to live on, even gross (and OP is getting that net). I was making that for a bit in Dublin at the tail end of the Celtic Tiger, when things were still really overpriced, and I still felt pretty well off. If you can't live on over 1,800 euros a month as a single adult, there's something wrong with you, tbh. I rented a room in a really posh apartment complex in Dublin 4, had a monthly DART ticket, bought fancy sandwiches for lunch every day, dinners out 1/2 times a week, clothes shopping every weekend, European city breaks every few months, out drinking all the time...basically I frittered away loads of money on unnecessary stuff and I still had money left over. Things are much cheaper now (it's certainly possibly to get a nice one-bed for well under a grand, if you really can't hack sharing) so the money would go much further.

desertcircus wrote: »

Regarding your salary: funds may be tight, particularly if you choose to live alone, but it's entirely possible to live a pretty comfortable life on that kind of money, and even easier if you house-share. There's a tendency in Ireland for people to complain how inadequate their salaries are, but if you earn 2k net a month, spend 550 on rent and bills in a share, 30 on a phone and 70 on health insurance, that still leaves you with over thirteen hundred quid/

Exactly. How can anyone think 1300 after rent and bills makes you hard up in any way?