Anyone thinking of emigrating?

Brussels Sprout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446781#Comment_118446781

No. The actual reason they emigrate is to do better than they would have had they stayed in their original country. Doing better than the average person in their future country would just be a bonus if they achieved it but it's not the driving force that sent them there in the first place.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118448466#Comment_118448466

Ah, but the new country gives them a better opportunity to do better.

Brussels Sprout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118448502#Comment_118448502

....than they were doing in their previous country.

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118448466#Comment_118448466

Well, it just shows the mindset of some people, doesn't it?

Most people emigrate in order to find somewhere that will allow them the opportunity to better for themselves (and their family).

Others want to do it so they can do better than the other guy.

Kaybaykwah

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118445743#Comment_118445743

Yes, I’m close to Montreal, and the summers are like that; perfect. The winters are tough, and the end of March drags out, but it is also bracing weather, if you plan for doing things out of doors.

I like the relative mildness of Irish weather, the contrast in the environment due to the overcast skies.

PsychoPete

I'm still young enough that I pack up and go. I have a trade,no kids,don't owe anything on the house but I just couldn't do it. I see how well my friends are doing out in Canada,UK,Oz and Spain and I admire them for taking the jump as they are all really happy with themselves now. If you look at how it is here with high tax, fuel costs, awful health service,can't buy a house,expensive day to day living, childcare and not to mention the covid nonsense then I wouldn't begrudge anyone for wanting to move abroad

CPTM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118443253#Comment_118443253

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118441072#Comment_118441072

I think it's fine. The companies we work for are very forward thinking. There are no contract conversions or anything. They've checked with their legal department and whatever setup they have, they say it's fine within the EU at the moment, but they said it's important to keep an eye on the situation to see if Governments start acting differently or implement new penalties/rules going forward.

HalfAndHalf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118451696#Comment_118451696

I’d be very careful and have them and yourself speak to an accountant with experience in cross border working. I’ve just been caught out myself as I still work for a company in the U.K. and moved back 3 years ago.

If you go to Spain and you work there for more than X days a year you’ll be tax resident and your Firm will 100% have to register for Corporation Tax. Spain is extremely restrictive as a remote working location.

It isn’t if governments start acting differently, it’s the fact they need to as their tax regulations don’t allow for long term remote working at the moment, it’s archaic!

Trust me, it’s taken 2 months so far for my situation to get only half sorted, and that’s with the 6th largest accountancy firm in the world who are based here and the U.K. so know each side of things.

They were telling they’re working with an Irish girl who went to the Netherlands at the start of lockdown last year, they’ve slapped her with a €27k tax bill because she didn’t know she’d become tax resident!

When I moved back and told Revenue my situation they registered me as self employed and said just fill out a self assessment each year - this is the opposite of the correct way of doing it. Hence having a nightmare sorting it all out, and that’s the Revenue who should know!

Specialist accountant before you do a tap!

swimming in a sea

I spent Christmas in Spain and it was a real eye opener about how pleasant it is to have nice weather in winter. I'd really like to make a move there or at least make the Mediterranean more accessible, so I've been looking at jobs in Switzerland.

In relation to the OP, I agree Dublin is very ugly in the City Centre especially the North. However coastal Dublin is absolutely beautiful in places.

Emigrated before and the grass is not always greener. We have it good here but I feel more decent people need to involve themselves in politics and try and make change happen. The value we get for tax across the board (especially middle income earners) is absolutely awful.

Otherwise, there is a lot to be said for living in a strong economy and a safe country with good fallbacks if things go tits up.

bertiebomber

Having just read a few of these posts here is real irony the collossal price of a childrens hospital and its seems all the child bearing young couples are planning on emigrating, talk about not listening to their grassroots . Our government is nothing more than puppets to the eu, Labradors rolling over and doing as they are told. Germany is looking to mandate & so is Austria and now so are we.

Germany own a lot of our media, our government is merely a committee answerable to Germany and that is why you are thinking of leaving as the German way is becoming enshrined in our country slowly but surely. none of you have a chance of a home or a decent life here and its depressing in the winter. So very sad to hear all you articulate people thinking of going.

HalfAndHalf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118445583#Comment_118445583

Regular as an almanac? I don’t think you know how often an almanac is published 😂👍

My 20 something daughter and her partner are already gone, main reason being unaffordable rent in Ireland.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118445249#Comment_118445249

Realistically you need private health insurance in Ireland too if you want to be seen in any reasonable timeframe.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118446781#Comment_118446781

Your original post referred to your lability to speak English and your eduction giving you an edge. I point out it will make you about equal to most others in terms of what you bring to the table.

DarkJager21

Seriously considering it at the moment, this government and country has forgotten that life is for living, not just existing to have every last cent you earn robbed from you with extortionate prices everywhere you look. I have the option of working remote but understand there is tax implications for that so will need to look further. Sick of this miserable rock called Ireland.

road_high

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118445963#Comment_118445963

The very reason I’d want to get out of Ireland is that is far too equitable ie you have those that contribute zilch and those that contribute for everything but get nothing. Anyone that believes in Marxist style equality Ireland is as close to perfection as you’re going to get anywhere

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118451844#Comment_118451844

I have lived in Switzerland for over 30 years and we’re along way from the med!

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452227#Comment_118452227

I understand your sentiments, but, after 30 + years of world travel and living abroad for the past 20, I can assure you that Ireland will still have a draw. Family and friends mean more than any achievements either monetarily or business related.

i am already having the pangs of leaving and I don’t leave for a few weeks yet. Leaving here gets harder each time. Especially not knowing if you are going to see close family again. The sickness in the pit of your stomach, that awful pang of guilt/longing which gets deeper each time your do leave.

i would really advise anyone to emigrate at some stage in life. It really opens your eyes about what’s right and wrong with ireland. Opportunities abound abroad for those willing to grab life by the balls and squeeze every drop out of it (sorry graphic reference). It gives you a self reliance that you rarely get in Ireland. If all fails simply come back!

swimming in a sea

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452286#Comment_118452286

Not as far as Dublin, especially for a guy who hates flying..

Brother in law has lived there for many years and is in a different city every weekend

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452406#Comment_118452406

But even that just shows it's the people and not the place surely?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118451905#Comment_118451905

Don't worry, we can just keep getting people to come in to have kids and pay or mortgage or some other lie.

Former Former Former

If all you can see are the negative points in Ireland, then there's a fair chance you'll be just as miserable elsewhere

But you might have a nice tan.

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452504#Comment_118452504

It’s a combination of things, opportunity, ability to make a living, family, friends, lifestyle all factor into any decision. The fact that ireland for me (and I can only speak for myself), was/is not a place where I could develop my skills to a level where I could make that living (lots of reasons) meant I had to leave. Yes I was as p***ed off like many with the tax system, the lack of ability to move upwards, the weather (I’m a heat lover). I have been lucky in life, but I have worked my ass off.

now when I am relaxing a little I see that I miss family (due to an ageing mam) and siblings more. Not being able to really get to them for the past two years brought a focus to what is important. Life lesson and a hard one. Changes are being made to address this so that it never happens again.

people ARE the most important thing in life, they make life worth living. But you have to be able to afford to live as well as have those people in your life. It’s a balancing act always.

Irish_rat

In general, Ireland is a great place to live for the outdoors which I love.

There is lots to do but most people just work and go home, watch netflix and complain there is nothing to do! Weird mindset because it's not 30 degrees outside and a clear sky.

However, it is unbearably expensive now and anyone on 50k is just about getting by. There is something seriously wrong about that.

Nanny state has been here quite a while but it is even worse since Covid.

Still overall it's hard to leave!

Moved here a few months ago, from California of all places. There are different problems everywhere; harder to see them from a distance. Wouldn't recommend the States though, that is, unless you're okay with school shootings.

iamstop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452109#Comment_118452109

I don't think you know the difference between regularity and frequency. 😂👌

HalfAndHalf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452753#Comment_118452753

I was hoping no-one would spot I’d ballsed up. Although I’m gonna stand by it as yer man has 16,000 posts and is accused of always giving out so I’m gonna stick with it 😉

Fantastic thread, great points made and eye opening on alot of matters.

I have lived in Oz, Nz, France, UK and the USA in my 20s, so I have a great bit of experience in what every country has to offer.

Absolutely 100% everybody should live somewhere else and experience it, the biggest thing I found was weather. Going to work in a t-shirt and shorts beats the hell out of going to work on a cold rotten windy rainy day here, can't put a price on it. But Ireland has some of the best food, you wouldn't believe how much you'd miss a deli from centra.

Mad_maxx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453107#Comment_118453107

you have had wide experience living and working abroad , can you give us a very brief synopsis of the good and bad of each of those countries ?

Still stihl waters 3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452127#Comment_118452127

Would you mind telling us where they went and was there any other factors in why they left

CGI_Livia_Soprano

I think the majority of the people who call Ireland a "kip" are the type of people who have only ever left to go on package holidays, and complain about woke SJW snowflakes complaining about everything.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453659#Comment_118453659

What's the thinking behind ghat conclusion?

Hamachi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452850#Comment_118452850

I noticed of course. You made an idiot of yourself trying to be smart. Never mind, carry on...

Hamachi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452588#Comment_118452588

Indeed. It’s the old adage of wherever you go, there you are.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453635#Comment_118453635

Scotland - initially she did a master's there with the intention to return, her partner was doing a master's in Ireland, then with COVID everything was remote so he moved out there, and they got a really nice place in Glasgow that would be nearly 3 times the price in Dublin, and then they both got jobs there, and seeing how they couldn't afford anything in Ireland, plus the absolute obsession with COVID here, plus all of their educated friends with drive are leaving too made them realise there is nothing here for them.

When my youngest is a bit more grown up my wife and I are going to look at emigrating ourselves. We've lived abroad before so not such a big deal. Everything here is going in the wrong direction.

Deja Boo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452588#Comment_118452588

and skin cancer to go along with it.

HalfAndHalf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453692#Comment_118453692

Wow! No need for that was there, hence my smiley face and thumbs up!

let’s be honest, the sayings as regular is clockwork, who ever says as regular as an almanac to indicate something happening a LOT!

thank for that! 🤦‍♂️

Hamachi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453751#Comment_118453751

As the Australian poster, who prompted this entire tangent, would undoubtedly say:

’Toughen up princess’.

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453718#Comment_118453718

This post sums up the entire thread.

Everything in Ireland is going in the wrong direction so they went to... the UK.

Give me a break FFS

HalfAndHalf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453760#Comment_118453760

Yeah will do! Probably ONCE a year!

now who looks the idiot! 🤦‍♂️

Mister Vain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452667#Comment_118452667

People on 50k are only getting by? Jasus if that's the case then there isn't much hope.

There's lots to do if you live in the right area. I'd consider myself to be fairly lucky here in Kildare. There's Mondello Park, Punchestown, Curragh Racecourse etc, and I'm a short drive from Wicklow and Dublin. It would be a much different story in somewhere like Leitrim or Roscommon.

whisky_galore

For anyone without a high salary, property or the bank of mummy and daddy, Ireland is a bleak prospect.

Get out and live abroad while you can, you can always return.

RunningFlyer

I'd highly recommend emigrating to anyone, especially if you are young with no ties. If you're in that situation now it's an absolute no-brainer IMO. It's invaluable experience and is eye-opening to see how the world works outside Ireland.

I spent a total of 8 years living abroad in my 20s in UK, NZ & France and each country taught me different things.

UK - It's probably the easiest place to make the move to, and because of the Common Travel Area you have the automatic right to work etc so getting set up with a National Insurance number etc is very straight forward. The UK also has such diverse options where to live based on what you want or your budget - eg. London & S. England prices can be relatively high compared to 'Up North' and/or Scotland, but overall I found the cost of living so much more affordable. The thing that struck me was how laid back people were compared to Ireland, in the sense that no-one really cared about your private life or "keeping up with the Jone's". I did find it unusual at first that I didn't know anything about my neighbours (except for an odd hello) but actually learnt to enjoy the privacy quickly. Being Irish you can definitely expect every second person to take the piss about your accent, and at first it got a bit tiresome, but you soon learn that British humour and wit is very sarcastic and the only way to deal with it is to give it back! Some of my best friends to this day are the people I met during my first stint there. Obviously the main advantage with the UK if you are considering a move is how close and easy it is to get home, if things don't work out. However, although it's only a short distance away, the culture in the UK is hugely different to Ireland, in a good way.

NZ - I only spent a year in NZ and tbh it was more like an extended holiday than anything else - beautiful country and VERY, VERY laid back. It felt like going back in time with pace of life and even the buildings architecture makes you feel like you're in the 70s or 80s. The biggest thing I learnt from being in NZ was just how far I was from home. Thankfully there were no family emergencies whilst I was there but that thought was always in my mind if I needed to rush back there's not many places further on earth to get back from. (This was pre-Emirates/Etihad flying to DUB etc).

France - where do I start!? 😂 Difficult, frustrating and time-consuming to get set up but worth the effort because it's such a fantastic place to live. Learn some of the language - even just the basics, because one of the worst things you can say to a french person is 'parlez-vous anglais?'. A little effort goes a long way, and definitely helps when it comes to setting up social security, utilities etc etc. Try not take life too seriously either because you will quickly learn that there are very specific windows of opportunity for everything in France (eg. Social security office is only open every 3rd full moon between 1030am-1035am, and then your paperwork will be wrong). Also, pretty much everything shuts down on a Sunday (even supermarkets close at 12pm) and August for the summer holidays. Once you adapt to that way of living it really is fantastic. The French value their time off and family and that's the reason why all these things still happen today - it really taught me to slow down and enjoy life a bit instead of chasing the rat race. Summers were hot, but plenty of public swimming pools and lakes nearby, or else cold beers available in every cafe/bar. Food was amazing and very cheap compared to Ireland if you went to the right places. Winters could be cold but also lived about 1.5hrs from the closest ski resort so that was a great bonus being able to take day trips to ski. Great expat communities available but also plenty of opportunities to meet up with French-speaking locals who wanted to improve their english (pub quiz nights very popular for that reason) which I'd highly recommend if you are moving abroad - don't just hang around with english speakers. Regarding taxes, I don't agree with everyone saying "high high high" - you file your own tax return every year so everyone's circumstances will be different - one thing to say if you are single you will pay more tax than a married person with children for example. The social security charges are quite high but you get an amazing healthcare system for that, which I had to avail of myself whilst I was there - the level of care is simply incomparable to Ireland. I lived in a regional city in France so can't talk much of what life is like in an isolated village, but certainly my experience made it the favourite place I've lived in.

Moving back to Ireland was such a huge shock, and if it wasn't for the fact I was fortunate enough to buy a house just before COVID I would be out of here again. Myself and partner moved back to Ireland with the aim of purchasing a house within 2 years. It took 5 years and that is with us both on good-paying jobs. I couldn't - still can't - get over how expensive things are here, especially rent, taxes and bills. The worst thing is what do you get for it? At least in the other countries you get something back from the system but Ireland it just seems like dead money all the time.

COVID has completely shown me that Ireland is not the place I remembered it to be when I lived abroad. I have grown to resent it a bit throughout the pandemic as it has shown an ugly side of society and just completely rudderless leadership from those in charge, which in turn has highlighted how shambolic our infrastructure and policies are. We don't have kids at the moment so despite finally having a home to call ours, are actively considering emigrating again ourselves. You always hear "the grass isn't always greener" and that bears true a lot of the time, but you won't know unless you go.

My parting advice: If you are young with no ties, book that flight/ferry today. You won't regret it.

Still stihl waters 3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453864#Comment_118453864

I earn in and around that and I have what I consider to be a very satisfactory existence, the people only getting by on 50k a year must have very high expectations of what it gets you, if you're single earning 50k it's more than enough to live a good lifestyle

bertiebomber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452687#Comment_118452687

Welcome or welcome back their level of madness is not yet here but our lefty lot are trying very hard to incorporate it into irish life. I hope you have enough warm clothes & when out and about let people know about the crazy country you have abandoned.

bertiebomber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453776#Comment_118453776

The UK no matter what you say is free from the EU dictatorship so they do have a chance to improve and make their own decisions not a bad thing.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118453776#Comment_118453776

The UK outside of London has a much better quality of life for young people than Ireland does. That's a fact. Far more things to do than litigation happy and NIMBY Ireland, and a lower overall cost of living.

It's crazy how people here think that it's like the last days of the Roman Empire over there.

nozzferrahhtoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118442283#Comment_118442283

I have a few similar issues to you. I am living in Germany and am effectively.... as my partner is freelance but works very sporadically.... the sole earner in our family (2 adults 2 kids) with a 78k salary. On this salary I am able to rent our house, pay all our bills, feed everyone, run a decent small car and so on and still save 1000-1500 a month into my savings account. All very comfortable not to mention medical which has entirely been paid for by what is taken out of my salary too so all our dentist bills and doctors bills and much of my glasses and eye care and even a period of therapy all essentially "free" at the time of availing of it.

But there is a draw and homesickness that is setting in over time at nearly 15 years here now. And worse my 11 year old girl who was born here in Germany is starting to want to move home to Ireland. Strange to see homesickness of a sort developing in a child who has never actually lived at "home" and has visited there maybe 20 times.

But when I look at it.... the specific type of IT work I do is near impossible to get anywhere near 78k on in Ireland. And even if I did the people there are telling me that a single income family on 78k would be far from comfortable let alone as comfortable as we are here in Germany. And despite how much she wants to go back to Ireland I think my daughter has no concept of just how many amenities here she would be sacrificing. In a week here alone she was at some great cinema, the local ice skating hall, some wonderful swimming amenities, not one but three local skate parks, playgrounds and other parks and cycle lanes everywhere.

At home in Ireland the cinemas are not great for 5 times the money, dunno if she'd find ice skating or skate parks anywhere, the swimming pools are god awful, barely anywhere comfortable to cycle, and the best playground I know of near where I lived in Dublin is currently a mass of red tape keeping people out because it's run down and dangerous. And we would likely have to become a two parent working family so she would lose the full time access she currently has to the stay at home parent.

Still for all that a large part of me and her would like to go "home". But I just do not see how I can do it. Not financially.... let alone in giving my family anywhere near the lower middle class but highly comfortable life we have over here. I quite suspect that if she got her wish and we went home.... we would end up really miserable.

I have been looking a little at the UK instead. Not very deeply or seriously. But one of these days I think I will sit down and really consider it as an option and run it by my family to see what they think of it all. But right now I feel "trapped" in a way here in Germany. Trapped in a good way for sure... I know how lucky and comfortable and happy we are. But trapped none the less.

bladespin

Suppose it's all very subjective but the powers that be definitely seem to be doing their best to suck the joy out of life lately, every headline seems to be a dig: fuel hikes, restrictions (yeah they're everywhere), price hikes all round, mup, housing crisis, even the tattoo ink thing (no, I didn't bother reading about it) combine that with the most difficult time of the year and you've got a good recipe for wanting out.