Sick of this country

Murph85

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/02/17/justine-mccarthy-our-young-people-are-fleeing-a-self-satisfied-and-hypocritical-ireland/

https://www.canzukinternational.com/2023/01/australia-to-raise-age-limit-for-working-visas.html

Read this article earlier. I also read that Australia plans to increase the age of the working holiday visa to 50. Im late thirties, currently its 35 years old. I'm in construction, my partner a primary school teacher. Loads of her colleagues are leaving for Australia etc at the end of the school year. 5 girls were renting my parents house last year while on work placement, all gone to Australia.

I've had my fill of this place! Outrageous marginal rate of tax over a pittance, housing a **** show, except if you get your free luxury housing provided by the tax payer. Infrastructure a farce. Decades of talking and going around in circles on every subject, nothing gets done. No political choice... just spineless, inept, self serving politicians! Rte etc. Get me out of here! Hope to god they change that rule! I'd say we will see another big exodus of people the country can't afford to lose...

My parents leave one of their properties in dublin vacant, before they will lose 50% of the income and hand somebody more rights to the place, than they'll have... I know other people doing the same

accensi0n

What's the tax, housing and political situation like in Aus that makes it so much better?

Murph85

The pay is way better, taxes less. Far better services. Outdoor lifestyle... very cosmopolitan... working in the health services, is night and day. Our mostly young and newly qualified leave in their droves. Partially due to the housing situation, nothing will get done about that. Then on the other side, there is a money no object approach to take in limitless refugees and Ukrainians. This isn't hyperbole, that is an indisputable fact...

Sammy2012

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251905#Comment_120251905

I have family and friends in Aus. It's very expensive to live there. The wages do reflect this however. Friends have gone over and worked for a few years but almost all have come back. I'm sure services are better, as for the most part here, they are worse than third world. However, in saying that the grass isn't always greener.

There are huge problems here at the moment and I honestly don't think there is political will to sort any of them. But we will have to tackle them or otherwise nothing will ever improve.

Murph85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251935#Comment_120251935

Exactly. It is expensive, but unlike here, pay reflect it like you say. I remember people telling me syndnsy was mad money when I was going there on holiday for 3 weeks. Sydney even in darling Harbour, was cheap compared to Dublin! Cheap, compared to Dublin! One is a gorgeous stunningly located city, actually so s Dublin, but that's where it ends. Its so clean and well looked after there. That i remember thinking, take my money over there... value was endlessly better than here...

One place in temple bar is now charging e10 a pint...

Sammy2012

I was in a place at the weekend and it was almost €30 for a cocktail and a gin and tonic. It was very busy. There are plenty of people with money here. And the reason the government won't attempt to sort some of the problems is because they are not affecting the majority. In my local town a 4 bed detached house is going for 450k. And they are almost all sold.

Sydney is a lovely city. Australia is a lovely country but im just saying that the grass isn't always greener. Most couples come home from there to raise their families in Ireland. You can't beat family support when you have kids.

There are plenty of people struggling here but there are plenty who are doing fine.

BattleCorp

Yep, streets of Australia paved with gold, free housing, free food etc. yada yada yada.

You've to work bloody hard for whatever you get in Australia. I'm married to an Aussie and neither of us have any intention of moving to Australia. Her sister and her Aussie husband are the same, they prefer living here. Housing is mad expensive over there, as is food. While we moan about the weather here, it's too fcuking hot over there at times. That said, you can make a good living over there if you put in the work. Likewise, you can also make a good living here if you put in the work.

It's a good experience trying things abroad. Makes you appreciate home a little bit more.

Calahonda52

Tomorrow

riclad

We made a agreement to take in Ukrainians every EU country is taking in Ukrainians they are educated they are likely to go back to Ukraine when the war is over yes there's a problem there's not much buildings left to house refugees that are up to a basic standard of living

Every EU country is taking in people from ukraine

Yes tax in Australia is lower young people are leaving because rents and house prices are high versus other country's

The government says they intend to build 30 k property's per year will this happen I don't know

StrawbsM

How old are you both, murph? Primary school teachers are on the skilled shortages list it’s now up to the age of 45.

https://australiamadesimple.com/immigrate-to-australia-as-a-primary-school-teacher/

https://australiamadesimple.com/immigrate-to-australia-as-a-primary-school-teacher/

You’d walk into a construction job immediately. I’d think about Western Australian which is where the majority of mining operations are. There’s excellent money to be made even after living expenses.

Finding somewhere to rent has become more difficult but if you’re prepared to go further out from a city you should find somewhere. Last time I was there I was impressed with how new housing developments are planned. There’s loads being built right now and within these developments, there will also be schools, shops and recreational areas built at the same time. It just all made sense

ancapailldorcha

I wouldn't fancy Australia myself. Too far away and every country seems to be struggling with healthcare and housing at the moment. I've family who were over but had to return to look after an ailing elder. They said that they'd be happy to spend the rest of their lives there and Melbourne and Sydney score well in comparisons of quality of life.

Pauliedragon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252071#Comment_120252071

It's still Summer there it'll be much cheaper in a couple of months.

https://flights.booking.com/flights/DUB.AIRPORT-SYD.CITY/?type=ONEWAY&adults=2&cabinClass=ECONOMY&children=&from=DUB.AIRPORT&to=SYD.CITY&fromCountry=IE&toCountry=AU&fromLocationName=Dublin+Airport&toLocationName=Sydney&depart=2023-05-11&sort=FASTEST&travelPurpose=leisure&aid=304142&label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaGmIAQGYAQm4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQyIAgGoAgO4AsW9vZ8GwAIB0gIkM2I4OGI2NmYtYTFjOC00NzI4LTk5OGItZTI1MDZhOWMyOTA42AIG4AIB

Murph85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252086#Comment_120252086

Thanks. We are 38 and 33... yeah like you say, housing isn't amazing anywhere you would want to go. But no doubt they are handling it way better there and actually get stuff done. Also unlike here, it would be relatively easy to get a place to live, good luck in Dublin. Unless your budget is 4k plus, where obviously it becomes easier...

Murph85

Their marginal rate kicks in at e115,500 @ 45 percent! As good as triple , the 40k here! Our rate is 50% too!

StrawbsM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252167#Comment_120252167

Worth looking into anyway.

There’s an awful lot of young ones around where I live either recently gone, going or seriously thinking about it. They just don’t see a future for themselves at home.

Podge_irl

housing a **** show

My parents leave one of their properties in dublin vacant, before they will lose 50% of the income and hand somebody more rights to the place, than they'll have... I know other people doing the same

🙄

Butson

Having lived there for a few years, the weather is the major difference.

About most Irish couples returning home, yes that is true, but in the vast majority of cases that I knew anyway it was herself, more than himself, who were the driver there.

foxsake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252075#Comment_120252075

i don;t care about Australia - and if people go there I can see the merit in that - but what you are saying about Ukrainians is just not true

many won't go back says leo varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said there many of the Ukrainian refugees who have come to Ireland will probably stay and plans have to be made for long-term accommodation.

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2022/12/18/many-ukrainians-who-have-come-to-ireland-will-probably-stay-varadkar/

and if anybody was trying to sell a best case scenario it would be the taoiseach since it's the government have them here.

Former Former Former

I love the ranting from the OP that finishes with "my parents leave one of their properties in Dublin vacant" and then giving out about Ukrainian refugees.

These people are fleeing a war, the OP is fleeing over-priced pints and RTE. Hard to tell who's had the most harrowing journey to this point.

If you're concerned about expensive pints, you may want to do a wee bit more research into Australia.

Otherwise, best of luck. We'll be fine without you.

timetogo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251905#Comment_120251905

I lived in Australia for 5 years (came back in 2006)

Pay was worse for my industry at the time (IT) but costs were a bit cheaper too so my standard of living was pretty much the same as in Ireland. Rent was pricey at the time but as a non resident the accountant at the time helped me claim back loads of tax so that balanced out the rent I had.

It's an outdoor lifestyle (during the weekend). Australia don't have the bright evenings like we do so it's common to be dark when you're going into work and dark when you're coming home.

I lived in the centre of Sydney when I was there. All of my colleagues had an hour commute out to the suburbs as they couldn't afford to live closer. That's an hour by reasonable train west, where it gets veeery hot during the summer.

When you live there for a while you see similar issues to what we have here and they moan the same as we do. I loved my time there and would happily live there. I could have stayed but came back as most of my family are here and wanted to be close. If it wasn't for that I'd probably have stayed.

Francis McM

Grass is green far away. Hard to beat Ireland.

Tony EH

I know Aussies that are coming here to live. 😆

mattser

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252275#Comment_120252275

Poor things having their arms twisted to buy their €10 pint. Pint of water from the tap is still good value here, but third world country something something............

Thelonious Monk

Australia is great but it's very hard to stay there if you go on a WHV. Lots of hoops to jump through. Give it a go if you're able to. Having spent a couple of years there and New Zealand I realised I'm happier closer to home though. In the grand scheme of the world Ireland is one of the best places you can live though.

StrawbsM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252359#Comment_120252359

They’re too old for the WHV.

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252384#Comment_120252384

The article says they're thinking of hiking it up to 50

StrawbsM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252391#Comment_120252391

Oooh that’s good 😊

timetogo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252384#Comment_120252384

They might be. But their parents leaving "one" of their properties vacant rather than paying tax on renting it out doesn't seem like they're having huge hardship.

And Australia isn't the only country that people from Ireland can emigrate to. I'm thinking of Portugal when I get into my older years.

Alun

I've never lived in Australia, but I have moved around a few different countries in my lifetime and I can guarantee you there's no such thing as a perfect country. Wherever you end up, give it a while, and you'll start to find out the downsides.

StrawbsM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252407#Comment_120252407

Just had a re read of the OP (thanks, monk 😂) and it’s a parents house not theirs.

realdanbreen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058284652/sick-of-this-country

Bye, missing you already!

realdanbreen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058284652/sick-of-this-country

I hear the Australian Border Force now have cocker spaniels that can sniff out whingers, you might need to be careful!

MudSpud

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251905#Comment_120251905

Better pay and less tax is an obvious plus but it's meaningless if the cost of living is high. Who is better off? The guy who earns 100k a year and manages to save 5k or the guy who earns 60k a year and can save 15k (both with similar lifestyles)?

Now I know that Ireland is expensive and getting worse but I hear stories that fresh fruit and veg in Oz cost a fortune. I always wanted to visit the place just for a few weeks for the craic when I was younger but I would never want to live there. Getting back to Ireland/Europe for a visit is an absolute nightmare. Maybe doable once every 2 years for Xmas if you are single. Once kids come along you can forget it. Getting the family back to visit their granny will cost the guts of 10 grand and might be doable every 5 years.

Would Canada not be a better option? OK it's freezing in winter but lovely in summer. And it's much closer even if you are on the Pacific Coast. About 9 or 10 hours from Vancouver to Dublin/London. When I lived in NY I used to take long weekends to London every february President's Day weekend. Monday was a Bank holiday so I would take Thursday and Friday off, fly Wednesday night from JFK and be in London at my sister's gaffaround 10 am Thursday. Mooch around London for the weekend and fly back on the Monday. Flights were $199 return in february. Win. Anyway that's off topic. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

bokale

I liked Australia but personally prefer Ireland / Europe.

But I think people should go live in other countries for a time to experience them. Life is too short to be so annoyed with where you are living.

Packrat

It's very tough at the moment on some sectors of people in Ireland, but that's only when compared to expectations of how life would be. In reality compared to about 98% of the world, it's a great place to live.

1 or 2 years can make a huge difference in where you are in your life and how well/hard it's going if you figure out what's making it difficult, - then examine a few different strategies for improving it, pick one and make it work. If it turns out to be the wrong strategy after a reasonable and sustained effort, don't be afraid to re-evaluate and change again.

Broadly speaking it's possible to improve your lifestyle and happiness in most countries of similar culture and reasonable opportunity.

Strategy and use of existing resources is everything.

Idbatterim

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252421#Comment_120252421

I've got my own place fully paid off... ;) Taking fifty percent of your income over 40k, which is asswipe money in this country. Surprised at how much support the tax regime here has, you must all be on elite incomes and using tax avoidance schemes...

The young don't benefit from the rigged system here, just expected to provide dirt cheap labour for rip off prices... They'd be mad to stay here, unless they see themselves as martyrs...

Idbatterim

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252356#Comment_120252356

Yeah I'd say frequent boil water notices and discharging sewage into lakes, rivers and the ocean in 2023 is pretty third world... Are you aware of this?

We have all likely been paying the marginal rate of tax for decades. In a country with no military spend, relatively young population, appalling infrastructure, I think it's reasonable to ask, where is this money going ?

artanevilla

www.skyscanner.ie

www.directferries.ie

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251905#Comment_120251905

You really should just get out of the country for a while, when you come back you'll have some real world experience to stack Ireland up against. But understand this: the only reason the Aussie are rising the age limit on the working holiday visa is because they need cheap labour and when they are done with you they'll send you home. So they are exploiting you to their advantage be under no illusion.

Idbatterim

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252253#Comment_120252253

What's the roll eyes for ? Read the papers ? This is now a common theme... Landlords selling up on their droves.. the government created the housing crisis and make the rules... They reap what they sow...

awec

I doubt there is another country on earth that does self-deprecation like we do. I don't know where it comes from. You see it everywhere, on here, on twitter, on facebook etc, Irish people complaining about how terrible they think their country is.

It's all a bit weird IMO.

I love this country. Think it's great tbh. Weather could be better though.

Idbatterim

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252539#Comment_120252539

And housing, health, infrastructure, law and order and every other failing here . " Tis grand" I suppose ?

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058284652/sick-of-this-country

Good luck to ya and take your greedy ungrateful parents with ya.

brokenbad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252314#Comment_120252314

For all its faults, Ireland is by no means the worst place to live and rear a family compared to the likes of US, UK or Oz.....spent some time abroad myself years ago but thoughts of home were never far away.

Sally O'Brien Harp Lager TV Ad - YouTube

Idbatterim

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252528#Comment_120252528

I've travelled extensively. Off at the moment... Can't beat a bit of sun!

Dohnjoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058284652/sick-of-this-country

Used to think like this, bought into all the populist sentiment, got myself all wound up, convinced myself Ireland was terrible, then went abroad and lived in several countries. Took time, but eventually realized that every country has it's own issues and problems. Relatively speaking, Ireland isn't so bad. In fact it's actually pretty good (by living metrics we are often near the top of countries globally to live in)

I remember leaving when we had poor country problems, I came back when we had rich country problems. The latter is considerably better than the former.

Many of my friends also left at the same time I did, almost all of them are either back here or thinking of coming back. Many of those went to Aus, the US, Canada. That speaks volumes.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252534#Comment_120252534

Your parents are contributing to the "housing shitshow" that is driving you away. Maybe tell them its their fault you're leaving.

Landlords selling up in droves would not be causing any problems. Selfish people hoarding empty properties as investments does.

realdanbreen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251905#Comment_120251905

First of all the money is not "way better ". I think you're confusing Australian $ with US $ ! Also you appear to have an issue with immigration policy in Ireland. Well don't forget you will be an immigrant in Australia a country which is ,thankfully, one of the most diverse societies in the world.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252539#Comment_120252539

The weather is one massive downside to Ireland (though not much anyone can do about that). Everything else is just differing degrees of the same problems other countries have - some are worse in Ireland and some are better. Raw salaries and tax rates aren't good comparators, its all about purchasing parity.

mattser

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252511#Comment_120252511

Nonsense. Anyone who believes Ireland is third world should be sent to live in the real thing for six months. Then return back here and report on their findings.

Nermal

Headline tax rates aren't a good reason to move. There's a lot that can be done here with pension contributions, EIIS funds etc. here to bring them down.

The complaints on housing, health and weather are more reasonable.