Just plain worried...

LegacyUser

Ok, not a major problem, but its something thats been worrying me.

I'm 30, i've lived in dublin for 10 years (since i left college) and worked various jobs in those years. I decided a while back to take a break, and got a part time job, claiming dole for the remainder of the week. In that time I entered into a relationship, unfortunatly, shes abroad studying at the moment, and will return to ireland in may of next year. When she graduates we plan to move in together. I just want to stress that the relationship isnt the problem, nor do i forsee many problems in the near future for us. What worries me is that in my 20's i never really planned for the future, and as such in my present employment, dont have much saved. I'd like to have secured enough for a house deposit by the time i'm 35, and i know i'll need a fulltime job, that doesnt bother me, what does bother me is that i'm not sure i want to live in dublin, i dont want to take a job in dublin only to leave it again to move down the country, nor am i sure do i want to tie myself to dublin with a job. Also, my girlfriend fears that she'll only get work for her chosen profession in dublin, so initially, her living down the country is not an option.

I know this isnt a major problem, but i find myself at a crossroads in my life, where the decisions i make now, may dictate my life for the next decade. A lot of my friends are buying their first houses with their partners, and i'd like to plan for the same, i'm not afraid of growing up (albeit a bit late) in fact i look forward to it, marriage, house and kids all feature in my long term plans, but i'm just worried that if i dont make the right decision now, it'll all go to pot when the time comes.....

....am i worrying over nothing?

Red Alert

maybe or maybe not - possibly you should try renting or leasing a property with your partner for a while. that way neither of you are tied down.

annR

I think you'll have to get a full time job in Dublin in the short term, at least to start saving some money so that when you do make a decision in the future you will have some cash to back it up.
She's not coming until May, and reckons she can only work in Dublin anyway. Why don't you both work in Dublin for a while and then take the decision in time.
If you do both decide eventually to live outside of Dublin, you're not 'tied down' by your job, you can leave it.

Citizen Jake

OP, I'm around the same age as you and admit to having the same fears most of the time. I think these are healthy fears that help you to get a perspective on your life and where you are going. As an earlier poster suggested, consider moving in with your girlfriend and renting - possibly in Dublin - for a while and see how it works for both of you. You're not tied down if it doesn't work out. If you want to have the house, car and all the rest you will need to return to full-time employment - that's what the mortgage people want to see, a few years under the belt - and start saving. On the mortgage front, if you and the GF get okay jobs you may qualify to get one of those 100pc mortgages. But it will help to have money in the bank. It's not all bad mate and you seem to be thinking along the right track. But remember, life's not all about being married, the house, the kids, the dog and the car. Sounds completely middleclass and boring even to me and I think that's the direction I'm heading!!! Live life any way you want as long as you're happy.;)

Vokes

OP, whereabouts down the country do you want to move?

If your GF is open to commuting why not consider buying a house in Louth, Wicklow or Kildare - they're away from the city and your girlfriend could use commuter rail or bus services to travel to Dublin.

dundalk cailin

yea dundalk is a grand place now cos the traffics all diverted on the new bypass so u dont have to go thru dundalk or drogheda on the way to dublin, cuts the journey

LegacyUser

thanks for the replies and advice, just to add some more info, i'm originally from the midlands, and without sounding too morbid, i stand to inherit a house there, but its not something i rely on, i'm still gonna start putting money away for a house. I'd either live in dublin or the midlands, as most of my friends/family live there. I'm half thinking that by the time i'm ready to settle in the midlands again, this new fangled motorway will be in place, cutting a commute time down, so we may get the best of both worlds, live down there work up here.

Beruthiel

I started my life from scratch at age 30

have you heard of the county council shared owership scheme? if you make under €32 grand a year, they will give you a max of 230k to go find a place to live in dublin, (you will have to start with a small apt) all you need as a deposit is €1,300 - it's how I started out on the road of property ownership
why not give that a go, get a fulltime job in dublin for the time being, get yourself some experience and then move later