Anyone thinking of emigrating?

The current housing crisis in Ireland can hardly be described as a high standard of living, but foreigners coming into the country lured by employment opportunities at various American IT businesses certainly don't know that, plus they are also young, straight out of university and probably a bit naïve (as we all were when we were young) and oblivious to the housing crisis. They end up living in some house or flat share which can often only be found via various facebook groups. The jobs they fill usually require foreign and native language skills, thus they don't really compete with the Irish on the job market.

Also these American IT companies pay for relocation ( sometimes up to 9000 Euros ) provided that their employees stay at least for one year. After one year they usually move on due to lack of housing, getting sick of the property market and the internal tricks and games by their managers and/or hard to achieve performance targets. Thus the high turnover of employees at Oracle, Microsoft, Facebook, Google and Salesforce.

Among the winners are either Irish landlords charging high rents, the Irish tax man cashing in on tax of revenue made from renting or Irish recruitment companies having recurring business year on year.

I'd agree with the fact that certain parts of Dublin are dirty and grimy, but that's in any city in Europe. Back in 2017 I certainly never felt unsafe in Dublin, however I've always felt that "if push came to shove I'd have no support and nobody would care" kind of feeling. Public transport and Dublin Bus is not very reliable, but the LUAS is certainly good.

The prices in supermarkets tend to be higher than in the UK, or other EU countries, rents certainly are very high, even higher than London or Paris. Opportunities with big name American IT companies, yes, but it's mostly "inside sales roles" with hard to reach sales targets, or internal political sales targets.

I haven't been to Dublin recently, but back in 2017 finding a one bedroom apartment for rent in Dublin was a nightmare. I recall queues outside of every apartment when there was a viewing organized by an estate agent, and often I was viewing with 30 or 40 others. I could hardly call this a high standard and neither was the quality of construction of the property, it was actually below average by EU standards. Maybe it's easier now, during the pandemic, I don't know.

The subject Dublin housing crisis sure doesn't get a lot of coverage, and as google search results are concerned, they can give results as they please. It's called "Search Engine Optimization". After all Google invested in Ireland, thus they have to tell the world that the investment is a great choice.

I am only guessing that some apartments or a larger number of apartments are reserved by bigger corporations, not American IT companies, but financial companies on some right of first refusal basis to their employees relocating to Dublin.

I also doubt that 1600 Euros per month will get you a one bedroom in Dublin, I'd say, you're looking more at 1800 per month, if it's supposed to be something halfway decent. And then there are certainly "bidding wars" with several punters. With utter certainty, London, Paris and Frankfurt or Munich are offering more quality for money in this aspect and offer more culture and museums on top. Thus it doesn't surprise me, if the ongoing housing crisis is leading to thoughts of Irish people considering emigrating again.

Apparently things in Dublin are that bad that sex for rent seems to come up: ( I am not in doubt that this doesn't happen in other cities in the EU, but considering Dublin's exorbitant rents it doesn't surprise me)

Ireland isn't as black and white as those people let on. 2 adults and two kids in our family. On about 70k a year. Private health insurance, braces payments, 2 cars etc. We save 1,000 to 1,500 a month. We rent in a small midlands town. It is more than possible.

Housing is a joke. A nightmare in Ireland. But the rest is not bad at all. You just need to be able to watch your finances. Something I realised many Irish people are incapable of after living in the US for 7 years. Many focus on the negatives and obsess, while always looking for an exit. As for the "there's nothing to do" brigade, there are countless beautiful beaches, mountains, hikes etc. People will be bored if they choose to be. It depends on your interests.

Cinema outside of Dublin (in our town we have 2) is €5 to €10 per person. Hardly 5 times the price of Germany?

You're working scenario is very similar to what we had (single earner family etc). I'm a very cynical and caution person but I would say that if you want to make that move, it is more than possible. Apart from housing, our move was about as difficult as I expected. Ireland is wonderful in so many ways. It just comes down to your knowledge and how you use what is available. You may find that whiners want to whine and aren't willing to figure out the eccentric scenarios that life may entail here. Don't listen to people who simply whine and complain in an unrealistic way. Send me a message if you'd like and I'd be happy to outline the situation you'd be facing if you made the leap. Keep in mind Germany back to Ireland is a lot easier than USA back to Ireland (with US citizen kids, US drivers license which is no good here, no pps numbers etc).

P.S Kilkenny is just one example of a city that has every bit of what your daughters activities. She'd have all of what you listed. We had all the fears as you listed and we've figured it all out.

I moved back from the US to Ireland. Ireland is not more expensive than the states I have an in depth knowledge of. Particularly when you factor in the cost of health insurance Here Versus There.

Petrol is twice the price, but cars here are twice as economical. Some things here are much cheaper such as going out to eat at a high quality restaurant.

In no way at all could myself or my American wife agree with your statements. And we have made that move. Even housing in the US is now as insane as here. I'm not sure what comparisons you have made. Maybe Dublin (Dundrum or something), but I find it difficult to agree with any of what you have said.

Wages in the US depend on the market you work in. The same as Ireland. If you are actually realistically interested in moving home, give me a shout and I'd be happy to advise you. However, your mood seems to be steered more toward excuses not to.

Housing? Yes its a huge issue. However, my friends in the states (and elsewhere) are in the same boat. It is overpriced for what you get in Ireland. Other than that, your costs in Ireland depend on the lifestyle you choose. In Ireland for example, half of our housing estate drive a ridiculous Audi (bought on pcp)? Then that says it all. Then they whine about not being able to save. In the US, they do the same while driving a large pickup. However, they struggle to pay off their credit card charges which were used to pay for their medical bills. So lets not paint a silly rosey picture of the US reality please. It's far from peachy in comparison. Particularly for anyone with a medical need, who aspire to ever having children or....well anyone who doesn't fit a very specific american mould (you likely fit if you're there).

I would never rant about Dublin being ugly. Also, I always enjoyed the pubs and restaurants in and around Temple Bar and no, I am not a heavy drinker, but the choice of going out is good. Also the movies, and the IFC cinema as well and then there is the GAA. Yes, some modern recent architecture could have been more blending in conservative. In my opinion Dublin offers mostly everything I would look for, not too large as a city, not too small, and pre-pandemic decent flight connections to anywhere I wanted to go.

To me the only issue in Dublin and most parts of Ireland is housing and the high price of rents. I also noticed that this subject doesn't get much international coverage, and also when I raise this subject in a conversation in Ireland or among the Irish, the housing crisis is always downplayed or denied outright.

By comparison, I've lived in many places in Europe, even Germany, but nowhere was renting and housing as tough as in Dublin and any salary even from a top notch German organization in Frankfurt will sound very small, one once considers paying rent in Dublin.

I'll believe that when i see it. People talk left butt vote right.

With 200 K for a home just outside of Dublin you're rather optimistic, I'd say.

I you're more looking for 500 k upwards for a 3 bedroom house, - that is if you're lucky and there are no real bidding wars. Asking price is one thing, bidding wars another thing.

In comparison however to other cities, the prices to buy in Dublin are not that high, if you have a bit of a financial background and are of a certain age.

If one is in the early 30ies, I doubt that that's the case. It won't be cheaper to buy in other places in Canada, or the US, or Australia, but rent sure tends to be lower and stock of better quality than in Dublin.

Good points above re: emigration to an EU state. Much easier and much much less red tape and much less costs coming and going.

I would say if you are humming and hawing about emigration ... Just go to the EU and try it out. You are spoiled for choice. Do it or you will regret it later. Staying in Ireland is ok, but the late late show misery and alcohol abuse will be here when you get back. Oh, and the never ending housing and health care problems.

(Edit) and you'll never know how good/bad things are here until you look from the outside.