Your reasons for emigrating

lufties · 23-01-2014 09:17AM #1

Not sure if this has been a topic before, but I'll give it a go anyway.

Having been away from Ireland a few years now, I reflected recently on my life then in comparison to now. The real standout thing I can say is that I'm more confident and comfortable in my own skin(perhaps that's down to maturing with age). Anyway this got me thinking why I left in the first place back in 2009. It wasn't actually things like unemployment, corruption or anything to do with politicians. The recession was only a small part of the reason that I headed off.

The main ones I came up with were the following;
Career-My career was stagnant at home and I didn't 'fit in' to the mould.
Excitement and adventure-A new life abroad,new place,new people etc.
Leaving the past behind-As it says, along with a fresh start.
Finding myself-I always cringed when people say 'oh he/she went off to find his/herself. Now I get it.
A new challenge-to challenge myself, to grow as a person and become more worldly.
Relationships-having had a couple of failed ones under my belt, I naively thought that finding 'the one' would perhaps be easier overseas.
Right time- It certainly was with the country on it's knees.

Anyway so I wondered as the thread title suggests ,why others have emigrated?

Sir Arthur Daley · 23-01-2014 09:22AM

To work and see the World.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 23-01-2014 09:29AM

Combination of Ireland's awful economy and a desire to travel, something I neglected to in my teenage and college years.

Shenshen · 23-01-2014 09:48AM

Becasue in 2003 in Germany, I had no hope in Hades of finding a job, unemployment was at something like 15%

Well, that and the fact that I had always planned on leaving Germany anyway, so becoming unemployed was just the boot up the bum I needed to get me shifting.

stefan idiot jones · 23-01-2014 09:55AM

Employment for me as a carpenter.

General quality of life prospects for the next decade or so.

Our family is spread out over France, Wales, England and Canada so the 'family home' isn't there any more.

The weather.

Choices.

Basically a better future for us and our daughter. As a Nurse and a Carpenter, a forty hour week each should pay well enough to sustain a decent quality of life which is what we have now. We didn't have that in Ireland due to lack of work opportunities and cuts. (Waterford)

We are both in our forties so it was now or never. The OH has lived away for years and I left Wales sixteen years ago so we know what it's like to be the foreigner.

This is my forth country I've lived in so not a bother personally and we love it here Down Under.

Loved Ireland, but as a parent and someone who has worked all his life, and enjoys his work it was tough doing fcuk all with not much light at the end of the tunnel. I even worked voluntarily as a carpenter for the College and designed and built a sound proof recording studio for them just to keep busy and feel a bit of professional worth.

Oranage2 · 23-01-2014 10:05AM

I left in 2012 because I was bored of Ireland.

23-01-2014 10:07AM

Shenshen wrote: »

Becasue in 2003 in Germany, I had no hope in Hades of finding a job, unemployment was at something like 15%

Well, that and the fact that I had always planned on leaving Germany anyway, so becoming unemployed was just the boot up the bum I needed to get me shifting.

And now I'm working on moving there

lufties · 23-01-2014 10:12AM

Shenshen wrote: »

Becasue in 2003 in Germany, I had no hope in Hades of finding a job, unemployment was at something like 15%

Well, that and the fact that I had always planned on leaving Germany anyway, so becoming unemployed was just the boot up the bum I needed to get me shifting.

I lived in Deutschland and really enjoyed it. Sounds like its much different to 03' nowadays.

jester77 · 23-01-2014 10:25AM

Moved full time to Germany in 2002 after spending a few years traveling over and back. Nice country, good prospects, lots to do that didn't involve drinking and no f**king about. What you see is what you get, they are real direct. This is a revelation when you come from Ireland, where more often than not you are told one thing and the moment you turn your back it's something different. Plus things just work here.

NTMK · 23-01-2014 10:27AM

A job i really wanted that was paying alot better than €50 a week
The Weather
The **** Political situation in Ireland

ancapailldorcha · 23-01-2014 10:28AM

I wanted a job in my area rather than the weekly trip to the local social security office.

Prop Joe · 23-01-2014 10:32AM

Left for the craic,No other reason,Came home grafted for a couple of months and sounded out a job after a jobbridge scheme.Enjoyed my time abroad but Ireland is where it's at

lufties · 23-01-2014 10:35AM

Prop Joe wrote: »

Left for the craic,No other reason,Came home grafted for a couple of months and sounded out a job after a jobbridge scheme.Enjoyed my time abroad but Ireland is where it's at

What do you mean by craic? Getting on the piss like?

Fair dues on getting the job btw.

biko · 23-01-2014 10:37AM

I'm on the lam

Prop Joe · 23-01-2014 10:40AM

lufties wrote: »

What do you mean by craic? Getting on the piss like?

Drink,Women etc..

Shenshen · 23-01-2014 10:44AM

lufties wrote: »

I lived in Deutschland and really enjoyed it. Sounds like its much different to 03' nowadays.

I think so, yes. I've wondered before if the German economy is sort of counter-cyclical to the rest of Europe - it seems to be in recession when the rest of Europe is booming, and thriving when the rest is in recession.

It was like that during the 80s as well.

lufties · 23-01-2014 10:45AM

Prop Joe wrote: »

Drink,Women etc..

Yea true, tryin' to stay off it myself.

Can't beat Irish women for the craic though.

lufties · 23-01-2014 10:47AM

Shenshen wrote: »

I think so, yes. I've wondered before if the German economy is sort of counter-cyclical to the rest of Europe - it seems to be in recession when the rest of Europe is booming, and thriving when the rest is in recession.

It was like that during the 80s as well.

Perhaps it is.

The problem at the moment though in Germany is that they need a younger population.

ancapailldorcha · 23-01-2014 10:52AM

Shenshen wrote: »

I think so, yes. I've wondered before if the German economy is sort of counter-cyclical to the rest of Europe - it seems to be in recession when the rest of Europe is booming, and thriving when the rest is in recession.

It was like that during the 80s as well.

I think it's their culture. I'm not expert but, as I understand it they don't rely on credit to anywhere near the same extent that we do. Hence, they never had a boom but have have avoided a recession. From what I know, they wait until they have at least most of the cash for say, car or a house before buying it.

Shenshen · 23-01-2014 10:53AM

lufties wrote: »

Perhaps it is.

The problem at the moment though in Germany is that they need a younger population.

The problem is, they need it, but don't REALLY want it.
There's still far, far too much pressure on women to stay home and look after the kids once they have them, so many don't have them to begin with.
And immigration ... well, that's a nasty word to most Germans.

ronjo · 23-01-2014 10:54AM

Left Ireland in 2000.

A mate got a job in 99 in a software company that placed him in Poland and all I used to hear from him was about the "burds".
The offered me a job too then a year later and as I was single and never travelled other than holidays I jumped at it.

Was contracting around different countries for 7 years and now settle down with a wife and 2 kids in Central Europe.

Sometimes I miss home, but not too often to be honest.

Shenshen · 23-01-2014 10:54AM

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I think it's their culture. I'm not expert but, as I understand it they don't rely on credit to anywhere near the same extent that we do. Hence, they never had a boom but have have avoided a recession. From what I know, they wait until they have at least most of the cash for say, car or a house before buying it.

They've got quite a substantial boom now, though.

But you're right about the credit thing, they don't like to borrow and will save up instead. Many Germans would never consider getting a credit card (I don't have one, and I insisted on saving up the money to buy my first car rather than taking out a loan, it drives my husband potty)

FTA69 · 23-01-2014 10:56AM

I was 18 (2006ish) the first time I came to London and I did so simply because my life at that time was stagnant. I had never really settled into university, I had just broke up with my girlfriend and was stuck in a major rut in Cork City at the time that revolved around drinking. My aunt wangled me a construction job in East London for the Summer and I said f*ck it, why not head over for a summer. I ended up rediscovering my work ethic, getting fit again and generally settling into a contented life. I stayed for two years. I loved the variety and the buzz as well as the fact I made loads of new friends and was interacting with people all over the world. I then decided to return to Ireland to finish off my degree which I completed in 2011.

Upon leaving college though, the same rut started to creep in. I was working as a bouncer full time and was finding the work increasingly soul-destroying. There was literally zero prospect of a graduate position in Cork and to be honest, the city just started to grind me down. It really was an air of perpetual depression. At 24, I just couldn't fathom hanging around that town for years on end, drinking in the same pubs and doing the same sh*t week in and week out. I knew at my age I needed to get some sort of career on track or life would begin to slip away from me. I managed to persuade my girlfriend at the time to come over and off we went.

While coming back here was initially difficult (struggled through an internship and crap jobs) and I've had a few bad knocks (split up with GF after 5 years) I don't regret my decision for a second. I'm now settled in a well-paying job which has prospects for the next few years, I'm boxing away happily and generally enjoying life. I'm simply far happier here than I would be at home.

SpaceCowb0y · 23-01-2014 10:59AM

I left and went (ran away) to Australia back in 07 to get away from a toxic relationship, I had always wanted to go and had friends over there at the time so when things went sour i just packed and ran! it was back in "the good ol days" too so i had just received a €1000 xmas bonus which made paying for my one way flight all that easier.

After nearly 3 years down under i came to the realisation that as much as this little Island will always be home, most places have a lot more to offer, but thats just my opinion of course! I loved the good weather and the outdoor lifestyle Oz provided. My family moved to the South of France while i was away (which holds no appeal to me what so ever and never will) so i had no reason to move home as there was no home to move back to so i never felt homesick etc.

I ended up leaving after nearly 3 years because id lost my job and and was living rough and decided enough was enough not because i actually wanted to. Australia was amazing and i'd recommend it to everyone and anyone! especially if you have a qualification! When i arrived home it was like nothing had changed and i couldn't wait to get away again. A friend who lived in Spain said i could fly over and stay with him so i jumped at the chance. Spain was tough... with little of the language (although i did try to learn) it made life difficult and i only lasted about 10 months before moving home with my tail between my legs again.

I spent the next year boozing and partying hard until i decided to go back to college and sort my shit out, i'm just about to finish a degree in May after 4 long years and i can't tell you how eager i am to get the hell out of here again! Vancouver, New York, San Fran these are the three places i'm eyeing up at the moment as there is plenty of work, good money and great lifestyle on offer in each place! Plus i have friends in NY and Vancouver which helps.

Could i get a job in Ireland when i get my degree... probably, i'm studying computer science so it's in demand. But why would I? There's far more to life then this country. And if i sound negative i'm sorry i do love this country and my heritage but living away helped me to grow up and opened my eyes to the fact there a lot more going on elsewhere! A bit of sun always helps too!;)

Niall09 · 23-01-2014 11:07AM

Went abroad as part of my placement in UL to Amsterdam in 2012 for 9 months and then went back for the summer last year. They offered me a job which payed about 10k more than I would get at home (would have gone over regardless) so finishing college and heading out there in the summer for the forseeable. I do love Ireland but I'm young and wouldn't mind seeing a bit of the world before I settle!

lufties · 23-01-2014 11:22AM

ronjo wrote: »

Left Ireland in 2000.

A mate got a job in 99 in a software company that placed him in Poland and all I used to hear from him was about the "burds".
The offered me a job too then a year later and as I was single and never travelled other than holidays I jumped at it.

Was contracting around different countries for 7 years and now settle down with a wife and 2 kids in Central Europe.

Sometimes I miss home, but not too often to be honest.

I really want to visit Poland. I recently got a job in London so am moving there in a few weeks, fairly apprehensive about it but looking forward to it.

Central Europe...Russia?

HalloweenJack · 23-01-2014 11:23AM

Finished college in 2011 and just wanted to do something with my life.

Tbh, had never felt like I wanted to live my life in Ireland. I always felt like there was somewhere else out there that'd be a better fit for me. I've spent lots of time in Spain, the Czech Republic and Brazil and the Czech Republic is the only one that I'd say is a worse fit for me than Ireland. Brazil and especially Spain are places where I feel a lot more comfortable with my place in society and just happier with the other things that go on in the country.

lufties · 23-01-2014 11:23AM

Niall09 wrote: »

Went abroad as part of my placement in UL to Amsterdam in 2012 for 9 months and then went back for the summer last year. They offered me a job which payed about 10k more than I would get at home (would have gone over regardless) so finishing college and heading out there in the summer for the forseeable. I do love Ireland but I'm young and wouldn't mind seeing a bit of the world before I settle!

No harm in settling in Holland, I'd love to try living there but England will have to do for now.

darragh16 · 23-01-2014 11:24AM

Because Ireland is a country full of finger-pointing, begrudgers and moaners. It seriously effects your mental health!

SpaceCowb0y · 23-01-2014 11:25AM

lufties wrote: »

No harm in settling in Holland, I'd love to try living there but England will have to do for now.

i love London for a break but any time i've been i just can never picture myself there long term, even though anyone who i know thats made the move sings its praises, it just seems a bit too similar to home for me to justify a move.

lufties · 23-01-2014 11:27AM

darragh16 wrote: »

Because Ireland is a country full of finger-wagging, begrudgers and moaners. It seriously effects your mental health!

Fixed that for you

Your reasons for emigrating

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