83K per annum: Need suggestions for places for renting

taurus999 · 18-09-2019 2:00pm #1

Hi,
I’m getting transferred to Dublin. My work is at N Wall Quay. Company has offered 85K per annum.
Wife will not work for the first couple of years. Have 2 boys, both less than 10 years old.
Questions I need suggestions/help:
1. Will 83K salary sufficient for a good lifestyle?
a. Family Movies to cinema a month
b. Eating out with family couple of time a week
c. 15 days vacation per year
d. Shopping electronics/gadgets/clothes/shoes once per month.

2. Based on above lifestyle, Which locations to scout for relatively new 2/3 BHK rental accommodation not more than 30mins commute to work location?

3. Schools:
a.how easy/difficult to get into schools?
b.What’s the school calendar year? Is it September to June?
c. Does school enrollment depends on locality of residence similar to how the district system works in USA?

Any other suggestions??

Appreciate any help with regards to above queries. Thanks!

18-09-2019 2:21pm

Before any deductions like a pension etc that comes to about 4.5k per month, for a single salary it's more than the vast majority of people in Dublin earn but it's less than 2x the average salary so you're competing with couples who both work. If your wife worked you would probably be very comfortable.

Northside of the city is considered less desirable but is also cheaper, you could look at areas like Phibsborough, Stoneybatter, Smithfield, Drumcondra which are all fine and close to work. Anywhere in D2/D4/D6 would be considered desirable on the southside but you could be paying half you monthly salary or more on a place.

Schools - Sept to June. Some schools are harder to get into than others, my kids aren't at school age yet so someone else will confirm but I think there's an obligation for your local school to offer you a place.

Gumbo · 18-09-2019 2:25pm

Raphael Worried Underarm wrote: »

Schools - Sept to June. Some schools are harder to get into than others, my kids aren't at school age yet so someone else will confirm but I think there's an obligation for your local school to offer you a place.

With a particular radius.
Also, registrations begin a year or more beforehand.

Our lad is registered since last year for 2020. They have registrations for 2021 and 2022 already.

listermint · 18-09-2019 2:27pm

15 days annual leave per year ?

Is this a real job/thread because im not sure if thats even legal for full time work.

taurus999 · 18-09-2019 2:32pm

listermint wrote: »

15 days annual leave per year ?

Is this a real job/thread because im not sure if thats even legal for full time work.

I guess it’s 30 days annual leave. Out of which I usually go on a continuous 2 weeks vacation with family. I will use the remaining days through out the year based on need.

duffman13 · 18-09-2019 2:38pm

You'll take home roughly 4900 a month after tax, rent will be your biggest cost, if your at north wall it's probably not the most accessible location work wise and other recommendations of North side areas by previous posters would probably be best in terms of value for money, after that then yes if you had 2500 a month left after rent I think you'd be comfortable enough for everything you've mentioned, depending on the cost of your holidays that is

taurus999 · 18-09-2019 2:39pm

Raphael Worried Underarm wrote: »

Before any deductions like a pension etc that comes to about 4.5k per month, for a single salary it's more than the vast majority of people in Dublin earn but it's less than 2x the average salary so you're competing with couples who both work. If your wife worked you would probably be very comfortable.

Northside of the city is considered less desirable but is also cheaper, you could look at areas like Phibsborough, Stoneybatter, Smithfield, Drumcondra which are all fine and close to work. Anywhere in D2/D4/D6 would be considered desirable on the southside but you could be paying half you monthly salary or more on a place.

Schools - Sept to June. Some schools are harder to get into than others, my kids aren't at school age yet so someone else will confirm but I think there's an obligation for your local school to offer you a place.

Thank you! My new boss also suggested D2/D4/D6 zones. As you mentioned finding a place appears to be difficult within reasonable cost. Any other areas to suggest on the south side if I can extend my commute by ~10mins?

On another note, How easy/difficult to find a job for Montessori/Pre-School Teacher?
What’s the average salary one can expect with <= 2 years experience in a Montessori environment?

PhoenixParker · 18-09-2019 2:42pm

Look along the Docklands train line, mostly you're talking about D15. It's Northside but you'll have a fairly handy commute to work on the trainline and the area in general is middle class and popular with families.

Cinema in Blanch and the shopping centre will provide most of your needed amenities. Lots of schools in the area too. Creche are crying out for staff albeit wages are on the low side.

vandriver · 18-09-2019 2:42pm

Sounds like you are looking for a 6-7k lifestyle on nearer 4.5k wages.

vandriver · 18-09-2019 2:47pm

'...My new boss also suggested D2/D4/D6 zones.'

Maybe on his wages

taurus999 · 18-09-2019 2:47pm

vandriver wrote: »

Sounds like you are looking for a 6k lifestyle on nearer 4.5k wages.

Lol! Looks like it is. Appreciate all your suggestions. This has given me lots of insights. I will probably have to cut down on the vacations and cinemas until my spouse gets a job. Any idea on how the pre-school/Montessori trainer/teacher job market in Dublin?

charlietheminxx · 18-09-2019 2:48pm

What about moving to somewhere like Swords? It's a nice area (in my opinion - but I'm moving to there soon so I might be biased), your budget will go much further, you have the Swords Express which goes to North Wall Quay via the Port Tunnel (takes 30-45 mins depending on traffic), there's loads of schools, a cinema which offers good family deals and a decent shopping centre. You'd get a lovely place for about €2,000 - €2,200 a month, which would leave a lot of disposable income.

dancingqueen · 18-09-2019 2:48pm

listermint wrote: »

15 days annual leave per year ?

Is this a real job/thread because im not sure if thats even legal for full time work.

Standard holidays are 20 days per annum

DubDani · 18-09-2019 2:58pm

Not directly accommodation related, but more in terms of general finances. If your wife doesn't work, please don't forget that you can transfer her tax credits to yourself, saving you a good bit of money over the year.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/jobs-and-pensions/periods-of-unemployment/transferring-tax-credits-to-a-spouse-or-civil-partner.aspx

Also, don't forget to include the Child Benefit in your calculations, which are 280 Euro a month:

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/child_benefit.html

Mike9832 · 18-09-2019 3:01pm

charlietheminxx wrote: »

What about moving to somewhere like Swords? It's a nice area (in my opinion - but I'm moving to there soon so I might be biased), your budget will go much further, you have the Swords Express which goes to North Wall Quay via the Port Tunnel (takes 30-45 mins depending on traffic), there's loads of schools, a cinema which offers good family deals and a decent shopping centre. You'd get a lovely place for about €2,000 - €2,200 a month, which would leave a lot of disposable income.

I'd do the same

Actually I'd go further out

Rush/Lusk would be even cheaper, should get under €2,000 and not a huge distance in it

Near the sea too for the kids

Always like the northside area

Mike9832 · 18-09-2019 3:06pm

€1600 Lusk

Check out this property I found using Daft

https://www.daft.ie/21966399

If you can get something for under €2,000 you'll live a good life

Wife gets some part time job while kids are in school and your laughing

taurus999 · 18-09-2019 3:06pm

Mike9832 wrote: »

I'd do the same

Actually I'd go further out

Rush/Lusk would be even cheaper, should get under €2,000 and not a huge distance in it

Near the sea too for the kids

Always like the northside area

Interesting thoughts. Reading through the internet and suggestions from colleagues made my thinking to stay away from the North Side.
Is there any genuine reasons or it’s just a stereotype thinking?
How safe is the north side for new to country family?
We are non-native English speaking family. Relocating from USA.

charlietheminxx · 18-09-2019 3:11pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Interesting thoughts. Reading through the internet and suggestions from colleagues made my thinking to stay away from the North Side.
Is there any genuine reasons or it’s just a stereotype thinking?
How safe is the north side for new to country family?
We are non-native English speaking family. Relocating from USA.

Of course there are some dodgy areas (like there are anywhere) but North County Dublin overall is a lovely place to live and a great place to raise a family. I'm a Rush girl at the moment, would recommend that over Lusk (where I am originally from) for easy access to the North Beach alone. You can get the 33X directly to North Wall Quay, but you're looking at a longer commute (45-55 mins in rush-hour traffic). Lovely, quiet, safe area, nice park and of course the beaches, but not a lot of amenities.

Thoie · 18-09-2019 3:12pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Interesting thoughts. Reading through the internet and suggestions from colleagues made my thinking to stay away from the North Side.
Is there any genuine reasons or it’s just a stereotype thinking?
How safe is the north side for new to country family?
We are non-native English speaking family. Relocating from USA.

"Northside" is a huge area. There are some spots that wouldn't be particularly nice, but all the areas mentioned are fine. There are equally some areas "Southside" that wouldn't be very nice either.

Having lived in Dublin, the key for me would be convenient, reliable public transport within easy distance. Check the frequency of buses/trams/trains, and remember that weekend timetables are often different.

TuringBot47 · 18-09-2019 3:13pm

DubDani wrote: »

Not directly accommodation related, but more in terms of general finances. If your wife doesn't work, please don't forget that you can transfer her tax credits to yourself, saving you a good bit of money over the year.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/jobs-and-pensions/periods-of-unemployment/transferring-tax-credits-to-a-spouse-or-civil-partner.aspx

Also, don't forget to include the Child Benefit in your calculations, which are 280 Euro a month:

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/child_benefit.html

And a stay at home Mum gets €1200 tax credit for "home carers" allowance too (per annum)

charlietheminxx · 18-09-2019 3:17pm

Brand new house, 4 bedrooms, 5 minute walk to the bus stop, directly opposite the local park, 2 minute walk from Tesco supermarket, about 10 minute walk to the beach:

https://www.daft.ie/dublin/houses-for-rent/rush/kenure-gate-park-road-rush-dublin-1965127/

bobmalooka · 18-09-2019 3:19pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Interesting thoughts. Reading through the internet and suggestions from colleagues made my thinking to stay away from the North Side.
Is there any genuine reasons or it’s just a stereotype thinking?
How safe is the north side for new to country family?
We are non-native English speaking family. Relocating from USA.

North side city center has rough spots - if you don’t know the area it would be generally best to avoid for most people. (Although this generalization can be a bit unfair)

The suggestions you’ve been given are north county Dublin, you’d be commuting by train from generally nice suburbs. If you’re based full time in spencer Dock/north wall quay its a good commute option. Nice middle class areas on the seaside without breaking the bank (relative to other middle class areas around Dublin)

Montessori/pre school work. I think the equivalent here would be pre school year in a crèche (open to correction) -> plenty of that kind of work but it pays poorly.

PCros · 18-09-2019 3:33pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Interesting thoughts. Reading through the internet and suggestions from colleagues made my thinking to stay away from the North Side.
Is there any genuine reasons or it’s just a stereotype thinking?
How safe is the north side for new to country family?
We are non-native English speaking family. Relocating from USA.

People get The Northside mixed up - they are generally referring to areas within the city boundary. North County Dublin is much different with places like Malahide, Swords, Portmarnock, Skerries & Lusk etc. which are very sought after to live.

taurus999 · 18-09-2019 3:42pm

PCros wrote: »

People get The Northside mixed up - they are generally referring to areas within the city boundary. North County Dublin is much different with places like Malahide, Swords, Portmarnock, Skerries & Lusk etc. which are very sought after to live.

Thank you. How about the west part of side?another member suggested Blanchardstown. Commute seems to be good (google showing 30mins train ride 8 am on a weekday departure).

18-09-2019 3:44pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Interesting thoughts. Reading through the internet and suggestions from colleagues made my thinking to stay away from the North Side.
Is there any genuine reasons or it’s just a stereotype thinking?
How safe is the north side for new to country family?
We are non-native English speaking family. Relocating from USA.

I have lived on the Northside my entire life, I've recently bought a house in Phibsboro. I absolutely love it, honestly couldn't be happier, and I have 2 sons who will be growing up in Phibsboro. I would need to go out of my way to end up in an area I would consider unsafe.

And as above once you get into the North county, say Malahide and beyond, it's almost rural. Malahide, Clontarf, Howth are north and some of the most affluent areas in the city.

dancingqueen · 18-09-2019 3:47pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Thank you. How about the west part of side?another member suggested Blanchardstown. Commute seems to be good (google showing 30mins train ride 8 am on a weekday departure).

I think it depends on what you want in terms of amenities and quality of life. Blanchardstown is a big area with mainly houses and businesses around. If I had to choose between here and Rush/Lusk I'd chose Rush/Lusk every time because of the sea, and the quiet life for weekends. I get enough bustle commuting to the city every day!

PCros · 18-09-2019 3:48pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Thank you. How about the west part of side?another member suggested Blanchardstown. Commute seems to be good (google showing 30mins train ride 8 am on a weekday departure).

Not from there myself but I do know people from Castleknock and Ashtown which is out that direction and yes they are happy out there.

DubDani · 18-09-2019 3:58pm

Does your job require some regular airtravel?

If so, you might also want to consider the fact that the Airport is in North Dublin, much easier access from Rush/Lusk/Swords etc. then D2, D4 or D6.

Oh, and if your are coming from the US be prepared that Houses here are small (in terms of square footage) compared to the majority of the US (New York or LA are obviousy slightly different). We had friends over a while ago from the US and they couldn't get over the fact how "small" houses here are, even though our own house is a 4BR with approx. 1800 sqf, i.e. considerably above average size for a new built here.

airportgirl83 · 18-09-2019 4:55pm

I'd say think long and hard about moving to Dublin.

We are in the middle of housing crisis - renting is very hard to find atm and you will probably end up paying a lot for a poor standard apt or house.

Also, unless mortgage rules change, you will not be able to afford to buy a decent house for your family in Dublin - you are only allowed to borrow 3.5 times salary. See on www.myhome.ie what that can get you.

We are also in the middle of health crisis. People wait for months or years to see various specialist.

Transport links are poor, trains, buses overcrowded, badly connected.

City centre is awful, keep your kids away from it, full of druggies and homeless.

Imo €83k will not give you the lifestyle that you want in Dublin with wife at home, eating out, living on the South side, foreign holidays etc I find everything very expensive here even though I'm on more than that.

Having said all above, Irish people are one of the nicest ones I have ever met

ted1 · 18-09-2019 4:58pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Thank you. How about the west part of side?another member suggested Blanchardstown. Commute seems to be good (google showing 30mins train ride 8 am on a weekday departure).

I wouldn’t advise going west, most places along the Dart line , Green LUAS line are good.

Also anywhere in between the two is good.

Rent generally excludes utilities, allow
Electricity, 100 euro a month
Broadband , 50 euro
Heating 80 euro a month Oct-Feb

No waiting if you get private health insurance

^ avoid places the previous posters lives or goes, I find Dublin to be great.

Wesser · 18-09-2019 9:34pm

I dont think you would be able to eat out several times a week. do you plan to have a car?

maybe not so much disposable income for luxuries as you think with 83k.

Nika Bolokov · 18-09-2019 9:40pm

charlietheminxx wrote: »

What about moving to somewhere like Swords? It's a nice area (in my opinion - but I'm moving to there soon so I might be biased), your budget will go much further, you have the Swords Express which goes to North Wall Quay via the Port Tunnel (takes 30-45 mins depending on traffic), there's loads of schools, a cinema which offers good family deals and a decent shopping centre. You'd get a lovely place for about €2,000 - €2,200 a month, which would leave a lot of disposable income.

Not with only one income and two kids

charlietheminxx · 18-09-2019 9:45pm

Nika Bolokov wrote: »

Not with only one income and two kids

2.5k after rent is a decent amount.

Browney7 · 18-09-2019 9:48pm

PCros wrote: »

Not from there myself but I do know people from Castleknock and Ashtown which is out that direction and yes they are happy out there.

This! You'd get somewhere near the maynooth Trainline and that would bring you to docklands train station or Connolly and not far from Phoenix park. Very accessible to the M50

18-09-2019 10:03pm

You’ll be earning what the average couple in Ireland earn, probably more.

Unfortunately the average couple in Ireland can’t generally afford too many nice things.

Rent and bills will probably be half your salary.

ted1 · 18-09-2019 10:20pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You’ll be earning what the average couple in Ireland earn, probably more.

Unfortunately the average couple in Ireland can’t generally afford too many nice things.

Rent and bills will probably be half your salary.

I’m sure there will be bonuses that bring it up to 90.

Is there a relocation allowance ? School fees?

18-09-2019 10:41pm

Browney7 wrote: »

This! You'd get somewhere near the maynooth Trainline and that would bring you to docklands train station or Connolly and not far from Phoenix park. Very accessible to the M50

Factor in frequency of accidents on M50. Even in good weather. Does you company mind if you turn up late for work?

Also, Irish Rail had a habit of cancelling trains from Maynooth when I used the service over 10 years ago. Don't know if this has been attenuated. Trains suffer from overcrowding

Caranica · 18-09-2019 11:15pm

I've lived in Blanchardstown for 15 years now and I love it. So close to the airport but far enough away. The shopping centre has cinema, theatre, pretty much every shop you need. There are lovely restaurants scattered around the place. Great community groups, sports clubs etc.

Train is pretty packed and add 10 minutes to your scheduled arrival time to be careful but it works. In my current job I have parking so I can be at my desk in 20 minutes in summer and 30 when the schools are back.

As with anywhere, including the "desirable" Dublin 2/4/6 there are good areas and not so good areas. A little research is necessary.

Idbatterim · 18-09-2019 11:42pm

Bear this in mind , transport in Dublin is appalling ! Clontarf on north side or sandy mount on south side would be decent choices. Quite a short cycle too. You’d save a lot if you can get away without owning a car , might not be practical for you though !

taurus999 · 19-09-2019 5:24am

ted1 wrote: »

I’m sure there will be bonuses that bring it up to 90.

Is there a relocation allowance ? School fees?

I’m not sure on the bonus component and even if they provide some it’s going to be negligible (going by what I get here in US, same company)

Accommodation for the first 15 days in new place is covered as part of relocation. Going by the demand for residential apartments I guess I will have to book something before I board my flight!

School fees - nothing of that sort mentioned as part of my salary conversation. I will double check on this.

taurus999 · 19-09-2019 5:26am

Idbatterim wrote: »

Bear this in mind , transport in Dublin is appalling ! Clontarf on north side or sandy mount on south side would be decent choices. Quite a short cycle too. You’d save a lot if you can get away without owning a car , might not be practical for you though !

Thanks! Here in US life doesn’t move without a car. In Ireland i believe getting a car license is tough and insurance costs for new to country drivers is more than the value of car loan EMI. Correct me if I’m wrong here.

The_Conductor · 19-09-2019 7:48am

taurus999 wrote: »

Thanks! Here in US life doesn’t move without a car. In Ireland i believe getting a car license is tough and insurance costs for new to country drivers is more than the value of car loan EMI. Correct me if I’m wrong here.

Depending on your age (they don't discriminate on gender grounds)- a family sized car with a 2 litre engine could easily cost 1,500/2,000 a year for insurance- a couple of hundred a year in roadtax- and gas costs roughly 6 times as much in Ireland as it does Stateside. The AA (automobile association) reckon an average family car costs 12k per annum to run (inclusive of fuel)- but obviously this will vary from person to person.

If you do not need a car on a constant basis there are a few different car sharing companies that are increasing their footprints in Ireland- such as 'Go-Car' which rents cars to you by the hour at 11/12 Euro an hour incl. of insurance, fuel etc etc.

The majority of cars in Ireland are still stick shifts- less than 15% are automatics.

If you have a license from the US- you can swap it for an Irish license under certain circumstances- though normally its actually easier to go back to basics and resit a driving test from the beginning- though this can be costly.

85k is a decent salary for a single person- its not a decent salary for a family. The suggestions of Ashtown/Castleknock are nice- but quite possibly out of your budget.

Accommodation is in quite incredible constraint in Dublin at the moment- one thing I would 100% definitely do- is try to negotiate a longer period of accommodation provided by your company. I am personally familiar with employees in Google and Intel- who moved here and left within 6 weeks- having failed to find accommodation for young families (both of whom were on salaries ballpark similar to yours and in the Intel case- both spouses of whom worked in Intel).

Accommodation- at all- is going to be an issue- if you really want to make a go of this- I'd seriously try to get a significantly longer company provided accommodation package- 15 days to find a family home in the context of renting in Dublin- is going to be hairy.

I'd strongly echo everyone who is plugging accommodation on decent public transport lines. The downside of this- is you'll pay for the privilege- its what everyone else is doing.........

D2/D4/D6 - the manager who suggested this is so far out of the realms of what you can expect that its hard to imagine he wasn't having a laugh.........

Your salary is decent- if your wife also gets a job. Its not a decent salary as the sole income coming into a house............

The very best of good luck with your move- I've two young children too- you have more courage than I have to consider moving with them..........

The_Conductor · 19-09-2019 8:17am

Ps- check your spouse's rights and entitlements- a lot of spouse visas do not entitle a spouse to work in Ireland- check it out...........

pc7 · 19-09-2019 8:55am

Great post @The_Conductor, but grim reading, OP seriously consider staying where you are unless your job will help with the accommodation side of things.

Geuze · 19-09-2019 9:09am

The_Conductor wrote: »

and gas costs roughly 6 times as much in Ireland as it does Stateside.
m......

Please note that this statement is false.

Petrol in Ireland is of course, not 6 times dearer as the USA.

Let's do some sums.

https://gasprices.aaa.com/

The average price in the USA is USD 2.67 per US gallon, so that's USD 0.70534 per litre.

Convert to euro at 1 euro = USD1.10, and the euro equivalent is 64 cent per litre.

Petrol here is about 1.40 per litre?

So petrol here is 2.2 times dearer than the USA.

Idbatterim · 19-09-2019 9:54am

Just read the op again. You were offered 85k. I’d be pushing for more if possible (given the cost of Dublin) has anyone else you know been relocated to here ? one other big factor here. Even The working poor here are hit with a fifty percent marginal rate of tax! Anything over e35,000 if you are single is taxed at that rate. Which will blow the minds of anyone who isn’t actually from this banana republic!

There is an income tax calculator, just google Deloitte income tax calculator and you will see , what your after tax salary will be. Very important !

I wouldn’t touch an apartment here either, with a barge poll. Yes if required as very short term solution , but not otherwise !

ionapaul · 19-09-2019 9:57am

Wow, some people are being way OTT negative in this thread - if his wife's tax credits are added to his, he will clear approximately €4.8k/month. Many MANY families in Dublin survive on less than that and are thriving. Rent will obviously be the biggest headache, no doubt about that.

But the family will have €2k+ each month after rent to pay for everything else. A car is not needed if you live near public transport. Forget about going all the way to Lush or Skerries, rent a house in nicer Portmarnock or Malahide and walk to the DART.

Obviously you need to be realistic, but also be aware that some people might be erring on the side of caution and any impression that a family will be on the breadline, hating life and living in a hovel, on a single salary of €83k/annum is just insanely incorrect.

Idbatterim · 19-09-2019 10:14am

id Be looking to rent within walking or cycle distance of the job and kids school . Saves a lot in time , stress and money!

Idbatterim · 19-09-2019 10:24am

Where in the states are you moving from op?

jam_mac_jam · 19-09-2019 10:32am

I would advise renting in an area on a train or dart line. Swords for example is very nice but you are talking an hour on a bus to get to work every morning. The negatives are being hugely exaggerated here. You will be fine on 83K and able to go on holiday.
There is a lot of traffic in Dublin so being on a train line will make a big difference to your quality of life.

In general nicer areas are along the coast and more working class on the west side of the city rather then north and south side. However many of the areas on the northside are fine and quite middle class, and your rent will go a lot further then in more desirable areas. There are very bad areas on the southside as well, its a bit outdated to say that north is bad and south is good. That is mostly near the city centre as you move out it depends on the neighborhood really.

19-09-2019 10:50am

Geuze wrote: »

Please note that this statement is false.

Petrol in Ireland is of course, not 6 times dearer as the USA.

Let's do some sums.

https://gasprices.aaa.com/

The average price in the USA is USD 2.67 per US gallon, so that's USD 0.70534 per litre.

Convert to euro at 1 euro = USD1.10, and the euro equivalent is 64 cent per litre.

Petrol here is about 1.40 per litre?

So petrol here is 2.2 times dearer than the USA.

Insurance on a family car also shouldn't be anywhere near 1.5-2k. I have an Octavia estate and the insurance is under 400 per year, the road tax is 190 per year.

83K per annum: Need suggestions for places for renting

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