Moving Out Of Dublin

inthenip · 24-09-2020 2:17pm

KilOit wrote: »

One is small town that has over supply of pubs and nice castle that does well in summer, other is a large city with huge range of everything.

What is the huge range of everything?

John_Rambo · 24-09-2020 2:45pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

And thats the point I made, cities don’t have everything like peace, quiet, safety... etc etc,
You can reverse it all you want but it’s the same point.
It’s about what suits the individual at certain times in their life, and for your own happiness it important to recognize that At times you need a change of venue.

A mid twenties person who likes to socialize isn’t going to be happy in a one horse town but a mid twenties mother of two isn’t going to be happy with a 60 minute commute to primary school.

Different strokes...

I don't know anyone that has a 60 minute commute to primary school in any Irish city. And to be honest I doubt you do either, in fact walking to school is most popular in cities because of proximity to schools resulting in healthier kids.

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 2:52pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

I don't know anyone that has a 60 minute commute to primary school in any Irish city. And to be honest I doubt you do either, in fact walking to school is most popular in cities because of proximity to schools resulting in healthier kids.

That went over your head spectacularly.

John_Rambo · 24-09-2020 2:55pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

That went over your head spectacularly.

It seems to have!! I still don't know what you mean with the 60 minute commute to primary school, who does that?

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 3:02pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

It seems to have!! I still don't know what you mean with the 60 minute commute to primary school, who does that?

It’s an example.
Just an example.

I’m aware that there is no such thing as a town built around an individual horse either.

John_Rambo · 24-09-2020 3:05pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

It’s an example.
Just an example.

I still don't know what you're on about. An example of what what? Urban living, rural living, suburban living? What point are you trying to make?

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 3:09pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

I still don't know what you're on about. An example of what what? Urban living, rural living, suburban living? What point are you trying to make?

Read the post again if yoo I didn’t understand it the first time.

Bandana boy · 24-09-2020 3:11pm

had a friend move from Dublin to a rural back water , Mayo rather than Donegal .
Loved every minute of it up until his kids got to a certain age and quality of schools , and extra curricular activities like , Swimming , dancing acting , Band ,sports other than GAA , knowing their cousins etc got in the way and he moved back.

Never regretted the move in either direction but happy to be back.

John_Rambo · 24-09-2020 3:11pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Read the post again if yoo I didn’t understand it the first time.

Is it an example of nothing really? Like saying some people don't like living beside unicorns and some are ok with it.

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 3:35pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

Is it an example of nothing really? Like saying some people don't like living beside unicorns and some are ok with it.

I wouldn’t like living beside a unicorn.

brisan · 24-09-2020 3:35pm

inthenip wrote: »

Good thing about rural towns and villages is that if there is 100 people in the pub, you will know all of them by name.

You don't get that in Dublin.

Funnily enough that's a major reason a lot of young people move to Dublin
Anonymity has its upsides when you are young ,on the tear and on the pull
You don't want Mammy to know you were pissed drunk and trying to cop a feel off Mary from down the road

24-09-2020 3:38pm

inthenip wrote: »

What is the huge range of everything?

Cinemas, theatres, concerts, sporting events, comedy clubs, jazz musicians, top restaurants, public transport (quiet down the back!), international airport, infrastructure to reach the rest of the country, public parks and festivals, a ski slope, theme parks, swimming pools, large shopping centres, late night shops & cafes & bars & nightclubs, international tourists, museums, supermarkets, IKEA, fishing, kayaking, rowing, diving, the Zoo, the Phoenix park, food festivals, horse racing, greyhounds, cathedrals, mountains, hiking, casinos, sailing, golf courses etc.

That's before you get into the one-off / emergency places you might need visit like the NCT centres, hospitals, embassies or government departments, passport office etc.

Dublin is vastly underrated by a majority of people, most of whom are familiar with a small part and never experience most of the above. Others see junkies on the boardwalk when they get off at Busáras or Heuston and dismiss the rest of the city.

Anyone claiming Dublin is an 'unmerciful kip' needs to visit somewhere other than the areas between the train stations and Croker.

brisan · 24-09-2020 3:39pm

PhilOssophy wrote: »

I love the way people say Dublin is a kip. I grew up in a small Irish town, and have visited many other small towns, is a boarded up small town full with 5-10 charity shops on the main street appealing to other people?
Somebody raised the point about 100 people in a pub knowing your own name - I HATE that when I go home. Going in to the pub and everybody looking when the door opens, etc. Give me the anonymity any day.
Or people judging you based on your house/job/car/children/involvement in GAA/going to mass/whatever. I honestly love walking out the door and nobody knowing nor caring about my business.
Different strokes, different folks.

We had a Mobile home in Clogherhead at on e stage .
Lot of Drogheda people there
They went to mass on a Sunday so their neighbours could see them at mass

John_Rambo · 24-09-2020 3:39pm

Bandana boy wrote: »

had a friend move from Dublin to a rural back water , Mayo rather than Donegal .
Loved every minute of it up until his kids got to a certain age and quality of schools , and extra curricular activities like , Swimming , dancing acting , Band ,sports other than GAA , knowing their cousins etc got in the way and he moved back.

Never regretted the move in either direction but happy to be back.

Yeah, I've family and friends in a similar situation. The initial move was amazing and we considered it ourselves. Larger house, smaller mortgage, what's there not to like!! But, the kids came along and then the biggest drawback was the driving to everything and the distances involved. Swimming lessons for two age groups could literally take up half the day.

Even the older kids have to be taken everywhere in cars and the younger ones at the age of seven couldn't cycle a bike!!!

There's advantages for both styles of living of course and the budget has a lot to say about it!!

LurkerNo1 · 24-09-2020 3:40pm

inthenip wrote: »

Good thing about rural towns and villages is that if there is 100 people in the pub, you will know all of them by name.

You don't get that in Dublin.

Jaysus that's my idea of hell, cant even go for a quiet pint without running into someone. You will know them all by name and they'll know most of your business too. Il take anonymity any day.

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 3:44pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Cinemas, theatres, concerts, sporting events, comedy clubs, jazz musicians, top restaurants, public transport (quiet down the back!), international airport, infrastructure to reach the rest of the country, public parks and festivals, a ski slope, theme parks, swimming pools, large shopping centres, late night shops & cafes & bars & nightclubs, international tourists, museums, supermarkets, IKEA, fishing, kayaking, rowing, diving, the Zoo, the Phoenix park, food festivals, horse racing, greyhounds, cathedrals, mountains, hiking, casinos, sailing, golf courses etc.

That's before you get into the one-off / emergency places you might need visit like the NCT centres, hospitals, embassies or government departments, passport office etc.

Dublin is vastly underrated by a majority of people, most of whom are familiar with a small part and never experience most of the above. Others see junkies on the boardwalk when they get off at Busáras or Heuston and dismiss the rest of the city.

Anyone claiming Dublin is an 'unmerciful kip' needs to visit somewhere other than the areas between the train stations and Croker.

You know that Some of these things exist outside of Dublin as well? Like cinemas, theaters, concerts, sports, comedy clubs, top restaurants, public transport, international airports, infrastructure to reach the rest of the country, public parks and festivals, swimming pools, large shopping centres, late night shops & cafes & bars & nightclubs, international tourists, museums, supermarkets, fishing, kayaking, rowing, diving, zoos, food festivals, horse racing, greyhounds, cathedrals, mountains, hiking, casinos, sailing, golf courses, NCT centers, hospitals, passport offices.

24-09-2020 3:48pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

You know that Some of these things exist outside of Dublin as well? Like cinemas, theaters, concerts, sports, comedy clubs, top restaurants, public transport, international airports, infrastructure to reach the rest of the country, public parks and festivals, swimming pools, large shopping centres, late night shops & cafes & bars & nightclubs, international tourists, museums, supermarkets, fishing, kayaking, rowing, diving, zoos, food festivals, horse racing, greyhounds, cathedrals, mountains, hiking, casinos, sailing, golf courses, NCT centers, hospitals, passport offices.

Not all within a reasonable distance , though, that's the whole fecking point (I suspect that you're deliberately missing that point, though).

How many of them do you have access to in Letterkenny, seeing as that's what was brought up earlier?

Ronin247 · 24-09-2020 3:50pm

Nobody seems concerned with the language barrier. I realise the OPs wife is a native but you would have to be there for years before you can understand a word.

A lot depends on if you have kids, and how old they are. I grew up in a city but raised my family in the countryside. There are good and bad points for both.

Donegal has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country but south of the country definitely has the best weather.

brisan · 24-09-2020 3:54pm

House prices vary from county to county and area to area
I can show you an advert for 10 yes 10 fairly modern 3 bed homes with a good BER rating for 800k
However they are in the arsehole of nowhere
House in Donegal are cheaper than similar houses in Wexford for a reason
Houses in Wexford are cheaper than similar houses in Dublin for a reason
It is whatever works for you
It would be a boring if not overcrowded world if we all wanted to live in the same place

PhoenixParker · 24-09-2020 3:59pm

I think people see lists like "theatres, museums, art galleries" and think sure I never go to any of those. Or "sure there's a swimming pool here too"

For me, living in Dublin is way more about the small things and options I have available.

When I was in my mid 20s and loved to dance, I could do Salsa or Swing with a whole host of different teachers, in a few different venues, pretty much any night of the week. My friend in Sligo also loved to dance and there was one Salsa class with one teacher in one venue each week. She could still dance, but if Tuesday didn't suit, or she didn't really like the teachers teaching style, that was it, find another activity.

When I did toastmasters, I could try out a few clubs to find one that suited me. Each club tends to be a bit different in terms of style - friendly/competitive. There are different week nights, frequencies of meetings, club sizes etc. There were a few that were readily doable close to home or work. In the country, even in fairly big towns, there'd be one and it might be a few towns over.

When I was pregnant last year I did pre-natal pilates a few times a week. Depending on when I wanted to do it and how much effort I was willing to put in to get there (up to something reasonable like half an hour) I had dozens of options for pregnancy exercise classes in lots of exercise "genres" . My cousin who lives in Leitrim was also pregnant and had done pilates regularly locally to her but there were no pre-natal classes for pilates. It was prenatal yoga or nothing.

Living more rurally, you still have options. You can still play sport, take exercise classes, get involved in this, that and the other but if a particular option doesn't suit, that's it there's no other option. If you reach a certain level with a hobby, there can be nowhere to go for improvement. It's not going to make most people completely miserable, but there's a bit more "making do with what's available" and that can be frustrating.

Also if you've any yen to fly somewhere more than once a year, the difference between getting off a plane and having to travel a few hours home vs grabbing a taxi for a quick journey is huge. It adds 1-2 days to your holiday every time.

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 4:00pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Not all within a reasonable distance , though, that's the whole fecking point (I suspect that you're deliberately missing that point, though).

How many of them do you have access to in Letterkenny, seeing as that's what was brought up earlier?

The point your making is that things like you listed are not outside Dublin. When they are and no matter where you live a journey is involved in getting to any of them.

inthenip · 24-09-2020 4:13pm

Bandana boy wrote: »

had a friend move from Dublin to a rural back water , Mayo rather than Donegal .
Loved every minute of it up until his kids got to a certain age and quality of schools , and extra curricular activities like , Swimming , dancing acting , Band ,sports other than GAA , knowing their cousins etc got in the way and he moved back.

Never regretted the move in either direction but happy to be back.

You know that there available in every county right?

And the cousins thing its not like your driving from New York to California,

PhilOssophy · 24-09-2020 4:20pm

One thing which I would always be wary of, as somebody who lives in Dublin but grew up in rural part.
It is grand to say you will probably fit in like a local anywhere you move to. That is true, if you get involved in some local community activities.
But all it would take is for 1 argument/row with a "real local" and you could become a pariah, rural Irish people are very defensive of their own and can twist things so the "blow-in" will always look like the baddie.
I don't have experience of this but I know it happens.
Probably less of an issue if you live in a small town for example, but living in a rural part that is something you'd need your wits about you on.

Ray Palmer · 24-09-2020 4:30pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

You know that Some of these things exist outside of Dublin as well? Like cinemas, theaters, concerts, sports, comedy clubs, top restaurants, public transport, international airports, infrastructure to reach the rest of the country, public parks and festivals, swimming pools, large shopping centres, late night shops & cafes & bars & nightclubs, international tourists, museums, supermarkets, fishing, kayaking, rowing, diving, zoos, food festivals, horse racing, greyhounds, cathedrals, mountains, hiking, casinos, sailing, golf courses, NCT centers, hospitals, passport offices.

You are kidding nobody. I have a choice of 4 sushi places that deliver to my door. The main thing is choice and plenty of it. Can quit my job and get another within a week. Can fly internationally and be in my house with 30 minutes of getting off the plane in Dublin.

I lived in Athlone for 6 months and this is considered a big town. I remember going to the cinema there and the projection was larger than the screen. I don't go to the nearest cinema here because I don't like their seats. Choice is what I like

24-09-2020 4:34pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

The point your making is that things like you listed are not outside Dublin. When they are and no matter where you live a journey is involved in getting to any of them.

For the second time, you're missing the whole point.

I never said they don't exist outside Dublin. I said they don't ALL exist in the SAME PLACE outside Dublin.....there is a huge difference. One poster said:

"One is small town that has over supply of pubs and nice castle that does well in summer, other is a large city with huge range of everything.

and another asked what that range was.......which is what I listed.

What do you do if you want to see an Ireland soccer match and you live in the sticks outside Westport?
Or want to go to a Michelin Star restaurant but you moved to a village in the midlands?
Or the kids want to go to the zoo, but you live absolutely anywhere else in the country BUT Dublin?

Your second point is rubbish, also. Saying "no matter where you live, a journey is involved in getting to any of them" is complete nonsense when one journey is magnitudes of order greater than the other. Out of all of those items in my list, the furthest away is 45 mins (Edit: from my gaff). I live within walking distance of half of those things in my list and can get public transport to another 45%. That's not the same as someone in Clonmel or whatever having a 3hr round trip to visit a Michelin star restaurant where they can't have a glass of wine because they've to drive back.

The Nal · 24-09-2020 4:34pm

brisan wrote: »

Jobs , Hospitals , entertainment, museums , galleries , transport etc are all much easier to access in Dublin

Good coffee, food, booze, sex, drugs....

Spanish Eyes · 24-09-2020 4:42pm

Sligo would be my pick, and OH family are from a few miles away in a different county. Don't know if that's good or bad lol!

Anyway, it's a vibrant place, very picturesque along the Garavogue and close to lovely beaches and all that jazz. Train to the Shmoke aswell if you don't fancy driving back every now and then, and a main bus station to many places around (for the bus pass ha ha).

We are getting on bit now, and feel that having a teeny bolthole somewhere nice would be a good thing to do in time. But just musing anyway. Would keep the gaff in Dublin though. I don't think I could leave there for good as a child of both sets of parents and grandparents who were born in Ship Street and Bride Street respectively. Jackeen alright!

scamalert · 24-09-2020 4:47pm

PhilOssophy wrote: »

One thing which I would always be wary of, as somebody who lives in Dublin but grew up in rural part.
It is grand to say you will probably fit in like a local anywhere you move to. That is true, if you get involved in some local community activities.
But all it would take is for 1 argument/row with a "real local" and you could become a pariah, rural Irish people are very defensive of their own and can twist things so the "blow-in" will always look like the baddie.
I don't have experience of this but I know it happens.
Probably less of an issue if you live in a small town for example, but living in a rural part that is something you'd need your wits about you on.

Well that sounds a bit like hills have eyes type of scenario. id say you need extra pair of eyes on the back, round Dublin if one isnt familiar with areas more then youd have issues, anywhere else in the rural country.

John_Rambo · 24-09-2020 4:49pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

You know that Some of these things exist outside of Dublin as well? Like cinemas, theaters, concerts, sports, comedy clubs, top restaurants, public transport, international airports, infrastructure to reach the rest of the country, public parks and festivals, swimming pools, large shopping centres, late night shops & cafes & bars & nightclubs, international tourists, museums, supermarkets, fishing, kayaking, rowing, diving, zoos, food festivals, horse racing, greyhounds, cathedrals, mountains, hiking, casinos, sailing, golf courses, NCT centers, hospitals, passport offices.

They all exist outside Dublin, in face a lot more than just that list exists outside Dublin. But they don't all exist in the one place. That's what cities are, the cultural epicentres of a country. Rural areas are not cities, they don't have the amenities that cities do, if they did they'd be called cities.

There is a difference between rural, urban and suburban living. They are not the same and they don't offer the same lifestyles.

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 6:27pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

They all exist outside Dublin, in face a lot more than just that list exists outside Dublin. But they don't all exist in the one place. That's what cities are, the cultural epicentres of a country. Rural areas are not cities, they don't have the amenities that cities do, if they did they'd be called cities.

There is a difference between rural, urban and suburban living. They are not the same and they don't offer the same lifestyles.

Have I not been saying that exact thing???? Lifestyle in the Country can be far better for SOME people.

Are some posters completely unable to accept criticism of Dublin or something?? Dublin has lots of positives, but it has plenty of negatives as well, and contrary to some posters here it’s not the center of the universe and as capital cities go overall it’s pretty average.

24-09-2020 6:37pm

No, that's not what you were saying. You were getting all butthurt because you were (incorrectly) misinterpreting what people were saying. Nobody ever said Dublin was the centre of anything, just merely stating that there are a lot more amenities available there than in any one single place elsewhere in Ireland. Then you came steaming in saying........"Whaddya mean, you do know that those types of establishments exist elsewhere, not just in Dublin, yeah?".

You missed the point, were corrected, missed it AGAIN, then when you were pulled on it a second time you started to act as if that's what you were trying to say all along. Hard luck, try again.

inthenip · 24-09-2020 6:45pm

Dublin is full of scumbag and junkies.
Its overpriced.
Its a Arse ugly City.

Give me a 10 minute drive to work every morning than been crammed on a Luas, Dart or stuck in traffic.

The only thing Dublin really has that's better than anywhere else is the three arena, jobs and the Aviva. The three Arena and the Aviva are the only things I miss within walking distance.

Other than that its no different to anywhere else. The Aviva and Three Arena are within driving distance from anywhere in Ireland so its grand for or just get a hotel if i want to go on the sauce.

Give me a 10 minute drive to work every morning than been crammed on a Luas.

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 6:56pm

Deleted User wrote: »

No, that's not what you were saying. You were getting all butthurt because you were (incorrectly) misinterpreting what people were saying. Nobody ever said Dublin was the centre of anything, just merely stating that there are a lot more amenities available there than in any one single place elsewhere in Ireland. Then you came steaming in saying........"Whaddya mean, you do know that those types of establishments exist elsewhere, not just in Dublin, yeah?".

You missed the point, were corrected, missed it AGAIN, then when you were pulled on it a second time you started to act as if that's what you were trying to say all along. Hard luck, try again.

Spectacular misinterpretation

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 6:59pm

inthenip wrote: »

Dublin is full of scumbag and junkies.
Its overpriced.
Its a Arse ugly City.

Give me a 10 minute drive to work every morning than been crammed on a Luas, Dart or stuck in traffic.

The only thing Dublin really has that's better than anywhere else is the three arena, jobs and the Aviva. The three Arena and the Aviva are the only things I miss within walking distance.

Other than that its no different to anywhere else. The Aviva and Three Arena are within driving distance from anywhere in Ireland so its grand for or just get a hotel if i want to go on the sauce.

Give me a 10 minute drive to work every morning than been crammed on a Luas.

But it has an IKEA. And Fresh coffee.

Ush1 · 24-09-2020 7:40pm

inthenip wrote: »

Dublin is full of scumbag and junkies.
Its overpriced.
Its a Arse ugly City.

Give me a 10 minute drive to work every morning than been crammed on a Luas, Dart or stuck in traffic.

The only thing Dublin really has that's better than anywhere else is the three arena, jobs and the Aviva. The three Arena and the Aviva are the only things I miss within walking distance.

Other than that its no different to anywhere else. The Aviva and Three Arena are within driving distance from anywhere in Ireland so its grand for or just get a hotel if i want to go on the sauce.

Give me a 10 minute drive to work every morning than been crammed on a Luas.

I've a 10 minute drive to work in Dublin.

lawrencesummers · 24-09-2020 8:13pm

Ush1 wrote: »

I've a 10 minute drive to work in Dublin.

Uber driver?

Panic Stations · 24-09-2020 8:28pm

Lads, I didn't mean for this to turn into a bashing thread on Dublin.

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.

Let's keep it civil in here.

dar_cool · 24-09-2020 8:37pm

Moved from Dublin to Westmeath about 5 years ago. Initially moved because I was sole earner and it's all we could afford, but since moved out further. Took a bit of getting use to but would never move back, different pace of life out here. Understand it's not for everyone but pros far outweigh the cons for us. We are still only an hour from Dublin. I think more people will do it in the future and I think WFH in certain industries is here to stay

John_Rambo · 24-09-2020 8:39pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Have I not been saying that exact thing???? Lifestyle in the Country can be far better for SOME people.

Nope.

Panic Stations wrote: »

Lads, I didn't mean for this to turn into a bashing thread on Dublin.

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.

Let's keep it civil in here.

Yeah. Was in a similar position but a bit further down the path in life. We considered selling up and moving close to Sligo (Spanish Eyes style). Bigger house or self build, massive garden, smaller mortgage etc... But after talking to friends that did similar we decided to stay were we were. People we talked to had massive commutes, sometimes spending three hours a day in their cars (not an issue for you) and spent the rest of their time in the car bringing the kids to their various activities. Pre-covid our eldest kids are cycling to Scouts, GAA and the beach & strolling to each others houses for play.

I recently became self employed and to be honest I"m not sure if I'd have the same clientele if I was living rural. Three of my biggest clients were attained by simply calling in to their premises with a proposal.

I'm not saying suburban life is for everyone.
I'm not saying Dublin is better than anywhere else.
I'm not saying the bucolic life is not for anyone.
I'm not bashing any area of Ireland, unlike others I don't have to do that to make where I live seem "better".

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater · 25-09-2020 1:20am

Panic Stations wrote: »

Lads, I didn't mean for this to turn into a bashing thread on Dublin.

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.

Let's keep it civil in here.

I think it might be my fault, I made the mistake of mentioning Dublin in my reply and someone took issue with it, wrongly taking it as me saying Letterkenny is the same as living in Dublin. It clearly is not.

Best of luck whatever you end up doing, but again, I can highly recommend Donegal.

amadangomor · 25-09-2020 8:03am

If I could work anywhere I would consider somewhere with a better climate. Lots South of Spain would be cheaper than Donegal and climate slightly better! 20 degrees in February is fine by me.

Maybe difficult for your wife to get a nursing job there but could she work with you on your business or teach English. She wouldn't need to bring a huge amount in if you earn plenty as cost of living would be a lot cheaper

belfe · 25-09-2020 8:25am

circular flexing wrote: »

100% this. The other thing to think about is while WFH might be allowed in your current job, if you decide to change jobs you might be more limited. Not all companies are going to 100% WFH forever.

That will depend on the type of job. I work in IT and there are big chances that remote work increases in the future.

Also, going back to Dublin is always an option as long as you're renting.

If I could work anywhere I would consider somewhere with a better climate. Lots South of Spain would be cheaper than Donegal and climate slightly better! 20 degrees in February is fine by me.

Hmmm.... that's what everybody say over here, but I disagree. I prefer working on Irish winter than in Spanish summer (40 C)

CelticRambler · 25-09-2020 9:20am

Panic Stations wrote: »

Lads, I didn't mean for this to turn into a bashing thread on Dublin.

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.

Sort of similar: born and reared in Dublin, thought of buying a house there in 2003 but couldn't believe the way house prices were rising. So I moved to rural France instead, spent a third of what I would have paid in Dublin for a property ten times bigger and I can now get away with working only 20 weeks of the year (that's only so I can pay for my holidays!

)

Our main reason for the change of lifestyle was to have a better quality of family life. At the time, we were challenged with all the same arguments that have been presented above, and right up until Christmas it was still a "hot topic" with some of the younger (20-somethings) members of the extended family saying it was about time everyone came here for Christmas instead of us going there, and the older (40-somethings and beyond) saying there was "nothing to do".

Fast forward to 2020 and those still in Dublin are going mental because their always-on-so-much-choice lifestyle collapsed around them, whereas mine has remained unchanged ... except for the influx of 20-somethings, who took matters into their own hands and sought refuge with me, where there's plenty to do! :pac:

WhenPigsCry · 25-09-2020 11:02am

CelticRambler wrote: »

Sort of similar: born and reared in Dublin, thought of buying a house there in 2003 but couldn't believe the way house prices were rising. So I moved to rural France instead, spent a third of what I would have paid in Dublin for a property ten times bigger and I can now get away with working only 20 weeks of the year (that's only so I can pay for my holidays! )

Our main reason for the change of lifestyle was to have a better quality of family life. At the time, we were challenged with all the same arguments that have been presented above, and right up until Christmas it was still a "hot topic" with some of the younger (20-somethings) members of the extended family saying it was about time everyone came here for Christmas instead of us going there, and the older (40-somethings and beyond) saying there was "nothing to do".

Fast forward to 2020 and those still in Dublin are going mental because their always-on-so-much-choice lifestyle collapsed around them, whereas mine has remained unchanged ... except for the influx of 20-somethings, who took matters into their own hands and sought refuge with me, where there's plenty to do! :pac:

What do you do? Even if permanent WFH becomes a thing, I presume we can't all relocate to wherever in the EU, because companies tax resident in Ireland will want staff who are tax resident in Ireland too. Because if not I am outta here too!

PommieBast · 25-09-2020 10:41pm

CelticRambler wrote: »

Fast forward to 2020 and those still in Dublin are going mental because their always-on-so-much-choice lifestyle collapsed around them, whereas mine has remained unchanged ... except for the influx of 20-somethings, who took matters into their own hands and sought refuge with me, where there's plenty to do! :pac:

The actual problem with Dublin is that while key benefits have disappeared, a lot of asking prices are still maintaining a now-inappropriate markup.

NSAman · 25-09-2020 11:52pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

But it has an IKEA. And Fresh coffee.

Ikea deliver and there is a fantastic French boulangerie that serves fabulous coffee locally. Besides that I like roasting my own beans ..:)

irishguy · 26-09-2020 7:09am

WhenPigsCry wrote: »

What do you do? Even if permanent WFH becomes a thing, I presume we can't all relocate to wherever in the EU, because companies tax resident in Ireland will want staff who are tax resident in Ireland too. Because if not I am outta here too!

If your an employee you need to work from an EU country which your company already has a base. Otherwise they country will deem your would location as a branch and charge corporation tax.

I work in software for a large MNC and this can be a big issue esp with intellectual property. It would be an even bigger issue if say all the developers in Google Dublin moved to Spain to wfh, Spanish tax authorities would have a valid claim to charge CT on their Irish earnings

CelticRambler · 26-09-2020 8:47am

WhenPigsCry wrote: »

What do you do? Even if permanent WFH becomes a thing, I presume we can't all relocate to wherever in the EU ...

I go to where the work is and treat it as a holiday with free accomodation! :pac: A few weeks here, a few weeks there, several weeks at home between each contract, or longer if I have other things to do/places to be.

I'm happy to be tax-resident in France, and there's more than enough work for me here, but I've had offers in the last few months to work in Luxembourg, Belgium and Switzerland (all within a day's drive), as well as the supposedly French territories of Réunion and Tahiti.

adocholiday · 26-09-2020 9:54am

2 years ago I bought a house in South Wicklow, moving from Dublin where I had been renting for 12 years. As a younger person I loved Dublin but as I matured the things that made me love the place were becoming less and less important.

When it came to buying a house then we realised that we could tie ourselves into a massive mortgage to live in a semi detached house in a housing estate or we could move out of Dublin and buy a stand alone house on a nice site for substantially less money. That was our primary driver however its also massively important that rural living had an appeal to us for many reasons too.

Yes I have a commute to work but to be honest it isn't a whole lot worse than what I was doing every day in Dublin. Yes there are fewer amenities here but I don't really miss them, I just traded the zoo and museums for forests, hills and beaches. There are a few pubs within walking distance of me, some lovely restaurants within a 15 minute drive, and lots to do in general. There's rarely a weekend when we just sit in and do nothing we're always discovering new things. But of course this is all just entirely my own experience and I'm sure many will read it and think I'd hate that!

To the OP the reality is that city or rural living appeal to different people for different reasons. There are so many factors that simply come down to personal feelings on things that nobody can definitively say that one option is better than the other for you. I've got friends who wouldn't dream of leaving Dublin, I've got friends that wouldn't dream of living in it ever. Only you know what will make your life more enjoyable, so go with your gut on that.

CelticRambler · 26-09-2020 11:05am

adocholiday wrote: »

Yes I have a commute to work but to be honest it isn't a whole lot worse than what I was doing every day in Dublin.

This is a point that comes up over and over again in conversations I've had with city-dwellers, not just with regard to commuting for work but travelling to social/leisure events too. For a time, we lived (with activity-age children) in suburban Kent and spent hours in the car getting to places that weren't that far away.

It's the same in Dublin. As someone who grew up there and went everywhere on my bike, I'm always caught out now by the length of time it takes to get around the city by car or public transport, whereas here in "the middle of nowhere" I have literally thousands of places/events within an hour's drive. Sure, it might be 100km away, but that's still less than the time the bus takes to get from my mother's house in D14 to College Green.

At an association meeting a few years ago, one of our Parisian board members expressed her envy at the choice and accessibility of events for us country-dwellers, remarking that it took her 15 minutes just to get down to the ground floor of her apparment block and around the corner to the nearest Métro station, whereas we'd be into the car and 20km away in that time!

Moving Out Of Dublin

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