83K per annum: Need suggestions for places for renting

aloooof · 20-09-2019 10:21am

Enter name here wrote: »

OP just incase you thought you might want to buy a property in this lovely country, banks will only lend 3 times (sometimes 3.5 in exceptional cases) so that's 255k for you, deposit of 51k would be also required. Now search daft ie and try and find a lovely family home in a family friendly area for 255k. Then you will start to realise the grass isn't always greener in the emerald isle. Now average rent of 1.5k to 2k a month in Dublin. Try paying that and saving for a deposit at the same time.

Just to clarify something for OP, this is inaccurate. You can borrow 3.5 times your salary, with exceptions up to 4.2. Taking the standard 3.5, it would allow you to borrow 297,500. Add in the deposit requirement (10% for first time buyers, 20% for second time buyers, but I'm not sure how that works for ex-pats), but you're up to significantly higher than the 255k property this poster is suggesting.

Idbatterim · 20-09-2019 10:35am

They have an outdoor lifestyle there. Although heat might be a bit ott at times. I’m sure as hell though , that they don’t have anything like the insane marginal rate of tax as here, because it would never, ever be tolerated over there !

Do you rent or own your home op? I really think I’d be coming over here to take a look first. Enquiring about schools etc. there are now direct flights from Dublin to dfw with American to the best of my knowledge!

Idbatterim · 20-09-2019 10:36am

The_Conductor wrote: »

Well done for finding that for the OP.
A 2 bed probably isn't what he is looking for- but the very fact that you could find a lovely property like this- off Haddington Road- at the price its at- is amazing and brilliant news for the OP.

Good luck getting that ! Even if you want it , there will be lots of competition!

Earthhorse · 20-09-2019 10:38am

If I remember correctly Texas doesn't have State income tax.

There's no point comparing apples with oranges here.

Who cares whether the marginal rate is 0% or 99%?

What matters is the actual cost of living and your actual take home pay. Everything else is irrelevant from a budgetary point of view.

Idbatterim · 20-09-2019 10:41am

Yeah true. I’d just thread very carefully if I were the op

The_Conductor · 20-09-2019 10:42am

Earthhorse wrote: »

If I remember correctly Texas doesn't have State income tax.

There's no point comparing apples with oranges here.

Who cares whether the marginal rate is 0% or 99%?

What matters is the actual cost of living and your actual take home pay. Everything else is irrelevant from a budgetary point of view.

Using the online calculator- a single income household with 2 kids, on a gross salary of 85k has a net salary of 56,890. This is the headline figure the OP needs to be aware of.

The_Conductor · 20-09-2019 10:54am

Idbatterim wrote: »

Yeah true. I’d just thread very carefully if I were the op

What I'd suggest- is a 6 month trial, on the proviso that the employer organises accommodation for the duration.

The biggest and most problematic aspect of this- is the severe lack of accommodation in Dublin- and the lengths people have to go to to secure it.

Also OP- does your employer pay your health insurance? If they do- your disposable income takes another cut- as you have to pay BIK (Benefit in Kind) tax on it.

Ireland *is* very probably one of the most child centric countries on the planet- and its great bringing up children here. Its well worth making sacrifices elsewhere in your lifestyle- for the opportunity to bring up your children here. I'm saying this as someone who has lived in 7 different countries at various stages- and am happily bringing my munchkins up here.

There are pros and cons to the different government models, taxation systems and social welfare models in different countries- the biggest con in an Irish context- is the eye watering tax system here- but whether people like to admit it or not, we do in fact get a lot back for what we pay in.

yoke · 20-09-2019 11:04am

Hi taurus, out of interest - what are your reasons for moving from Dallas?

If money is the only concern then Ireland is a poor choice coming from the US - there is far more opportunity and money in the US itself than in Ireland at present.

I’m guessing there must be other concerns here.

85k on a single income would probably be just barely “livable” for a family renting in a Dublin suburb right now.

Does your job offer work from home, or flexible hours? A 30 minute commute to the city centre won’t be easy to get due to rental prices, if you’re working 9-5:30.

To advise you properly, we need to understand why you’re moving from Dallas to begin with, ie. What are you looking for in Dublin which you’re not getting in Dallas?
Or is it the case that your job is forcing the relocation, and you’ll no longer have a job if you stay in Dallas, but you would stay in Dallas if you could?

Darc19 · 20-09-2019 11:25am

I'd look at Sallins / Naas.

40min commute to Connolly Station.

Reasonable rents and plenty of reasonable priced housing going up.

Good road network (M7 upgrade)

Plenty of shopping, leisure, schools about including Kildare outlets

Might mean an extra 15- 20 min commute, but lifestyle is far better

ted1 · 20-09-2019 11:26am

yoke wrote: »

Hi taurus, out of interest - what are your reasons for moving from Dallas?

If money is the only concern then Ireland is a poor choice coming from the US - there is far more opportunity and money in the US itself than in Ireland at present.

I’m guessing there must be other concerns here.

85k on a single income would be just barely “livable” for a family renting in a Dublin suburb right now.

Does your job offer work from home, or flexible hours? A 30 minute commute to the city centre won’t be easy to get due to rental prices, if you’re working 9-5:30.

To advise you properly, we need to understand why you’re moving from Dallas to begin with, ie. What are you looking for in Dublin which you’re not getting in Dallas?

I know plenty of families on less than 85 k and having a good life.

There’s plenty of room to make savings .
That the 12 k annual cost for the family car. That includes depreciation etc

Buy a 10 year old car for 5k. Keep it for say 4 years.
1,250 a year
Tax 400
insurance 400
Service 200

That’s 2,250 a year.
Say 8.5litre per 100km. At 12,000km a year at 1.40 a litre= 1,428.

So that’s €3,678, or €8,322 less than the value quoted. Which represent €16,644 of a salary difference before tax.

yoke · 20-09-2019 11:40am

ted1 wrote: »

I know plenty of families on less than 85 k and having a good life.

There’s plenty of room to make savings .
That the 12 k annual cost for the family car. That includes depreciation etc

Buy a 10 year old car for 5k. Keep it for say 4 years.
1,250 a year
Tax 400
insurance 400
Service 200

That’s 2,250 a year.
Say 8.5litre per 100km. At 12,000km a year at 1.40 a litre= 1,428.

So that’s €3,678, or €8,322 less than the value quoted. Which represent €16,644 of a salary difference before tax.

Hi ted,

Are those families renting, or have they got mortgages? It can make a huge difference, about €10k a year net.

Are those families living in “rough” areas, where a fresh immigrant family from Dallas is likely to have trouble, but they don’t get any hassle because they’re from there? Dublin can be surprisingly insular, when comparing it to an American city.

ted1 · 20-09-2019 11:51am

yoke wrote: »

Hi ted,

Are those families renting, or have they got mortgages? It can make a huge difference, about €10k a year net.

Are those families living in “rough” areas, where a fresh immigrant family from Dallas is likely to have trouble, but they don’t get any hassle because they’re from there? Dublin can be surprisingly insular, when comparing it to an American city.

No, most own , some rent. None live in tough areas. Most are coastal towns in south Dublin or Rathfarnham/ knocklyon

My example showed how someone on 85k could have the same lifestyle as someone on 68.5 by simply buying an older car and not getting a new one.

Thoie · 20-09-2019 12:26pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Reading through all replies, I’ve started my apprehensions about this move. As a lot of folks mentioned paying 50% of take home salary as rent is never going to help in any place of the world. I will try to negotiate to bump up the salary close to 100K (not optimistic). Or else would have to let go of this opportunity.

Any move is scary. The Dublin property market at the moment is a bit of a mess, so people are just trying to prepare you for that. As well as asking your employer to increase the salary, I think it's a good idea to also ask them to put you up for a few months to start with as part of your relocation package - 2 weeks is not a lot of time to arrive in Dublin, start work and find a new place to live.

Overall, ignoring money (she said, casually), is this a good move for you? Will this new role provide you with experience you might not get elsewhere, leading to an even better job in a year or two? Will your family benefit from the experience of living in Ireland? Do you actively want to adapt to the Irish lifestyle (less family dining out, more cooking and entertaining at home, etc.)?

BrokenWingz · 20-09-2019 1:18pm

taurus999 wrote: »

We’ve lived in Chicago and Pittsburgh couple of winters. So I guess this will be manageable.

Keep in mind that the “crack of dawn” is around 9am at the solstice, by half four in the evening I’d have the blinds drawn. You’d be in Canada or Alaska to find winter days as short! Summer goes a long way to make up for it though.

20-09-2019 1:22pm

Thoie wrote: »

Any move is scary. The Dublin property market at the moment is a bit of a mess, so people are just trying to prepare you for that. As well as asking your employer to increase the salary, I think it's a good idea to also ask them to put you up for a few months to start with as part of your relocation package - 2 weeks is not a lot of time to arrive in Dublin, start work and find a new place to live.

Overall, ignoring money (she said, casually), is this a good move for you? Will this new role provide you with experience you might not get elsewhere, leading to an even better job in a year or two? Will your family benefit from the experience of living in Ireland? Do you actively want to adapt to the Irish lifestyle (less family dining out, more cooking and entertaining at home, etc.)?

Wha?

People can eat out as much as they like. This is a bit odd.

OP, I work in a company with about 60 different nationalities including plenty of Americans. People like it here, they get on fine, people have bought houses, settled, had their children here etc. This forum is relentlessly negative for the most part. You'll need to have a think about the rent situation and maybe go back to your employer on that, beyond that you'll be grand in Dublin.

Idbatterim · 20-09-2019 1:33pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

What I'd suggest- is a 6 month trial, on the proviso that the employer organises accommodation for the duration.

The biggest and most problematic aspect of this- is the severe lack of accommodation in Dublin- and the lengths people have to go to to secure it.

Also OP- does your employer pay your health insurance? If they do- your disposable income takes another cut- as you have to pay BIK (Benefit in Kind) tax on it.

Ireland *is* very probably one of the most child centric countries on the planet- and its great bringing up children here. Its well worth making sacrifices elsewhere in your lifestyle- for the opportunity to bring up your children here. I'm saying this as someone who has lived in 7 different countries at various stages- and am happily bringing my munchkins up here.

There are pros and cons to the different government models, taxation systems and social welfare models in different countries- the biggest con in an Irish context- is the eye watering tax system here- but whether people like to admit it or not, we do in fact get a lot back for what we pay in.

I agree with the vast majority of this! This bit though, this bit! I highly disagree with!!!

There are pros and cons to the different government models, taxation systems and social welfare models in different countries- the biggest con in an Irish context- is the eye watering tax system here- but whether people like to admit it or not, we do in fact get a lot back for what we pay in.

Tow · 20-09-2019 1:38pm

Idbatterim wrote: »

I agree with the vast majority of this! This bit though, this bit! I highly disagree with!!!

biggest con in an Irish context- is the eye watering tax system here- but whether people like to admit it or not, we do in fact get a lot back for what we pay in.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

What he pays in tax, he will save by not paying american health insurance + property tax. Secondary schools here are another cost; happy with the 'free!' schools here or payout ~7K a years each for 'private' school. But on the plus collage/university fees are substantially cheaper in Ireland

John_Rambo · 20-09-2019 2:35pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Reading through all replies, I’ve started my apprehensions about this move. As a lot of folks mentioned paying 50% of take home salary as rent is never going to help in any place of the world. I will try to negotiate to bump up the salary close to 100K (not optimistic). Or else would have to let go of this opportunity.

The property market is a mess, but if you get over that and source a decent place in a decent area you're ok. This is the internet and there's a few crackpots on this thread with various gripes and issues. Some of them have barely visited Dublin and know nothing about the place, so take some of the views with a pinch of salt.

Have a look at commutable areas, have a look at prices on DAFT.ie and go on to the Dublin forum on boards.ie and ask about the areas.

Idbatterim · 20-09-2019 3:40pm

I've lived in Dublin for over thirty years. I have been in over half of the us states, there are pro's to here. But I think many could get a serious shock when they come here from the US. Free health care my ass! E60 a gp visit! Free health care if you have a medical card, which you wont be getting op, the only thing breaking your neck and paying extortionate income taxes here does, is actually exclude you from the perks of the free everything that many of the citizens here qualify for.

vandriver · 20-09-2019 3:43pm

Idbatterim wrote: »

I've lived in Dublin for over thirty years. I have been in over half of the us states, there are pro's to here. But I think many could get a serious shock when they come here from the US. Free health care my ass! E60 a gp visit! Free health care if you have a medical card, which you wont be getting op, the only thing breaking your neck and paying extortionate income taxes here does, is actually exclude you from the perks of the free everything that many of the citizens here qualify for.

To be clear,you're saying that someone coming from the USA will get a shock in Ireland at the cost of healthcare?

The_Conductor · 20-09-2019 4:09pm

vandriver wrote: »

To be clear,you're saying that someone coming from the USA will get a shock in Ireland at the cost of healthcare?

More that its not free.......
Compared to the US- 60 quid to go to a GP or 80 quid to go to the ER- is a bargain. It may not be free for workers here- but its not extortionate like it is Stateside.

20-09-2019 4:25pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

More that its not free.......
Compared to the US- 60 quid to go to a GP or 80 quid to go to the ER- is a bargain. It may not be free for workers here- but its not extortionate like it is Stateside.

https://www.thebalance.com/average-cost-of-an-er-visit-4176166

The average cost for an emergency room visit will vary on whether or not you have insurance. A typical co-pay for emergency room services is $50-$100 which may or may not be waived if you are admitted to the hospital. If you do not have health insurance, an ER visit can cost anywhere from $150-$3,000 depending on the severities of your injuries or illness. In extreme cases where critical care is needed, the charges could be as high as $20,000. If you require an ambulance, the fees can be over $1,000 depending on the service.

The_Conductor · 20-09-2019 4:32pm

Here- no co-pay if you have health insurance.
Max 6 ER payments for a family in any calendar year.
No ambulance charge (that I'm aware of- and I have needed to be collected by ambulance a few times).

Its apples and oranges.
You don't *need* insurance here- but it helps.
You are screwed royally if you don't have insurance Stateside.

hanaimai · 20-09-2019 5:20pm

Raphael Worried Underarm wrote: »

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.

Just to say on this that I have a full licence for 11 years now, no claims, no penalty points, but never had a policy in my own name and I was quoted approx 2000e this year for insurance on a modest 2012 car.

aloooof wrote: »

Just to clarify something for OP, this is inaccurate. You can borrow 3.5 times your salary, with exceptions up to 4.2. Taking the standard 3.5, it would allow you to borrow 297,500. Add in the deposit requirement (10% for first time buyers, 20% for second time buyers, but I'm not sure how that works for ex-pats), but you're up to significantly higher than the 255k property this poster is suggesting.

Just a further correction to this! There is no defined ceiling on the exceptions to the 3.5 rule - each bank has their own individual policy here. I've seen some examples of them going up to 5 times salary.

December2012 · 20-09-2019 6:49pm

There has been a lot of school fees mentioned. There is no need to go to private secondary school in Dublin. It is an exception rather than a rule.

I'll say this - Dublin 15 is a lovely area. Two train lines (maynooth - Pearse / Dart) and Hansfield to Docklands. There are lots of great schools, religious, educate together, community national schools and there are secondary schools also, of each different type.

Every sport you want is on your doorstep, and like most parts of the suburbs it is great for families with children.

Glenbhoy · 20-09-2019 11:25pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

Using the online calculator- a single income household with 2 kids, on a gross salary of 85k has a net salary of 56,890. This is the headline figure the OP needs to be aware of.

Might be best for op to talk with someone from payroll in the Irish company who can then tell him exactly what his net salary will be after factoring all benefits and reliefs in.
Op should also have the company put him up for a month or two in the first instance while he decides where would suit location wise. A few k a month for 2 months for a corporate let shouldn't be a deal breaker!

tobsey · 21-09-2019 2:51pm

OP you won’t get an exemption on the 3.5x rule because you have two kids. Banks will want you to have 2300 per month for you and your wife, plus 250 per child after mortgage and childcare are paid for. If you want an exemption they’ll want you to have an extra 1000 per month. I can’t see how you’d have that to be honest.

If your wife gets work in a crèche you may get free places for your kids there, or at least heavily discounted rates. Otherwise it might not be worth her while working as the pay is fairly low in that sector, she’d be working just to cover childcare and would have very little left over.

As for location, I’d say Swords is the best option for north wall Quay. I work there myself and live in Swords. It takes 15 minutes from Holywell (the last stop before joining M1 motorway to the city). You could rent a nice 3-bed house for 2k or so, maybe less if you’re lucky. You should look at Holywell, Boroimhe, Ridgewood, Rivervalley and Kinsealy (Melrose Park, Drynam hall estates). Your bus ticket is tax deductible so while it’s 1400 per annum on the Swords Express service, it costs you a net 60 per month out of your salary. If you go to the north or north west side of swords your commute will be an hour, however from Holywell it’ll be more like 25 minutes. Very few places in Dublin City will give you such a short commute.

School places are tight in Swords but you should get one. Holywell has a brand new non-denominational school that is really well regarded in the area. There are other options nearby too.

I have a similar salary but I have 4 kids. My wife works part time and earns around 26k per annum. We struggled the last few years especially with the cost of childcare but now the kids are all in school so that cost has come down and we’re finally feeling the pressure ease a bit. We both come from nice areas in the northside and originally planned to move back close to the city when we moved to Swords 10 years ago. However we wouldn’t leave Swords now. We’re really happy with the schools and the atmosphere in the area, good commuting times for both of us and good shopping, restaurant and pub options in Swords village. Plus a few minutes drive to great family day locations like Malahide Castle, Newbridge House and Portmarnock beach.

maninasia · 29-09-2019 10:58am

jobless wrote: »

Lot of negativity in this thread indeed. 85k is any sane economy should see you live a very nice lifestyle even with your wife not working.... but dublin is a **** show at the moment.... the cost of renting and childcare are a joke...

i know nothing about Dallas but i would seriously think about staying if you're lifestyle is good and you have the things there that you want in Dublin.

Not in capital cities of major countries or in cities that have large IT or Finance industry. It's not only Dublin. It's really not that much to be honest , given the high tax and rent situation and cost of running cars, certainly will not be living the high life especially if they need to save.

I agree with your points that he has to examine whether the move is worth it.
I'd ask the company to pony up to 100k , on that basis I'd take it. He doesn't have family in the country or mention plans for educations and also coming from the US where there are tonnes of opportunities at present.

HE needs to go back and put together a plan as to why they should pay him more to move to Dublin. Seems a lot of folks here aren't used to negotiating. He should say he's commiting for X amount of time which may help them to justify increasing salary by saving on recruitment. Also look to see if any salary scales comparisons can help his case.

taurus999 · 07-10-2019 10:21am

Thank you all for your valuable comments, thoughts and suggestions. I'm still in discussions with my HR on salary negotiations.

The reason I'm considering this move: this is a next level role/position (read: promotion) which I wouldn't get in my current team here in Dallas.
Unfortunately the salary structure of Ireland entity of my company is way too much skewed on lower side when compared with what I earn in stateside (approx $110k). I have very little scope of doing hard negotiations on this.

The rents I'm paying here in Dallas is approx $1900/month + utilities on a 3BHK.

Here are the comparisons so far:
Rent: cost approx same but, a much smaller sized apartment.
Travel: Car in US vs public transportation (at least for first couple of years)
Schools: same
Medical: similar (company provided insurance in both places). I have excellent medical insurance in US. No copy and $500 deductible per person per year.
Food: I assume this to be similar.
Retirement: I get 401K (6% match). Anything similar to this in Ireland???
What else???

Looking up the above comparisons, I think we can make it if (a big If From my spouse's perspective) we cut down on eating out and movies. Add to it our monthly disposable income(savings/emergency fund/investment) after all expenses would be substantially low too.

Welcome all your thoughts on this. Thanks!

Geuze · 07-10-2019 10:26am

Idbatterim wrote: »

I've lived in Dublin for over thirty years. I have been in over half of the us states, there are pro's to here. But I think many could get a serious shock when they come here from the US. Free health care my ass! E60 a gp visit! Free health care if you have a medical card, which you wont be getting op, the only thing breaking your neck and paying extortionate income taxes here does, is actually exclude you from the perks of the free everything that many of the citizens here qualify for.

There are four charges for healthcare in Ireland:

GP fee = 40+, more like 50, maybe more in Dublin
pharmacy
A+E fee = 100
Overnight fee in hosp = 80

People with med cards do not have to pay these four fees.

70% of healthcare is financed by taxes.

If you end up 3 nights in hosp, you pay 240, obviously way below the true economic costs.

Geuze · 07-10-2019 10:28am

taurus999 wrote: »

Retirement: I get 401K (6% match). Anything similar to this in Ireland???

There is generous tax relief on pension conts, 40% in your case.

You contribute 500 to pension, your tax bill falls 200.

Geuze · 07-10-2019 10:32am

taurus999 wrote: »

The rents I'm paying here in Dallas is approx $1900/month + utilities on a 3BHK.

I don't know what a 3BHK is.

The problem with Dublin is that rents are insane, as you probably now know.

You will see rents of 2,000 EUR pm for 2-bed apts, about 70sqm.

Or more.

It's crazy.

pwurple · 07-10-2019 10:46am

taurus999 wrote: »

I have very little scope of doing hard negotiations on this.

The rents I'm paying here in Dallas is approx $1900/month + utilities on a 3BHK.

Here are the comparisons so far:

Rent: cost approx same but, a much smaller sized apartment.

Yes, same cost, smaller unit.

Travel: Car in US vs public transportation (at least for first couple of years)

Very hard to go entirely public transport in Ireland with a family, unless you are living on a Luas line in Dublin?

Schools: same
Medical: similar (company provided insurance in both places). I have excellent medical insurance in US. No copy and $500 deductible per person per year.

Should be the same

Food: I assume this to be similar.

In the US, fresh food for cooking at home is extortionately high priced, and eating out is good value for money. Here it is the opposite. If you can cook, and that's what you did in the US, it will be cheaper here and better quality food. If you eat out a lot, it will be far more expensive than there

Retirement: I get 401K (6% match). Anything similar to this in Ireland???

Yes, retirement funds are typical (not called 401k tho) and your company are obliged to provide it. Should form part of your transfer pack.

I think the car is the main hole in your logic above.

Moonbeam · 07-10-2019 10:58am

A montessori pre-school teacher can expect roughly 10-15 euro per hour but 15 would be very good.

The_Conductor · 07-10-2019 11:59am

Moonbeam wrote: »

A montessori pre-school teacher can expect roughly 10-15 euro per hour but 15 would be very good.

OP would have to check that his spouse's visa allowed her to work in Ireland.

In the case of Montessori pre-school teachers- a Non-EU/EEA teacher can only be offered a post when it has been advertised within the EU/EEA and fails to attract a properly qualified teacher (for Montessori- I believe you now need to be at least FETAC Level 6 qualified). Also- as of 1st Oct- all staff, even for after-school supervision, require full Garda/Police clearance and Tusla registration.

Its not a particularly well paid job- and they have just made it a lot more difficult to work in the sector.

In the first instance- the OP *needs* to ascertain whether or not their spouse's visa allows her to work in Ireland.

The_Conductor · 07-10-2019 12:02pm

pwurple wrote: »

In the US, fresh food for cooking at home is extortionately high priced, and eating out is good value for money. Here it is the opposite. If you can cook, and that's what you did in the US, it will be cheaper here and better quality food. If you eat out a lot, it will be far more expensive than there

+ 100 to this.

Eating out is excessively expensive to do on a regular basis here (other than snacking or fast food). However, you can buy high quality, fresh food ingredients- pretty much everywhere- and preparing very good high quality meals from scratch is relatively inexpensive (from a financial perspective- obviously, it can be extremely time consuming!).

taurus999 · 07-10-2019 12:20pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

OP would have to check that his spouse's visa allowed her to work in Ireland.

In the case of Montessori pre-school teachers- a Non-EU/EEA teacher can only be offered a post when it has been advertised within the EU/EEA and fails to attract a properly qualified teacher (for Montessori- I believe you now need to be at least FETAC Level 6 qualified). Also- as of 1st Oct- all staff, even for after-school supervision, require full Garda/Police clearance and Tusla registration.

Its not a particularly well paid job- and they have just made it a lot more difficult to work in the sector.

In the first instance- the OP *needs* to ascertain whether or not their spouse's visa allows her to work in Ireland.

Yes, spouse gets work permit

taurus999 · 07-10-2019 12:25pm

Ok... I’m reading that the govt pays €140 per child every month. Which will be €280/month in my case. Is this applicable for ex-pats like me?
Can I consider this as part of my budgeting? Any restrictions attached on how I spend this money ?

The_Conductor · 07-10-2019 12:31pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Ok... I’m reading that the govt pays €140 per child every month. Which will be €280/month in my case. Is this applicable for ex-pats like me?
Can I consider this as part of my budgeting? Any restrictions attached on how I spend this money ?

Its called Children's Allowance or Children's Benefit- and is normally paid to the mother. Both you and the mother need to have PPSNs (the Irish equivalent of a social security number)- as do the children. You also need to satisfy 'habitual residence' rules.

The Irish Times had a very good article which broadly answers your question here.

Geuze · 07-10-2019 12:31pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Ok... I’m reading that the govt pays €140 per child every month. Which will be €280/month in my case. Is this applicable for ex-pats like me?
Can I consider this as part of my budgeting? Any restrictions attached on how I spend this money ?

This is known as Child Benefit.

It is a universal cash payment.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/273_Child-Benefit.aspx

Non-EU/EEA citizens
Non-EU/EEA citizens must be habitually resident in Ireland to quality for Child Benefit. If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and legally working in this State, you may qualify for Child Benefit if your child is also resident here or in another EU state. More information is available in our document on habitual residence.

Geuze · 07-10-2019 12:31pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Can I consider this as part of my budgeting? Any restrictions attached on how I spend this money ?

Yes.

No.

The_Conductor · 07-10-2019 12:33pm

And a good article on what Ireland's 'Habitual Residence' rules are and how to satisfy them here.

The_Conductor · 07-10-2019 2:11pm

taurus999 wrote: »

Ok... I’m reading that the govt pays €140 per child every month. Which will be €280/month in my case. Is this applicable for ex-pats like me?
Can I consider this as part of my budgeting? Any restrictions attached on how I spend this money ?

There are 5 rules or factors of habitual residence which are assessed on a case-by-case basis- namely:

1 - Length and continuity of residence in Ireland or in any other particular EEA/EU country

2 - Length and purpose of any absence from Ireland

3 - Nature and pattern of employment

4 - Applicant's main centre of interest

5 - Future intention of applicant(s) concerned as they appear from all the circumstances as presented to GNIB

The whole habitual residence rules- has a booklet you can download here

07-10-2019 4:18pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

+ 100 to this.

Eating out is excessively expensive to do on a regular basis here (other than snacking or fast food). However, you can buy high quality, fresh food ingredients- pretty much everywhere- and preparing very good high quality meals from scratch is relatively inexpensive (from a financial perspective- obviously, it can be extremely time consuming!).

I would disagree on this, I eat out often in Ireland and Ive been in various parts of the US over the last two years and eating out in the US (incl tip which is normally around 20%) is very very expensive much more so than Ireland.

Drinking is also far more expensive in the US than here, incl tip you are looking at paying up around 8 euro min in most pubs for a US pint which is less than a pint here.

ibarelycare · 07-10-2019 4:23pm

OP you will likely qualify for SARP (Special Assignee Relief Programme) which will give you tax relief on income over 75k. On a salary of 85k it's not going to make a significant saving, but something to consider.

You will also qualify for certain tax-free relocation expenses, has anything like this been discussed with your employer?

Is your employer providing a tax adviser for you in Ireland?

For such a big move, you should be pushing for a lot more than just your basic salary IMO.

The_Conductor · 07-10-2019 4:28pm

ibarelycare wrote: »

Is your employer providing a tax adviser for you in Ireland?

In conjunction with this- you still have to do your US tax return- however, there is a reciprochal tax agreement between Ireland and the US- so you won't pay income tax twice on the same income. Strongly advise you talk to a few Americans here- they can better explain (basically) your joint Irish and US tax obligations etc.

The_Conductor · 07-10-2019 4:33pm

Khalil Salty Quintet wrote: »

I would disagree on this, I eat out often in Ireland and Ive been in various parts of the US over the last two years and eating out in the US (incl tip which is normally around 20%) is very very expensive much more so than Ireland.

Drinking is also far more expensive in the US than here, incl tip you are looking at paying up around 8 euro min in most pubs for a US pint which is less than a pint here.

It depends on where you eat out here- but even a basic enough meal can work out at 20-25 quid a head plus drinks- and the tip is on top of this.

Increasingly tips of 10% for basic service or 20% for good service- are the norm here in Ireland (not in fast-food/burger joints obviously)- and if you have a group you would normally round the bill upwards to be generous to the kitchen and other staff.

It is considered poor form not to tip- the debate normally is what is the appropriate level of tip- and this will vary both from establishment to establishment- but also according to what punters consider to be applicable.

Only rarely is there a service charge in Ireland- whereas Stateside its sodding endemic- it doesn't matter how good the establishment is, what you tip the staff etc- you're still expected to pay a separate service charge. That's low.

SozBbz · 07-10-2019 4:47pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

It depends on where you eat out here- but even a basic enough meal can work out at 20-25 quid a head plus drinks- and the tip is on top of this.

Increasingly tips of 10% for basic service or 20% for good service- are the norm here in Ireland (not in fast-food/burger joints obviously)- and if you have a group you would normally round the bill upwards to be generous to the kitchen and other staff.

It is considered poor form not to tip- the debate normally is what is the appropriate level of tip- and this will vary both from establishment to establishment- but also according to what punters consider to be applicable.

Only rarely is there a service charge in Ireland- whereas Stateside its sodding endemic- it doesn't matter how good the establishment is, what you tip the staff etc- you're still expected to pay a separate service charge. That's low.

I think the issue is in certain countries (like the US) people habitually eat out as its considered cheaper than cooking at home. Australia is like this too. This is less to do with the costs of eating out here versus there, but the differential between the costs of eating out versus groceries in a given country.

In Ireland it absolutely makes sense to shop and cook for yourself. From a lifestyle point of view, many of us still choose to eat out often, especially as so called "fast casual" restaurants.

83K per annum: Need suggestions for places for renting

Comments