Things you Need to Know About Moving to Ireland

They say there are only two types of people in the world. Those that are Irish, and those that wish they were.

Not only it is those fearing the aftermath of Brexit that are seeking refuge in Ireland, but there are also plenty of Americans too who are less than impressed with their new President and are looking to move to Ireland too.

But is there more to Ireland than a means of escape for those who are upset with the choices of their fellow countrymen?

Unfortunately, no matter where you hope to move to, the next street or the other side of the world, the grass always seems greener on the other side, but it usually turns out to be Astroturf.

But should you move home to Ireland you will find the grass actually IS greener, mainly because you are likely to experience every weather and season in a day here.

And although it is a stunningly beautiful land steeped in legends and folklore, which is reason enough to up sticks, surely the welcoming people of Ireland, with their legendary wit and storytelling, must rank as a top reason to want to move home to the Emerald Isle.

But there are practical things to consider too when moving to Ireland, so let’s take a look at a few things that may sway your decision.

What is the Cost of Living in Ireland?

Although the wonderful food, many thousands of castles, stunning coastline, the friendly pubs, and the banter of the locals is alluring, as always, the cost of living will rear its head in your home moving considerations.

And this may well be your first shock.

Ireland is not cheap, especially Dublin which is on a par with the cost of living in London, but move away from the city and the cost of living becomes much more affordable.

How much does it Cost to Rent an Apartment in Ireland?

• Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre – £1,020.72 (1,149.71 €)
• Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre – £41 (944.36 €)
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre – £1,663.06 (1,873.23 €)
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre – £1,322.27 (1,489.38 €)

How much does it Cost to Buy an Apartment in Ireland?                              

• Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre – £3,578.46 (4,030.69 €)
• Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre – £2,436.08 (2,743.94 €)

Utilities for an average 1 bedroom apartment are £127.07 (143.13 €)

How much does a 3 bedroom Semi-detached house cost in Ireland?

• Clare – €149,975
• Cork – €225,000
• Dublin – €299,000
• Galway – €199,000
• Limerick – €156,500
• Longford – €70,000
• Mayo – €128,750
• Tipperary – €135,000

There is a full listing of the average price of 3 bedroom home in every county in Ireland here, in this article from the Irish Times, the prices are correct as of Oct 2017.

The main sources for searching for your new home in Ireland are Daft.ie, MyHome.ie and Property.ie

Here are some more cost comparisons between the UK and Ireland that you may find useful.

• Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) £1,907.41 (2,148.45 €)
• Consumer Prices in Ireland are 11.09% higher than in the United Kingdom
• Consumer Prices Including Rent in Ireland are 18.55% higher than in the United Kingdom
• Rent Prices in Ireland are 36.46% higher than in the United Kingdom
• Restaurant Prices in Ireland are 7.96% higher than in the United Kingdom
• Groceries Prices in Ireland are 12.42% higher than in the United Kingdom
• Local Purchasing Power in Ireland is 9.71% lower than in the United Kingdom

(Figures relevant as of November 2017 from Numbeo.com)

What are the Pros and Cons of Moving to Ireland?

Top 5 Reasons to Move to Ireland

The people – The Irish are legendary for their welcoming ways, their wit, and love of music, and are often considered the friendliest people in the world. In fact, the people here are so busy having a great time and watching out for each other that the crime rate is very low.

The Relaxed way of life – Whilst the likes of Dublin would rival London for hustle and bustle, outside of the cities, life is far more tranquil and relaxed. There is plenty to do with all your free time too, from surfing to adventure sports, to long strolls in any of the National Parks.

As the Irish say, “when God made time, he made plenty of it”.

Myths and Legends – Who wouldn’t want to move to a land of so many myths and legends? From fairies to Giants, Banshees to Leprechauns. And folklore is so ingrained in the culture that it is still taught at schools in Ireland. Coupled with the thousands of castles and ruins across the country, Halloween, stories around the campfire will never be the same again. And there will be hours and hours of fun for the kids trying to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Did you know? The origins of Halloween are from the old Celtic festival of Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest and dawn of winter. At Samhai, the division between this world and the otherworld was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through.

The Great Outdoors – From endless trails through any one of the six National Parks or along the coastline, to sport, which is popular here, with everything from horse racing, to golf, football and rugby. There is some amazing surfing to be had here too.

St Patricks Day – What other country’s national day is celebrated worldwide, in fact, it is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival. Not only is it a celebration of Christianity’s arrival in Ireland, but is a celebration of the culture and heritage of Ireland. Shamrocks and green attire are de rigueur.

Did you know? St Patricks Day is even celebrated in Korea, and has been since 1976?

Top 5 Reasons Not to Move to Ireland

Well, actually I struggled to find any reason not to move to Ireland.

The one reason that seems that most people quote is the weather, and this is debatable, as it is neither extremely cold nor hot in Ireland.

Without the liquid sunshine (rain) there would not be the lush grass that gives Ireland its Emerald Isle tag. So perhaps the weather in Ireland is best described as changeable.

What I did find, however, were some traditional Irish quotes, and these two I thought you might like:

“Would you like to be buried with my people?” which is a traditional Irish wedding proposal.

“If you want praise, die. If you want blame, marry.”

Moving to Ireland

So now you have every reason to move to Ireland, you will need an affordable, but quality, home Removal Company.

Whether moving to Ireland from the US, Europe, or the UK, just click the link here to get up to 4 quotes for your home move from reputable removal companies.

Be sure to thoroughly research any removal company you intend to hire and compare the services of each removal company to ensure they are quoting you on a like for like basis.

As a ballpark figure, moving to Ireland from the UK will on average cost you between £600-£750 for shipping costs alone.

We were quoted $3500-$5700 for shipping costs only between the USA and Ireland.

So be sure to plan your move early because, if the pundits are right, removal companies heading to Ireland are going to be busy over the next 6 months.

And talking of planning, any overseas move requires very careful planning. Be sure to make use of this home moving timeline and calendar to ensure that your home move runs as smoothly as possible.

Whilst planning, don’t forget that often countryside or quaysides homes in Ireland can be on the small side, so make sure you use a floor plan to ensure your furniture fits in your new home.

There is no point in paying for transporting furniture or household items that won’t fit in your new home, so plan well, and then declutter, which is a surefire way to save on your home moving costs.

For answers to all your home moving related questions, visit our library, where you will find many tips, helpful hints, and advice about moving home.

Essential reading: International Home Moves – The Ultimate Home Moving Challenge?

Bonus Information: Here are some links to information you may find useful if you are thinking about moving to Ireland.

• relocatingtoireland.com – Full of lots of useful information, such as moving to Ireland with pets
• inis.gov.ie – The Irish Immigration services website
• irelandmoveclub.com – A forum for those looking to move to Ireland
• citizensinformation.ie – An Irish website with plenty of useful info.

Finally, as they say in Ireland, may the roof above you never fall in, and those gathered beneath it never fall out.

We hope you have a great new life in Ireland and don’t forget to leave a comment below to tell us your top tips for moving to Ireland.

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