Naturally, I would answer the question ‘Should I move abroad?’ with ‘Yes, absolutely, thank you very much!’ I have lived in the US, moved back to my home country Germany, moved abroad again, and have now been living in Ireland for almost three years. But is Ireland a great choice as an expat? There are many pros and cons regarding which country to move to and the answer will ultimately depend on what you want and what is realistic. Since I have moved to Ireland myself, the pros of this list have obviously outweighed the cons but I will try to give you a holistic view about what it is like to move to Ireland and what you should consider before making a decision.
Pro: Ireland is a beautiful country.
The Dingle Peninsula, the Aran Islands, Wicklow - the Garden of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher, you name it. Ireland is a beautiful country and you can definitely spend a lot of time exploring. Every county has its own set of sights and hikes that will give you much to work with for your Ireland Bucket List. Particularly for nature lovers, this country has much to offer!
CON: The Weather can be challenging
Contrary to my beliefs it actually doesn’t rain all the time, but the lack of sun can take a toll. Particularly when you see your friends in other countries wearing shorts in the summer, organizing a barbecue outside. I don’t think there is ever appropriate weather to wear shorts in Ireland (although of course the Irish beg to differ). Particularly on the West Coast, you pay a price for the dramatic and stunning landscape outside your doorstep. My tip is to get away to somewhere warm during the summer and have your pack of vitamin D pills ready to go.
PRO: The Language
Naturally, I did struggle with some of the Irish accents and particularly with spelling Irish names. Yes, there are slang words you have never heard of, yes, there are some parts of the country where people still speak mainly Irish, but the main language is English. Signs, forms, and announcements are usually in English as well as Irish so I find it fairly easy to get around.
CON: The cost of living
This actually mainly applies to Dublin, as Ireland’s capital is really expensive. Especially coming from Berlin the adjustment was quite dramatic for me. There are of course cheaper cities to live in, but assuming that Dublin or Galway will be the likely choice for expats in Ireland, you will have to adjust your expectations. The housing crisis in Ireland has been a hot topic for a while and going out is anything but cheap.
PRO: Travelling is relatively Easy
Even though it is an island, traveling is actually quite easy (unless you chose to rent a car and attempt to drive on Irish country roads. See below for more details). You won’t have any issues finding flights to other European countries (there are many). Dublin airport also has a pre-clearance to the US, which I didn’t know was a thing until I moved here. And it’s amazing! You essentially go through US border control in Dublin airport and then land at a domestic terminal in the US - which means you can skip the horribly long border control checks after an eight-hour flight. So handy!
CON: Friendships aren’t made easy
The Irish are exceptionally friendly people, but it takes a bit longer to actually make a meaningful connection. I also find the Irish to be quite connected to their family and friends from back home, so they mightn’t necessarily be interested in making many expat friends at work. Particularly in smaller villages, everyone knows everyone and you will find it difficult as a ‘blow-in’ to become part of the inner circle (this by the way also goes for Irish people who move to a different part of the country). However, putting in the effort to really get to know people and have deep friendships is definitely worth it!
PRO: The Craic
Even though it can take a while to form proper friendships, Irish people are always incredibly friendly and helpful. Whether it is thanking the bus driver or ticket inspector, checking in with a lost tourist (‘Everything alright, love?’), or wishing you safe travels at the airport (‘…and happy holidays, dear!’), the Irish always have a warm word for you. Needless to say, the Irish are great ‘craic’ in pubs as well. Once you get to know them better, they make great and reliable friends and you will find yourself with a few more friends than before.
Con: Traffic and transportation.
As a German, the traffic and transportation situation in Ireland is problematic. First problem: The Irish drive on the wrong (left) side of the road, which took me a while to get used to. Second problem: Irish roads aren’t exactly the German autobahn. They tend to be very narrow, bendy, crooked, bumpy, and with an occasional cow or sheep crossing. If a bus is coming the opposite way, it can be a pure nightmare. It also makes your drive take quite a bit longer. Third problem: Public transport isn’t exactly well developed - yes, there are busses and trains but particularly busses can run very unreliably and the bus route isn’t always the quickest or most direct.
PRO: Safety.
Ireland is relatively safe. That doesn’t mean that the country is crime-free, by all means. Of course, just like every other country, there are nicer and sketchier areas. Sketchy in Ireland just means graffiti, maybe a broken window, and generally not the nicest houses to look at. I am not saying leave your front door open (particularly not in Dublin), but I am also saying I haven’t had a bad experience since I have moved here.
These are the pros and cons about moving to Ireland most obvious to me, but of course, those might wary from person to person. Is there anything I forgot?
Kate recommends: There is obviously a lot of great Irish literature out there, but I recommend reading a copy of Irish Folk and Fairy Talkes, a collection of stories by some of Ireland’s finest writers, including Carleton, Yeats and Lady Wilde and edited by Gordon Jarvie. Learn about fairies, leprechauns, giants, witches and mermaids and some of the most famous stories of Irish culture.