Moving to Ireland with kids

[BlueRaincoat1]

Hi,
I'm Irish, I've been in the UK for a long time. I have 2 small children, age 2 and 5 and an English DH.
I've been reading old threads of people moving back to Ireland, but can anyone who has done it share HOW they did it.

From what I've researched, we wont get mortgage until we've been in jobs for 12 months. Did you move twice - once into a rental house, and then buy somewhere? How did that work with schools? Did you get jobs first and then move, or move and then jobs? Did the move cost a fortune?

Part of me would love to go home, but the risk of ending up with no job and no house and an insecure school situation seems very high. Thanks for any insights!

Hopeful bump!

I'm not 100 percent sure on the mortgage op , we moved back a few years ago and luckily bought a house at the end of the recession , very much a dooer -upper. I'm glad we moved from the UK but job wise Ireland is so much more difficult and I much prefer the variety and professionalism in the UK. To give you an example I've a degree, pgce and a masters in education and I can't get a job in a school here even as an sna... I had endless job opportunities in the UK and worked there for years no problem. It's all who you know here re jobs (definitely out of Dublin) and I hate that. Maybe your sector is different. Also the health system as you know is very different, still a shock that we have to pay 50 euros each time and for kids over 6, it is v expensive if you add a prescription too BUT I think the quality is much better than what I experienced in the NHS, I can get an appointment even now anytime I want.

We rented for a while before we bought and again instead of just going online I had to call estate agents directly and appeal to them to help which they did in fairness . Schools here are easy to get into so thats not an issue like in the UK with catchment areas (outside of dublin) and the schools are excellent i find. However holidays are much longer than in the UK and all my kids finish at different times making it v tricky.. lots of unregistered childminders so again different to the UK here but can get really good ones.
We didn't move back for family support at all as we don't see them very often and they don't do any babysitting etc. I genuinely find it much friendlier here and find its much more open so can get chatting to anyone. Price of living is higher than in the UK but salaries are usually higher too and child benefit is good.
I do find the job situation hard though (I work freelance now) and also I really don't think the schools times (finishing at different times for kids ) is very work-friendly in addition to older kids having 3 months off in the summer vs UK 6 weeks. Also there isn't 30 hours free preschool here it's 15. So pros and cons , we live near some absolutely stunning scenery though and generally our town is a fantastic social hub with music all year round and a great vibe.

We moved over with a van but hadn't much to our name as new parents in our 20's so wasn't hugely expensive but did have to sort out accommodation and job before yes.

DH had a job lined up, rented accommodation first in the place where we wanted to live.New development going up and the broker worked with us over mortgage.

Not too difficult to get school place at primary level, but it could be difficult nearer Dublin. Even if you are only thinking of it for next year perhaps , get their names down for school. There are no free books or supplies , so initial costs can come as a surprise. Secondary schools rely on voluntary contribution but it is really almost compulsory except under special circumstances. Books and uniform for secondary are very expensive.
Lots of creches, childminders tend to be unregistered, usually local women that would come with recommendations. We had health insurance that we could claim back on and GP visits may also be claimed on tax forms. There is also a payment scheme that you can join to limit the amount you pay for drugs in any one month .Cost of living higher, but so are the wages compared to UK.
Sports are very popular and various clubs for kids to join. The sheer numbers mean that it is much less anonymous in communities than UK , which can either be good or bad , depending on what you like ! Food luck to you and your family.

Food luck ? Good luck !

Thank you very much for these helpful replies.

There are many positives to the idea of moving, but I am really put off my the risks around housing- I think that both the rental and purchase markets are pretty crazy at the moment in ireland. We have a totally fine house here, near a lovely school and nursery, we both have jobs. It would be a lot of stability to lose.

I just can't imagine the logistics of the move - all I see are pitfalls! But it would be so lovely to be closer to family, and I do worry about the current direction of English politics.