Moving to Ireland- help!

[TheCats4245]

Hello

I have been offered a position with a company in Ireland. I would be able to work 99% remotely, so have pretty much complete freedom of where I could live, however they would like me to be in the country.

I have looked at house prices in Ireland, and it looks like properties with land are much cheaper than in England, which would be a massive plus for us, as we can’t afford any land where we live. The position itself sounds amazing, and I feel it would be brilliant for my career.

I have a number of concerns and questions- I have never been to Ireland, so have no idea what it’s like!

My main concerns are if my partner would be able to find a job easily (building supplies trade), as we would need two incomes still.

Secondly, we have an Irish friend who tells us that in general, Ireland can be a bit anti- English. We are from the very north of England, and have strong accents, so potentially people may struggle to tell where we are from in a short conversation, but we don’t want to be uncomfortable. I’m not sure if my friend is exaggerating, but when I’ve googled this I get very conflicting views, so I though best to ask actual opinions!

Thirdly, we are from a very rural area in England, and would like to move to a similar area in Ireland if possible- however I know when new people move to our community, the older people especially are very unfriendly, and it takes years for people to be accepted. Is this similar in rural Ireland?

Finally, can anyone recommend any areas to visit? I have a week to make a decision, so we have booked the ferry and are planning on going visiting as much as we can (obviously bearing in mind restrictions!)
Luckily I have a long notice period so time to move etc.

We would like somewhere rural, but within half an hour or so to a town with shops etc, but would consider somewhere slightly more built up. If possible we would like to be near the sea. I have horses, so somewhere with a good equestrian community would be a plus, for my partner, wherever we can get the cheapest land would be best as his hobby is growing vegetables.

Any suggestions? I was not expecting to be offered the job so this has all come out of the blue!

@EarringsandLipstick
They're really not! Even reading MN would tell you this surely.
While this is of course generalising, there are differences in sense of humour, chatting to strangers & general sociability, dealing with death & loss, the concept of 'messing' & the way in which we are often not direct in what we say / do in Ireland & reading between the lines is required

I still think the cultures are, relatively speaking, extremely similar. That’s including sense of humour (look at the shared popularity of shows across the two countries). I think there is a little bit to the last two points (chatting to strangers and reading between the lines) but you’re vastly overstating it. Some people in England are extremely warm and chatty and some people in Ireland are quite cold and standoffish. Again, I’d say your point stand a bit for those over say 60 in Ireland, who I’ve found generally very chatty and warm, but I’d say there’s virtually no difference between the younger generations. One thing I do love about Ireland though is that kids and teenagers are generally much more respectful and behave better in public. There’s, generally speaking, much less antisocial youth behaviour (outside of a few urban pockets) and it isn’t seen as cool to be threatening as it is in many towns across England. Wouldn’t necessarily label that a cultural thing, though. Just a more successful and society/education system perhaps, with slightly fewer extremes of inequality and largely minus the toxic class system.

Again, the key phrase is “relatively speaking”. Of course there are differences. But they are small compared with, say, Ireland/France or Ireland/Spain. And they are minuscule compared with, say, Ireland/China or Japan. In many ways Ireland is pretty different to a England - in terms of leisure, linguistically, economically, historically, and architecturally. But I just don’t find the people that different, certainly not the younger/mid age generations. Perhaps it’s because I have friends from all over the world and so, again, the differences seem quite minor compared with other matchups (eg, Vis-a vis my American, Chinese, Indian or Spanish friends). I’d say the personal cultural differences I encounter in Ireland is of a similar level to that of Australia. Though, yes the older Irish seem to do things quite differently.

The energy rating of both of those is an F.

That means there is poor insulation, poor heating and poor ventilation. You get a grant to upgrade your rating, and it's all pretty easy as the insulation company typically apply for it for you, but the grant does not remotely cover the full cost.

I think our insulation (walls and attic) cost 3k.

And a new boiler costs 3.5k.

I would imagine in an F rated home, you'd have to check the windows and radiators too.

I would only buy an F if I had a decent contingency fund tbh.

@supermoonrising

I'd still have to disagree but I appreciate its hard to be specific!

I work (in a university) with a lot of English people. I really like them, we work well, but culturally, we are very different. Before that I worked for many years for a company that had global offices, so was over & back to the UK so plenty of experience.

Sionnach captured it well with 'I'll do it now in a minute'. It's often that 'less direct' approach. My current manager is English & is here long enough that she'll at times phone me to let me know about a particularly direct email she is going fo send!

The idea that both finding some TV shows funny isn't persuasive - sure we all love US shows & there are cultural differences for sure.

As to your point that the differences are much less than compared with the other countries you met in, I think that's actually partly the point. Superficially we share a lot, and I think that's what makes the subtle differences so meaningful.

I'm not saying btw that English people I know aren't great fun, not at all. I have brilliant times with them. But it's something in the self-deprecation, pisstaking approach that doesn't really translate.

Co. Cork
www.daft.ie/for-sale/detached-house-derryvillane-glanworth-co-cork/3497121

Co. Kerry

www.daft.ie/for-sale/detached-house-coomnakilla-blackwater-kenmare-co-kerry/3496345

www.daft.ie/for-sale/detached-house-east-commons-ardfert-co-kerry/3466619

The Kenmare house needs a LOT of work, is very very limited due to location & geography for extension & needs a new septic tank - a big job.

Clearly if OP moves she needs to do her own due diligence & certainly not buy before renting.

Good Lord, you could set the next Insidious in that Ardfert house Very creepy looking place. I know it'd come on with work but work means €€€.

Sionnach captured it well with 'I'll do it now in a minute'. It's often that 'less direct' approach. My current manager is English & is here long enough that she'll at times phone me to let me know about a particularly direct email she is going fo send!

I think the tendency not to answer questions with yes or no is a good example as well (though I've heard that's a hangover from Irish). You know the sort.

"Are you going for the messages?"
"I am"

"Will she be playing county?"
"Ah she will, please God"

Etc etc. I think we do tend to a more circular approach to conversation and it's not easy pin people down on specifics

I moved to Ireland 6years ago with my wife and two DC. Never experienced any anti-english sentiment except in jest when watching 6 nations in the local.
My wife is Irish and we settled in the South East.
Previously we lived in the North of U.K. I enjoy Irish life, different from the U.K. particularly in rural areas. Its normal to wave as younpass on the roads, slow down, wind down the wind for a chat on the lanes. Everyone has more time for talking. If you make an effort to mingle and integrate it's not hard and very friendly.
Logistically I would look at how frequently you might travel abroad and go back to U.K. look at the links to ports and airports. If you choose somewhere near a city by the motorway network then at least journeys are easier.
Around Dublin is expensive and generally you get more for your money South. South East has nicer weather and great beaches. Killkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Cork are all nice areas.
Check out Daft.ie for properties you can get some lovely houses with land.
Salaries are higher and tax rates are a little more than u.k. but this is ofset by no council tax, water rates.
Society is a bit more pay as you go so, bin collections, health care, G.P. hospital, school books and equipment are all paid personally. I would check to see if your new job has private medical insurance and negotiate it as part of the deal. (See VHI, Laya as cover)
Car insurance premiums are also higher, get your no claims transferred if you have proof.
You can bring in personal affects into the country tax free when you relocate. Might be worth changing your car before you come if you intend to upgrade, it has to be owned for 6mth prior and can't be sold for two years.

The house listed in Laois is a great location if your office is in Dublin though it clearly needs further investment. You would be close to Carlow, Kilkenny and Kildare for days out.

If you are working from home it will be difficult to meet / make friends. Irelands version of sage keep moving the goal poste for reopening so clubs / local get togethers are non existent. I think try and buy a do er upper on that money in a good location and have that to work on at weekends maybe dunno. There is still big restrictions here too. I really would visit Ireland at least once before moving over lock stock.

Just linking these properties to show what's out there
www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/newbridge-dowra-leitrim/4514348

www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/callanagh-upper-kilcogy-kilcogy-cavan/4511157

@BornToBeWilde

I wouldn't go to Mayo, they're all about to go on a 12 month bender:)

Hey! Are you my cousin?

www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/raheen-foulksmills-wexford/4520972

www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/the-orchard-ballyea-south-ballina-tipperary/4506971

Much as I’d advocate moving here… is there a rush while house prices are sky high? I would ask to start remotely and offer to fly over quarterly! Its perfectly do-able and lots of cheap hotels in Dublin. I live in the North but had no issue acquiring a PPS number to work in cavan and dublin? You will need that to be on the payroll of an Irish company..

www.gov.ie/en/service/12e6de-get-a-personal-public-service-pps-number/#

Its the equivalent on your National Insurance number.

Leitrim?
Op, Leitrim is not a real place it is a bit like Brigadoon

Hi there, i've lived in the South East now for 14 years (brought husband back to mammy!) , and i love it. I could never see myself moving back to uk. I would recommend you move to a village with all the amenities, rural but not the back arse of nowhere. Then you can make friends in the area. I also find a great sense of community, my mum says it reminds her of uk villages before all the big shops and chain coffee shops came and conquered.

www.daft.ie/for-sale/semi-detached-house-34-the-fairways-abbeyleix-co-laois/3516693

This village is just lovely.

Best of luck.

@elizabethdraper

Leitrim? Op, Leitrim is not a real place it is a bit like Brigadoon

I heard it's the fabled last stop on the #freeLuas. Only leprechauns, the Rubber bandits and those mad yokes who did well in rowing get to travel there.

Those mad yokes are West Cork through and through, and would never venture so far north

@GingerAndTheBiscuits

Those mad yokes are West Cork through and through, and would never venture so far north

Ach even those blessed to live in the True Capital Of Ireland (or at least the county) must venture out into the wastelands every now and again

Fully expect Cork to have a secret nighttime digging campaign around their border and float away into the sea under cover of darkness...any day now.

@supermoonrising

Again, the key phrase is “relatively speaking”. Of course there are differences. But they are small compared with, say, Ireland/France or Ireland/Spain. And they are minuscule compared with, say, Ireland/China or Japan. In many ways Ireland is pretty different to a England - in terms of leisure, linguistically, economically, historically, and architecturally. But I just don’t find the people that different, certainly not the younger/mid age generations. Perhaps it’s because I have friends from all over the world and so, again, the differences seem quite minor compared with other matchups (eg, Vis-a vis my American, Chinese, Indian or Spanish friends). I’d say the personal cultural differences I encounter in Ireland is of a similar level to that of Australia. Though, yes the older Irish seem to do things quite differently.

I also have friends from all over the world, lived out of Ireland in various places for 25 years, and find superficial similarities covering acute differences. Look at your own final sentence in your previous post about the education system and the lack of a toxic class system to anywhere near the same extent — those are significant cultural differences in and of themselves, even without factoring in Ireland’s postcolonial status as a young republic, rather than a former colonial power and constitutional monarchy, enthusiastically pro-EU, a country with a long history of emigration, significantly different cultural production, NI and the Troubles etc.

I'm from Lancs and married to an Irishman who was born in a very rural part of Ireland. There are a few anti English'jokes' but nothing cruel and I've felt very welcome. I sometimes feel self conscious as I'm an ethnic minority and there have been a couple of racist encounters but I've had that in England. I don't think my accent is always understood but it works two ways. There are some beautiful places in Ireland: Kerry, Donegal, Galway. I'm not sure I'd want to live there as I like more diverse places but it'll be a great adventure for you OP so don't worry. Get a house with an amazing view!

PM’d you op