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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder about moving to Ireland one day?

63 replies

ethelfleda · 18/10/2019 19:48

DH is Irish and all his family live there still. Brothers, sisters and nieces and nephews. I love them all dearly and we go at least 4 times a year to visit.
DS is nearly two. We aren’t having any more - in the UK we only have my DM and no younger relatives.
We often toy with the idea of moving over - but I’m worried it’s a case of thinking the grass might be greener? I love the idea of being around DHs family... but what if I didn’t love it so much if it was ALL the time?

The main thing though is - would it be better for DS? His cousins are 4, 5, 7, 11, 18 and 27 (all to different siblings of course!) would he get a better education?

Job wise - I’m fairly confident that I could put in for a transfer at work. But DH would have to find a job. Houses appeal to me as you seem to get more for your money in the area his family lives in - nice sized houses on big plots and plenty of country side - but close to main towns and about an hour from Dublin.

I realise this is a decision only we can make - but has anyone got any opinions??

OP posts:
Bubblesgun · 18/10/2019 19:51

I have moved there. Best decision ever. Go for it.

MrsIronfoundersson · 18/10/2019 19:54

The grass is definitely greener - it's all the rain!
Education is good. What area would you be looking in?

Techway · 18/10/2019 19:55

the grass might be greener?

I think the grass is greener because it rains moreSmile it is however a lovely country. Can you say what area? Rural or city?

If jobs are not an issue then it could be a good move. It is a small economy so when there is a downturn it maybe more challenging. Education can be excellent but not sure there is an Ofsted equivalent so it could be patchy.. like the UK.
Medical care isnt free however so that is a factor.

Techway · 18/10/2019 19:55

Is of worth posting on Craicnet

Original poster
ethelfleda · 18/10/2019 20:09

Hopefully not too outing but Co. Kildare
Perhaps a bit more towards Dublin as that is where I would have to commute to a couple of times a week (possibly DH too)
I love Dublin. Gorgeous city.

OP posts:
Gimmechipschocolateandcake · 18/10/2019 20:21

The grass is greener because of all the rain 😂

But seriously I am Irish living in Britain with British/Irish dc. In an ideal world i would love to move back and give the dc an Irish childhood but my Irish family live in the sticks and we do have a better standard of living here in Britain. Jobs are hard to come by in Ireland atm.
Schools are supposed to be good now. They were a bit crap when I was a child. My family are nowhere near Dublin but if they were it would be a deciding factor in moving back.
The dc have Irish passports though so can move there when older if they wish.

Rosiemary · 18/10/2019 20:21

My children are in national (state) school here. There's definitely more that is good than bad about the system. We moved from London a few years ago and never regretted it (from Dublin originally though so biased!). I love that the DC got to know their cousins well now we are here full time. Kildare is lovely.

You may have health insurance included as a benefit in work.

You could always try it for a few years and move back if you don't settle.

Gimmechipschocolateandcake · 18/10/2019 20:21

My family are in the Kildare / Carlow region. That's a tough area to get a job in @ethelfleda

Gimmechipschocolateandcake · 18/10/2019 20:23

Dublin is nice in the touristy areas

Original poster
ethelfleda · 18/10/2019 20:53

Thanks for your views
It’s the same as always - my head says stay in the UK but my heart says move!

OP posts:
Mushypeasandchipstogo · 18/10/2019 21:48

My DH is Irish too but we have always lived in the UK. Our DSs have many cousins over there. Many advantages to living over there as the education system (near Dublin in our case) is so much better- though you do have to fork out for all books, iPads and uniforms in even state schools.
Disadvantages include no school transport and primary schools finish at lunchtime. House prices in Dublin are high but very low everywhere else.

UrsulaPandress · 18/10/2019 21:50

In your position I’d go in a heartbeat.

Ohyesiam · 18/10/2019 21:54

follow your heart unless there are massive red flags.

inwood · 18/10/2019 21:57

I'd love to but salary restraints. Plus it rains. A lot.

In all seriousness though I don't think I'd get the ££££££ much as it pains me.

tomcatspray · 18/10/2019 23:59

Was in UK for many years but came back to co kildare about 15 years ago. Direct trains and buses to Dublin where most work is but only an hour to commute. Wished we'd moved when kids were small, education is said to be very good now. Pace of life a bit slower than UK.

Amazon and parcel motel mean we can get pretty much anything we can't get here.

AthollPlace · 19/10/2019 00:11

From what I understand you’re not particularly popular in Ireland if you have an English accent.

JaneJeffer · 19/10/2019 00:21

Rubbish Atholl

N0tfinished · 19/10/2019 00:30

I'd say Ireland has lots of good points but would caution in case any of your family have health concerns or disabilities. Our health service isn't great. I've recently lost my DF who had v serious health issues; and our local major hospital would make you despair (not in Kildare so maybe not so bad there)

Could you try it out? Rent out your house, take leave from jobs etc?

TBH I would have said you were mad a few years ago. In the current climate though, Britain seems to have a very uncertain future.

MaraScottie · 19/10/2019 00:37

I'm Irish, work in the tech industry and we seriously can't get people. Job industry in Dublin is hopping at the moment, plenty of work and plenty of choice.

I'm also from Kildare too. Travel into the city can be painfully slow depending where you're coming from but if it's only a few days a week, you'll be grand.

I love Dublin. So much to do in the city and you're a stones throw from stunning beaches and the Wicklow mountains.

TerribleCustomerCervix · 19/10/2019 00:50

Depends where in Kildare and what the transport links into the city are like. I used to live in Santry (4 miles from Dublin city centre) and it was take me at least an hour to get to work on the bus.

House prices closer to Dublin are insane at the moment, and the cost of living is generally higher- stuff like car insurance and other day to day costs were more expensive than I was used to paying in the UK.

Paying for the GP is also very weird when you’re used to the NHS- more than once I walked out and had to go back in because I’d forgotten to pay 😂.

Taxes are higher as well, and people will argue that the quality of public services doesn’t justify it.

HOWEVER as others have said the schools are fantastic, and I don’t think you can put a price on being near close and supportive family. Dublin is also an amazing city with loads to do and a really vibrant and diverse population.

Rosiemary · 19/10/2019 09:07

Atholl that's not true.

Ethelfeda my dh works in London still Mon-Thurs, a lot of people do that, or work remotely, maybe that's an option at least initially. House prices are high in Dublin but depends where you are moving from. I didn't find car ins/utlities any more expensive.

Rosiemary · 19/10/2019 09:12

You can check school inspection reports here.

Fluffyhairforever · 19/10/2019 09:18

Do not do this. Everything about Ireland is awful.

spanglydangly · 19/10/2019 09:21

@AthollPlace who told you that then? Or have you ever experienced it?

@Fluffyhairforever what a ridiculous statement, please do expand.

@ethelfleda I'd do it, but what happens with your DM as she gets older? If you're the only relative would you feel guilt and anxiety that she's alone?

Eloisedublin123 · 19/10/2019 09:22

🤣