To be thinking I might move to rep of Ireland?

[headcandygrl]

Aibu to think of moving to Ireland?
I am fed up of the lack of jobs here in the U.K.!
There seems to be (from the little research I have done) more benefits there (child benefit is WAY more!) , better job opportunities, less of an effect on jobs due to Covid. I have seen on here that they don't pay council tax! No water bills either. As far as I can see they pay slightly more tax! So it kind of evens out! But wages are better...
The education system there doesn't seem to pigeonhole children for a young age! They don't have to pass GCSE equivalents to do the A LEVEL equivalent...
University costs are less!! They have a grant system that is not paid back!!

Am I looking over with rose tinted glasses?? Is this the reality?? Anyone in Ireland who can clarify details for me?

Now I know they don't have an NHS like ours but from what I can see it is somewhat free for those that need it!!?

First Google link

www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/ireland-vs-uk-comparison-which-country-is-better-to-live-visit/#:~:text=A%20few%20facts%3A%20consumer%20prices,%2C%20which%20is%2015%25%20lower.

Consumer prices in Ireland are 13.73% higher than in the UK, rent prices in Ireland are 52.02% higher; grocery prices in Ireland are 11% higher. In fact, when you look at comparison lists, everything in Ireland seems higher except for a person’s purchasing power, which is 15% lower.

Sounds like you are looking at it with very rose-tinted specs.

There may be no council tax, but have you looked at the cost of having rubbish collected?

Also I’m sure there are water charges being brought in at some point soon. There was something on the news about it a while back.

“Somewhat free” doesn’t sound like you’ve done a lot of research into the costs of health care.

Have you looked into any of the expenses that are, or could be, more?

But @Skippii there's more child benefits!

It’s very expensive to live here. I’m always shocked at how cheap my relatives in the UK can live

From what I can see waste charged are
€25 per month

When I say somewhat free I mean it is free for those with low wages, over 65's etc

Water charges were attempted but it came back as a resounding "no"

I have looked at grocery prices and shopping at lidl/aldi doesn't appear THAT much more expensive to be honest...it seems manageable.

Covid has had a devastating effect on the economy, free or reduced health care and university costs are means tested so very few people qualify.

Life is Ireland and the UK are similar but different in my experience. Cost, I would say the UK is definitely cheaper. Wages are better in Ireland in my industry, but comparably I was better off living in the UK but it was a good while ago now.

There are loads of great things about living in Ireland but the UK is absolutely awesome too. Time for a pros and cons list for you.

@ShrimpSymphony are you living in Ireland? What do think costs more??

I can gather that car insurance is higher??

Day to day costs are horrendous

@UsedUpUsername I would be interested in some examples if you could give me some?

Water charges were attempted but it came back as a resounding "no"

Water charges will be a thing from 2022 for anyone using over a set amount.

Charges were only temporarily postponed.

Have you looked at the extra cost of providing everything your child needs for school there?

You have to pay for GP visits in Ireland don't you?

Some things will be cheaper, others more expensive, but it will probably depend on whether you can get work and what housing you can get nearby.

It rains a lot more than most parts of the UK. Maybe the grass is greener after all?

@lyralalala I had figured that I would use the child benefit to save for those.

University costs are less!! They have a grant system that is not paid back

So does the UK, in effect, for a good proportion of university students.

For a start every time you go to the GP it costs €50 minimum. Cost of medicine is really high. Poor public transport in rural areas. What specific costs are you talking about?

All school children pay for their own books (though there may be a book rental scheme in some primaries). Also parents are charged a 'voluntary' contribution which can run to hundreds of euro.

Its more expensive to eat out as is alcohol.

@BarbaraofSeville yes if you don't have insurance or a gp card from what I can gather. Children are free up to age 6...but I think I read somewhere they are changing that to age 9.

@headcandygrl, you sound obsessed with child benefit! Do you have lots of children?

I live in Ireland.
Answers:
There seems to be (from the little research I have done) more benefits there - YES, very generous. Many would say too much so.

(child benefit is WAY more!) Than UK Yes but remember costs are very high. Childminder fees, Creches.....Expensive. Cheaper to have a private childminder.

better job opportunities - Lots of work in tech, fintech and pharma. All the big tech guys are here and new remote work might be here to stay a bit more so its easier to work/ live remote.

Less of an effect on jobs due to Covid - In a way yes - we are a bit less hysterical about it here we were misled on it but you guys were totally gaslit by your Govt. Would hate to be in the UK, you accepted all your civil liberties curtailed on little evidence. There will still be lots of unemployment tho.

I have seen on here that they don't pay council tax! No, we pay Local Property Tax - not that much tho.

No water bills either. NO if you are on a private water scheme in rural areas you do. Not much. Irish water are the latest attempt by Govt to charge for water but they can hardy tie their laces so we will be waiting a bit for that.

As far as I can see they pay slightly more tax! - Yes - lots more plus USC which is levied on everyone. 42% is common rate.

So it kind of evens out! Maybe - depends on your job. Lots of my mates are on 100- 150k Salaries in Dublin which is lots of money.

But wages are better...NO, Not always. It's skills based.

The education system there doesn't seem to pigeonhole children for a young age! It does. Same as anywhere. Teachers are amazingly conservative here.

They don't have to pass GCSE equivalents to do the A LEVEL equivalent... You do. You have to do the Junior and Leaving Certificates to get college points.

University costs are less!! They have a grant system that is not paid back!! True. But accommodation costs are very high for students.

Am I looking over with rose tinted glasses?? Is this the reality?? Anyone in Ireland who can clarify details for me?

See above. Our health system sucks, out tax system is unequal, child poverty is rampant. UK is worse tho, I lived there and I'd not go now.
I;'m looking at Sweden or The Netherlands.

Now I know they don't have an NHS like ours but from what I can see it is somewhat free for those that need it!!? Free healthcare to some extent but waiting lists are high. You need private health insurance here. I pay 275Euro a month for that for basic.

@Pomegranatemolasses I'm not a big "eat out" person and I don't drink.

I would plan on getting health insurance my dh is in a good job that has great opportunities over there and he reckons he would get health insurance via work. So I guess I would be claiming back some of the gp costs

Good luck being an English person in Ireland!

And are you Catholic? As all the schooling is Catholic based.

More relaxed way of life.

Everything is more expensive.

However it's still in the EU.

Maybe apply for jobs and see how you get on, go for holidays and she where you like.

@Jakey056 thanks for that. It is very informative.

What I mean about the junior cert is that you don't HAVE to pass them to sit your leaving cert though? You could flunk the junior cert and still be allowed to do the leaving cert.

@Howzaboutye

All of our schools are not catholic based...the majority are yes but not all.

We have non denominational schools OP. And for the record I am Irish and my dc are not baptised and they attend a catholic school.

I'm pretty sure private schools are much cheaper than in the UK.

I'm living in Ireland.

I think it a can be hard for low earners. I was a low earner 5 years ago and really struggled. There were times I couldnt afford to take DC to the doctors when they needed to go. Struggled to pay the monthly bin charges.

I'm now on a decent wage and dont feel under pressure at all. I work in a city but live in the countryside. I was commuting every day until covid came along, now wfh since March.

Were renting at the minute but have also just started building.

Ok, it's a great country and I love living here, but I do think your glasses are slightly rose-tinted!

And depending on health cover, generally there is only a small amount of GP costs covered. Plus you have to pay full price for all medicines.

If your dh has a good job, the only benefit you will be eligible for is child benefit.

So it really depends on your priorities - I think the quality of life I have here is really high, but I wouldn't exactly recommend someone to move here to save money!