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Original poster

To think that life seems better in rep of ireland?

725 replies

PunnyOliveTurtle · 18/07/2025 13:59

ok...hear me out...My DM is Irish and she has not been home in a good few years, I haven't been over since I was 15, I'm early 40's now. So i decided to bring her over to visit her sisters as they are all getting older...late 60s/early 70's.

I had a wonderful time. I caught up with all of my cousins...and here is where I noticed the divide...they all have gorgeous homes and I mean stunning! Some in the country, some in the town, all fab new builds or gutted and updated old houses. A couple in new housing estates which were FAB!!
One of my cousins has just bought a new home...her DH is driving a 2025 car, they are off on hols next week. I asked her if she won the lotto and she laughed saying she wished, savings are now depleted and she was "broke". I know she has no credit cards because she metioned that she didn't have one when we wer talking about booking dinner somewhere and they wanted to take a deposit.

They all have great jobs...a lot of them are teachers...like i was. But they are no where near as stressed as I was. They are on holidays already and have been with a few weeks.Some are nurses but work part time in private hospitals, others work in big pharma companies, banking etc.Their dh's also have great jobs, engineers, managers in tech/pharma, one owns a construction company, one is a farmer.
All and I mean ALL of their DC who are of uni age are in university...no student loans. They have a grant scheme apparently. None of my cousins themselves have student loans...they are in 30's to mid 50's. (Can you tell we had an in depth discussion on uni and fees etc!)
Their DC aged 15+ all have summer jobs...in a local chippy, local cafe, one on a farm etc. My 18 yr old cant get a job at all!!

Everything just seemed so positive there...and im sure its not but I cant put my finger on it...it really got me.
I'm struggling most months...this trip was part on credit card. DD looking to start uni and i dont know how I'm going to help her... I know they say dont compare and I know there must be those struggling in Ireland too but there seemed to be A LOT more money being thrown around.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
hellohellooo · 18/07/2025 23:39

The number of placements and support for students with additional needs to quite shocking I have to say. !

I have seen lots of funding attached to education health and care plans and the need for professionals to assess and do so by a certain date ( I know the ehc system is far from perfect )

Huge difference to what is on offer in the ROI

(From what I have seen while teaching in England and in ROI)

Deadringer · 18/07/2025 23:41

TheKeatingFive · 18/07/2025 15:16

It's hard to convey the impact that the housing crisis has on people's lives though. It's massive.

I know people who've had to move in with their parents for 2/3 years, more even, to save for a deposit. These will be couples with small children, moving into their parents smallish homes for that time.

Many more who have given up on any idea of owning.

We will want to trade up to a decent sized family home in Dublin very soon, currently we're in a two and a half bed ex council. I'm talking like three proper bedrooms, a garden, nothing spectacular.

It will cost us north of a million euro for that in the areas we're looking at, which aren't particularly upmarket. We'll almost certainly have to sell our current house and rent in the meantime to be in with a chance of securing anything. Any house we buy will need work and cost of building is extortionate also.

My friend has just been through all this and it took her two years end to end. The process is so slow and cumbersome. We're very lucky to be able to even contemplate a move, but I'm looking at the whole process with such dread.

There is definitely a housing crisis, but over a million for a three bed in a not great area? Where the heck are you looking? Our house is worth about 800k, and it's a large 4 bed with a big garden in a good area in dun laoghaire.

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 18/07/2025 23:49

Schools are also pretty good on the whole. Private schools are very much a minority.

Almost everyone (90+%) completes secondary school. Maths and English are mandatory, but available at ordinary level and Higher level. Generally 7 subjects are studied in Sr Cycle. It is a heavy workload but it does provide them a well rounded education.

Most students are aged 18-19 leaving secondary school and the majority will go onto 3rd level education. A quick google says that 64% of 30-34 year olds hold a third-level qualification.

There are also PLC higher education courses available as a stepping stone to university in addition to Leaving Cert route.

Overall this gives our young people a great advantage.

dcthatsme · 18/07/2025 23:54

My husband is Irish. His elderly parents get excellent healthcare. No waits for treatment or to see their GP. Loads of follow-up joined-up treatment. His dad was kept in hospital after a pacemaker was fitted until the hospital was confident he was OK. People pay a fee to see a GP before they retire or if they earn above a certain income but perhaps that's the price you have to pay to have a well-run health service (? just putting it out there...). It's a small country population-wise in comparison to the UK and very friendly. It makes a massive difference to your well-being when people in shops or who you pass in the street say 'hello' 'how are you?' (or even thank you and good-bye). Generally people have more time for each other. There is a massive problem, however, like over here, with a lack of affordable accommodation - that seems to be a big problem. I get the sense that the economy is doing well. It's a go-ahead, dynamic, well-educated population. A lot of the younger generation - 50s and under - have travelled and have an open-minded attitude. To be honest I love being there and would happily move over there lock stock and barrel were it not for commitments in the UK and the rain.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 18/07/2025 23:57

Deadringer · 18/07/2025 23:41

There is definitely a housing crisis, but over a million for a three bed in a not great area? Where the heck are you looking? Our house is worth about 800k, and it's a large 4 bed with a big garden in a good area in dun laoghaire.

Show quote history

If you put your 800k up for sale in the current market, you would sell for over a million.

My friend is a buying a bungalow. Her 3 bedroom house is worth 500k, she keeps missing out to mortgage approved or cash buyers in a bidding war, properties are selling minium 10% above asking price.

She'll have to sell, rent and try buy as a cash buyer, there no where suitable for rent.

CreationNat1on · 18/07/2025 23:57

The Americans love the Irish gentle communication, I see the abrupt English and dare I say it, Eastern European communication style, and I cringe at how unkind it seems to me.

Cultural differences.

Deadringer · 19/07/2025 00:09

I am basing it on what my neighbours house just sold for EmeraldShamrock000 And even if we got a million (we wouldn't) no way would a 3 bed would go for anywhere near that.

Pickone · 19/07/2025 00:21

@DoYouReally I'm interested to know where you live that you believe there's no racism issue and anti-English sentiment is only present in a minority of places. I just don't think that's true. I doubt Ireland is much more racist than many countries, but the issue very much exists.

And if you're referring to my post about multiple people failing the leaving cert. It's not inaccurate. I specifically mentioned local schools where I grew up and it's literally published in their stats.

This post was asking whether the Republic of Ireland is a better place to live. Based on my personal experience, absolutely not.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/07/2025 00:25

Deadringer · 19/07/2025 00:09

I am basing it on what my neighbours house just sold for EmeraldShamrock000 And even if we got a million (we wouldn't) no way would a 3 bed would go for anywhere near that.

Edited

Yes, it certainly is a lot.
It must be in a nice leafy area.
Best of luck pp for the new move.

rosyvalentine · 19/07/2025 00:28

Deadringer · 19/07/2025 00:09

I am basing it on what my neighbours house just sold for EmeraldShamrock000 And even if we got a million (we wouldn't) no way would a 3 bed would go for anywhere near that.

Edited

Agreed. Well-maintained 3 bedroom houses in my (fairly desirable) area in Dublin are selling for, on average, between €650 and €750 k. Unless the PP is looking at Victorian houses in areas like Ranelagh or Rathgar, a million € is not the asking price for an average 3 bedroom in Dublin.

WallTree · 19/07/2025 00:29

Evaka · 18/07/2025 21:19

Lol, why are you following lists of the most visited sites by tourist mobs. You'll get Buckingham Palace and Tower of London reccos if you do the same search there.

Show quote history

I'm from Dublin, and come home often...there is not much to do.

330ml · 19/07/2025 00:33

Martymcfly24 · 18/07/2025 15:07

65 in Cork but you usually will get in either the same day or definitely the next day.

Show quote history

Free here in the UK. Same day where I am.

WallTree · 19/07/2025 00:34

rosyvalentine · 18/07/2025 23:04

But it's only nicer if you can actually get an appointment! Like other PPs have said, we can usually get an appointment in Ireland within 24-48 hours. I've seen posts on MN with people in the UK waiting for literally weeks for a GP appointment.

Show quote history

I have lived in the UK for 20 years, and I have always, always gotten a GP appointment on the same day when I needed it. The waiting for weeks is for non-time-sensitive things like wart removal or general check ups.

MILLYmo0se · 19/07/2025 00:36

Momstermash94 · 18/07/2025 15:15

OP you are not wrong. I am Irish, all my family are in Ireland still. My partner is English. I have lived in the UK for almost 10 years and we are actually moving back to Ireland in a few weeks. Ireland has its issues and it's not perfect but you get more for your money. My family are so much better off than me and it's so noticeable since I left. We work hard and have very little to show for it, my family work hard and have plenty to show for it. We are sick of living in shoebox size houses with postage stamp sized gardens when I see what we could have in Ireland. We have a baby now and we are moving back to give her a better life and give her the childhood I had with loads of countryside to play and grow up in

Have you managed to buy a property in Ireland?

hellohellooo · 19/07/2025 00:50

hellohellooo · 18/07/2025 23:39

The number of placements and support for students with additional needs to quite shocking I have to say. !

I have seen lots of funding attached to education health and care plans and the need for professionals to assess and do so by a certain date ( I know the ehc system is far from perfect )

Huge difference to what is on offer in the ROI

(From what I have seen while teaching in England and in ROI)

I believe there is an assessment of need?

Some students may qualify?

DoYouReally · 19/07/2025 00:54

Pickone · 19/07/2025 00:21

@DoYouReally I'm interested to know where you live that you believe there's no racism issue and anti-English sentiment is only present in a minority of places. I just don't think that's true. I doubt Ireland is much more racist than many countries, but the issue very much exists.

And if you're referring to my post about multiple people failing the leaving cert. It's not inaccurate. I specifically mentioned local schools where I grew up and it's literally published in their stats.

This post was asking whether the Republic of Ireland is a better place to live. Based on my personal experience, absolutely not.

I live in Ireland and have lived in various parts of the country. There isn't a widespread anti English sentiment in Ireland, that just not true.

I'm not denying that racist exists. There isn't a country in the world that is racist free but it's not how you have represented at all.

I would love to see anywhere where the schools, especially non private schools publish their results showing multiple people failing their leaving cert. You might point me in the right direction as I cannot find any stat available that supports this statement. Leaving cert failure is a very rare.

thelakeisle · 19/07/2025 01:02

The housing crisis is out of control and they were rioting in the streets there last year, though the mainstream media didn't deign to report it. So, no, I think it's in a lot of trouble, just like the UK.

Martymcfly24 · 19/07/2025 01:30

DoYouReally · 19/07/2025 00:54

I live in Ireland and have lived in various parts of the country. There isn't a widespread anti English sentiment in Ireland, that just not true.

I'm not denying that racist exists. There isn't a country in the world that is racist free but it's not how you have represented at all.

I would love to see anywhere where the schools, especially non private schools publish their results showing multiple people failing their leaving cert. You might point me in the right direction as I cannot find any stat available that supports this statement. Leaving cert failure is a very rare.

Show quote history

You are correct Irish schools don't publish their Leaving Cert Stats.

The only thing remotely similar would be the tables of schools that show what students did next but they don't show failures.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/07/2025 02:10

DoYouReally · 18/07/2025 21:49

There is so many in accuracies on this thread it's difficult to know where to start.

Dublin is not a shithole first firstly. Yes, since covid and with a rapidly expanding population, it has definitely got a lot rougher in parts, especially the North Inner city but the rest of it is pretty ok and a lot of the suburbs are very nice. It's the same as any largely populated area, it has some areas that I wouldn't feel safe in walking at night but others were I would feel perfectly safe.
There's also an increased use of cocaine which has led to more aggression in some areas. Dublin is one of the strangest places I knlw of where walking less than 5 minutes away will have a totally different atmosphere and house pricing differential.

Ireland has no potholes?! Where we you on the M50 for your full stay? Ask anyone in rural Ireland or an mechanic in the country and they won't be long telling you. Main roads are good, minor roads not so much and there are still a number of accidents black spots around the country that haven't been fixed.

Education - yes our education system is considered one of the best in Europe. Teaching is easier than the UK & relatively well paid & holidays are longer. Third level is considered "free" - it's not really free but the majority of students manage either by parental funding or are eligible for a grant. Student loans are nothing like in the UK.
Also the poster who talked about multiple people falling the Leaving cert - that's grossly in accurate. It's very tiny portion of people who fail.

Health - we have to paid for GP & it's €70 in Dublin, €40 for blood tests in most of Dublin. A lot of waiting lists are long. Private health insurance is really worth having if someone can afford it. Dentists have long waiting lists and female contraception & HRT have recently become free. Waiting lists are extremely long especially with a lot of children's requirements.

Employment - we are at near full employment which really isn't going to last forever. It is also the quality of our educated workforce, the fact we speak English and are in the EU that makes us attractive for foreign direct investment. Yes the tax position does help but it's not the sole reason - to say otherwise is disingenuous.

Racism - anti English sentiment isn't the norm at all but it is evident in some places but they are a minority.
There is certainly a negative feeling towards those who want to come hear and not contribute but the average person is very accepting of foreigners who want to come to work, contribute, pay taxes and obey the law.

They are two sepearate categories & saying Ireland has a rascism problem is incorrect.

Housing - almost impossible to rent or to but due to a lack of supply. We need about 50,000 new house/apps a year to match supply...we are building about 30,000 and that's after a significant climb. It's not unusual for a property to sell for at least 100k over the asking price. Property in Ireland, unless in the very remote areas, just isn't value for money anymore.

Wages - wages appear very good but it's one of the most expensive countries in Europe so it's pretty quickly eroded. Electricity, Gas & Fuel costs are some of the highest in Europe.

Weather - yes it rains a lot but this Summer has been one of the better ones and it's also far better on the west coast than east even though they are about 2.5hrs apart!

It's not perfect but it's not bad either but it's very unlikely to be sustainable and in a lot like 2007 again.

Our celtic tiger was just a cat on steroids as they say. The higher you climb, the further people fall. Household debt and levels of credit are nowhere near where they were in 2007 so we are better positioned if the event of any ecomomic downturn but there is undoubtedly a dependency on taxes from a number of concentrated companies.

There was harsh lessons learned after 2007.
Many lost everything, mortgaged to the ceiling on an average wage, many held on by their finger tips. I spent like an idiot at the time too. Ideas above my station. 🤩

Whatpatternisthis · 19/07/2025 02:10

the points system means that a person who wants study art, languages or music has to get high grades in all subjects such as maths and science which may not come natural to them.

@AleaEim
You do have to pass maths, but only 6 subjects are counted for points so you don’t have to get a high grade in it if you want to study the subjects you mention (rather than something like engineering). Most people do at least 7 subjects for LC, sometimes 8 subjects.

For example, I did science even though I had pass maths in the LC. I had 8 subjects so just left out the maths when calculating points.

sentosa · 19/07/2025 03:11

DoYouReally · 18/07/2025 21:49

There is so many in accuracies on this thread it's difficult to know where to start.

Dublin is not a shithole first firstly. Yes, since covid and with a rapidly expanding population, it has definitely got a lot rougher in parts, especially the North Inner city but the rest of it is pretty ok and a lot of the suburbs are very nice. It's the same as any largely populated area, it has some areas that I wouldn't feel safe in walking at night but others were I would feel perfectly safe.
There's also an increased use of cocaine which has led to more aggression in some areas. Dublin is one of the strangest places I knlw of where walking less than 5 minutes away will have a totally different atmosphere and house pricing differential.

Ireland has no potholes?! Where we you on the M50 for your full stay? Ask anyone in rural Ireland or an mechanic in the country and they won't be long telling you. Main roads are good, minor roads not so much and there are still a number of accidents black spots around the country that haven't been fixed.

Education - yes our education system is considered one of the best in Europe. Teaching is easier than the UK & relatively well paid & holidays are longer. Third level is considered "free" - it's not really free but the majority of students manage either by parental funding or are eligible for a grant. Student loans are nothing like in the UK.
Also the poster who talked about multiple people falling the Leaving cert - that's grossly in accurate. It's very tiny portion of people who fail.

Health - we have to paid for GP & it's €70 in Dublin, €40 for blood tests in most of Dublin. A lot of waiting lists are long. Private health insurance is really worth having if someone can afford it. Dentists have long waiting lists and female contraception & HRT have recently become free. Waiting lists are extremely long especially with a lot of children's requirements.

Employment - we are at near full employment which really isn't going to last forever. It is also the quality of our educated workforce, the fact we speak English and are in the EU that makes us attractive for foreign direct investment. Yes the tax position does help but it's not the sole reason - to say otherwise is disingenuous.

Racism - anti English sentiment isn't the norm at all but it is evident in some places but they are a minority.
There is certainly a negative feeling towards those who want to come hear and not contribute but the average person is very accepting of foreigners who want to come to work, contribute, pay taxes and obey the law.

They are two sepearate categories & saying Ireland has a rascism problem is incorrect.

Housing - almost impossible to rent or to but due to a lack of supply. We need about 50,000 new house/apps a year to match supply...we are building about 30,000 and that's after a significant climb. It's not unusual for a property to sell for at least 100k over the asking price. Property in Ireland, unless in the very remote areas, just isn't value for money anymore.

Wages - wages appear very good but it's one of the most expensive countries in Europe so it's pretty quickly eroded. Electricity, Gas & Fuel costs are some of the highest in Europe.

Weather - yes it rains a lot but this Summer has been one of the better ones and it's also far better on the west coast than east even though they are about 2.5hrs apart!

It's not perfect but it's not bad either but it's very unlikely to be sustainable and in a lot like 2007 again.

Our celtic tiger was just a cat on steroids as they say. The higher you climb, the further people fall. Household debt and levels of credit are nowhere near where they were in 2007 so we are better positioned if the event of any ecomomic downturn but there is undoubtedly a dependency on taxes from a number of concentrated companies.

I spent some time there. I worked, contributed, paid taxes, and obeyed the law.

I was called chinky, chingchong, Jackie Chan, and Mongolian (wtf?) on an almost daily basis. My colleagues made sure to tell me how disgusting my food was if I brought a packed lunch. I was routinely asked about eating dogs and cats. People enjoyed making slitty eye gestures at me so much I'm surprised they don't have repetitive strain injury.

If I dared to complain about this treatment, I was told one of two things -

a) the Irish aren't racist! The Irish can't be racist! Aren't you familiar with X historical event that happened 400 years ago? (I was told, unironically, "we're the n***s of Europe" more than once. By people in their 30s/40s)

b) it's not racism, it's just that there's only been immigration in Ireland for a short time, of course the poor bewildered locals don't know how to react when they see yellow skin...

I cut my contract short and left, and I would never, ever go back.

Pickone · 19/07/2025 03:31

DoYouReally · 19/07/2025 00:54

I live in Ireland and have lived in various parts of the country. There isn't a widespread anti English sentiment in Ireland, that just not true.

I'm not denying that racist exists. There isn't a country in the world that is racist free but it's not how you have represented at all.

I would love to see anywhere where the schools, especially non private schools publish their results showing multiple people failing their leaving cert. You might point me in the right direction as I cannot find any stat available that supports this statement. Leaving cert failure is a very rare.

Show quote history

You don't have to tell me you live in Ireland. You remind me of every Irish adult I've ever met. If only ask that you be careful how dismissive and nasty you are to children, it'll stick with them but based on experience, you won't be able to help yourself.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/07/2025 03:43

sentosa · 19/07/2025 03:11

I spent some time there. I worked, contributed, paid taxes, and obeyed the law.

I was called chinky, chingchong, Jackie Chan, and Mongolian (wtf?) on an almost daily basis. My colleagues made sure to tell me how disgusting my food was if I brought a packed lunch. I was routinely asked about eating dogs and cats. People enjoyed making slitty eye gestures at me so much I'm surprised they don't have repetitive strain injury.

If I dared to complain about this treatment, I was told one of two things -

a) the Irish aren't racist! The Irish can't be racist! Aren't you familiar with X historical event that happened 400 years ago? (I was told, unironically, "we're the n***s of Europe" more than once. By people in their 30s/40s)

b) it's not racism, it's just that there's only been immigration in Ireland for a short time, of course the poor bewildered locals don't know how to react when they see yellow skin...

I cut my contract short and left, and I would never, ever go back.

Show quote history

That is horrendous. I'm sorry that you had an awful experience, the people who you met were thick and ignorant.

They were undoubtedly 💯 racist. Sadly it is increasing, especially amongst the stupid.

There is thin line between voicing immigration concerns and scummy treatment of human beings.

My nieces boyfriend born here, has been told to go back to his own country on many occasions.

Please be assured that I wouldn't tolerate this behaviour towards you if I was one of your colleagues.
🥰

sentosa · 19/07/2025 03:48

EmeraldShamrock000 · 19/07/2025 03:43

That is horrendous. I'm sorry that you had an awful experience, the people who you met were thick and ignorant.

They were undoubtedly 💯 racist. Sadly it is increasing, especially amongst the stupid.

There is thin line between voicing immigration concerns and scummy treatment of human beings.

My nieces boyfriend born here, has been told to go back to his own country on many occasions.

Please be assured that I wouldn't tolerate this behaviour towards you if I was one of your colleagues.
🥰

Show quote history

Thank you. To be clear, I don't think all Irish people are racist, and I did meet some really nice people - but I think anyone who says Ireland has no problem with racism is just clueless.

So sorry to hear about your niece's boyfriend, that must be awful for him.

Pickone · 19/07/2025 03:55

Martymcfly24 · 19/07/2025 01:30

You are correct Irish schools don't publish their Leaving Cert Stats.

The only thing remotely similar would be the tables of schools that show what students did next but they don't show failures.

Show quote history

The school absolutely did publish their stats. There's a new headteacher who wanted to demonstrate how they are turning things around for the school so published in the context of then vs now. As I said, I am talking about a specific school, not the entirety of the Irish education system.