Relocating to the Motherland!

[Areyouseriousrightnow]

We’re a London based family, both me and my DH with Irish parents, but both lived our entire lives in England. We decide to make some changes following ‘all this’, and one of them is to relocate, but not decided where. I’d like to move to Dublin, where my family is from and where I spent summer/Christmas growing up. I’m sick of Brexit, Austerity, Tory Bolux, I love Dublin, lots of reasons why I think it’s where I’d prefer to bring my children up.
DH not convinced, sees it as a huge upheaval (we have 3 DC). I want to be realistic with myself about the challenges. We’d have to sell up and buy over there, and am aware the property market is utterly nuts in Dublin, but I probably underestimating how nuts. I’m not sure what the job situation is like or the economy at the moment? (I really need to do more homework.
What advice would you give me?

NC for this. I was born in Dublin, left for uni, came back in my 30s with English partner in tow because I was getting all misty eyed. It was nice to be able to so easily see cousins etc again but honestly I was really disappointed.

I found Dublin so parochial after London. I was also shocked by the anti English sentiment and found it so embarrassing re DP. I also hated the feeling of being "stuck" on the island (compared to zipping elsewhere with the Eurostar). I also found there was a weird undercurrent of aggression in the city centre and the whole D4 thing got on my tits way more than any of the west london bullshit ever had. After 4 years I went back to UK.

Now I still go back to ireland but to the country where my parents now live, Dublin has been tainted for me which is sad.

Yes @DublinNC I think my DH is quite embarrassed about it too. He knows how widespread it is. He used to try and brush it off but now has a resigned ‘yeah you’re right’ attitude. I’m so sorry your experience wasn’t great because it’s people coming back that I think is needed here. Unfortunately people will come back with their British partners and perhaps children too and from what I’ve seen it doesn’t always end well at all. I’ll be hopefully following you back soon. I’m here a loooong time but he’s promised me, once we get sorted here, we’re off and I’m holding him to it! It’s keeping me going.

Scot here. Moved over in 2018 as BF from the west.

Agree with previous posts - health are takes time to get used to (really miss the NHS, especially in Scotland with free prescriptions etc).

We came over as a couple and now have two DCs. Great to have the space and peace of rural life to city living we wee used to . I have a washing line .

Were are lucky to have BFs family over the road which has been great. Especially during coivd.

Haven't come across anti brit sentiment, although Scot's always get let off lightly on that front. But our community is full of English, most with Irish parentage / partners. And it's not a thing here.

Personally I think folk are more likely to regret not making the jump and living with the what ifs

Best of luck. Great country, v family focused, and much healthier lifestyle (GAA mad here).

Such an interesting thread.
I’ve never wanted to go back to Ireland, I left aged 21 for no other reasons than wanting to travel.
I met my English husband abroad and we settled in England over 30 years ago now.
What I don’t get is people referring to Ireland as ‘home’. (Irish people)
Every December get asked if I’m going home for Christmas mainly by well meaning English people.
I find it a bizarre question.
I have 4 grown up children who have all left home and they come home to to the house they grew up in for Christmas.
So, why would I go to Ireland?
It is odd!!

I returned to Ireland, albeit the north with my English dh and dc last year. Lived in SE England for 15 years. My dh was worried about anti- English sentiment but he hasn't experienced any thankfully, neither has dc. People have commented on how nice dc accent is but that's it! I on the other hand experienced anti-Irish sentiment in England on several occasions. I'm thick skinned though so brushed it off mostly.

And in response to @SoyMarina ireland was always home to me. England was where I lived (circumstantial ) but home was home. Suppose that's why I never really settled properly there or felt content. I have friends in London from NI and they always talk about coming home too.

I've loved coming home. We have a much much better quality of life. Schools are better, property is cheaper and it's less crowded (can't speak for Dublin). There's also lots of jobs which we were pleasantly surprised about. My dh expected to move then find a job but got offered one before we left England, as did I. The only thing I miss is the weather.

I'm pleased for you Wackywoo but for me, home is where you are happy to live and have a fulfilling life and that is not necessarily the place you were raised.
I feel sorry for people who live away from where they call home, especially if returning is not possible.
And simply put, 'the grass is not always greener.'.