Relocation advice

[FlyingKittens37584]

Looking for opinions on either Limerick or Dublin for relocation from the good users of Craicnet!
Relocating with family - DH and DC (3 yrs and a newborn). There is some flexibility in terms of location so looking for opinion on which city would be better for our family.

We currently get the UK funded childcare hours and I think 3 hrs a day are available in ie? So would need to find childcare for a baby as we’d both be working and a nursery/preschool for DC1 for a few months before school starts. No support network in ie so would be paying for all childcare and we’d also be very open to areas with lots of community activities /churches we could get involved in and are easily walkable.

Any advice would be so helpful right now in terms of areas to look for rentals, schools etc in both places and opinions on which city people prefer. Budget €2500 pm and willing to live further out of both cities and commute in. Aware that might rule out a lot of the Dublin area due to housing costs!

Childcare particularly for the youngest will be an issue, there is a shortage of space in many areas so waiting lists of 6-18 months, a childminder might be a good option. The free 3 ECCE termtime only hours will apply to your oldest, and National Childcare Scheme funding will be available for both if the childcare service is signed up to it.

Like PP have said childcare will be a big issue. Most people put their names down for crèche places when they are pregnant and even then many can't get a spot by the time maternity leave finishes. Also many crèches no longer take under 1s. Also the free childcare is actually preschool and when you are eligible depends on the child's birthday. So my March baby wasn't eligible until 3 years 6 months old so starting school at 5 years 6 months. Another thing when thinking about childcare is that the school days are much shorter than England and summer holidays are longer. My DD will do 8.30 to 1.10 for the first two years of school and then 2.10 from her third year of primary school.

Thank you that is very helpful!