Moving to Ireland

[HardieHa]

I live just outside of the M25 in the south east and will inherit some money soon. It is not enough to buy here so I will have to move either north or to Ireland. I am leaning towards Ireland as I feel they will recover faster and it would be nice to get my EU passport back! BUT, what do I need to consider?

I have been a single sahm of 2 autistic children for almost 20 years so will be looking at minimum wage entry level jobs no matter where I go. I have 2 teens, 18 and 19. Only one wants to move with me no matter where I go but I am hoping to persuade them both to come. Ideally I'd like to buy a 3 bedroom house so both can live with me but I cannot afford a 3 bedroom in a city/large town.

Should I risk buying in a semi-rural area? I have been told that I may not be accepted in rural areas due to being obviously English so I may not be able to find work. Or should I buy a 2 bedroom flat in a city? Where it won't be such an issue to be accepted and find a job but my other child can't come and join us?

Yes, lots of people here to put OP off for some reason. We're here ten years and very happy. It's a great country to start again in. Lots of support for those on low incomes such as very progressive taxation where those at the bottom take home the vast majority of their pay, working family payment for those with children and earning less than around €38k with 2 children, medical cards to cover GP and medical expenses, no council tax, only local property tax (mine is €26 a month!), no water rates. My weekly shop for 2 adults and 2 young children averages €130/140.

Have you considered Northern Ireland? Houses are very reasonable over here and there are some good jobs you can get without needing any qualifications. Schools are slightly different from England but mostly similar and do use some of the exam boards for later qualifications. You'd benefit from NHS and wouldn't have to pay import tax on things like you car. You'd also find outside of main cities our transport is much better than rural South.

Can I point out to those suggesting Scotland or Northern Ireland, neither of these places is currently in the EU and this was one of the things that the OP wanted to get - Irish (as in Rep of Ireland) citizenship which would lead to a burgundy EU passport, which would mean that the OP has to move to the Rep of Ireland.

Yes, but I think people think that’s a slightly mad priority in someone who says herself she has very little money, two as yet dependent YA children, and whose inheritance sounds as if it is just enough to cover a house — and who will be working in minimum wage jobs once she spends it.

I’m Irish, was moving back to Ireland from years in the UK, and have more money and earning capacity than the OP, as well as local knowledge and connections, and even then it was an expensive process, and getting a PPSN etc for my UK born child, finding a GP willing to register us etc was lengthy.

I said in my OP that I'm looking at moving north or to Ireland and at the moment I'm leaning towards Ireland, how are you getting that I've already decided? If I thought Ireland was England with differnt accents and more Catholicism I wouldn't be leaning that way!

Ireland and the UK have a reciprocal agreement where both can live and work in each other's counties, transfer national insurance contributions, claim benefits, work... Have done for decades.

I can get help with medical costs if I'm on minimum wage. Electricity is cheaper in Ireland than the UK, gas is a lot more though you're right. I only need to pay for 1 phone, adult children pay for their own. Car insurance IS vey expensive, yes. I am excellent at budgeting, I spend about £150/month on food at the moment. Never had a professional haircut as an adult, no point starting now. Don't drink coffee and can make my own tea at home, ditto cake! Don't eat out. The kids are over 18 and pay their own way.

@WinterDeWinter the common travel agreement precedes brexit, Irish and Brits can come and go and work between the countries as much as they want.

@Bid876 and @HardieHa thanks - I can't believe I got that wrong. Are there any entitlements (apart from the right to work in other EU countries) that UK residents don't have if they move to Ireland?

sorry to derail maybe I should make my own thread?

@WinterDeWinter British citizen living in Ireland can't vote in Presidential or European elections or in Referendums- not sure it that counts as a benefit or not!

Housing is a massive issue at the moment OP. I would sort that first. If there's a cheap location, do your research, there's probably a reason.

Not sure what you mean by recovering? From what?

A lot of the problems in the cheaper areas seem to stem from the lack of well paid jobs, the same as it is in the north of England. There is also a problem with pyrite being used as a building material, especially in Donegal, in houses build between 1980 and 2010. Lack of mains sewage and internet and/or nothing for many miles but I'm not looking that rurally.

And I mean the financial recovery from Covid and Ukraine which has caused issues in almost every country. Ireland is much better placed to recover as the UK has the added problem of Brexit to contend with. Ireland entered a technical recession in the first quarter of 2023 but has overall growth for the year is expected and inflation is down.

OP this is a very strange thread and you certainly have an unusual take on socio-economic issues.

I think if you moved to Dublin you would be in for quite a shock. I visit there often and while it is beautiful and vibrant - the lifestyle for those in minimum wage is very hard.

Ireland is not large and well paid jobs are in a commutable distance if all but the most remote areas. The problem in deprived areas isn’t lack of well paid jobs - the problem is too many people with no qualification who can’t access those jobs.

you seem to have read a couple of articles and be weirdly focused on pyrite. While you ofcourse homeowners should be aware - it’s not your biggest concern by a country mile.

you don’t seem to actually want advice on moving to Ireland. I’m not sure you have even visited or know much about the culture, lifestyle or cost of living but you are dismissive of any advice you are given -!: don’t seem to have a ball park budget for your home. As others have said it must be a big inheritance if you are considering buying in Dublin.

it’s not even clear why you want EU citizenship - given the freedoms you currently have to move to and work in Ireland you must want it so you can move to and work in mainland Europe? Is this a realistic goal?

. It is a culture shock here though , most towns won't have shops like you are used to in the UK. We've only 2 supermarkets, no DIY store or shops like poundland / home bargains etc . For shops like these you either need to go to the city or order online but we have a good postal system.

This isn't exactly true? The larger towns have lots of shops and there are many large towns in Ireland.

My town has Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi,a large electrical store, large sports shop, bookshops, health food shops,two diy/ buliders suppliers shops, two homewares shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, poundshops as well as banks,two post offices, credit union etc. And probably many others I haven't thought to list.

It's not just a choice of a city or a two-shop town OP. And house prices are lower outside the city. Many people commute for work to the nearest city though. Picking a town with good bus or train links can make this an option, though travel is expensive also and needs to be factored in.

I have heard that train infrastructure is pretty poor but that trains and buses are cheaper than in the UK. I believe the UK has the most expensive public transport system in Europe, or was it the world?

Thanks for the info.

Trains infrastructure isn't great and certainly expect delays due to works on Bank Holiday weekends. Train prices are significantly cheaper than the UK in my experience if you book in advance.

With all due respect you ask for advice but then reject every piece of advice given?
Why not consider moving further north ie Lincolnshire

Not sure if this has been mentioned but the price on daft isn’t what properties go for. We’ve been outbid so many times. You can add another 50k on top of daft prices if not more. We’re in Dublin so country might be different.

I've corrected the advice that was wrong, took on, researched, confirmed and thanked people for things that weren't. I have ruled out Dublin now thanks to the information given, I will be sticking to looking around smaller towns. The biggest issue with cost of living in Ireland seems to be renting, rents are 50% than in the UK, but that isn't an issue for me. Obviously I'll have to take a few trips, see what's available work and house wise but with Ryanair flights being often less than £30 return, it won't break the bank to go over several times! Even car hire is pretty cheap over there, I was surprised. It was WAY more in NI.

I approve of your recommendation, thanks, it's good to know somebody agrees with at least one of my chosen options! Lincolnshire is at the top of my 'north' my list, I love it there. Very flat! Great for cycling. Lincoln is a pain to research though as even if you Google Lincoln UK, half of the info that comes up is about Lincoln Nebraska which seems to have a massive crime problem! Thankfully Lincoln, Lincolnshire doesn't.

Thanks everyone for the info. I can't do what all of you suggest as there's only one of me but I will take it all into consideration and it has helped me to know what to look into.

@garlictwist If you're over 18, of good character and meet the residency requirements (about 5 years) then yes you can apply for citizenship.

I will be honest and say I do not believe for a second this lady will move to Ireland. This has been the oddest thread I have seen.

she seems to want to prove to everyone how clever she is by googling every random fact to prove she knows more than the people she has asked advice from. I really am at a loss as to why she posted this on her she believes she knows best and knows everything!!

I wish you luck and it’s whatever happens in your life.

Yes, there is a distinct sense of that. And I don’t think there’s the slightest chance this move will happen, either. Which is just as well, frankly. Moving countries to somewhere you don’t know at all, purely for the possibility of an EU passport in the future, when you have very little money and will be on minimum wage jobs, would be unwise.

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It was nearly always like that (save for a post 2008 blip of a few years).

However recently houses weren't getting their asking price in very expensive areas post the Covid boom.

Ok. What do you do when someone gives you advice? Do you accept it blindly or look into it. I thought I was being helpful to point out when people were wrong because I prefer not to be but maybe I am in a minority there.

I was looking for more information, that's why I posted, and I used that information to find out more. But I know I can come across as a bit of a know-it-all so I accept that criticism.

You are right that it's probably just a pipe dream, but dreams are worth exploring, aren't they? And exploring them online is much safer and cheaper than upping and moving somewhere armed with no information at all.