Would you move/do you live close to family

[Mumofone1xx]

Hi, I'm a single mum to a 7 year old. I live in the UK and my sister, her partner and 2 kids live about 30 mins away. Apart from that, my mum and my daughters dad and his mum live in Ireland. I've been going back and forth about the idea of moving to Ireland for probably the last year and feel I'm stuck in a real analysis paralysis with it all. I finished uni and have been in a full time grad job the last 3 months and it's exhausting. Doing it alone, using after school clubs and trying to keeo on top of everything has me burnt out. Juggling full time work, single parenting, housework etc. is so much harder than I imagined (missing the flexibility of university).

We have just been given a Section 21 from our letting agent as apparently the landlord needs the place back (we only moved here a few months ago) so have to move.

So it kind of feels like now is an opportunity to move if we wanted to. But I feel so stuck with it all. On one hand the support of my mum, my daughters dad and family would be great. I would need to move in with my mum and partner in Ireland and there is a massive housing crisis there at the moment and we would need our own space eventually but rent is extremely high there. But I feel like the extra support would give me so much more balance in my life as I am so exhausted and feel like I have lost my omph in life. But then the idea of leaving the life we have built here, my sister and 2 nephews, my friends, my daughters friends and pulling her out of school mid year breaks my heart.

Has anyone made a similar move? Feeling very stuck.

I lived 200 miles away from my family with my 3yr and 6yr old, there was no support and in all honesty nothing changed for me when lock down was implemented or ended. We moved nearer to my family at the start of the year, although we've had some struggles being near to family has been so important and my children have loved it.

Weigh the pros and cons. Do you think it’ll be more beneficial for both of you to stay or to move to Ireland?

Well having lived on the island of Ireland for over 30 years I would say move asap! The landscape and beaches make it worthwhile and the education is better here. Also, as you know, it won't be just your family helping it will be the entire community

It is great there in terms of landscape and education. But renting is through the roof (Kilkenny) and there is such a big housing shortage, I'd worry big time about housing. We could stay with my mum for a while but we are used to and need our own space so wouldn't want that to be long term. That's the biggest drawback, and jobs too.

Is your mom encouraging you to come? Is she happy to have you live with her and help mind your dc? I am in lreland. The job situation is pretty good or if you can work from home can you keep your present job. The biggest drawback will be getting a home for yourself here as there is a shortage and it is expensive. Did your mom move to Kilkenny or is that where you grew up?

Hi, yes she would have me there is a heartbeat. I have an environmental degree and graduated in the summer. It's quite hard to find work not in Dublin as a grad (currently in a grad job here). Yes housing is my biggest concern for sure, and general cost of living!

My mum is originally from Kilkenny and back there now, but I was brought up in UK and Dublin

Bump :)