What comes first to your mind when you think of Ireland? Guinness, Leprechauns, and Irish luck? Well, it’s not that far from the truth. We have prepared some pros and cons of living in Ireland for you. Explore and find out if this country is a perfect fit for you.
Things to know about Ireland
15,5% of the Irish population are citizens of other countries. Overall, more than 5 million people reside in Ireland. It’s not an overpopulated country, meaning you’ll find some personal space and job opportunities here.
The Republic of Ireland (Southern Ireland) is an independent country with the capital Dublin. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, so living in Northern Ireland is quite different. Don’t get it confused.
Ireland is popular among tourists because of its vibrant culture, rugged terrain and friendly locals. Before relocating, consider visiting the country for a trip — it will be fun and comfortable, and you’ll experience all the pros and cons of life in Ireland, which is quite near the United Kingdom, in advance. If you have time, visit the UK as well!
Now, it’s time to talk about living in Ireland more specifically.
Advantages of living in Ireland
We can talk about it for hours, but here are the facts we like about Ireland the most.
English is an official language
As an expat, you’ll be fine with understanding locals if you know English. It’s a unique situation for Europe, so Ireland gets +100 karma points for that. Of course, learning Irish (or Gaelige, as locals call it) will help you to blend in faster, but for a start, English is enough.
Good starting hub for exploring Europe
As someone living in Ireland, you can move freely across borders and stay in European countries for up to 90 days. Even though the country is located on an island, you can take a flight or a ferry (for the authentic experience) and visit France, Germany, Norway, and so much more.
The crime rate is low
Living in Southern Ireland (and Northern Ireland, if you’re interested) is safe. The Republic is believed to be one of the safest European countries, with a constantly decreasing crime rate. So there’s no need to panic about your phone being stolen. However, we do recommend taking care of your belongings wherever you go.
Ireland is a vibe
When discussing the pros and cons of living in Ireland, mentioning pubs is a must. Before moving to Ireland, read our Guinness guide to get the most out of Irish pub culture.
Beer is cool, but there's more. Living in Southern Ireland means going to concerts and festivals in Dublin, having fun and exploring the best hiking destinations. It’s the country that won’t make you bored.
Life is less stressful
Expats living in Ireland sense that this country is chill. Locals value work/life balance, so they take every opportunity to enjoy their lives and don’t rush. Ireland is an excellent place to go if you’re tired from a constant race at your university or job.
As appealing as it may seem, there’s always the fly in the ointment. So, what are the disadvantages of living in Ireland?
Disadvantages of living in Ireland
You’ll be far away from your friends and family
Unfortunately, the price of moving abroad and living in Southern Ireland is your personal connections. Especially during the first year, you may feel lonely and vulnerable. In case it happens, try to connect more with locals, make calls with your close ones, and maybe have a therapy session with a good psychologist.
If you need to support your loved one financially, Profee is here to help you. Our service provides fast and secure transfers from Ireland — send gifts to your families back home and then set a call to chit-chat about your current life in Ireland.
The weather
It’s sweater weather most of the year here. One of the obvious pros and cons of Ireland, like the United Kingdom, its neighbour, is that not everyone is ready for rainy days and grey skies. Good thing, you get used to it, and every day can become brighter with friends, family, and a glass of Guinness.
The cost of living in Ireland is high
Let’s be real — the cost of living in Ireland isn’t something you can ignore, especially with the housing crisis going on. Sure, once you’re earning local wages, you’ll be alright. But seriously, saving up a bit before making the move is a good idea.
Conclusion
Now you know more about the pros and cons of living in Ireland. We’ve covered the most important aspects from the cost of living in Ireland to language usage, but there’s always room for exploring more. Start with our other articles. See you there!
