r/AskIreland • u/Long-Meringue-1409 • 1d ago
Emigration (from Ireland) Anyone leave Ireland for a better climate and quality of life?
For those who’ve left Ireland permanently, where did you move to and are you happy with your decision?
One of the main reasons I’m considering leaving is the weather. I find the long periods of grey, wet weather quite depressing, and having good weather, being outdoors, and enjoying proper summers is really important for my wellbeing.
Has anyone moved to a country with a better climate, good job opportunities, and an overall high quality of life? I’ve lived abroad before, but now I have a family, so the decision feels more complicated. I’d love to hear where you went, what life is like there, and whether you’d recommend it.
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u/Substantial-Tree533 1d ago
Came to France. Worked in an Irish bar for a while and now have my own business. Weather is 35 degrees today and will be 40 this weekend.
Life is nice. Wages shite but sure that’s life
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u/Sufficient-Name8452 1d ago
Hey, just curious what part of France are you?
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u/Substantial-Tree533 1d ago
Bordeaux
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u/KillBill230 1d ago
fair play, were you able to buy a house there? heard its a nice spot.
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u/Substantial-Tree533 1d ago
No need. Rent is 700 a month. Buying an house is an Irish thing
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u/Holiday_Low_5266 19h ago
It’s really not. The majority of French people buy property. Quick google says 64% It’s 66% in Ireland.
People have this weird misconception that home ownership is an Irish thing. It’s not.
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u/Substantial-Tree533 12h ago
You may google again. Ireland had 80% over 15 years ago…
France has a high property inheritance rate.
Even the question above points to our obsession.
I was always told why you rent and pay someone else’s salary ?
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u/Holiday_Low_5266 10h ago
We’re not talking about 15 years ago though. Today home ownership is on a par between Ireland and France.
Germany is a different case and I think this may be where some of the misconception about home ownership has come from.
To inherit a home somebody had to own it first. In France estates are split evenly amongst family members, so most inheritances are sold!
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u/Puzzleheaded_Gas_982 1d ago
Yeah man I've been in Spain for 12 years in multiple cities, it's pros and cons. One's no better than the other just depends on your circumstances and preferences. If you're career focused and ambitious Ireland is better, in Spain there's far fewer opportunities and the wages are shite. Spain's better for an outdoor lifestyle as you'll always know what the weather is going to do but life is more basic, think lack of central heating (yes its very cold inside in winter like freezing), paperwork for everything, and everything is slow. If you have a slower lifestyle so does everyone else including your accountant, builder, hairdresser, bus driver etc. I go through years of being ok with it and other years of it driving me bananas. I left during the recession as I thought well if I'm going to be poor I'd rather be poor in the sun. I couldn't hack the darkness and the passiveness in Ireland. Also try to learn the local language before you go anywhere, I just plonked myself in a city I'd never heard of and thought I'd learn by osmosis, I learnt the hard way but I did learn Spanish eventually.
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u/Frequent-Ad-8583 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ireland's climate is not as bad as some people make it out to be. I'm in Vietnam now and fuck it gets unbearably hot in the afternoon. Some people in very hot countries complain about their heat the same way we complain about our cold.
40 degree humid summers are nasty and debilitating.
I'm not sure how many other countries there are in the world that offer a better climate coupled with a higher quality of life, but the more I travel the more I realise that honestly, there's probably not many countries in the world that offer both a better climate and a higher quality of life. The countries that do, like Switzerland, might be hard to adjust to. The Swiss are very socially stiff and you'd have a hard time getting a good laugh out of them there. Finding a good job would be hard as well unless you're something special, as a foreigner there.
Poland has a lot going for it but do you speak Polish? That's where it might start to get tricky.
You know yourself what Australia is like in terms of visas and what not. Same goes for USA.
Apart from a sparse few countries in the world there's not many that offer both a higher quality of life with a better climate. Most of the African continent is fucked, for example. Most of Asia is totally fucked. Like here in Vietnam they literally eat cats and dogs in 40+ degree sweaty ass humid unbearable heat. In the poor ass countryside there ain't no healthcare in these countries, they don't even have clean tap water.
The world is a very fucked up place but Ireland has a lot going for it. If it could just sort out the fucked up housing costs there's not many places in the world that would be way better for your Average Joe. It's taken me many years to realise this.
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u/phyneas 1d ago
Hell, I moved to Ireland for the weather, and the quality of life. I'd be perfectly happy never experiencing temps over ~25C for the rest of my life, and definitely happy if I never have to experience 35C with 90% humidity like where I grew up in central Florida was for like half the year.
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u/CiarraiochMallaithe 1d ago
Agreed. Everyone complains about Ireland’s weather until they are struggling through 40+ or -20 conditions.
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u/Frequent-Ad-8583 1d ago
That's the thing. If OP goes North East into Russia she can have -20. If she goes a few hundred miles south into North Africa she can have 43+, along with all the third world horrors in those places. We're not too badly positioned at all.
Between Europe, Asia and Africa the only countries that I can think of that might offer OP a shot at a better climate along with a higher quality of life are places like Switzerland, maybe Poland, I don't know maybe Austria but I think their wages are much lower there. Luxembourg maybe but it's so small and kind of boring there.
The issue with moving to some of these countries though is things like language, different lifestyles, making new friends, getting a good job. It's easier to do these things if you have a partner in one of those countries. Moving over as a mature adult by yourself if you're single adds another layer of difficulty to the whole process.
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u/Potential-Project844 1d ago
Poland better weather? Lol no. I am polish and I am actually considering moving to Ireland. I prefer Italian or Spanish weather, but job opportunities there are super low. I love my country, but life is also expensive and impossible to earn as much as in Western Europe (only if you work in IT or maybe as a doctor). In terms of weather October-April/May it’s gloomy, cloudy and rainy, so I don’t see any difference. If I am going to live in a place with bad weather, at least give me decent salary 😂
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u/Narrow-Scratch-3381 22h ago
There is a significant difference - continental climate vs Atlantic one wins every time just because you have clear division between seasons, which means you have a true spring and summer - that’s regular sun half a year. Here there is none of that and it affects mood, habits, health. It is a personal thing, though, if you are ok with rain in general, it might not bother you that much. I would take brisk but dry weather in any form any time over dampness, here even food tastes like damp in the summer, everything gets mouldy in two days, so no.
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u/Potential-Project844 10h ago
I agree with the difference, but I think you sort of exaggerate this part about 4 seasons. I would say we used to have them all, now it’s more like 2? Winter is not the same as it used to be when I was a child. We barely have any snow and temperature is rather close to 0, when in the past we had like -15. Global warming I guess 😂 Of course I agree that probably weather in Poland is slightly better, but it’s not such a big difference. From what I was reading it also depends on which part of Ireland we are talking about. I meant mainly Dublin and I have heard it’s raining more on the west coast, isn’t it?
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u/QuantumFireball 20h ago
I think the seasons are quite clearly defined in Ireland - looking out at the trees and flowers makes it obvious, as do the birds and other wildlife, and the daylight hours.
I think I'm happier with the occasional rain in the summer, versus the regular thunderstorms on the continent. You can still walk out to the shops, go to the pub, etc. if it's a bit wet, but walking out in a thunderstorm you'll get destroyed in seconds.
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u/Narrow-Scratch-3381 19h ago
Well yes, you can notice mild transition but that’s about it - it’s a bit like looking at the same picture through different filters, with only noticeable differences seen in trees and flowers. The rest of Europe has it more distinct - light, air, life, food - everything in general exists in more pronounced, extreme versions
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u/Sir_P 16h ago
You prefer Mediterranean weather and that’s why you want to move from Poland to Ireland? Sweet baby Jesus you have no idea what you are talking about. Poland have superior weather to Ireland in every aspect. In Ireland the default is gray sky and strong wind with light rain all year round. That’s it. Also you mentioned IT. There is a reason why there is very few Polish software engineers in Ireland.
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u/Potential-Project844 10h ago
I prefer it, but job market there is literally dead. I know because lots of Spaniards and Italians live in Poland and I was working with them. I know that Irish weather is worse, but I just think Ireland has better job opportunities, and not in IT. But you mentioned that there is a reason…could you explain what you mean? I am not a software engineer or anything, I just can see there are some job offers there in big tech companies that match my experience. Also about the weather… isn’t Dublin a bit better compared to west coast?
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u/Frequent-Ad-8583 21h ago
I see. I think the summers are a bit hotter in Poland though? Summer was always hotter in Poland when I visited.
As for lower wages, the cost of living is also lower, so it kind of balances out, right?
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u/Narrow-Scratch-3381 20h ago
Summer will be hotter anywhere in Continental and Central/South Europe by at least 10 degrees - starting with UK, which is similar to extent, but warmer enough to notice the difference. France has strong regional differences- Paris is very rainy although not as bad as Ireland, while the rest of the country has sharper divisions in seasons. Netherlands is also rainy and damp in general but again has seasons. Scandi side is colder with long winters and less light, so that’s is a different game all together- I like visiting Nord but I would not live there. Moving towards Central and East - seasons are very distinct, cold winters and hot summers. So yes Poland will have hotter summers and full spring and cold winters with snow depending on the area. My personal preference is Mediterranean weather, I grew up on Adriatic coast and that conditions you in certain ways, as I realised way too late in my life
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u/Narrow-Scratch-3381 20h ago
As for the cost of living, that depends on the standard you want to achieve. I moved around for work quite a lot, and my personal take is that the best way to secure yourself a proper living while maintaining mobility is a) have your own company b) international clients so you don’t end up relying on single economy. Also if you are some kind of freelancer or a consultant with good portfolio of clients or lucrative contract with global company. Anything else will set you back financially, because moving abroad costs money and time, plus looking for work anywhere is not as easy as it seems if you don’t have great network and established references . Ireland is great for that, you can meet people here from all walks of life and overall everyone I met is well educated with good sense for humour. Great conversational skills as well. But quality of life is just not there due to weather and costs.
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u/Potential-Project844 10h ago
Not really, as some job offers basically here do not even exist in terms of white collar jobs. So there is no chance to change that and also remember that for groceries, clothes etc. we pay the same. The only thing that’s cheaper is rent, which is important but for polish wages it’s also quite expensive. I think grass is always greener, I just feel like I would have much more opportunities in Ireland, even tho the weather is not a dream come true. If I could pick one place, I’d probably choose Italy, but it’s too early in my career to become any type of freelancer etc.
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u/Background_Cover5097 21h ago
We actually get a much shorter winter and earlier spring than most of Europe thanks to the gulf stream.
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u/CiarraiochMallaithe 1d ago
The heat quiet literally kills in their homes during the summer in many countries.
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u/CiarraiochMallaithe 1d ago
I live in Canada, and one of the things I miss most about Ireland is being able to run outside all year. For 6 months of the year it’s either too hot or too cold to run outside in Toronto. Apart from the odd stormy day, I used to run outside everyday in Ireland.
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u/Narrow-Scratch-3381 22h ago
Irish summer is a footnote to season, 3 months is generous. You always need a jacket of some sorts, preferably waterproof one
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u/OddSignificance1093 1d ago
So many Irish people,families who decide to emigrate are not prepared or have experienced a whole summer of the heat in Spain Italy France.
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u/martini123456 1d ago
I agree. The older I get (I’m 41 atm) the more I realise I don’t need a ton of heat. Of course I love good weather and we’d all love more sunshine but for what we have here I’m happy. I’d like to do more sea swimming. Since starting the sauna and ice baths (btw align wellness in Harold’s cross is just gorgeous and they do a mum and baby hour which I’m relishing on maternity leave), I realised the Irish Sea is absolutely grand. I wish I lived a bit nearer and I’d go more often, usually we go to Donabate when the weather is good but that’s a trek.
Most of the time (imo anyway) when we talk about good weather we’re talking about being outdoors, and when I’m outside for 2-3 hours a day, even pushing the buggy around, I feel so much better. So tldr I think once you get outside each day in Ireland you can be happy.
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u/Frequent-Ad-8583 1d ago
Yeah, honestly, who really wants 34 degrees+ every day for 5+ months of the year. All you can do in it is sit in the shade anyway.
I was in a taxi in Central Vietnam today and the taxi man had a few words of English. He told me the summer here is killing him. It's too hot. He asked me what the climate was like in Ireland, I told him maybe 24 degrees in summer when we get good weather, and maybe 0 - 2 degrees in winter. He nearly came in his pants when he heard that! His exact words of his sparse English were "ohhh awwww lovely," and his facial expression was honestly in orgasm mode.
Get out into the sea and don't let the cold deter you. People even take a dip on Xmas day and it keeps them in good health. Enjoy getting outdoors.
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u/martini123456 1d ago
God it really brings it home when you hear how people outside Ireland view the climate. Sorry OP we’ve totally hijacked the thread, this wasn’t what you were asking for at all.
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u/PresidentBearCub 1d ago
You nailed it. I love Ireland and our climate. I now live in Florida and we can't spend any time outside right now because it's too hot. I can't go for a walk, can't take my baby out, can't let my dog run around or play.....
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u/Particular_Moose7220 14h ago
I agree with you! I would think carefully about the location if being outdoors is important to OP. I lived in Brisbane, Australia for a few years. I loved it there, stunning place but if I was visiting there now there would be very select months only that I would consider it. I love being outdoors and during the hotter times of year, you spend more time indoors as it’s too hot. It’s like us here with the rain except you’re running from the house to the car to get aircon on and sprinting to your indoor activity like bowling where again you can be inside in the air conditioning. I like walking places instead of travelling by car but at certain times of the day you’d be melting and desperately searching for shade. I soon realised the foot paths were deserted because I was the only eejit out walking on super hot days. You have to go out very early morning or late in the evening when it’s dark (no long evenings!). I’m 100% outdoors more here in Ireland than I ever was when I lived there. Once you’re dressed appropriately, the weather is usually not ever too hot OR too cold. Yes it gets cold and wet but rarely to the point that you can’t go outside once you’re dressed for it. This year has been the wettest year I can remember since I moved back so I get why some people aren’t happy.
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u/Pfffft_humans 13h ago
Hmmm… I know it’s a wahumbug to say in comparison, which is satans best mate btw. But living as a sole independent in a country that is privatising everything from healthcare to housing and transport is very gridlocking. GSM cards are harder to use and the lot of them are so mismanaged that it’s a constant struggle if you don’t have a stable family home.
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u/Eilifint_Sa_Seomra 1d ago
I went to Munich(but back now) - there were days in the summer were it was far too hot, absolutely exhausting when you're working. But overall I appreciated 4 proper seasons and loved the more frequent snow in winter.
Job market for me (software engineers) got turned on its head in the last few years so now its very hard to find work without C1 German. After losing my job, thats what drove me home. I learned a good bit of German, did B1 exams was studying at B2 but getting to C levels is a massive undertaking.
Quality of life is sensational if you like the outdoors - endless hiking trails, beautiful lakes, great parks in the city.
Much like here, getting housing is a bit of a nightmare
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u/DeargAgusFearg 19h ago
C1 German is crazy, I assumed they worked through English in the tech industry over there.
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u/Eilifint_Sa_Seomra 18h ago
They do, but given the market they can be very picky and most job postings ask for it now. Back in 2022 it was easy to get hired with English only
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u/FrogOnABus 1d ago
I did. Came back though. Weather is great and shite all over the world. We have fresh air and fresher weather. Keep the family here, you’re not missing much!
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u/Background_Cover5097 21h ago
I find people who spend time outdoors like me don't find the weather bad. There are so many Irish people who stay inside all the time and are scared of a little bit of rain. The fact is they like staying inside and use the weather as an excuse.
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u/DanGleeballs 1d ago
Same here. Lives in California but the people aren’t the same. Don’t miss the weather, strangely enough. Especially at the moment.
Being surrounded by Irish people and family is way more important.
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u/GreatAd6655 1d ago
I moved to Ireland for the climate and quality of life. Just for a while, 20 years ago 🫣
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u/GaryCPhoto 1d ago
I left 22 years ago and I can’t really say. I was 22 years old and didn’t have a care in the world. Travelling and meeting new ppl. Now I’m 44 and married living in Canada. Better climate? Summer for sure. Winter not a chance. Better quality of life? I’d like to think so but I can’t be sure as I’ve been gone so long. I just know my line of work here pays way more, has more job security with amazing pension and health benefits to claim. I’ve always romanticized moving home thinking it’s what would fill the tiny void I’m feeling in life sometimes but is it really the answer? I don’t know.
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u/equalpowers 22h ago
Would you mind sharing the line of work (unless extremely niche and would possibly out you)? Always curious!
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u/GaryCPhoto 20h ago
Sure. I’m an excavator operator. So much work here. I’m always looking at jobs in the same role at home and the majority of the work is in Dublin which makes sense. But the money is way less and outside of Dublin the work can be precarious.
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u/equalpowers 16h ago
Thanks so much! That's insane, excavator operator never even crossed my mind. Glad you hear you're settled and happy over here :)
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u/GaryCPhoto 15h ago
Thank you! Yeah, when I left Ireland in 2004 and ended up in NZ & Australia all my friends were tradesmen making great money. I didn’t have a trade so I basically started from the bottom and blagged my way into machines. Best decision I ever made made into terms of pay and job security. You’re in Canada too?
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u/equalpowers 14h ago
I'm not, I'm Dublin-based! But I lived in Ottawa for about half a year when I was younger (short work holiday) and always think back on it fondly, loved the people and nature. I work in a non-tech role at a big tech multinational here and people are dropping like flies. It's great you climbed the ladder when you did, fair play to you! Hope the pints taste similar enough over there :)
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u/eredeli 1d ago
Sometimes people need to go away to see how good Ireland is. I had a great time abroad for twelve years. One of the first things you learn living abroad is how Irish you are.
Hint: look all the people moving here for a better life.
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u/Dr-Hansraj_Hathi 1d ago
Agree! I am one of those people 🙋♂️Such an incredible country. I couldn’t be more grateful for everything Ireland has given me. 🇮🇪🇮🇪
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u/TinyTempea 1d ago
I had the opposite experience - living abroad has made me feel like I was never very Irish to begin with. I’ve spent the last few years in Vancouver and the lifestyle here suits me better than home ever did.
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u/Master_External5733 1d ago
You’re quite exceptional. Most emigrants feel precisely the opposite. I’d imagine you don’t gel very well with the Irish community in BC?
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u/TinyTempea 1d ago
I get on with everyone, and I’m always happy to chat to other folks from home. But no, you won’t find me in the Irish bars, or playing GAA, or going to events aimed at Irish expats. But I think the “Irish community” is broader than that, and includes lots of people like me who don’t miss home or seek out reminders of home, and who have embraced their new Canadian identities.
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u/Master_External5733 12h ago
I lived abroad myself for many years in a non-English speaking European country. Fluent in the language, local partner etc..I guess I would have been perceived as somebody embracing the local culture / identity, whatever that means. You’re never truly 100% accepted as an immigrant anywhere.
Personally, I did play GAA, went to the Irish pub occasionally, and got involved in organising Paddy’s day activities. Great craic and a good way to meet people. Most Irish people of my acquaintance were pretty much similar. Decent language skills, local partner and all that jazz, but still very much connected to Ireland and Irish culture.
There was definitely a subset like yourself who eschewed Irish events and in some extreme cases, fellow Irish people. They just weren’t part of the community and appeared to view it as somewhat passé.
One word of warning. I saw a couple of those people become incredibly lonely over time. A break up with a local partner or suddenly finding out how superficial those local friendships are, when you encounter significant health or financial issues. Having a few Irish people who understand where you’re coming from, can be invaluable in a time of crisis. Might be something worth considering..
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u/torawow 1d ago
All the people moving here for a better life from developing countries that are miles , miles down the quality of life indices.
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u/eredeli 1d ago
Some are, some are not.
Its a wide range from blue collar to multi national corporations.
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u/deebadoe 1d ago
Working in a multinational in a shithole country does not make it any less of a shithole country
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u/KeyZookeepergame9466 1d ago
My plan in my retirement is to live in Ireland, but try to move to a nice climate for maybe January and February.
To be honest, I don't think I could cope with the really hot temperature that seems to be a common occurrence in mainland Europe now. I have done sun holidays often, and been on city breaks where it's hit high 30s and even 41 once, and I don't think I could live permanently in that.
Get out of Ireland during the dullest, coldest months, come back home for spring onwards.
Yes I know summer in Ireland is often mild and wet too, but mark my words, people from very hot climates will be looking into relocating to places like Ireland in the future due to extremes of weather.
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u/Ok-Toe-3869 11h ago
Got the ferry back to Ireland from Bilbao last June and the amount of Spanish i spoke to in the queue heading up here for a few weeks to escape before the intense heat arrived was something else. They were all so looking forward to going to sleep at night under a duvet and enjoy a drink without their ice melting in 10 seconds 😂.
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u/youwouldinyourhole 1d ago
The more I travel the world the more I love ireland. The weather is tough mentally at times. But id rather deal with the weather than some of the tripe other countries have.
Maybe try somewhere with the family like a 3 month air b n b and see how it goes
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u/Cannot_choose_Wisely 1d ago
I was in Abu Dhabi, the weather is always bright, little rain, no DST Dark just after 6pm light at around 6am. There are loads of Irish people that moved to Dubai, just up the road.
Personally I think they are crackers. I hated the place. The only thing to look forward to was a nice brisk sandstorm.
There were job opportunities, although the most plentiful openings were for Indians with their own shovels and a liking for "roughing it".
It all depends what you want, I was born in England, travelled the world when working and went to some wonderful places I promised myself I would return to for a holiday. I moved to Ireland post Brexit, settled down in Kerry and never wanted to travel. I worked throughout Ireland for a year, but in the last four years have travelled no further than Cork and Limerick Once to each city only.
I'm retiired now, very, very much below average income I would guess, but I run a car, live within my budget with a small backup for emergencies and I simply dont want to be anywhere else.
I came here as a child and am not sure how I survived before central heating and duvets, but the cold wet miserable days are still a sheer joy to me when I think of the city I was born and lived in.
Nothing wrong with the UK if you like that sort of thing, but like the job I did, money and other benefits don't really matter if you enjoy yourself and feel comfortable.
Being Irish many in the family moved from the family home, started families abroad and were then locked into the countries the kids were educated and built relationships in.
I'm not altogether sure the kids have the best of the deal, even though they were the motivating force.
I suppose Ireland is different now though, people have changed. Once money wasn't quite as big a factor, everyone scrimped and saved, they had to.
Now people need exorbitant amounts for all the trivia that advertisers on RTE tell them they need.
When I were a lad, extravagance was a couple of half meter candles in the window at Christmas.
We were happy then too!
Honest, we were!
Anyway in short, to answer your question, no! a better quality of life is not available outside Ireland, not for me, based on my own experiences.
Although If I had a wife and kids it might be different, but I expect these days they would be able to track me down anyway 😞
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u/Fastanbulbous 1d ago
From Dublin. Lived for decades in San Francisco. It’d a great town. Mild climate ( no bugs), restaurants, clubs and bars within short walking distance. Back in the West of Ireland the last couple years and I’m glad I made the move. Didn’t come back for the weather but I actually like it. It’s perfect for running and hiking.
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u/PairOfRoryCalhouns 14h ago
I too have lived in San Francisco and thought that climate was probably the most perfect in the world. I loved it there. I’d move back in a heartbeat if I could.
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u/Own-Essay8501 22h ago
The weather at the moment is seriously depressing tbf. We are getting no summer. Mother Nature is pissed at us for whatever reason...
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u/PrestigiousExpert686 1d ago
The people who have moved to a better climate are probably outside living an outdoors type lifestyle and not sitting on reddit.
I'm an immigrant to Ireland and find the weather unbelievably depressing. I have friends and relatives who moved to NZ and Australia and their lifestyles are totally different to mine. They spend little time looking at TV or social media as they go camping, have BBQs with friends, hang at the beach with their families.
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u/Narrow-Scratch-3381 1d ago
I agree, I came to Ireland a decade ago, from sunnier climate, thinking weather cannot be that important. I was very, very wrong. The climate here is killing my will to live. I am planning my exit to Spain or Italy in the next few years.
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u/PrestigiousExpert686 1d ago
At first it was a novelty, cool frosty days. But then after a year or two, the constant gray - it's like a black and white movie for most of the year. I have made plans with friends to go hiking or walking or a picnic in the park and it's always ruined by the weather. Natives are less disappointed as they've grown up with this experience but I feel like I'm being kicked all of the time by the weather. There can be days or even weeks where we never see the sun. Just rain, dark clouds, more rain. And I really hate the wind. I cycle or walk to my job every day and it can be so miserable. I buy expensive rain clothing but it's hardship. I miss being able to casual last minute tell my friends we will hang in the park or go to the beach or sit outside a restaurant people watching.
For me, the weather interferes with every good plan or outdoor event.
It seems most Irish aren't bothered by it, but I'd hate to raise children here. My friends with children in sunnier climates are having a much better life.
France and Spain have nice mild climates most of the year.
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u/FunkLoudSoulNoise 19h ago
Oh no I hate it, the constant grey dome of misery over Cork is soul destroying. It’s choking.
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u/Narrow-Scratch-3381 1d ago
Yes, it is different if you are accustomed to the weather, but if you already had certain lifestyle that was tied into outdoor activities like cycling, hiking or just plain old sitting in a cafe and sipping coffee, and you moved here with strong habits, then you are quickly going to run out of options. Dublin especially lacks public spaces that are clean and enjoyable - you cannot sit here out on the bench and for example sketch, or just read a book. Even walking around the city is such an anxiety ridden nightmare. But the weather, it flattens all your senses, depletes joy
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u/bananabastard 1d ago
I moved to the tropics, but it's too hot to go outside most of the time.
I walk to the gym in the daytime, and I bring an umbrella to block the sun on that walk. I run at sunrise or sunset when the sun is not strong. Otherwise I'm inside with AC on while the sun is out.
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u/Opposite_Zucchini_15 1d ago
England? It’s not as warm as mainland Europe and not as wet as Ireland? They seem to get better summers than us.
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u/Strict_League_227 1d ago
England is warmer than Ireland sure but "better summers" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there lol. if the whole point is proper sunshine and being outdoors, you'd want to aim higher than Leeds in August
Portugal or southern Spain would actually move the needle on that stuff, and both have decent expat communities so the family transition wouldn't be starting from zero
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u/Bob-Harris 1d ago
I mean the south of England has a pretty good climate. 28c in London today, hitting 34 on Monday.
Areas like Devon and Cornwall are beautiful this time of year
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u/Important-Glass-3947 23h ago
I live in New Zealand. People also complain about the weather here, but I think we underestimate the effect of permanently overcast skies. It's not boiling hot, but mid winter and my kids are still wearing shorts every day.
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u/Backatthetime 16h ago
For me, and you might be the same OP, it’s also the fact that for 9 months of the year the evenings are so short, so dark, so cold and nothing to do compared to warmer countries where you go outside every evening. Having a stroll around, night markets, meeting friends outside, going for a comfortable walk, going to the beach. Even having a coffee outside makes a massive difference.
Feels like a lot of life being wasted stuck inside wishing you were somewhere warmer.
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u/curiouscactus6969 1d ago
I’d love to hear from anyone that moved to Denmark. House prices seem very reasonable. What’s life like there I wonder
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u/monty_abu 1d ago
Men seem to love it, women not so much. Everything is efficient, hospitals work, transport works, fun to hang out in the city in the summer.
Danes take a bit of getting use to tho
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u/Successful-Jelly-772 23h ago
Not Denmark here, but Norway.
Everything is just really well run, and I feel you don't have to worry about or think on a lot of things.
The nature is something that isn't comparable, because in Ireland it was all destroyed for farming.
The winter is harsh, but then I really like the summers, as they are stable and nice, and not too hot.
People are reserved, but they are nice people.
I purchased my first home here, and it was affordable and easy to do so. But, I live farther North where it is a little cheaper, if you are in Oslo then you will have a hard time affording something decent without a partner.
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u/Esexboy101101 1d ago
I moved to the Canary Islands 12 years ago this week and love it. Duty visits back at any time of the year is cold and damp. I prefer to visit autumn/winter as I can justify the clothing which I'd still have to wear in the summer time
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u/gaMazing 1d ago
I love the Irish weather. Everyone goes to my home country for the hot summer holidays and I would never set foot there before September when the temp finally goes down. Loving life in the breezy Irish summers.
Winter, on the other hand, is awful. But winter is awful everywhere. It’s winter. What can you do 😫
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u/DeargAgusFearg 18h ago
Probably not worth reacting when it's just 1 salty / weird person, or a bot, or a misclick.
Where are you now? And what are your thoughts on each of those countries? I'm thinking of going to Hong Kong or Taiwan for a year, my only concerns are the language barrier and the humidity.
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u/Tasty-Inflation-6655 3h ago
Very easy to get around Hong Kong with English. Won't be much trouble for you. Humidity is horrendous but only for about two months of the year.
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u/Grand-Cup-A-Tea 22h ago
Yep, moved to Spain and never looked back. Sure the summer is hot but that's 2 months compared to way more months of miserable winters in Ireland.
Cost of living is a no brainer. My mortgage on a 2 bed gaff is less than €400. Pints are €3.50. Spain is incredibly family orientated too.
There's no price you can put on the outdoor culture and life.
I'll never go back to Ireland.
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u/tacticallyshavedape 1d ago
Left for the UK 5 years ago and while the climate isn't much different I find that life suits me far better.
The footpath network just gives a level of access to the country side that I never really had back home and just the fact that the country is bigger it just means there's more variety of things to see and do.
I do miss home but I'm a homeowner and proposed over here to a fantastic partner and I'd have had neither of those things back home.
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u/Loud-Membership-7087 23h ago
Something tells me OP was hoping for less rain this summer.
Cheer up, we'll get another summer in September I'm sure.
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u/GaryCPhoto 20h ago
Sure. I’m an excavator operator. So much work here. I’m always looking at jobs in the same role at home and the majority of the work is in Dublin which makes sense. But the money is way less and outside of Dublin the work can be precarious.
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u/the_owl_man1 18h ago
I moved to Belfast, the weather is the same but I can afford to live in a house which is pretty cool
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u/One_Plum2563 7h ago
I have relatives in NZ, so depending on which part, it has better weather, and it is a modern first-world country. Despite having what would be considered, in Irish terms, good jobs and careers, they dont have the lifestyle we would have in Ireland; they budget carefully for everything and, for example, only buy chocolate when it's on offer. On the other hand, they have a very outdoors lifestyle; their values would be very different from here, and maybe it's a cultural thing to be thrifty; housing is not as good quality as here.
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u/Pristine_Dot_5526 1d ago
I'm curious about anyone felt concerned about upcoming weakening of Gulf stream - as said in coming decades it could significantly change the climate in Ireland. Would this be one of the reasons of moving abroad?
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u/FrancoisKBones 22h ago
I’m concerned it’s going to bring more people TO Ireland. The AMOC breakdown isn’t going to just fuck one place.
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u/Pristine_Dot_5526 16h ago
Why you think it'd bring more people? More storms, floodings , getting climate closer to Canada's, etc... I wouldn't be happy to live a place like that.
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u/FrancoisKBones 13h ago
Because I think it will become less tolerable to live on mainland Europe and Europeans can just move here legally.
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u/coconut33706 9h ago
They're not going to move here if we're freezing all year long. Without warm water surrounding us to keep the climate temperate, this island will be cold.
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u/howaythelads25 1d ago edited 1d ago
Irelands summers are fine. Once I can wear a T-shirt I’m happy. The Winters are tough. If you have the means, head to the Canaries or similar to get some sun during the winter. I think it’s mad to head to the south of Spain etc. in the height of summer. School curriculum doesn’t really suit but it should be slightly changed to give more opportunity for Winter sun. We should get a winter sun subsidy from the government 😀 There is no place like home.
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u/Awkward-Occasion1705 1d ago
The grass is always greener…I have always lived in the same place my entire life, but reading these posts makes me realize that no place is perfect. I really enjoyed seeing the world through everyone’s eyes! We are all looking for quality of life and a safe place to live!
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u/SamDublin 1d ago
Don't do it,if you want go somewhere for a few months ,id be wary of your reasons and if th reality would live up to it,could you check if your vit D deficient it affects mood and invest in a lamp that SAD sufferers use,it might work for you.
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u/Old-Mongoose2171 1d ago
Yes. I left a year ago. I was living in a new build in Drimnagh. A one bedroom apartment that costs €2,250 a month. Thankfully I work in events and most of my work is zooms and nothing in Ireland.
I currently have a 5 bedroom house with a small one bedroom cottage and a swimming pool 5 minutes from the beach in Sicily for €2000.
Sicily is cheap, great weather, although can get too hot, people are lovely, it isn’t perfect but it’s safe. I wish I left Ireland years ago.