Moving to Ireland

[ashby]

Ok.... Really trying not to panic here as its totally not in my nature. However time is rapidly runnning out and im totally disorganized. On monday I fly out from Australia to Ireland, via Thailand for a 3 week stopover. Yes I know its a hard life but someones gotta live it. The problems not with Thailand, Ive been there a bunch of times so thats all sorted.

My feelings of panic stem from the fact that I arrive in Ireland with a very small amount of money (AU$2500), a work holiday visa, no place to stay and no job. My plan was to stay for a year with my Irish boyfriend, but im not feeling entierly reassured about that arrangement. My question or beg for help is for some advice on my chances of getting a job in Ireland and actually being able to survive on the income as well as doing some travel around Europe. So if ANYONE has any words or wisdom, stories, advice, anything about working and living in Dublin PLEASE help!!!!!

It sucks becasue I have worked my ass of for the last 6 months working 7 days a week to save for this move but it all seems to be falling apart. So instead of being excited about this new adventure im feeling terrified .....

[joe7f]

Just for reference 2500 AUD = 1500 EUROs

The money is a distraction from your real fear, the unknown. You are leaving your comfortable life in Australia for a more exciting but possibly more chaotic one in Ireland. It is completely understandably why you are getting nervous. So first things first, take a deep breath and then go get a beer.

Okay now about the money, 1500 Euros is a lot more than you think. When you are backpacking you can live reasonably cheaply, and with a work holiday visa your staying potential is pretty decent! If you are careful, it is definitely possible to live on 50 Euros in Dublin. 25 for a hostel, 25 for food and buses. So right there you got a full month. Not bad for a terrible scenario!

Fortunately for you, you are traveling to a country whose growth has been robust (at least by European standards) at a high time for the service industry.

You may not get the job of your dreams but anything that nets you 50 euros a day keeps you there. If you can get a job at a hotel/hostel/restaurant you may be able to eliminate your accomodation and/or eating costs.

If you are just getting a paycheck from whoever, you may want to look for roommate wanted signs.

Dublin is a great city and is the transportation heart of Ireland. You can get anywhere in the country from there. That said, you may want to look in other cities for jobs. If I was working in Ireland, I would be hitting Galway first. Just depends on what you are looking for.

Oh and the discount airlines all fly to Dublin. In fact, I think Dublin (other than London) maybe the best city to get to other cities in Europe. By living there you can be flexible and get those 1 euro plane tickets (which end up being about 40 after taxes and fees) to the continent.

Enjoy your trip you are going to have such a good time! When everything works out you need to come back to this thread okay? We'll want updates :D

--Joey

[MeTurk]

Dublin is not only one of the most expensive cities in Ireland but in all of Europe, you will hear locals complain allot about the cost of living in Ireland but after my recent trip to England I think we're beginning to gain allot more value for our euro. You can live cheaply though so I wouldn't worry. The likes of lidl and aldi have caused the price of shopping to plummet all over the country and even local farmers markets are fairly cheap. Going out is expensive (especially in Dublin) but it's common to buy drink cheaply in the shop and drink at home before you go out.

Dublin pays the best wages but like I said it is expensive and really if your looking for the Irish experience Dublin isn't the best place, it's become just like any other capitol city in Europe. Outside of Dublin wages aren't as high but neither is the cost of living and there's a much more relaxed attitude. I constantly miss days at work and having a hangover is an acceptable excuse to miss the odd Monday (depending on your boss). over 9 million tourists come to Ireland every year so there's always jobs in the service industry especially for English speaking Aussies, who usually seem to end up working in pubs.

You'll be grand though, you have someone there waiting for you (free accommodation??) which would make a big difference.

[ashby]

Thanks guys. It really helped to have someone reassure me that Im not completely insane in going on this adventure! Packing my bags at the moment and if anyone has ever had to pack both a long term summer and winter wardrobe (especially if ur a gal!) you will know how much this sucks!!Oh well good times ahead!!!

[joe7f]

Have fun!

--Joey

[louse]

Hey, I'm an aussie who just moved to Dublin!! In a much more disoraganised way then you.
About three weeks ago I decided I was sick of backpacking and so I booked my ticket to here for the 14th of June. I arrived with about 600 euros, 1 pair of pants with holes in them (well and some other clothes but I only had those pants to wear for the week I've been here. Oh and re. the whole packing for summer and winter thing... well... it is very cold and rainy here now. SO after thailand you will just need winter clothes )
The first day was extremely depressing, it was raining, I was tired from sleeping at the airport and being woken up regularly by the guards from 4am.
But the next day I decided to get organised... I went on daft.ie, an accomodation site, and found lots of places. I rang up one of them, went to see, and ended up staying the night at the farewell party for the previous tenant. The next morning I went back to my hostel, picked up my stuff and moved in immediately.
The rent is 250euros a month, including everything, which is probably the cheapest you will find. For this price, I am sleeping with one french and one polish guy. But no sex. Hahaha. Lots of people share rooms because it is so expensive.
I am currently looking for a job. It is apparently very easy especially for native speakers but I am lazy and don't want to start working. I have sent my cv into one temp agency (I am going to do temp work because I am only here for a few months) and the lady I sent it to has been off work for a few days so I have a nice excuse to just wait around for her to read it. SO you can get work through a temp agency or just handing in your cv to various places.. thats the method used by most people I talked to. But if you work in hospitality... well... one of my housemates was and he was earning minimum wage and then double that in tips!!!! Like, I think 700 or so a week. Which is very nice money.
So, that is my crazy tale. You really dont need to be scared, it will all be fine and lots of fun. If you have more questions feel free to ask.

[MeTurk]

Oh and re. the whole packing for summer and winter thing... well... it is very cold and rainy here now.

What are ya on about, this weathers not to bad atall! We're getting a bit of sunshine in between the downpours. I'm out me t-shirt all the time it's to hot to wear a jacket. We're due a good spell soon I'd say might even top the record of 28 degrees we got there a few weeks ago. I'd have to stay inside though, for fear I might burst into flames.

The rent is 250euros a month, including everything, which is probably the cheapest you will find.

That's very good for Dublin you wouldn't even get much more than a room to yourself around here for that price.

[louse]

Well, I've not seen any sun yet!!! Ok, so there is a small patch of blue in the sky today... but after Australia... even after mainland europe...

[MeTurk]

"Ok, so there is a small patch of blue in the sky today... but after Australia... even after mainland europe..." We're a rainy country but it'll make you appreciate the sun all the more when it finally does shine. Nothing beats a really good summers day in Ireland it's just that their rare and your usually stuck in work when they happen.

[Elizabeth]

LOL we missed each other again...I was just in Dublin for like 3 days.

Anyway I saw loads of help wanted signs walking around Temple Bar. 700 a week! damn I shouldn't have left!

[louse]

OMG IT DIDN'T RAIN TODAY!!! Fantastic.
In contrast we appreciate rain more in Aus because we never see that... so when it rains we go outside and stand in it