emily71

I say go for it and I would love to live in the UK for a couple of years but know my skills are a dime a dozen. I known many people who lived overseas for a couple years than moved back. Do they regret the move. Not one. My mom always said if you're on your deathbed tomorrow is this the life you would have wanted to lead?

But being realistic, the job situation is not good. Young people are leaving Ireland just as fast as they were in the 1980s. Real Estate is cheaper but it's still expensive especially in Dublin.

Finally, if you do move, there will be an adjustment to the weather and to the more mundane aspects of living. I knew a woman who was an Anglophile and got a job in London. She had vacationed there and lived as a student for a semester. However, she became depressed about the cold summers, gloomy weather and dirt. Not to mention away from family and friends. She did get over it after 6 months and spent 5 happy years there but the adjustment was more painful than she ever imagined.

But after realistically assessing your plans, if you still want to go, I'd say go for it!

GreenDragon

Thanks, all, and I'll check out Corey's articles... he has some lovely stuff, usually.

Weather - I like it cool and dim, actually. Stormy weather is my favorite, and I prefer it around 50-60 degrees. Anything warmer and I'm unhappily sweating.

gablues

Green...As I am sure I have mentioned to you, I think our spring/summers here are wonderful!! After so many years of Atlanta high heat and humidity, this is pure enjoyment. April - Sept are my favourite months The lack of long days is the only thing I dislike about the other months...not really the weather.

GreenDragon

I've spent time in the winter in Maine, where the sun sets at 4pm and rises at 10am - I think it's similar there. While it was a bit unusual, it didn't bother me over much. And working as a CPA there are many times I never saw the sunlight during tax season, as I was working 80 hour weeks during the early months of the year - it is what it is.

egnolive

Hi GreenDragon,

Moving to Ireland is my dream too, but it will have to wait a few years.

I hope if you follow your dream, you will keep us posted about your journey, good and bad alike.

Good luck to you.

GreenDragon

Of course I will, egnolive! That's part of payback for the great advice

hetismij

I don't where in Maine the sun rises at 10 am - Dublin is further north than anywhere in Maine, and the latest the sun rises there is 08.41 .

GreenDragon

It must have been the grey overcast that fooled me

Padraig

In Ireland, the sun rises when it feels like doing so.

jaja

As one B&B hostess told me, "The sun is always shining in Ireland; it's just that sometimes it's behind the clouds." I guess that also applies to "sometimes it's on the other side of the world."

GreenDragon

There is no bad weather, just poor clothing choices

Honestly, I'd rather be out walking in the overcast day at 50 degrees than a sunny 80 degree day.

Cathinjoetown

I lived in Galway for a year in the early 90s. It has gone from bust to boom and back again. But, my Irish friends are all still employed and fairly upbeat, happy that they don't have to try to sell their property at the moment.

I found it incredibly gloomy in winter, so few daylight hours. Based on your posts, you probably would love the gales coming in off the Atlantic. Do go in winter, it's damp and cold but rarely freezing, not much snow at all. The winter I was in Galway there was one light dusting. Winter was a welcome break from the tourists.

As you know, the Irish are very welcoming; I wish you all the best!

GreenDragon

Thanks! I will try to do some winter time in Ireland before making the move - While I've spent winters in Maine, West Virginia and Michigan, every place is different.

GreenDragon

Oh, and Minnesota, too