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Moving to Waterford
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Actually, he was advising the other poster to avoid Ireland altogether if at all possible, but that's for another thread.johnnykilo wrote: »I never suggested the OP couldn't live outside Waterford, if you look at my first post in this thread I actually suggested Tramore as an option!
If you look at the context of the thread in which x.revoLucian made the original statement, he was advising people to choose another city in Ireland apart from Waterford. As already stated the OP will be at least working in Waterford so I'm guessing they're not going to want to commute from Cork, Galway or Dublin every day.
Anyway I doubt moving to Tramore, Dungarvan or somewhere in South Kilkenny is drastically going to fix the issues raised by x.revoLucian. I don't think any of those places have radically different crime rates, better shopping than Waterford, improved and cheaper public transport, more nightlife options etc...
I posted what he said because it seemed like a valuable viewpoint from someone who is well travelled, rather than the biased opinions of us Waterford people.
While I admit that quoted post goes outside of what the OP is asking, it might be a good thing for them to consider before moving here.0 -
Who exactly were you responding to with that ignorant reply seeing as the op hasn't been on since September? Now while some of that post is a slight exaggeration, there is some truth to it. I love living here but let's face it: shopping isn't great, some of the streets are filthy and in my experience you are better off walking than relying on the bus. That said, it's no better or worse than any where else in this country.Goodluck0 -
`Actually, he was advising the other poster to avoid Ireland altogether if at all possible, but that's for another thread.
I posted what he said because it seemed like a valuable viewpoint from someone who is well travelled, rather than the biased opinions of us Waterford people.
While I admit that quoted post goes outside of what the OP is asking, it might be a good thing for them to consider before moving here.
you seem to have a bad view of waterford but im sure if you went to live in a small village in the middle of Ireland somewhere it wouldent be long before you started missing the easy access to beaches, 24hour shopping, 24hr garages, and the "awfull" nightlife,.0 -
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you seem to have a bad view of waterford but im sure if you went to live in a small village in the middle of Ireland somewhere it wouldent be long before you started missing the easy access to beaches, 24hour shopping, 24hr garages, and the "awfull" nightlife,.
How about a village or town right on the beach. I suppose it would be tough though when you get the urge to do your shopping at 4 in the morning and fill the tank with petrol. I can't believe I never missed that when I moved away.
Ericaa never said anything about moving to a village in the middle of nowhere by the way. Also, is that the best you could come up with about Waterford city? Easy access to beaches and shopping at night?0 -
How about a village or town right on the beach. I suppose it would be tough though when you get the urge to do your shopping at 4 in the morning and fill the tank with petrol. I can't believe I never missed that when I moved away.
Ericaa never said anything about moving to a village in the middle of nowhere by the way. Also, is that the best you could come up with about Waterford city? Easy access to beaches and shopping at night?
of coarse not duingorm, there,s plenty more but these would be some of the first things you would miss,not everyone is tucked up in bed at nine every night,some of us have a life duingorm.
Iv been in a few situations where having these places has been very handy,
it just annoys me when people say nothing but negative things all the time about waterford,they should look at what they have and not what they dont have.
and "by the way" no need to be so tetchy, calm down for yourself0 -
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Guys this thread has popped up at a great time... I would like to let the OP know that there is a site under devolpment and will be launching very soon with all the information he is looking for..it will have info from schools, childcare, doctors, recreation, sports clubs, youth services.. all information will be found under there specific neighbourhood tab.. when I have the offical launch date I will post here.0
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of coarse not duingorm, there,s plenty more but these would be some of the first things you would miss,not everyone is tucked up in bed at nine every night,some of us have a life duingorm.
Iv been in a few situations where having these places has been very handy,
it just annoys me when people say nothing but negative things all the time about waterford,they should look at what they have and not what they dont have.
and "by the way" no need to be so tetchy, calm down for yourself
Gy80. I am perfectly calm. I have to laugh when I hear someone from the city assume that it is so important to have 24 hour shopping. It's not important at all. If you, Gy80, had to do without it you would, perfectly fine. I did without it before I moved to Waterford city and after I left and so do most people in this country. What do you mean by "tucked up in bed at nine every night"? Do you think there's nothing to do in the villages and towns of Ireland after 9 every night? That there are no shops open until late? That there are no pubs, nightclub, societies, GAA clubs, Theater's, concerts etc. etc. Your sounding like someone who has rarely ventured outside the city walls.0 -
Guys this thread has popped up at a great time... I would like to let the OP know that there is a site under devolpment and will be launching very soon with all the information he is looking for..it will have info from schools, childcare, doctors, recreation, sports clubs, youth services.. all information will be found under there specific neighbourhood tab.. when I have the offical launch date I will post here.
That sounds great. Who's behind the site?0 -
A better time would have been when the site is actually available.0
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I'm American and living in Waterford 7 years. It's taken me that long to settle (and I'm easy-going and pretty adaptable). I have two small children, one in school, in the Educate Together which is a secular school with an ethos not unlike a typical public American elementary school.
I would suggest not coming at all, but if its only 2 years, its an experience at least! If you can get away with living in Dungarvan, for go it. Kilkenny, even. Otherwise, don't go anywhere other than Tramore or in Waterford city somewhere like the Dunmore road or near People's Park/Newtown.
I won't go on a diatribe about the city or Ireland, its easy to find those threads. You will find social life very different in Ireland in general as well. If your wife is American, she might find it tough making friends like the sort of friends she has at home. Customer service is terrible or non-existent (compared to what you are used to. Eating out is expensive and not very good. You will miss a lot of things after the rose-tinted glasses wear off (and they wear off fast). There is a great community called "Americans Living in Ireland" that you will enjoy. I will warn you, though, there are hundreds of members and a large, large percentage are not enjoying their experience and would leave if they could. There is a defensive attitude if you try to talk the negatives, so I won't go on and on. However, to add lastly, the weather is atrocious and about 75% of the reason I can't wait to emigrate (but I have a milestone of a house around my neck, so that's down the line). Feel free to PM me if you have any American-Ireland questions.0 -
Who exactly were you responding to with that ignorant reply seeing as the op hasn't been on since September? Now while some of that post is a slight exaggeration, there is some truth to it. I love living here but let's face it: shopping isn't great, some of the streets are filthy and in my experience you are better off walking than relying on the bus. That said, it's no better or worse than any where else in this country.
Rich a barman complaining about dirty streets while he serves drink to the masses who fall out pubs like his and creates the dam mess..0 -
I do, and I wouldn't like it there either.`
you seem to have a bad view of waterford but im sure if you went to live in a small village in the middle of Ireland somewhere it wouldent be long before you started missing the easy access to beaches, 24hour shopping, 24hr garages, and the "awfull" nightlife,.
Well for one, I have lived five minutes away from the beach for the past 13 years, yet I haven't gone there regularly in at least six.
I don't have access to 24 hour shopping, as that would need 24 hour buses.
As you can guess from the last sentence, 24 hour garages are no use to me.
What are you on about now? Lol.Rich a barman complaining about dirty streets while he serves drink to the masses who fall out pubs like his and creates the dam mess..0 -
Oh really? How many drunks do you see down on the Quays? You seem completely focused on that one section of town. There are other dirty street you know. I suppose I'm to blame for all the chewing gum and cigarette butts am I? Besides, according to you there is no mess so it's not rich of me at all.Rich a barman complaining about dirty streets while he serves drink to the masses who fall out pubs like his and creates the dam mess..0 -
Signed up specifically to respond to this thread. I don't really want to turn anyone away from my home town but there are a lot of things that others might not find so great about Waterford, it really depends on your experience and what you make of it but the same could be said about anywhere. I've lived in the Dunmore road/Newtown area for over a decade and even when I speak to other Waterfordians I feel like we're living on different planets sometimes. They don't see the things I do and I don't get to experience the things they do, I didn't realise just how much until the last few years when things started going downhill. I'm going to big up my pov so brace yerselves.
I live in a very quiet residential area within five minutes of the city centre, shops, schools and places of worship. (of all denominations) I don't drive but I'm on several handy bus routes. There are so many local amenities I couldn't list them all, gyms and leisure centres, libraries, theatres, galleries, coffee spots, river walks, ...it is endless. I walk through the peoples park every day, I have to if I want to get where I'm going. I firmly believe living here gives me a greater quality of life and even when I've been unemployed I still managed to be somewhere that doesn't make me feel like crap. I could get up and be somewhere relaxing and imo beautiful within five minutes and take in a coffee. (a luxury on the dole)
I can understand the point of view of Americans who have come here and found that the Irish aren't really a hundred thousand welcomes in real life, they are friendly but in a fairweather kind of way, there are very few I would trust generally and in Waterford at least there appears to be a healthy tradition of taking exception to anyone who has something you don't have. (I don't want to use the B word) Hell, I find Irish people difficult!
But you don't have to succumb to the Irish mentality. There is definitely a place here for you and your family, just choose wisely and it really could be a great experience. Best of luck0 -
Signed up specifically to respond to this thread. I don't really want to turn anyone away from my home town but there are a lot of things that others might not find so great about Waterford, it really depends on your experience and what you make of it but the same could be said about anywhere. I've lived in the Dunmore road/Newtown area for over a decade and even when I speak to other Waterfordians I feel like we're living on different planets sometimes. They don't see the things I do and I don't get to experience the things they do, I didn't realise just how much until the last few years when things started going downhill. I'm going to big up my pov so brace yerselves.
I live in a very quiet residential area within five minutes of the city centre, shops, schools and places of worship. (of all denominations) I don't drive but I'm on several handy bus routes. There are so many local amenities I couldn't list them all, gyms and leisure centres, libraries, theatres, galleries, coffee spots, river walks, ...it is endless. I walk through the peoples park every day, I have to if I want to get where I'm going. I firmly believe living here gives me a greater quality of life and even when I've been unemployed I still managed to be somewhere that doesn't make me feel like crap. I could get up and be somewhere relaxing and imo beautiful within five minutes and take in a coffee. (a luxury on the dole)
I can understand the point of view of Americans who have come here and found that the Irish aren't really a hundred thousand welcomes in real life, they are friendly but in a fairweather kind of way, there are very few I would trust generally and in Waterford at least there appears to be a healthy tradition of taking exception to anyone who has something you don't have. (I don't want to use the B word) Hell, I find Irish people difficult!
But you don't have to succumb to the Irish mentality. There is definitely a place here for you and your family, just choose wisely and it really could be a great experience. Best of luck
This is a very good post. The bolded bit is especially true. I have lived here over 40 years and any close friends I have are not Irish. Not because I have gone out looking for other nationalities, but because they are the only ones who have shown any interest. It can be a good place to live, but I agree you will have to work hard at finding friends.0 -
Any Waterford people I've met are all the same: starting rumours and avoiding each other. Even other people I've met who moved there to work say it's a dump. Full of ex-factory workers and bitter older people bad-mouthing each other. Famous Waterford phrases: "Don't be smart" and "Stay away from him boy". No-one in the rest of Ireland gives a **** about Waterford. And unlike other nearby counties no-one from Waterford brags about living there.0
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It's probably fair to say I'm a bit of a loner in my own way. I find my happiness is not dependent upon any circle of friends in general. While I meet people and know people through work and organisations, I don't especially socialise with my colleagues a whole lot but I find it easier to live outside the confines of the tribe when the area you reside allows for it. I occupy myself doing things I like to do and of the list of amenities I mentioned in my previous post, I participate in pretty much all of them albeit usually by myself. I go to the gym and I swim, I walk my dog and have coffee, sometimes I meet people and stay for a chat, go to an event or visit a gallery but I'm entirely comfortable doing these things by myself too.Any Waterford people I've met are all the same: starting rumours and avoiding each other. Even other people I've met who moved there to work say it's a dump. Full of ex-factory workers and bitter older people bad-mouthing each other. Famous Waterford phrases: "Don't be smart" and "Stay away from him boy". No-one in the rest of Ireland gives a **** about Waterford. And unlike other nearby counties no-one from Waterford brags about living there.
I realise doing this in other parts of the city might not be as feasible, that in the more densely populated communities people are much more reliant on each other for support and reason and while in good times those communities can be a great asset to be part of, its evident in todays post celtic tiger/facebook era that they can be detrimental to growth and development both personally to individuals and to a stagnating environment in which they live and work if they have nothing to positive to offer.
It's probably wiser then to take responsibility for our own wellbeing and happiness and if it's lacking to do something about it ourselves. (instead of sitting around complaining about it!)0 -
Friends-
I really appreciate the feedback here, good and bad. I have received multiple pm's offering more information, so I really am impressed with the outpouring of offers for help. I would like to contact every person that has offered. However, I fear that I would be repeating myself many times, so I'm going to ask a few followup questions, but please feel free to answer privately.
My biggest concern is that my wife won't enjoy it. I think once my kids are engaged in their school, they will find someone at least who shares their interest. My kids are shy, but generally they find a friend whenever they go somewhere new. I'm not quite sure whether being American will help or hurt their efforts to make friends, but I expect it should help, unless we invade another middle east country in the interim.
My wife is also shy, and she will be staying home with the kids, but she likes to talk, and eventually makes friends that she spends a lot of time with. Here in Southern California, we generally make great friends of the parents of our kids friends. Do you think that happen in Waterford? Myself I've lived in Belgium, Switzerland, and (briefly) the UK. I found people generally friendly in all (except maybe Switzerland), but I don't think people are as likely to invite you into their homes as we Americans are. That might be difficult for us.
The next one is trivial by comparison: we are total wine snobs. We have wine tastings with friends, and enjoy wine every night at dinner. I like beer as well, especially cask-conditioned ale (though I'm not fond of stout, sorry!), but wine is special to us. I know well that Europe has many many fine wines, but we've been surrounded by California wines, so we wouldn't know how to buy wine in Ireland. Are their clubs or tasting rooms in Ireland?
I thought that I had more to ask, but I guess I don't. Again, many thanks for the help.
MB0 -
Any Waterford people I've met are all the same: starting rumours and avoiding each other. Even other people I've met who moved there to work say it's a dump. Full of ex-factory workers and bitter older people bad-mouthing each other. Famous Waterford phrases: "Don't be smart" and "Stay away from him boy". No-one in the rest of Ireland gives a **** about Waterford. And unlike other nearby counties no-one from Waterford brags about living there.
Jaysis boy you've some chip on your shoulder. I went to W.I.T. and any of the students I know, particularly from wexford, kilkenny, tipperary, cork but also limerick, galway, kildare and wicklow absolutely love the place. It's got some of its drawbacks no doubt as does every place but I think for its size its a great place even despite the neglect we've suffered over the past number of years. One thing that Waterford has over any other city is that it has beaches with waves 10 minutes out the road, granted they're not the best but it beats having to drive over an hour for a surf, people need to utilize the sea more for recreation.
If its rumours and bitter old people your worried about then you might aswell tell the OP to avoid Ireland altogether. This is not someting unique to Waterford and if you were anyway clued in/not completely and utterly bitter against Waterford you'd realise this.
Generally I've found two types of people who complain about the place, one being the narrowminded and bitter south kilkenny/south east tipperary heads but they are few and far between. The other type I've found to complain are the guys who just never fit in for whatever reasons, I guess some places are just not kind to some people but that could happen anywhere and is no reflection on the place itself.
All in all I think Waterford is a great place and I've been all over the world. Its no Sydney, London or San Francisco, but its not meant to be, its a small city, with a rich history that has some great characters and people should accept it for what it is and should realise this.0 -
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If your wife wants to get involved in her local community she will find it very easy and probably make a lot of friends be it through PTA or other sporting or social clubs that are available to both her and her kids. It works the same as any other country, in fact I think (having lived outside of Ireland myself) it might be a little easier here as the Irish are not of the shy kind, talk is what they do best and being friendly to strangers comes a close second.
There are plenty of places to indulge in your passion for wine locally and in the surrounding areas and a variety of outlets selling good decent imported ales. This comes to mind for starters http://www.thewinebuff.com/shops/dungarvan0 -
mangeybear wrote: »Friends-
I really appreciate the feedback here, good and bad. I have received multiple pm's offering more information, so I really am impressed with the outpouring of offers for help. I would like to contact every person that has offered. However, I fear that I would be repeating myself many times, so I'm going to ask a few followup questions, but please feel free to answer privately.
My biggest concern is that my wife won't enjoy it. I think once my kids are engaged in their school, they will find someone at least who shares their interest. My kids are shy, but generally they find a friend whenever they go somewhere new. I'm not quite sure whether being American will help or hurt their efforts to make friends, but I expect it should help, unless we invade another middle east country in the interim.
My wife is also shy, and she will be staying home with the kids, but she likes to talk, and eventually makes friends that she spends a lot of time with. Here in Southern California, we generally make great friends of the parents of our kids friends. Do you think that happen in Waterford? Myself I've lived in Belgium, Switzerland, and (briefly) the UK. I found people generally friendly in all (except maybe Switzerland), but I don't think people are as likely to invite you into their homes as we Americans are. That might be difficult for us.
The next one is trivial by comparison: we are total wine snobs. We have wine tastings with friends, and enjoy wine every night at dinner. I like beer as well, especially cask-conditioned ale (though I'm not fond of stout, sorry!), but wine is special to us. I know well that Europe has many many fine wines, but we've been surrounded by California wines, so we wouldn't know how to buy wine in Ireland. Are their clubs or tasting rooms in Ireland?
I thought that I had more to ask, but I guess I don't. Again, many thanks for the help.
MBI'm not so sure about wine clubs but there you won’t find it difficult to find a good selection of wines in Waterford City. In particular world wide wines have a decent selection and anytime I've gone in there the staff have known their stuff and have been fairly helpful. As for wine tastings different restaurants hold events now and again such as Bodega and Le Boheme(both of which are absolutely beautiful restaurants) so if you keep an ear to the ground I'm sure you'll come across them and would be a great opportunity to meet like-minded people.
Irish people can be slow to welcome people into their homes, thats one thing I've noticed but we are never one to turn down an invitation so I reckon as long as you make the initiative it should get the ball rolling in that regards and I reckon you'll do fine.0 -
Also if beer is your thing then Waterford is a great spot altogether.
There's an growing trend in Ireland with craft beers and in Waterford we are lucky to have 2 brewerys in the county.
One is in the city itself and makes Metalman Pale Ale found in an increasing number of bars around the city and the other is the Dungarven brewing company which I think has an absolutely divine selection of bottled beer. I wonder if they'll ever consider going into the draft market but they really are very very good. Check them out!
Dungarven Brewing Company - http://dungarvanbrewingcompany.com/
Metalman Brewing Company - http://metalmanbrewing.com/our-beers/0 -
I suspect this is related to our history and long experience of colonisation.
For centuries everything native was put down and I'd imagine that manifests itself in behaviour like this. The pub was everyones surrogate living room .
Its changing rapidly though and I think the upcoming generation socialize much more in each others houses.Irish people can be slow to welcome people into their homes, thats one thing I've noticed but we are never one to turn down an invitation so I reckon as long as you make the initiative it should get the ball rolling in that regards and I reckon you'll do fine.0 -
probably more to do with crappy housing with non existent entertaining space. :PI suspect this is related to our history and long experience of colonisation.
For centuries everything native was put down and I'd imagine that manifests itself in behaviour like this. The pub was everyones surrogate living room .
Its changing rapidly though and I think the upcoming generation socialize much more in each others houses.
It was more common a generation ago to have very large families live in very small dwellings, there wasn't room for having people around. Dinner was never much more than cabbage and spuds and previous to the celtic tiger most families would have been on tight household budgets, the expense of having people over wasn't really included in it. Socialising was something done outside the home and not surprisingly in the pub, it was also the preferred domain of the Irish male. Pubs were for men and women stayed at home looking after the hundreds of children conceived in holy matrimony. None of which was conducive to popularising socializing at home.
(besides, everyone knows Irish people are completely different behind closed doors hence why they were kept firmly shut)0 -
Moving to Waterford threads should be banned from the forum they all seem to lead in the same downward direction.0
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As regards your wife there is an organisation in Ireland called the ICA and the Minaun brranch is particularly active in the craft area and has quite a few ex pats in its membership , very welcoming by all accounts , pm me if you want the contact details or any other info.
Best of luck whatever your decision.0 -
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