Moving to Cork with young kids

Scoobytoo

My husband's been offered a job in Cork, near the airport, and we're just weighing up the big questions of where to live and where to send the kids to school if he were to take it. We're in Manchester at the mo and I've been googling like mad but thought I'd check in here and see what you wise folk have to offer.

So, contentious question but where's good to live with decent access (within 30 mins commute) of the airport?

My boys are 3 and 6, the eldest is in primary school and the youngest is due to start this year. What are the better primary schools?

I also can't get my head around the healthcare system - I need a 'Dummies Guide to...'. My eldest son has a lot of medical issues, my husband would get health insurance as part of his package but is there anything I'd need to look out for? We're very spoilt with the NHS!

So, just a few questions!!

BailMeOut

Kinsale is where I would look. Great schools and about 30 minute commute to airport. Even though you get a lot of tourists in the town it is a very safe and very friendly place to bring up a family. The locals are great and you generally find that most people living in Kinsale are like yourselves where they have moved from other places ('blow-ins'!). Down side to Kinsale is that property is expensive but it is expensive for a good reason.

Cork also has a very good public hospital (CUH) but if you can afford private insurance you should get it. There will be a wait times for preexisting conditions so best to get the clock ticking as soon as possible.

Good luck and pm me if you want more details as we did the same time (moved to Cork from abroad).

SpaceTime

Cork's not that big, so the whole city along with pretty much all of Carrigaline and Ballincollig (satellite towns on the southern side of the city) are within 30 mins of the airport by car.

If you want suburban with a lot of facilities and school choice, Douglas is probably a good place to start looking. Areas like Rochestown, Grange and Frankfield are all pretty close by too.

Wilton and Bishoptown in the western part of the suburbs are quite nice too, but it would depend on your taste. They're a little architecturally blander but there are plenty of decent houses.

If you want to get closer to the city centre, I'd consider parts of Montenotte and Blackrock. They're both old victorian / edwardian inner suburbs. Quite pricy for decent housing, but there are some stunning properties if you look around and you're within 5 mins of the city centre.

The school system in Ireland's somewhat strangely organised. Each school is effectively a bit like a 'trust'. So, you've a choice of a lot of types of schools (mostly religious ethos) but, there are also some non-denominational ones run by Educate Together which are becoming more popular.

In general, most of the primary schools are very good, but just be clear about what kind of environment you want your kids to experience and maybe pay a visit and check them out too to see what you think.

Health Insurance in Ireland's not quite like the US system. You're not talking megabucks for premiums and it's effectively a bit of a queue jumping and slightly better bed getting service.

You've a bit more flexibility with health insurance, much like with Bupa in the UK, but the public system does provide guaranteed care if you don't have insurance.

I'd still recommend that you get a plan though if you're over as you'll just get a lot more ease-of-access. The main thing is to shop around and pick things that you'd find useful. Different levels of policy will cover various different things.
The major differences are that basic ones will give you a 'semiprivate ward' and a higher end one will give you a 100% private ward and a more hotel-like surrounding if you do ever have to go into hospital.

Comparisons : http://www.hia.ie/ci/health-insurance-comparison

Some also have nice add ons for various things. You can even get dental add ons and stuff. Worth reading through what's possible.

GP cover in Ireland's generally private and can be quite expensive, so budget it in at anything up to about €60 a visit. Although, most GPs in my experience don't charge this.

The only up side is that it's not as bureaucratic and you have your choice of doctors and generally you can get an appointment pretty much on demand or very quickly. Where as in my experience in England you can be left waiting a long time.

Cork has pretty excellent hospitals and most specialities are covered. CUH (Cork University Hospital) is the main one and is the hub for all things medical serving pretty much the southern counties of Ireland. It's linked to a large medical school in University College Cork and it's a centre of excellence for cancer, cardiology, neuroscience, etc etc. It's also has a large and quite high tech maternity unit on the same campus and is a full "Level 1" trauma centre.

There are a few other hospitals around the city too that either specialise in particular areas e.g. the South Infirmary concentrates on ENT and a few other things, there's also an orthopaedic hospital etc. And then there's a couple of private hospitals The Bon Secours and the Mater Private etc.

All in all, for a city its size, it's pretty well served for healthcare stuff.

With regard to medications, households have to pay the first €144 per month. Any items after that are dispensed free.
It's not as generous as the NHS but, if you do need very expensive medicines the rules are actually much less strict than NICE in the UK so you can end up getting access to cancer drugs for example that are not generally available to UK patients.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/drugspaymentscheme/

So, again it's swings and roundabouts.

The other side of it is that while you're paying those extra bits and pieces, tax burden here is definitely a bit lower on this side of the Irish sea.

fear corcaigh

Scoobytoo wrote: »

My husband's been offered a job in Cork, near the airport, and we're just weighing up the big questions of where to live and where to send the kids to school if he were to take it. We're in Manchester at the mo and I've been googling like mad but thought I'd check in here and see what you wise folk have to offer.

So, contentious question but where's good to live with decent access (within 30 mins commute) of the airport?

My boys are 3 and 6, the eldest is in primary school and the youngest is due to start this year. What are the better primary schools?

I also can't get my head around the healthcare system - I need a 'Dummies Guide to...'. My eldest son has a lot of medical issues, my husband would get health insurance as part of his package but is there anything I'd need to look out for? We're very spoilt with the NHS!

So, just a few questions!!

Would you prefer rural or urban location, would public transport be an issue. As regards health some things will always need tobe paid for like gp visits, dentists, A&E and the likes.

The health service is very inefficient here but if you have insurance then you will recieve preferential treatment and inefficiency won't be an issue.

SpaceTime

I'd also just warn you there are a few odd differences over here that people really get taken by surprise by.

1) Bins - They are run by competing private companies just like phone, gas etc. You need to pick a provider and you have various options for paying. Some operators may even charge you per KG of non-recyclable waste. Recycling's very heavily encouraged through a ' polluter pays model' that essentially charges you for waste generated.
Most providers will collect glass, paper/card/plastic/etc, composting and general waste in different bins.

2) Council tax - There's a local property charge but it's way less than UK council tax. http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/lpt/
3) Water charges - just being introduced see www.water.ie

clerk

Scoobytoo wrote: »

My husband's been offered a job in Cork,

Hi -- just wondering are ye Irish or not and would ye be looking to get back to North England for holidays. Just trying to get a handle on what type of queries ye have.

For example it's very easy to get to Manchester from Cork with Cork airport.

There are a load of English in Cork.

Rhys Essien

OP,I dont know about your 6 year old but you will have free medical care from this year for your youngest.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1014/480191-special-cabinet-meeting-finalise-budget-details/

Scoobytoo

Thank you so much for all your comments and advice. It's a bit of a minefield so I need to plan a visit really.

We live in a large village at the moment, it's small enough to know most people but big enough to not drive you insane with boredom. I do drive but we live close to school so can walk and I'd really like to do that wherever we move to.

Kinsale looks lovely, really pretty. I was worried it would just be full of tourists and deserted in the winter but you've given me some hope that it's not just a pretty face!

The thing I'm most concerned about is hospital access for my son. At the moment he's on lots of medication and probably sees the GP monthly with about 4 a A&E visits a year, and then regular appointments with several paediatric consultants so it's looking like life could be expensive in Ireland for us! I'm going to speak to his consultants and see what they say.

Thanks again x

PS Second generation Irish, lots of old relatives dotted around the country but no one that we particularly know well and no one in Cork.

SpaceTime

Kinsale's relatively busy all year as it's a big foodie destination with a lot of restaurants and it's very close to Cork.

It's more of a sailing / yachtie kind of place than anything else. It gets busier in summer, but I've never seen it deserted.

The hospitals in Cork are top notch, but you definitely should take out insurance for more flexibility and access.
Sadly, the system is basically two-tier. The public system works, but it tends to be much more bureaucratic and can have considerable waiting lists for some services and procedures.

I would definitely take out private insurance if you can. It's not that expensive and you are probably paying less tax here when you factor in things like differences in council tax etc.

Have a look at : http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health_insurance/private_health_insurance.html for more information on insurance.

Insurance is 'community rated' and they cannot refuse cover based on health status, but they can impose a 'waiting period' of up to 26 weeks for under 55s.

Also, bear in mind that you are legally entitled to take *ANY* policy, even if it's a corporate plan or whatever. They cannot refuse you them. So, with a bit of research there's actually quite a bit you can save.

I don't want to plug anyone, but there's at least one independent advisory service for health insurance. Google around and you'll find some.

I think it'd be very advisable to do so, especially if you've a kid with a pre-existing serious condition. Liaise with your employer too if they're paying for it as they might be able to deal with it through some kind of a corporate plan relationship manager route rather than you going it alone.

Major hospital websites:

Cork University Hospital (very bland site, but it has a lot of info)
http://www.cuh.hse.ie
http://www.cuh.hse.ie/our_services/clinical_services/cork_university_maternity_hospital/
Mercy Hospital:
http://www.muh.ie
South Infirmary Victoria Hospital:
http://www.sivuh.ie


Private:
http://www.bonsecours.ie/index.cfm/page/cork
http://www.materprivate.ie/cork/
http://www.thecorkclinic.ie
http://www.cuhcpc.ie

There are various other smaller facilities / consultant clusters around the city too

Medical School : http://www.ucc.ie/en/medical/

I wouldn't say the public system is absolutely awful, it's quite high tech and can be really excellent in certain areas, particularly cancer care, but it's stretched to capacity in a lot of areas and beyond. So, if you've a kid that needs regular medical treatment, definitely do your research very thoroughly it's not just a case of swapping the NHS for the HSE.

hufpc8w3adnk65

I'd go for Matthew hill in togher. Right next too airport. Lovely new houses and estates. Got the holy family , togher , morning star primary schools all very close by and heaps of secondary schools. Also have Wilton shopping centre and super value aldi and Lidl in the area and the regional hospital less then 5 mins in the car!

Balmed Out

as mr mac says the area on airport side of togher (lehenaghmore and lehenaghbeg) would be within a few minutes of both the airport and the main hospital.
If you want more of a rural location then consider ballinhassig. Apparently has a good community spirit and is close to airport.

SpaceTime

Also bear in mind that some Cork satellite towns have more of a vibe of a suburban area than a village. Ballincollig in particular is really a suburb with a green belt between it and Cork. Carrlgaline, Glanmire and a few others are similar.

However, there are other towns that have a genuine sense of identity and are still within 30 mins of Cork airport. Kinsale's definitely one of them.

If you're interested in a coastal location, areas like Crosshaven (just south of Carrigaline) is another possibility.

Like anywhere, there are some areas that are more expensive than others. So, it's a cost:benefit analysis type scenario.

I'd definitely suggest having a tour around with someone who knows the place though. It's not the kind of city that necessarily reveals itself on first viewing. There are a lot of areas you can't really just stumble upon too easily and some real hidden gems in the city itself hiding away behind big old victorian walls.

If you're living in a rural area at the moment in the UK, I'd say you've already got an appreciation for how small city / rural transport works - you drive!
In general, unless you're in the immediate suburbs / satellite downs and commuting to the city centre, you couldn't really base your life around Cork public transport to be perfectly honest.

Outkast_IRE

The only thing I would be wary of in Matthew hill is no bus service, or footpath down the hill.
Very dangerous rd if your on foot, that estate should never of been built without footpaths up the hill to it.

Basically if your not driving your screwed, and will have to drop the kids everywhere by car.

hufpc8w3adnk65

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

The only thing I would be wary of in Matthew hill is no bus service, or footpath down the hill.
Very dangerous rd if your on foot, that estate should never of been built without footpaths up the hill to it.

Basically if your not driving your screwed, and will have to drop the kids everywhere by car.

The 19 is rumoured too be re routed up that way but also the works on putting a footpath in are on going!

hoodwinked

if you are looking for a village/rural community,

kinsale and ballygarvan or ballinhassig are closet to the airport. in fact you will be driving past the airport business park/airport to get to the city.

i know ballinhassig has its own two primary schools (goggins hill, ballyheada national school), a village with a pub, shop, local busineses...etc, for secondary school (if you are here that long) you will have Kinsale and Bishopstown as areas they can attend.

another bonus is your husband will be driving in the opposite direction to the traffic at home time in the evening,

if you want suburb, 20 minute bus ride to the main city center, i would go Douglas, it has two shopping centers, a swimming pool, cinema, so many sports clubs...etc

where ever of the above you pick, you are (with no traffic) pretty much a 30 minute (or less) drive from the city center.

thesimpsons

Rhys Essien wrote: »

OP,I dont know about your 6 year old but you will have free medical care from this year for your youngest.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1014/480191-special-cabinet-meeting-finalise-budget-details/

far as I know this is not up and running yet as legislation needs to be passed before it comes through. alot of GPs don't know any of the details of this yet so I wouldn't be counting on it ever seeing the light of day.

animum

Hi, I am from cork. But moved to carrigaline a few years ago. I love it, there are amazing schools in the area, all located in the village, for walking.

There is amazingly tennis clubs, soccer clubs, dance classes etc for the children. I moved here when my son was 3 and he is in the national school. They have just won an award of excellence and have great relationship with cork institute of technology, very science and engineering orientated...for a national school.

The town has almost everything you need, and Douglas is few minutes away.

There is a great community spirit here, a lovely local park, and it's safe, most of the village has a cycle lane too.

My boss from up the country chose to live here, as there are nice properties and housing developments that little bit cheaper than Douglas, and the added advantage of a better community spirit..

Best of luck in your new adventure.

gemini_girl

BailMeOut wrote: »

Kinsale is where I would look. Great schools and about 30 minute commute to airport. Even though you get a lot of tourists in the town it is a very safe and very friendly place to bring up a family. The locals are great and you generally find that most people living in Kinsale are like yourselves where they have moved from other places ('blow-ins'!). Down side to Kinsale is that property is expensive but it is expensive for a good reason.

Cork also has a very good public hospital (CUH) but if you can afford private insurance you should get it. There will be a wait times for preexisting conditions so best to get the clock ticking as soon as possible.

Good luck and pm me if you want more details as we did the same time (moved to Cork from abroad).

I lived in kinsale ... lasted 3 weeks. Beautiful place to visit but I found it very clicky & not much there for young families. My husband worked there for a few years & loved working there but also didnt like living there. We are in Carrigaline now 5 years & love it.
There is a back road to the airport to avoid major traffic too which would take about 20 mins at most.
As for schools my own son attends Carrigaline Educate Together NS which is a multi denominational school which suits us perfect as we are athiest but there are also a good range of other schools (catholic, church of ireland & gaelscoil which is also catholic)

BailMeOut

WhiteTiger wrote: »

lasted 3 weeks. Beautiful place to visit but I found it very clicky & not much there for young families.

I think basing your experience on just three weeks is a bit harsh. We have been in Kinsale for three years now with small children and have found it the most welcoming town we have ever lived in (and we have moved around a lot). As for not good for young families this is certainly not the case from our experience. Our kids are so active here as there are so many great things to do.

MajorMax

Dear God, your kids will grow up with a Mancurian/Cork accent

gemini_girl

BailMeOut wrote: »

I think basing your experience on just three weeks is a bit harsh. We have been in Kinsale for three years now with small children and have found it the most welcoming town we have ever lived in (and we have moved around a lot). As for not good for young families this is certainly not the case from our experience. Our kids are so active here as there are so many great things to do.

What would you do in kinsale town with 2 small kids as a family? I nearly cracked up from boredom tbh. The playground is tiny & on top of an insanely steep hill. There arent or at least werent any play centres. Unless you have older kids who go to clubs maybe after school but that is something that you send the kids to.
I'm not just basing it on my 3 weeks living there. My husband worked there for a few years. In my experience you need money to live there & in our case we didnt have that either but this might not be an issue for the op.
Different strokes for different folks though

Sleephead

RE Medical.

UK citizens get Medical Cards in Ireland AFAIK. Basically the same conditions as they have via the NHS back home.

I have a friend who gets this concession.

imitation

Public transport is pretty naff, so do expect to have to get a car to get about unless you live within the city. Irish cars require vehicle registration tax to be paid on registration, it can be quite hefty (a couple of grand) and you will probably have to pay it if your bringing over a car.

I wouldnt really recomend kinsale, its nice and all, but its a good 25min drive to the airport, thats plenty of fuel. matthews hill would be very handy, its a 5 min drive to the airport and 10 min to the city. As mentioned, it was put up during the boom, so its got plenty of houses but no shop, footpath or bus stop yet ! Its likely they will go in the future though. You ll also have the pick of schools in town and its easy to get onto the motorway if you need to do distance travelling.

lostinsuperfunk

I think you can import a car that you already own without paying the VRT on importation. There are some conditions as far as I know, I think you may have to have owned it for six months, and you can't sell it for a similar period of time. As cars are generally cheaper in the UK than here, this is actually a good perk of relocating. See here for details.

Re: Kinsale, there is a very nice, and brand new, playground near the main quay. A lot of English expats reside in Kinsale which also might be a factor.

Bear in mind that traffic from commuter towns into Cork at peak times can be quite heavy, although probably not as a bad as most UK cities. The "rush hour" tends to be short too. Basically everywhere in Cork and the surrounding commuter towns is within 30 minutes of the airport, off peak.

Oleander

Nobody mentioned Cobh, any thoughts on there??

BailMeOut

Op what we did was initially rent three short lease holiday homes for the first month in Cork and used them as a base to tour and get to know the area.

pwurple

Short term rental is a good idea, it's what we did before we settled, but moving with children is tough going.

Kinsale, i've family there, they have small children and have loads to do. Lots of toddler play groups around. Beaches are very near which is great for the summer.

Cobh, nice spot, very hilly again, but i have it stuck in the back of my head that it's got the highest radon levels in the county?