Dublin ranked second-worst major European city for quality of life

Dublin has been rated one of the worst cities in the world to emigrate to due to the lack of affordable housing and high cost of living.
The Irish capital has been ranked just 47th out of 51 cities in a newly-published global survey of almost 13,000 respondents.
The Expat City Ranking 2017 found that Dublin was the second worst major European city in terms of quality of life, with Paris further behind in 49th spot.
The sprawling Nigerian city of Lagos and the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah were the only other urban destinations that fared worse in the survey.

Source: Irish Times

I mean -- is anyone surprised?

Edit:

I'm not.

LeinsterDub

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I mean -- is anyone surprised?

I mean could you offer more than a one line insight?

LeinsterDub

LeinsterDub wrote: »

I mean could you offer more than a one line insight?

There. Better?

listermint

The title is misleading. It was rated poor for affordability of housing not for overall quality of life.


Misleading

5starpool

People not being able to afford to move somewhere has zero to do with the quality of life for those people actually living there. Ridiculous connection to make.

AlmightyCushion

listermint wrote: »

The title is misleading. It was rated poor for affordability of housing not for overall quality of life.


Misleading

No it's not. Dublin rated very low over all as well, 5th from with the bottom. Not that I agree with it.

Ulysses Gaze

Deleted User wrote: »

Source: Irish Times

I mean -- is anyone surprised?

Edit:

I'm not.

And yet here's a report from Deutsche Bank that puts Ireland as 21 of 47 cities in a Quality of Life index. A report from roughly 6 months ago.

Dublin is ahead of numerous European cities

https://www.finews.ch/images/download/Mapping.the.worlds.prices.2017.pdf

The lesson here?

Don't believe any of these index reports as they are all measured using differing methodologies.

Silentcorner

listermint wrote: »

The title is misleading. It was rated poor for affordability of housing not for overall quality of life.


Misleading

I'd say affordability or availability of housing is an integral part of your quality of life....

The problem with city planning or governing cities is that you get punished over time for your mistakes....

For too long Dublin, for a myriad of reasons has suffered from poor governance, poor infrastructure, poor planning...

It is a shame, because besides its historical significance, its cultural depth and achievements it is also a beautiful city...it should be on the cusp of a very bright future and may well be, but you can't help but think its mistakes are catching up with it....

One eyed Jack

5starpool wrote: »

People not being able to afford to move somewhere has zero to do with the quality of life for those people actually living there. Ridiculous connection to make.

Poor quality of life for ex-pats though, due to unaffordability of housing?

That's the way I read the survey anyway, it wasn't surveying the quality of life overall for all the residents in all the major cities.

I do agree though the survey itself is rather silly.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Be interesting to see what the €5m Spin Machine does with this news.

Nettle Soup

Having lived there, I am not a bit surprised. The traffic and quality/availability of housing are dire. It's a dreary place too.
Good nightlife but I would advise tourists to spend most of their time on the Wild Atlantic Way.

BillyBobBS

Deleted User wrote: »

Source: Irish Times

I mean -- is anyone surprised?

Edit:

I'm not.

You are in trouble when Leo's spin department finds out about this.

Dr Crayfish

I've lived in many cities but I really love it in Dublin. I've a nice cycle to work in the city centre, the weather isn't so bad most of the time, an airport with cheap flights to all over Europe, world class restaurants and bars, generally nice friendly open people, and it's built around a lovely bay.
I think the article alludes to house prices etc, something that doesn't affect me I'm in a good place in that regard luckily, so I can understand it must be a nightmare to move here with the crazy rental market and house prices. I don't see why our politicians aren't expediting the building of lots of apartments etc, and looking at high rise options.

Vita nova

The article had some positive things to say:

"However, Dublin is ranked highly for career opportunities, coming in in 11th place, with 65 per cent of respondents rating this factor positively. Dublin also scored highly for local friendliness, with 84 per cent of expats giving the thumbs-up to the warmth of the people — compared to a global average of just 65 per cent."

RayM

Deleted User wrote: »

I mean -- is anyone surprised?

I'm surprised that the Irish Times has illustrated the article with a >20 year old photo of Dublin.



Check out the old green bus on Eden Quay.

ChikiChiki

Vita nova wrote: »

The article had some positive things to say:

"However, Dublin is ranked highly for career opportunities, coming in in 11th place, with 65 per cent of respondents rating this factor positively. Dublin also scored highly for local friendliness, with 84 per cent of expats giving the thumbs-up to the warmth of the people — compared to a global average of just 65 per cent."

Whats the point in having good career opportunities when there is nowhere to live. Really hate the idea of being stuck with the parents well into the 30's. A mortgage is not something I want right now. My field has excellent roles available in Dublin and my LinkedIn and mailbox is pinging but I cannot stand the cost of living and stealth taxes. For that reason I've opted out recently having stuck it out through the recession. Sadly, I see living standards continue declining and not improving.

strandroad

It's a ranking of value for expats specifically. They may live in a compound, with locals being executed daily in the main square, but if it's cheap and the expat can have both servants and savings it will top the list.

defrule

I used to be one a facebook group for people to find places to stay in Dublin. Except it wasn't for a room, it was for a bed in a room with many other people. Prices would be 300 euro or so, it was shocking.

Sunflower 27

defrule wrote: »

I used to be one a facebook group for people to find places to stay in Dublin. Except it wasn't for a room, it was for a bed in a room with many other people. Prices would be 300 euro or so, it was shocking.

Wow, that really highlights how bad the accommodation situation is!

Wheeliebin30

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

Wow, that really highlights how bad the accommodation situation is!

Its the same in most capital cities across the world.

Funny when people act so shocked hearing something that hsppens all over the works also happens in ireland.

The shock.

Donal55

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

Its the same in most capital cities across the world.

Funny when people act so shocked hearing something that hsppens all over the works also happens in ireland.

The shock.

You like to equate everything with what happens elsewhere in the world.
Some however prefer to concentrate on what goes on in this place.

Sunflower 27

Donal55 wrote: »

You like to equate everything with what happens elsewhere in the world.
Some however prefer to concentrate on what goes on in this place.

Thank you. I lived in Dublin for many years but left 10 years ago. I am shocked at the thought of people bunking up in rooms. That wasn't a "thing" when I lived there. The only reason people did share rooms was by choice to get very low rent.

So yes, I am very shocked there exists Facebook groups like the one mentioned. Hope that's cleared that up

Wheeliebin30

Donal55 wrote: »

You like to equate everything with what happens elsewhere in the world.
Some however prefer to concentrate on what goes on in this place.

Of course.

But you have to be realistic.

Just because we want all these great things doesn't mean you automatically get them.

Wheeliebin30

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

Thank you. I lived in Dublin for many years but left 10 years ago. I am shocked at the thought of people bunking up in rooms. That wasn't a "thing" when I lived there. The only reason people did share rooms was by choice to get very low rent.

So yes, I am very shocked there exists Facebook groups like the one mentioned. Hope that's cleared that up

There is absolutely nothing wrong with people sharing rooms.

super_furry

Pretty suspect survey if Bahrain is the best place to live with Paris beside Lagos as one of the worst.

Sunflower 27

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with people sharing rooms.

No, there isn't. But when it's not by choice but because there is no other alternative, there is a problem. I can only imagine the stress it must be to find a room to rent in Dublin now when so many others are looking. I'd say landlords are making a killing.

Pretty awful to not want to share but having no choice because a room to yourself is such a huge chunk out of your weekly pay.

tedpan

Who cares? Another waste of time, waste of money survey. Nothing will change, no point in discussing..

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Shít thread titles should be banned. This is an outright lie.

Donal55

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

Of course.

But you have to be realistic.

Just because we want all these great things doesn't mean you automatically get them.

So no point in trying to fix problems ourselves because other countries are unable to?

Damari Bitter Eyeliner

Damari Bitter Eyeliner wrote: »

Shít thread titles should be banned. This is an outright lie.

Pssssstt it's the title of the article. But don't let that get in the way of your faux outrage.

defrule wrote: »

I used to be one a facebook group for people to find places to stay in Dublin. Except it wasn't for a room, it was for a bed in a room with many other people. Prices would be 300 euro or so, it was shocking.

When I was living in Dublin and looking for a house, I happened upon one online.

Get this: two sets of bunk beds for €500 per bunk per month each.

Yup.

A bunk in a bunkbed for the price of a luxurious double room anywhere else in the country.

That single room was bringing in €2000 a month. And supposedly there were two others like it.

tomwaterford

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with people sharing rooms.

What if ya want to ride though?


Or even value personal space/privacy

server down

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

Its the same in most capital cities across the world.

Funny when people act so shocked hearing something that hsppens all over the works also happens in ireland.

The shock.

Irish people think if you apply the word “capital” to a city it makes it more expensive or something. Plenty of countries don’t have expensive capitals.

weldoninhio

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

Thank you. I lived in Dublin for many years but left 10 years ago. I am shocked at the thought of people bunking up in rooms. That wasn't a "thing" when I lived there. The only reason people did share rooms was by choice to get very low rent.

So yes, I am very shocked there exists Facebook groups like the one mentioned. Hope that's cleared that up

I've seen ads on Daft looking for people to share a double bed!!!!! Generally female only with a female occupant already there. Its madness.

donegaLroad

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Pssssstt it's the title of the article. But don't let that get in the way of your faux outrage.



When I was living in Dublin and looking for a house, I happened upon one online.

Get this: two sets of bunk beds for €500 per bunk per month each.

Yup.

A bunk in a bunkbed for the price of a luxurious double room anywhere else in the country.

That single room was bringing in €2000 a month. And supposedly there were two others like it.

A homeless hostel would be a lot cheaper, and you get a couple of meals thrown in.

McDermotX

Unadulterated kip.

Cina

Very misleading thread title and article in general.

Dublin usually ranks high on lists for quality of life for capitals worldwide, and rightly so, it's a really good place to live.

Now if the article was more along the lines of "places that are difficult to find somewhere feasible to live" then it'd be more accurate.

I find it funny that people are outraged more by the thread title than someone being forced to share a double bed with someone-- and having to pay €400 a month for half a bed!!!!

Jawgap

Kind of surprised - but it depends on how/what you rank it on.

Affordability of accommodation is definitely a serious issue, as is the lack of public transport in from the periphery - but all that's a function of our politics so relatively easy, but expensive, to change.

Grayson

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

Its the same in most capital cities across the world.

Funny when people act so shocked hearing something that hsppens all over the works also happens in ireland.

The shock.

I think Ireland has something like the second highest increases in rent/housing. So even though housing increases occur all over the world you can't say it's the same.

I'm working for a big multinational, on a good wage, and I think renting in Dublin is expensive. I live in Kildare and although I'd love to live in Dublin I can't justify the ridiculous increase I'd have to pay.

The median wage here is thirty something thousand a year. I can't see how people can afford to live. The average person is spending 55% of their wages on rent. For people on the median wage or below Dublin must be horrible to live in.

AlmightyCushion

Deleted User wrote: »

I find it funny that people are outraged more by the thread title than someone being forced to share a double bed with someone-- and having to pay €400 a month for half a bed!!!!

Or you could get a room to yourself in a house share relatively close to the city centre for about €500-600 a month.

RobbingBandit

When did Bahrain become Europe?

keith_sixteen

Seem like this study was done by InterNations which is essentially a poor mans facebuke / linkedin for ex-pats. I would pay zero attention to it.

However, Dublin should still ask some serious questions of itself. I would like to move back someday but there's just too much crap to put up with in that city.

AlmightyCushion

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Or you could get a room to yourself in a house share relatively close to the city centre for about €500-600 a month.

Define "relatively".

AlmightyCushion

Deleted User wrote: »

Define "relatively".

Drumcondra, Santry, Glasnevin, Phibsboro. You can get double rooms in all of those areas for less than €600 and they'd be nice houses/apartments too. I don't know about any where else as I only have personal experience of those areas but I imagine the same applies to a lot of areas inside the M50.

AlmightyCushion

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Drumcondra, Santry, Glasnevin, Phibsboro. You can get double rooms in all of those areas for less than €600 and they'd be nice houses/apartments too. I don't know about any where else as I only have personal experience of those areas but I imagine the same applies to a lot of areas inside the M50.

All of those have an added commute though, so you're including the cost of that on top of it.

Jawgap

Deleted User wrote: »

All of those have an added commute though, so you're including the cost of that on top of it.

Drumcondra and Phibsboro are within walking distance and a bike would more than do for the other two.

whisky_galore

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with people sharing rooms.

As long as that person isn't you?

italodisco

Cina wrote: »

Very misleading thread title and article in general.

Dublin usually ranks high on lists for quality of life for capitals worldwide, and rightly so, it's a really good place to live.

Now if the article was more along the lines of "places that are difficult to find somewhere feasible to live" then it'd be more accurate.

This.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Or you could get a room to yourself in a house share relatively close to the city centre for about €500-600 a month.

Which is becoming a big problem for the tech and finance companies based in Dublin and trying to attract ex pat employees. The fact that as high as their income is there's near zero availability of central single occupancy apartments and they're instead left with houseshares in the suburbs is not something that chimes with their experience and expectations.

Dublin's housing crisis is insane, it's a small city. And it's not something it makes sense to shrug off, with Brexit coming especially. If the policy is that attracting foreign companies and workers is good good good, always good, then anything that makes Dublin a less attractive place is very very very bad.

AlmightyCushion

[Deleted User] wrote: »

All of those have an added commute though, so you're including the cost of that on top of it.

Added commute cost as opposed to where? By the way, I'm only on about those areas because I've only ever looked in those areas because they suit me. You can get double rooms in D1 for less than 600 a month.