Is emigrating worth it anymore?

fishersham

I love Ireland. I realise it's far from perfect. The rain gets to ya sometimes. Our social lives seem to revolve around drink. The begrudgery is awful, especially if you're from a rural part of the country like myself. Housing is an absolute nightmare, so much so that I've never even considered Dublin for college or work. It's just not an option.

But generally speaking, I love Irish people. We really are hilarious and sure we moan, but we don't take ourselves nearly as seriously and I admire that. We're very generous folk.

However, I'm 23 this year and finishing college. Part of me longs to try somewhere else. I think that I'd like to settle here, ultimately. I've considered Oz and Canada or even Germany, given I have a German degree and would love to strengthen my German. I'm not really tied down by anything at the minute, I'm single and most of my friends are slowly going their separate ways, so I guess if I were to emigrate it would be soon. But it isn't 2008-2012, would it be stupid to go?

Ray Palmer

go travel and find out

Ubbquittious

Inflation and the artificially created housing shortage are everywhere now

macvin

It absolutely is.

The experience and learning you get from experiencing other countries and cultures is simply unbeatable.

It will stand to you in both work and personal life and will give you a varied outlook and understanding of different people and cultures which you can pass on to others especially children.

carrollsno1

Absolutely worth doing, in a way it was the worst thing i did because i saw what living was actually like for a change and here i am now wondering will i ever get out of this country again.

-=al=-

Go for it. You'll learn a lot and wont regret it. You can always come home if you don't like it, but it's worth a shot

fishersham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119054614#Comment_119054614

Where did ya go so? I'm intrigued

toyotatommy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119054671#Comment_119054671

Achill island.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058245656/is-emigrating-worth-it-anymore

Well if you have a degree in German and you have never lived in a German speaking country…. What are you waiting for? There is Germany, Austria, Switzerland, pockets of Italy and France etc… your foot loose, fancy free, no permit issues etc….

corner of hells

French Foreign Legion might be for you , OP.

They do a bit of travelling , not really your usual sun spots though and you get to met different people.

carrollsno1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119054671#Comment_119054671

I left for England at 20 gave less than a year there, home for 18 months then went to New Zealand and gave near three years between there and Australia im 27 now waiting to gst qualified here and hopefully head back to Australia then.

student7890

Once you take the journey the gate is forever open. Consider carefully. Settle for long winters here or take the chance, what's the worst can happen.

The happiest man In my street lives abroad.

The smiths

NSAman

In a word “yes”.

love home, love my friends, love my family. However, couldn’t make a,living in Ireland. Here I am currently living in the States comfortably, working hard and making a living. So I miss home? Absolutely! Still plan on being home 3 times this year. (Despite the car hire prices which are extortionate in Ireland).

plan is to retire home and live and work part-time at home and part-time in the states and another two countries.

Ireland simply does not have the opportunities that abound in other countries.

getoutadodge

I would say no. In the 80s I did all the usuals (Germany, NYC, Oz). Unless its a one way ticket and you intend to burn your boat so to speak. otherwise you lose time and options. Use your 20s here to bed down into a work mode and by 30 you can start coasting and living better. As for the rain do what the sensible do and take your main holiday over Xmas /New Year and jet off to sun to break the back of the winter.

SuperBowserWorld

The danger of staying is that you become more and more afraid of going. And your view of things will get narrower and narrower. And then you'll never go, and you'll regret it.

There is no downside at your age. Set aside 5 years to travel, work abroad, live. You can easily build up your career abroad. Travel is cheap, the Internet made communication and commerce easy. Just go. If it doesn't work out, you'll still have a wealth of experience that you'll never get at home.

I travelled to and worked in a few different countries. And met some great people. And I'm a big dumb ass. These are the happiest memories in my life.

(Edit) You have a German degree. You'd be mad not to travel and work in your chosen field in a German speaking area.

random_guy

What's the point of studying to get a German degree and then not actually use is?

If you can speak German, then why not make a move?

The German speaking world is really good to live in (Source: I've lived in it for a good while).

Grayson

Go. I moved to Germany last year. It's a great country. The trains can be a bit frustrating because they're always late, but you can reach anywhere in Europe on them. I went to Amsterdam on a day trip last weekend.

the older you get, the less likely you'll move. You can come here, or elsewhere, travel a bit, save some money and them move home later. You'll save more because rent etc is so much less here. So it actually increases your chances of being able to buy a permanent place back in Ireland.

Akrasia

Go, now!, what are you waiting for, don't even pack a bag!

Travelling gives you some perspective so it's well worth leaving home and living somewhere else even if its only for a few years. Think of it as an extension of your education, the experience and life skills you will learn should add to your earning potential in the long term

The people who go straight from school into a job and then work for the rest of their life, may earn more money by x age because they started earlier, but life is for living, not just a competition to see who's house is bigger on the day of their funeral

fishersham

See my degree is in law so it's probably not useful at all in Germany, but sure I could easily go work for a fee months as a waitress or doing TEFL or something.

The appeal of Oz and Canada are mostly because I know people there but I could always take the plunge and go to Germany regardless and return if I really hate it. I really do want to use my German. Frankly, my standard of German is quite low and if I ever want to use it professionally, I'd need to head abroad for a bit.

getoutadodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119055947#Comment_119055947

TEFL is a four letter word for poverty. Its always tarted up as a "way to see the world"

BailMeOut

Travel and live in other places. Your 50-year self will thank you. I left straight from college and lived in several countries for 16 years but am home now. My experiences abroad have only been a positive in my life and made me appreciate Ireland all the more when I returned.

random_guy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119055947#Comment_119055947

A law office that does international law? ECB, one of the other EU Institutions etc. There's loads of places where someone can combine German and law.

And this is not meant as a slight against you, but it speaks loads for the Irish education system when you can get a degree in a language and still have a low standard.

Also, you mentioned that your friends are already going their separate ways, those in Australia or Canada also probably have different priorities at this stage.

whisky_galore

For gods sakes go. You will always regret the things you don't do.

I wish I stayed at home and worked in that company for 40 years straight and went nowhere and experienced anything new said no intelligent person ever.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058245656/is-emigrating-worth-it-anymore

The trick there is to stay relatively local. Gemany would work in terms of being only a two-hour flight from home and you can get back for a week every few months or so and enjoy the bits you miss once in a while.

That said, your post is more about what you don't like in Ireland - you should think about what you're looking for when you move. Weather? Summers are nice but winters are just as bad in Ireland. Social life isn't any easier if you move to a business city and that'll just drive you up the wall even more. Finding a place to rent in Berlin takes ages - there's an accomodation crisis here, too. But you can try it - come for a month or two and then decide. And again, doesn't have to be permanent.

ratracer

If I could tell my 23 year old self what to do after college, it would be to take the brave step and go travel/ work abroad for a few years.

I chickened out of it at the time, even when my mates still went, and although my career is great here, I still harbour regrets of not travelling when I had the opportunity. It’s something I’ve been encouraging my kids to do since they started secondary school. It’s a big world, go see it!

Dial Hard

A Law degree is hugely transferable, particularly with a foreign language. I work in corporate comms & public affairs and there are probably more Law degrees in the office than any other type.

dxhound2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058245656/is-emigrating-worth-it-anymore

Just as Dublin is out of your reach here, it is likely that Berlin, London, Sydney and many more big cities will be as well. Housing crises everywhere these days. If you have a good standard of accommodation here, you would need to consider what you could afford abroad.

https://assemblepapers.com.au/2022/03/08/behind-the-great-housing-crisis-of-berlin/

Sleepy

I started work in Dublin 3 days after my final college exam and have been at it pretty much ever since bar an enforced 6 month stint in the UK during the recession where I made more per month than I ever have before or since despite having to commute home every weekend as my daughter was only a toddler at the time. Not travelling more before I settled down is the great regret of my life so I'd say go for it OP. The world's a big place and there's no expiry date on your Irish citizenship, you can always come home if/when you miss it.

SVI40

1000% go. 57 now, and one of the biggest regrets I have is that I didn't have the balls to travel when I was younger.

fishersham

Thanks guys. I feel pretty motivated now after these responses.

I do think I will regret it. Frankly, I'm still upset over my college cancelling my Erasmus back in 2020. I've always wanted to travel. The more sensible part of my brain is saying "no go and get your real job now, so much could go wrong, 30 year old you will thank you etc". But a year or 2 out won't kill me. And people who didn't travel do seem to regret it. My parents are well off but seem to really regret not traveling. Both finished college at my age and landed their current jobs soon after in the late-90s and that's them.

It's easier to think "those 6 months in Germany were awful" than wonder what could've happened 20 years on, I'm sure.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058245656/is-emigrating-worth-it-anymore

fcuk that, go for it, i would probably the best experience you ll ever have, lifes too short, its gonna take years to sort out our mess anyway....

Ray Palmer

Whatever you do don't come back to Ireland and think your experience trumps everything in Ireland. Different just means that most times not better. Having worked with some people who think because they saw something work in one environment doesn't mean it work in another. Worst was a guy who worked in the USA and would keep saying it worked where he was before. Strange a plan involving unpaid over time and firing people who don't do it wouldn't work in a country with decent labour laws. Several times we had to explain labour laws to him and he just went on about how backwards Ireland was. Eventually he had to be told not to question HR policies in public and go talk HR and discuss it with them. He couldn't do it and was "let go", he worked in the USA for 2 years and had about 4 years total work experience but thought he knew better than everyone else.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056456#Comment_119056456

...you d be surprised of the amount of people that think fcuking over workers always works!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056322#Comment_119056322

Berlin has rent controls though - landlords can;t put the rent up more than 15% in a three year period. There is a shortage of supply, though.

Hamachi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056409#Comment_119056409

OP, I doubt you will have an awful time in Germany. I lived there for a decade and mostly enjoyed it. I too had a degree in German, but had worked there during university holidays and was reasonably competent in the language before moving. Nevertheless, I would say that I was three years in the country full time, before I considered myself truly fluent. Language acquisition takes time, so don’t be too hard on yourself.

Socially, Germans are a mixed bag. In general, they are hard to get to know, but when you do connect, they can be terrific friends. You may find that your friends are primarily other foreigners. There are two way to make German friends. 1. Get a German boyfriend / girlfriend 2. Join a Verein. These are basically clubs for sports and hobbies that will allow you to meet local people. Again, building friendships can take time in Germany.

I’d say give it a go. You have nothing to lose. However, I would be a little wary of those people who make you feel inadequate for not traveling. Do it because you want to, not because some people insist that it’s a must-do. If your instinct is to remain in Ireland, that’s a wholly legitimate choice too.

fishersham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056584#Comment_119056584

To be honest, the main thing holding me back is the lack of "the craic". Of the Germans I've met in college, it's been mixed bag. I'd worry about not making friends over there. I take myself a bit more seriously than most people I know here but I still like the craic. I'm very sarcastic like most Irish people. Love a good slagging too. I imagine it's easier to make friends in Oz or Canada because of the shared sense of humour. But if I met nice people over there I'd be sure to tone down that part of me haha.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056640#Comment_119056640

go traveling for yourself, you ll find craic everywhere...

Hamachi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056640#Comment_119056640

I also spent a year in Australia. To be honest, I infinitely preferred Germans to Australians. Germans, although quite serious and methodical, are usually genuine and respectful people. Australians tend to hold themselves in very high esteem and some can be quite tactless and borderline obnoxious.

It will take time to make friends in Germany, but give it a chance and it will happen for you. You will need to make the effort though. If you live in a larger city, there will likely be a few other Irish floating around. I always had a handful of Irish friends too for the mad nights out and to maintain that connection with home.

Ray Palmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056510#Comment_119056510

Not anymore they were deemed illegal by the courts. That increase allowed is larger than the caps in in Ireland. You also have provide your own kitchen, appliances and furniture. You can't rent a place out like that in Ireland so costs are higher for landlords along with tax, insurance etc.. You can apparently evict people there who don't pay rent too which takes over 2 years here. Bring in German regulations here on rentals and rent would drop.

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056456#Comment_119056456

Agree totally. Take the best parts of every experience and apply them to the current laws where you are. American working “norms” are draconian. Irish and European working “norms” can translate very well to the American work situation. I have implemented them in my own business.

No one knows everything, but experience of different social norms, through interaction and learning, brings understanding. That is why travel broadens the mind. Somethings will improve your life and others if you have a chance to experience them. Ireland has many good things to offer, but it also has some bad things. No country has everything, no country is utopia.

getoutadodge

Regardless of where u go you will gravitate to other immigrants. That's the golden rule. Ask the immigrants here how many Irish they know well and count as intimate friends. Very very few. Don't be bamboozled into emigrating especially by those who have no experience of it. Half of my adult life was overseas all over the place in very different jobs . Gypsy life is not appealing and grates after a few years. And don't come back with "stories". Nobodies interested and deep down resent it. Skip over to Germany this summer for three months ...so as to scratch the itch but then its decision time.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056695#Comment_119056695

No, it was only the 5-year rent freeze that was repealed. You can rent out with kitchen, but it's trickier.

ancapailldorcha

I'd say so, if only for cultural and developmental reasons. Lots of countries have cost of living problems so moving from Dublin to London is unlikely to improve your fiscal lot unless there's a hefty increase in income. Staying is fine as well. Depends on you but getting out was the smartest choice I ever made.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056757#Comment_119056757

Everyone's experience is different and valid, but that hasn't been my experience at all. Sure, initially I went to Irish bars, but soon tired of that empty counterproductive cr@p and made lots of good friends, not one of them being an immigrant.

OP, wherever you go, avoid Irish bars like the plague.

Ray Palmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119056838#Comment_119056838

that is still 150% allowable rent increases allowed in Dublin each year. You do have to repaint when you leave. Germany only has the rent structure it has due to huge investment given to them after WWII and the fact so many people died and property could be seized by the state. They then didn't sell the property to the tenants unlike what we did with our social housing. Like going on about the Underground in London as something we should have and ignoring the amount of time money and lives lost creating it by a country that had an empire and profitted from that. Liverpool was funded by slave sales.

Saw a guy going on about how he could afford a lovely place in Dubai and great salary. The properties there were built with modern slavery and you are 2nd class citizen in the country but it is better than Ireland according to him. I personally couldn't do it. One thing to say a shoe you bought maybe made in a sweat shop but knowing your home was built by pure exploitation is another thing totally.

fishersham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119057024#Comment_119057024

If I can't find someone to go along with me my plan was to go to an Irish pub because odds are I'd meet other Irish people and would be more likely to make friends haha.

Then again, a bit pointless living abroad only to befriend people from Mayo and Cork like

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119057250#Comment_119057250

I mention it because people complain about unfair rent increses in Ireland and the OP might find the info useful, not becuase I want to get into a Berlin v Ireland debate.

The posts in the accomodation fourm would lead me to believe that the Dubin does not have a cap 3.3% per annum (2/3rds of Berlin's) but then I haven't been checking it myself, so could very well be wrong.

Ray Palmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119057329#Comment_119057329

it's 2%. Fair point to make but people also believe the referendum in Berlin changed things on rent.

NSAman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119057327#Comment_119057327

It gives you a little back up and comfort. However, if you get stuck in the rut of only meeting Irish people or immigrants, you won't fully immerse yourself in the society.

I learned a LONG time ago, that socialising with only Irish people can give you bad habits, bad information and alienate yourself from living properly in a country. Yes, it is nice to do it SOMETIMES. Locals know the score, locals have the information required and know how to get things done. It also makes it easier to get introduced to local people.....

random_guy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119057798#Comment_119057798

The immigrant population is often sometimes a bit transient.

The people you were drinking with 2 weeks ago might no longer be in the country as Erasmus has ended, they have a new contract etc.

I went to a well known Irish pub in a good sized city last year to watch the Mayo lose again and, with the exception of the staff, was the only Irish person sitting there.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119057941#Comment_119057941

That's normal for Irish bars in non-native English speaking countries!

The trick is to find international communites - English will be spoken, but you get a better mix of backgrounds.