The Expat Astrologer

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Why did we choose to move to Ireland? Choosing a location as an expat

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One of the biggest questions we get is, why did we choose to move to Ireland? How do you choose a location to live in as an expat?Sometimes (read most times) Rob and I just actually wing life. We jump head first, and figure it out as we go. It happened when we decided to buy a house, when we decided to do a huge eurotrip around a friends wedding, and most recently, when we decided to move to Ireland. We base most of decisions on whether it sounds like fun, and I generally get too excited and start planning it before any of us have a chance to back out. One of the biggest questions we get is, why did we choose to move to Ireland? How do you choose a location to live in as an expat?

I have spoken about it before, but on our honeymoon we had a real heart to heart about what we wanted out of life. What was the next big thing we wanted to do, and whether we were happy where we were right then. Putting aside the most amazing honeymoon we had, were we happy with the life we had built together. At the time, we were both unsettled in our jobs, for different reasons. We were looking for a change, sometimes I think Rob and I crave change. We often search for it. We hate to stand still. Rob has the kind of job that is needed in quite a few interesting places, which actually started the whole conversation about whether we saw ourselves living overseas. He threw out a bunch of places that we could both consider moving to. Places like Switzerland, Amsterdam, Canada, even places like Guernsey and Isle of Man. The options seemed endless, until we started looking into them. Come to think of it, maybe we didn’t completely just wing it.

In the beginning we did ask a few questions before we decided on a place to move to. Things like: How easy is it for us to get into the new country? What visas did we need? Could we both work? Were there job opportunities for us both? Would they let Jack in? How long was the quarantine process? What kind of life would we all have? Was there lots to do and see? Could we travel around easily? Could our family visit with or without visas?

Thinking back, we definitely consider a lot different factors actually, but I do think a large part of moving overseas is taking a giant leap of faith. You can do all the planning and research in the world, and things can still fall upside down. Some things you just cannot predict. Like how long it would take to find a job, or how long the process takes to get a work permit, or finding a good rental home that ticks all your boxes. There are other things you don’t consider. Some that you might not even need to consider, only if they actually do happen. Most don’t think of a place as a place to live but rather they think of the place that they have visited whilst on holiday. Living and paying bills in a place is an entirely different thing to visiting tourist spots and traveling. Figuring out how things work and making friends can be a long and tedious process of trying and trying again.

At the end of the day, we chose Ireland because it ticked a lot of boxes for us: firstly, Rob got offered a job. We knew I would be able to get a spousal work permit , but we didn’t know how long it would take to get sorted out. We knew Jack could move over to Ireland without quarantine, but we didn’t know that finding a pet friendly rental in Dublin city would be so tough. There were a lot of things we knew would work out, and others we never fully realised until we were already here. I think for the most part, you need to have a ‘just winging it’, positive attitude. It saves you from all the anxiety and worry of knowing if things will work out. You also need to have patience, do the research and trust the process will work itself out. And then you have to have acceptance, because maybe it doesn’t work out exactly how you planned, and that’s not something you can always control.

HAVE YOU MOVED OVERSEAS? HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE PLACE YOU CHOSE TO MOVE TO?

Live Simply & Travel Slow,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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One of the biggest questions we get is, why did we choose to move to Ireland? How do you choose a location to live in as an expat?

Top 6 Reasons to Live in Dublin, and 3 Reasons Why it can be Hard

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We have lived in Dublin for over a year now and while the move had it's challenges, we have come to love our new adopted home. Dublin and Ireland in general should be a place that everyone should visit. And that is not for the pubs and the craic - but more for the place that it is and the people. There are many reasons why I think Dublin is a great place to live, but I thought these six reasons best summarise this little city that has a very big heart.We have lived in Dublin for over a year now and while the move had it’s challenges, we have come to love our new adopted home. Dublin and Ireland in general should be a place that everyone should visit. And that is not for the pubs and the craic – but more for the place that it is and the people. There are many reasons why I think Dublin is a great place to live, but I thought these six reasons best summarise this little city that has a very big heart.

  1. It’s a big city but not too big: with just under 1.5 million people living in Dublin, this city is big but its not as over developed and hectic as some other european cities.
  2. It’s convenient: you can walk to most places in Dublin and if not, public transport is pretty good. Sure the bus time table might be more a suggestion than accurate all the time but thye recently joined up the red and green luas lines – so it is improving all the time.
  3. The Guinness just tastes better in Ireland – Fact: something about drinking a pint of Guinness on Irish soil (this goes for anywhere in Ireland, not specifically Dublin), just makes the pint taste sweeter.
  4. Variety: city/ mountains/ beach and the coastal cliffs – all within minutes of each other. everything is very central and convenient to get to in Dublin.
  5. Something is always happening: there is loads to see and do here; with  tons of history, arts, music, food – whatever your interests, there is bound to be something you like happening in Dublin.
  6. It has a mild climate: granted it might not be too hot but it is generally not too cold either.

Those are just some of the reasons why we love to live in Dublin, and why Dublin and Ireland have kinda stolen a piece of our hearts. We didn’t realise how good it could be to live in this city, we came over with zero expectations and were so pleasantly surprised by how much we love to live here. Rob cycles to work every day, I take the bus, our local pub has a music eve every week; and Jack loves to run along the beach and parks – all within walking distance from our home. But there are 3 main reasons why living in Dublin can be a challenge. I don’t like to be super negative on the blog, but a lot of my readers follow this blog with the hopes of one day moving to Ireland, so I feel its only fair that I raise a few of the reasons why living in Dublin can be hard too.

  1. Rent is astronomical: It is more than just expensive; finding a spot that won’t cost you an arm and a leg and one of your kidneys is a real challenge. That is not to say it can’t be done, I mean we did find a place, but there is a massive housing crisis here. Many of the good spots will go very quickly, and having a pet makes it an extra challenge.
  2. Finding a job can be a slow process: If you read any of the irish papers, they all talk about how the job market is booming. Loads of groups I am in will say that there are tons of jobs available – new job openings every day. But I don’t think that is entirely true for all people and all industries. For many expats I know, work permits make it longer process to finding employment too.
  3. The litter is out of control: I wish i could say its because we live in the city but its on the beaches, and in the parks. I drive out through the suburbs on my way to work every day and I can’t tell you how many people i have seen blatantly littering, or not picking up their dog’s poop! Litter is a huge issue here and it seriously bums me out.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE REASON FOR ENJOYING LIVING IN YOUR CITY?

Live Simply & Travel Slow,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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We have lived in Dublin for over a year now and while the move had it's challenges, we have come to love our new adopted home. Dublin and Ireland in general should be a place that everyone should visit. And that is not for the pubs and the craic - but more for the place that it is and the people. There are many reasons why I think Dublin is a great place to live, but I thought these six reasons best summarise this little city that has a very big heart.

Unexpected Costs To Account For As An Expat Moving To Ireland

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Moving to Ireland? Here are some of the unexpected costs you need to account for as an expat planning to live abroad in Ireland.When you make the decision to move overseas, I think most think it is an easy enough decision to make. Do you have a job to go to? That is probably the one consideration most people would think of before moving abroad. But the real question you need to ask yourself before you move to a new country is: Will I be able to afford living in a new country for the long term?

People often make the mistake of assuming because salaries sound better overseas, that they will be making tons of cash when finally move there. Converting to your home country currency is probably the worst mistake you can make because you are then basing that new salary off cost of living back at home without fully realising what the cost of living is like in the country you intend on living. Read this post for better insight on cost of living between Ireland and South Africa.

More to the point about money and budgets is that there are always going to be unexpected costs that seem to creep up when you move overseas. You are in a new country, and you want to explore, but it might be helpful if you have enough saved before you move over to account for some of those unexpected costs that you don’t often think about in the excitement of starting a new adventure.

  1. The cost of visas, work permits, and being legally allowed to stay in the country long term.

Depending on how you are able to enter the country to either work or live abroad, there may be costs associated to obtaining the necessary visa. It’s a good idea to check in advance of you arriving what those costs could be, since they will probably be in the foreign currency.

Certain work permits in Ireland cost money as well. In most cases this may be paid for by your employer but it is good information to be familiar with in case the onus falls on your shoulders to settle.

In Ireland, as an expat with a non-EU passport, you are required to register for a GNIB card within 90 days of arriving in the country. The cost associated with this immigration registration card is EUR300. If you arrive in the country before getting employment sorted out, you will need to pay for this card twice. The first time to notify them that you are intending on staying in the country, and the second to update your employment status. If you are like me, that means that you could pay EUR600 in your first year.

2. Finding a place to rent and deposits.

If you are looking for a rental as an expat, there are certain cases where you may have to pay more than a full month as a deposit to secure a good spot. We have heard of friends who were required to pay a double deposit. Because good rentals in the city of Dublin are quite costly, the difference between be able to secure a place to rent and having to let it go, may come down to who can pay the upfront payment right then and there. Finding a place to rent that is pet-friendly carries additional challenges, read this post for how we managed to find our place.

3. Additional custom costs to shipping your home overseas.

This is another hidden cost that people sometimes don’t account for. You could decide to send some things over from home to your new home abroad. What you might not realise is that you pay a fee to move it overseas, but then depending on its destination, you will pay a customs fee to bring it into the new country. If you can, find out what that cost will be beforehand (a good shipping company should be able to give you an estimate) so that it is not a heavy surprise when you get to the other side. It may also help you decide what is worth sending over, and what is maybe better off leaving behind.

4. Getting a car is not just about buying the wheels.

You are legally required to have car insurance if you own a vehicle. Because you are entering into a new country, you will need to show your car insurance history from back home. If there is a gap in payments (i.e you cancel your car insurance before you move over) there is a risk that you may need to pay a heavier premium/penalty. Furthermore, certain countries are allowed to swop out their drivers license for an Irish one, South Africa is one of those countries that are accepted. However you have to do this within the first year of your arrival, and your home country’s drivers license needs to still be valid. The cost to swop out your drivers license is EUR55.

5.  The cost of medical aid.

If you wish to take out medical aid in Ireland, the biggest difference here is that the premiums are paid upfront for the year. Unlike in South Africa where the premiums are deducted off monthly, you need to have the full payment for the full year, ready upfront. This could be quite a big lump sum depending on what package you intend on taking out.

For more info on living abroad, and moving to Ireland, you can find all these kinds of posts here on the blog.

LOOKING TO MOVE TO IRELAND, WHAT INFORMATION WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO COVER IN THE NEXT POST ABOUT LIVING ABROAD?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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Moving to Ireland? Here are some of the unexpected costs you need to account for as an expat planning to live abroad in Ireland.

A Guide On What To Expect At The 9 FREE Museums In Dublin

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Did you know that there are NINE museums in Dublin that you can visit all year round? They all offer unique insights into irish history, arts and culture. Here is the list of the nine free museums in Dublin - what they offer, and what you need to look out for at each spot.Most people think of drinking in pubs in the Temple Bar area when you visit Dublin, but there is a great deal of arts and culture you can see while you are touring in Dublin. Not to mention all the free things you can do here too. Did you know that there are nine FREE museums in Dublin that you can visit all year round? They all offer unique insights into irish history, arts and culture. Here is the list of free museums in Dublin – what they offer, and what you need to look out for at each spot.

  • Natural history museum

This is one of the most under-rated museums here in Dublin. It is also known as ‘the dead zoo’, this is because all the displays are replica’s or taxidermied. The best part of this museum is you really get to see upclose, the sheer size of some of these animals. Another fun fact is that if you are a fan of the TV-series ‘Penny Dreadful’ – a part of season three is shot at this museum. We really enjoyed walking around and looking at all the displays, the space is huge and if you get there early in the morning over a weekend, it can be a quiet place to explore.

National History Museum, Dublin, Ireland. Also known as the dead zoo. Penny Dreadful was filmed here.

  • National print museum

This is a small museum, but definitely not to be missed. You can view all the old print methods, and how printing has evolved through the years. You can also view the 1916 proclamation on a similar print machine that was used to print this proclamation. Another great part of this museum is the coffee shop next store. It is in a glass atrium to the one side of the museum and is the perfect spot for a meal or just a coffee and a slice of home-made cake.

National Print Museum, Dublin, Ireland

  • National museum of decorative arts

Decorative Arts & History is home to a wide range of objects, which include weaponry, furniture, silver, ceramics and glassware; as well as examples of folk life and costume. To be honest, this is not a museum we have visited yet. I know we will eventually get there, but it just doesn’t really interest me at present to go, but hey, it is free to enter so why not just check it out for yourself?

  • National museum of archaeology

Warning: this museum is HUGE. You need a full day to really explore it from top to bottom. There is so much to see here. The main reason I wanted to visit this particular museum is to visit the bog bodies exhibition. In 2003, Iron Age bog bodies were discovered at Oldcroghan, Co. Offaly and Clonycavan, Co. Meath. A bog body is a human cadaver that has been naturally mummified in a peat bog. An excerpt taken from the museum’s website says: “The exhibition is based around the theory that human sacrifice and the deposition of the victims in bogs along tribal boundaries is related to sovereignty and kingship rituals during the Iron Age.” I found the exhibition was packed with information, and found it very interesting to learn more about the reasons why these bog bodies came to be.

National Museum of Archaeology, Dublin, Ireland

  • Irish museum of modern art

Another large museum that deserves a bit more time to explore is the Irish Museum of Modern Art. We visited it after we went to see Kilmainham Gaol – since the two are right across the street from one another. In hindsight, we needed more time to explore this museum. There are several exhibition areas allowing you to experience contemporary art, and these change every few months or so. Give yourself at least a few hours to walk around, plus the onsite cafe downstairs serves up pretty good food if you get a bit hungry.

Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland

  • Pearse Museum 

We learnt about Patrick Pearse when we did the cemetery tour at Glasnevin Cemetery. Patrick Pearse had quite an interesting life. He was first an educationalist, who believed there was more to education than just focusing on exams and tests. But he is more commonly remembered as a nationalist who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising. The museum is a story about his life, as well as his brother William, and I found it a very interesting place to visit. It is also where Robert Emmet’s execution block is on display.

Pearse Museum, Dublin, Ireland

  • James Joyce Tower & Museum

This was one of the first museums we visited, and it is in Dun Laoghaire. The museum is free to visit, and as museum’s go – it is small. I mostly enjoyed getting to see what the inside of a Martello tower looks like. The British built 50 Martello towers along the Irish coastline as part of their defense against Napoleon. It is about as tall as two floors and has a tiny staircase inside that winds it’s way to the top. The view at the top of the tower is a real treat. On a clear day you can see Howth.

  • Science Gallery

Where science and art collide – this museum has a new exhibition every 4 months. It is a small space, that offers visitors an interactive and thought provoking journey combining science and facts with art and creativity. We went a few months ago to the ‘Humans need not apply’ display which talked about the current progress artificial intelligence has made, along with what the future could look like as AI evolves and grows. I enjoyed the exhibition space, and it was small enough to navigate and explore within a few hours, and still leave time to explore other parts of Dublin on the same day.

Science Gallery, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland

  • Chester Beatty Library

Don’t let the name confuse you, this is no ordinary library. It is described by Lonely Planet to not just be the best museum in Dublin but one of the best in Europe.  The library is free to visit, and holds things like manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and decorative arts. It is behind Dublin Castle, next to the Dublin memorial garden -which is perfect for a coffee and chat while taking in the garden view.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MUSEUM TO VISIT?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

PIN THIS AND READ LATER:

Did you know that there are NINE museums in Dublin that you can visit all year round? They all offer unique insights into irish history, arts and culture. Here is the list of the nine free museums in Dublin - what they offer, and what you need to look out for at each spot.