Has anyone been in Ireland for a 4-6 month stay? We are curious if it is feasible financially? Where are their rentals for that period of time, and car rentals? Any help would be great. Youngka
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Living in Oregon, like to travel, love going to Europe, Alaska and maybe one day China.
My thanks to Anchoress for being spot on with her recommendations. I am envious at the thought of 4-6 months in Ireland. Let us know how things shape up.
Hi Michele, I did go on the site Anchoress suggested. It was very interesting!! Dave and I searched out some really cute places -- which, of course, are ready now. I think, for now, we have decided to have 12Travel check into houses towards the end of this year. May even check into prices of self catering places on a 2-4 week rental and compare prices. I can still use any help from anyone who has rented a house for a month or more and hear their reactions. Thanks for your twos info! Youngka
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Living in Oregon, like to travel, love going to Europe, Alaska and maybe one day China.
Also remember you'll need permission to stay in Ireland beyond 90 days. There are a few ways to do that. I'd recommend contacting the Irish Embassy and doing as much as you can before you leave...it can be done at the local level once you get there too, but I found that some smaller communities don't always know the ins and outs.
Leasing a car might be an option (http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/short_term_car_leasing.htm). I looked into it last summer, but despite the fact that the leased cars could be driven in Ireland...I couldn't find any sources that provided the leased cars in Ireland. Peugeot and Renault have the best-known programs for this.
In the end, I went through a rental agency. They classified it as a lease. However, I had to exchange cars every 28 days, was offered Super CDW and signed a rental agreement...so it sounded more like a "re-classified" rental to me. For an extended car rental, Insurance4carhire.com could save you a bundle on insurance. I have an account with them, but haven't had to make a claim, so I can't comment on how well they work.
Car and accommodations are certainly the big expenses in Ireland, so hammering those prices out will make budgeting much easier. I found lots of ways to save on food and necessities, but anytime I decided to travel away from my homebase for a few days...I had to budget like a tourist. So be realistic, and choose a location that is only a daytrip away from the places you plan to visit.
Yesiree, Thank you very much for information I had not even thought about! Little by little I can be more prepared for our trip! When we have done self-catering previously, we thought it was a challenge to eat at the self-catering place as often as we could, then we could splurge on a nicer meal at a place we had noticed in our running around
Michele, I certainly will let you know whether or not self catering will give us a discount on a place for a month. I have written to several places we have stayed each time we go to Ireland. Should be interesting.
Thanks for the help, all of you! Youngka
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Living in Oregon, like to travel, love going to Europe, Alaska and maybe one day China.
Thanks for the valuable info for Youngka. I have yet to hear of anyone who has had to make a claim with insurance4carhire. Hopefully no one on the forum will have to do that. It does seem like a good deal for those who travel abroad frequently.
Much depends also on the time of year. Many holiday lets will offer a cheap rate from September onwards rather than have the place lie empty in the winter. Blessings