So... what if we want to MOVE to Ireland?

luckygreen · Veteran Member

RE: So... what if we want to MOVE to Ireland?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kelly,

Glad you are enjoying the discussion. I think that having a dream is good but knowing the reality is also very important. I think Christy is doing it the right way by finding out as much as possible in advance -- the good and the bad.

Of course, there are no guarantees in life for anything. You learn as much as possible and then follow your dreams. Sometimes it works and sometimes you have to go on to plan B through Z! That's life.

Michele

youngka · Guru

Michele, would you ever like to move to Ireland? youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Youngka,

When I win the Lotto!

Michele

youngka · Guru

Michele, GREAT, go for it......youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

youngka,

I think I have a greater chance of being struck by lightning! But at least I get to "live" in Ireland for a couple of months every year. I have the best of both worlds.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

Revisiting this thread a bit:

I have found out that I really don't NEED to get my Ireland CPA/ACCA certification before I go over, but it would certainly help me secure a job there, so I've started the studying. Many of the resources are available free online, so I've got my job cut out for me.

The plan is to go over for a couple weeks in the winter, probably 2010 or 2011. I will work with a recruiter and have some job interviews lined up at that time. Hopefully, most of the recession stuff will be on the upswing by then, and I can see what life is like in the off season. If things go well, I'd then rent a place, furnished, and leave my home as it is for a while (my parents currently live there as well, so no problems there). After a year or so, then I'd work on selling the old house and moving my furniture over - the only major expense so far - and buying a place in Ireland. Then my parents can move to their North Carolina house, and all will be well.

I figure this plan allows me to test the waters several times without making any irrevocable steps. The current dream is to settle in the west, perhaps near Galway or Cork - big enough city to find work in, close enough to the west to sightsee :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row. In another post I suggest skipping Galway in favor of No. Ireland. Now I see the reason you want to go there. So ignore that suggestion.

Looks like you are proceeding cautiously yet steadily toward your goal. I wish you all the best with your plans.

Keep us advised of how things are going.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

I shall, thanks for all your help! I do appreciate the insights greatly. And perhaps others can learn from them as well.

youngka · Guru

Christy, I think you are so smart in starting this particular item on the forum. You should have NO problem with the research and covering all the right places and questions. My son just moved over to Netherlands. His mother-in-law returned home after losing her husband this year and invited him and his family (wife and 2 kids) to move over, so they said what the heck and moved. BUT! He really did not do any research and took the word of his mother-in-law as to them having no problems because she was a citizen of Netherlands, and his wife is her daughter--blood relative. She assumed that her daughter's husband and 2 kids were just automatic citizens. Welllllll, since they did no research --- they were informed, after shipping a container with their one car and room for very little else, that they must leave in March. We had not seen him much til he was just getting ready to leave.......research, research, research!!!! So now they are doing research to see how they can stay!! Very sad. Youngka blankstare

yesiree · Guru

Christy,

Your testing the waters methods is a good idea...until you make any big changes, you can continue to dream with the rest of us :)

Youngka - ouch on your son's situation. That's a tough lesson to learn. It's very possible that new EU regulations are at play...many people don't realize many of the changes even within their own country. You might hear "oh, my brother did it with no problems." They fail to mention that their brother did it 15 years ago.

youngka · Guru

Corey -- I totally agree with you! I think he will now dig into it, and find a way -- I am interested just to see how he does it........scary! I am keeping a copy of this particular piece on the forum (Christy's) and put it in my "move to Ireland" folder! Christy has done some very good research and the comments are excellent from everyone! As Michele said, that having a dream is good. Michele, I am really happy for you and Corey to have the best of two worlds -- very nice........Youngka

Green Dragon · Guru

As a note, it is a MUCH easier move (legal-wise) if you, your parents, or your grandparents were born in Ireland, as that makes you eligible for Irish citizenship. As my Irish ancestors emigrated more than 300 years ago, I'm rather out of luck in that aspect :)

Also, if you have claim to citizenship in any EU country, it is also easier, as you can live and work in Ireland without a work visa.

Once you are in Ireland working for 5 years, you are eligible to apply for citizenship.

I know it's not a necessary step, but I've started learning some Irish, too :) Perhaps I'll want to teach in Ireland some day, and that's a requirement!

-- Edited by Green Dragon at 11:13, 2008-12-31

youngka · Guru

Green Dragon, Thanks for this info, good to have. Our son was going on the fact that his mother in law was a citizen, passport, etc. When I spoke to the Netherlands Embassy, the first thing the lady said --- do they have passports for Netherlands? Like I was saying, it will be interesting to see what they end up doing. Youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Your goal and this discussion is very exciting for you and the other forum members. What fun to be planning a move to Ireland while at the same time knowing more about the country, warts and all.

Michele