Izz…do you know yet if you will be allowed to immigrate? If you guys aren’t being brought there specifically for work, and if neither of you can claim either Irish or EU citizenship, you might not find it terribly easy. I know there are laws governing how much land a non-citizen can buy, for example, and getting a permit to work could be problematic. If one of you has a parent or grandparent who came from Ireland (and can prove it), that person can, I believe, still claim Irish citizenship, but if you don’t have that tie, it may be difficult.
There’s also the tax issue…if you retain your U.S. citizenship, any money you earn living overseas is taxable here in the States. You’ll want to factor that into your budget as well.
The citizenship through grandparentage route is still available but I don’t believe it applies to any kids that you acquired before the point of application for citizenship. I thought about going that route but ultimately decided against it.
Here Izzy, second hit on a Google search for “american expatriate ireland”:
Yes, I’m not looking forward to next April (the 5th is tax day for the UK), but as I haven’t found a job yet it’s a non-issue at the moment. Applying for a good one this week though!
Completely random question, Izzy - have you considered moving to Canada? It wouldn’t be nearly as bad of a culture shock (in most areas anyway), your US dollars would be worth a lot more, and it would be easier to go back to the US to visit relatives.
Just an idea.. I haven’t seen much of Canada myself.
This is good advice, Peter, and I appreciate it immensely. Co. Mayo seemed to be the most recent choice, but we have also been looking into Co. Galway and Co. Westmeath (near Athlone, which I believe is an hour away from Galway City by train if I found the correct information). I also am not up to falling in love with an idea, which is why no matter what happens, this is something we are “trying” for a year. If all seems to go well…we like it and our presence there is acceptable…then we really do hope to stay. But there is always the possibility that it may not work out at all, and despite my hopes, I’m fine with that to a certain extent. I just feel that it’s worth a try, if that makes sense. But I do intend to learn as much as I can, and to make sure that even a year is the right thing to do. Despite the fact that this does seem to be a “when” there is always room to change that decision.
At this point it seems that we won’t know until we are actually there. Chris called the Irish Embassy in NY last week, and they weren’t terribly forthcoming on information. They told him that we’d just have to go, and then see if we can establish residency for a year, after we get there. So the plan is that he’d have to go first. We can’t officially become citizens for at least 5 years at the least.
As for taxes, he’ll be working for our publishing company which is based in the US anyway, so I’m thinking it won’t be any different than it was when we were here in terms of taxes…but I may have to look further into that.
I have, actually, but at this point, I think I’m ready for the culture shock (at least ready to try to be ready for it ). I think some time away from the “west” would be good for my family.
And thank you so much for the link…it’s been most helpful! You all are great!
I practically live on that site these days. Although we aren’t even thinking of leaving until spring (or possibly fall…depending on when our house sells here), I wanted to get an idea of how much the lettings are in the places I’m interested in.
Thank you for the good luck, btw. I really do appreciate it!
Sorry to bunch this all into one post (again!)…things have been busy here and I don’t have as much time to post these days Thanks again, everyone!
Hey Izz…have you managed to get ahold of those books I mentioned? I went back and re-read them after reading this thread, and I really think they would be helpful to you (especially the “adapter kit” one)…they’re just crammed with information on living like a local, from how to establish residency to how to get your phone hooked up.
If you can’t find them, let me know and you can have my copies. I’ve enjoyed reading them, but since I’m not planning on moving to Ireland, they’d be of more use to you than to me.
I found the “Culture Shock” one at my library (through inter-library loan actually). I’m almost done with it. It’s has been very helpful and informative, and I thank you for recommending it!
As for the 2nd one, they didn’t have that one at the library, so I was looking for it on Amazon. If you aren’t going to use your copy, I would love to purchase it from you! Just let me know. Thanks, Red!
I agree with this, but I would say to get rid of EVERYTHING, period–even those things with a sentimental value. This is what I did and I can speak firsthand that giving away those earthly things which one has held on to for so long is strangely liberating, emotionally and spiritually.
“If you store your treasure on the earth…” and moving is an oppurtune occasion to get rid of all those earthly “treasures.”
well izz, when i was 8 we moved from california to basel/switzerland. when we arrived here it was march, there was snow, i thought that was really cool!!
What a great adventure you and your family are thinking about taking on! Now that you have created the possibility, I hope that you go through with it. A move like that isn’t really the easiest thing in the world to do, but holy smokes, wouldn’t it be worth it. Think of the memories you and your family would have even if you only stayed for a year or so! Then again, who knows… you might just find that y’all are at home once you’re there and stay for good. I know that some of the advice has been given regarding putting your things in storage (just in case) but if you don’t mind me saying so I think you might be better suited just selling everything and taking what’s left with you. The reason being that if things got a little bit tough, the temptation to give up and return would be less than it would if you have a storage shed full of stuff to return to. The idea is to start a new life in a new place. If you don’t complete the old one then what kind of a chance are you giving the new one?
If you’re serious about it, go for it. Don’t hold back, don’t plan for failure. Plan everything out and jump in with both feet and see what shows up for you. Y’all will have the time of a lifetime, I’m sure. If you’ve envisioned it for yourself and your family sees it too, then it’s really already done. The space is created. All there is to do now is to show up.
I must admit I’ve always wanted to spend a year or so living in another country…just to see what it’s like. You can only learn so much by visiting, after all.
One thing that I have found about any job that I have had is that EVERY job has it good and bad points.
I also know that the place you live is the same way. We have lived in several places in CA, AZ and now ID. I imagine the same thing applies to living in different countries, actually I would be quite certain of it.
There are places in the US that are more slow paced, where the COL is fairly well under control and are allergen friendly. It just takes some work to find them.
No…not yet. I’m not sure at this point when I will be. We were thinking about Spring, but it seems that it would be more prudent to put more time and effort into making sure we have everything in order first.
Just been reading the “Irish Independant” friday property supplement! A must!
e.g. 3 Bed semi, Ballsbridge co.Dublin …4.45mill euro.
…4 Bed semi, Carrigallen co. Leitrim…220,000 euro!!!
Its a minefield!! > >
Id recommend any friday issue of I.I. if you can get it somehow. you can e-mail them on > iprop@unison.independant.ie
4.45 mill Euros??? Do you know how much that is in US dollars??? AACCKKK!!! Besides, I’ve decided that Dublin is a tad bit too fast paced for me. I’m thinking more of the west (although Peter has convinced me that perhaps the beyond of the back of beyond may be more beyond that I’m looking for right now ). I’ve been looking in Co. Galway, and Co. Westmeath (near Athlone) for the most part right now.
So much to think about…it enough to drive anyone batty!
And Steven, I agree with you completely. There are places that aren’t quite as fast paced right here in the US. But I’ve found (at least thus far) that those places tend to be much more desolate and it takes a million years to even get to a grocery store for a gallon of milk. I do realize that Ireland can be that way as well, however (thanks to the great books that Redwolf recommended…they were so helpful! ).
So that’s what’s going on at this point, anyway. Much of our going hinges on the selling of our house (we unfortunately are not independently wealthy…we are blessed in not having a mortgage on our house so what we sell it for wouldn’t have to go to paying one off). If and when this place sells, I’ll know more in terms of when (and if) we can move.
4.45 mill Euros??? Do you know how much that is in US dollars??? AACCKKK!!! Besides, I’ve decided that Dublin is a tad bit too fast paced for me. I’m thinking more of the west [/quote]
Aye i unnerstand that. Just demonstratin the ludicrousnous of price variances all over this country.
The Irish Indo property section covers all the country.
Im hoping to move to Ennis Co.Clare soon. Its a class town and only few minutes from complete back of beyond yet very close to Galway, Limerick and Shannon.
Good luck anyway.
There are places in the US that are more slow paced, where the COL is fairly well under control and are allergen friendly. It just takes some work to find them.
Take it from a long-time nomad who has also held a wide range of jobs: It is better to run TO something than AWAY from something.
An often subtle yet great difference. If you are just chosing somewhere to get away from somewhere else, the frying pan and fire analogy may come into play. But if you have someplace (or a job) that you know you want to go, regardless of how you feel about where you are now, then it will be a successful transition.
Far be it for me to try to talk you out of moving to Ireland. I think I would like it there and would consider it. But I also may have a somewhat romaticized view since I haven’t spent much time there.
I haven’t seen much of Canada myself.
). I think some time away from the “west” would be good for my family.
). I’ve been looking in Co. Galway, and Co. Westmeath (near Athlone) for the most part right now.
).