Ireland is a beautiful place, the country is gorgeous.
From other hand, Ireland is the most expensive country in the EU. On the housing front, Property is ridiculously unaffordable and the quality is very poor. For the median price (around 360EU) in say, Dublin, you might get a 3 bedroom semi-detached house in a sprawling housing estate with no amenities or even schools around. The lack of any sort of community planning here is a huge problem here in general. Houses generally do not have garages, closets, and still rely on the ‘ole radiator for heat. Houses generally all look the same, have the same floorplan and all have pine floors (which they describe as “hardwood”).
The residential construction industry is currently looking bleak. There has been a housing bubble here for quite some time and looks like things are beginning to turn.
Groceries, toiletries, cars, etc is very expensive. For example, you can paid 4.70 euro for a 10oz bottle of “Aussie” brand shampoo. Funniest thing here are stores will advertise that there prices are the same as everywhere else, not cheaper!
One unfortunate thing (especially of late) is the crime that goes on. Repeat offenders never getting punished for anything they do. A convicted rapist just got a three year suspended sentence for breaking into a woman’s house and raping her while three of her children slept. He lives across town from her and he’s walking around free. There doesn’t seem to be any sense of justice here AT ALL. Victim’s don’t seem to have many rights.
The good part is the culture here is wonderful for kids. There is a wonderful sense of community which is something you cannot find in the US for the most part. Children walk home from school without fear and can play in out in the street. My husband and I can go into a pub and meet people from all walks of life and ages and spend the evening chatting away as if we were friends for years.
People generally are easy going and relaxed. It’s great to be able to get out for the day and not have to fight for parking. You can still go places and be the only ones around.