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I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but I'd love some more opinions.
I am living in The Netherlands and have a nice job offer in Ireland. I have been to Ireland several times and really liked it, but want to make sure that it is a good cultural fit.
I am originally from the Deep South in the US, so I appreciate a slower pace of life, friendliness, and so on (though some may argue that it is a superficial friendliness, especially to 'outsiders' ).
I find the Dutch to be a bit direct and intimidating for my personality, though I do really admire their work ethic and intelligence. Also, I am religious and have found that church is not a big part of the culture in the southern part of The Netherlands.
Other than that, I like it here very much and I am not desperate to leave this safe, clean, beautiful place.
However, I'm wondering if I might like the friendlier Irish culture a bit better. Having said that, I do realise that people are people, and there will be nice and rude people everywhere in the world.
Also, it is tempting because the job would be a great career move. My current job is fine, but a bit limiting.
The salaries are similar, so that is not much of a factor in my decision.
I guess I am trying to balance location/culture vs. the job (in terms of growth potential, etc.).
I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but I'd love some more opinions.
I am living in The Netherlands and have a nice job offer in Ireland. I have been to Ireland several times and really liked it, but want to make sure that it is a good cultural fit.
I am originally from the Deep South in the US, so I appreciate a slower pace of life, friendliness, and so on (though some may argue that it is a superficial friendliness, especially to 'outsiders' ).
I find the Dutch to be a bit direct and intimidating for my personality, though I do really admire their work ethic and intelligence. Also, I am religious and have found that church is not a big part of the culture in the southern part of The Netherlands.
Other than that, I like it here very much and I am not desperate to leave this safe, clean, beautiful place.
However, I'm wondering if I might like the friendlier Irish culture a bit better. Having said that, I do realise that people are people, and there will be nice and rude people everywhere in the world.
Also, it is tempting because the job would be a great career move. My current job is fine, but a bit limiting.
The salaries are similar, so that is not much of a factor in my decision.
I guess I am trying to balance location/culture vs. the job (in terms of growth potential, etc.).
Thank you in advance for any input!
Lol then what are you doing in Netherlands?
OF COURSE you have to emigrate to Ireland, if not to any South European country
Big culture shock between Netherlands and Ireland. Though there's a lot of Irishmen in Amsterdam, and the Dutch do seem to love the Irish. Just don't expect Ireland to be like the Netherlands. Ireland is quaint and cute if you look at it through the eyes of a tourist, but it's also somewhat dysfunctional and borderline un-European in terms of routine functions of infrastructure, public services etc. It might be more than the rural Deep South that way than the Netherlands.
I wouldn't swap Netherlands for Ireland. Having lived in both, prefer N. Irelands' alleged 'friendliness' , may well have had a bearing on reality in times past, but very over done in my book.
N, far better located for escapes to surrounding countries. I'd say as friendly, at least as much as IRE, besides far prefer Amsterdam, to Dublin, many times.
OP, IMO if Ireland would be better for your career, take that option. If you don't like the country, the people, and the farther-north location (shorter days in winter), you can seek another job in the Netherlands, after you have this job-growth experience to put on your resume. There's nothing saying the move to Ireland has to be permanent, right? I say--go for it, scope out the society, enjoy your job growth, and re-evaluate after a year.
Do you speak Dutch? All sorts of variables at play here. Same pay, you write? Are you sure it is a 'step up', in career or just being 'used' because you are cheap to employ? I get the feeling, that too much emphasis can be placed on 'career' these days, will minimal return.
Will The Netherlands remain an option at a later date if wishing to return. Certainly with religious considerations, you write about., Netherlands would not be the country, but Ireland is far removed from the country, it was, concerning religion, I believe.
I found the over emphasis on pubs and boozing far to much, in my case, with too little else, especially if not interested in their sport. Can be quite intimidating/confronting as well.
Lots of Americans, appear to like Ireland though. So the eyes you see it through, may very considerably to mine.
I've done quite a bit of searching on this topic, but I'd love some more opinions.
I am living in The Netherlands and have a nice job offer in Ireland. I have been to Ireland several times and really liked it, but want to make sure that it is a good cultural fit.
I am originally from the Deep South in the US, so I appreciate a slower pace of life, friendliness, and so on (though some may argue that it is a superficial friendliness, especially to 'outsiders' ).
I find the Dutch to be a bit direct and intimidating for my personality, though I do really admire their work ethic and intelligence. Also, I am religious and have found that church is not a big part of the culture in the southern part of The Netherlands.
Other than that, I like it here very much and I am not desperate to leave this safe, clean, beautiful place.
However, I'm wondering if I might like the friendlier Irish culture a bit better. Having said that, I do realise that people are people, and there will be nice and rude people everywhere in the world.
Also, it is tempting because the job would be a great career move. My current job is fine, but a bit limiting.
The salaries are similar, so that is not much of a factor in my decision.
I guess I am trying to balance location/culture vs. the job (in terms of growth potential, etc.).
Thank you in advance for any input!
Your biggest problem if moving to Ireland for work will be finding a place to live, housing shortage here is chronic, rent is extremely high
Your biggest problem if moving to Ireland for work will be finding a place to live, housing shortage here is chronic, rent is extremely high
It is true for the OK parts of the cities i.e. Dublin, Cork, Galway, and yet there's wide swaths of the country losing population which have abundant cheap housing. There's just no infrastructure for longer commutes, so all the people with decent jobs cram into the cities.
Public transit is largely underdeveloped (outside inner Dublin) - which in part is because there's a stigma against it among the better-off - and the road network is still even after extensive investment sub-par on the edges the growing metropolitan areas. There's quiet residential streets in America that are bigger than some major thoroughfares in Irish cities.
It doesn't help that so many areas in and around the cities are off-limits to development due to the anti-social activities that take place in the 'social' housing estates there.
Thank you so much for all the great insight! It is very helpful.
To address a few questions:
I am learning Dutch, but am not yet at a level where I can carry on a real conversation. I know that is a big (though hopefully temporary) barrier to feeling like I fit in well here.
I am definitely concerned about housing! Thankfully the company in Dublin provides temporary housing and assistance with finding a permanent home. So I'm hopeful that it won't be impossible to find something reasonable.
I am from a rural area and I don't like to live in cities; for my entire career, I have lived outside a big city (sometimes more than an hour away) and commuted, so I am prepared for that. I would not prefer to live in Dublin, but maybe somewhere quiet in Wicklow.
Again, I am so grateful for everyone taking the time to provide such useful insight. Thank you very much!
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