Ireland (house prices, job market, to buy)

[MoonlightMadness]

What is Ireland really like? I've heard that it's now expensive to live there. Is it just for housing or is it the taxes? How is the cost of living? What if I wanted to buy land & build on it - is the land expensive also? I know they are experiencing a job boom there. Do the jobs not pay enough to have a living wage? And do you think the job market will last or will it dry up? How hard is it to move to Ireland? Do you need to know someone or have a job waiting? How about schooling? Anything else you can fill me in on? Thanx!

[Nea1]

I wonder how construction jobs are there. Would love to live there. but would have to have a job first!!!!!

[BlueWillowPlate]

I don't think it is *especially* easy for American citizens to get jobs there.
But if you have an Irish background, you might somehow be able to obtain Irish citizenship.
I'd check with the nearest Irish embassy.
Ireland is a wonderful place to visit.

[Nea1]

I am 1/2 Irish, family came over during potato famine. I would love to live there, but doubt jobs would be available to us.

[BrianH]

Of course jobs would be availabe to Americans going over. You can get Irish passports through your grandparents if you want.
There is a tonne of construction jobs over there. Dublin is the most expensive city in the world. House prices are crazy, if i ever wanted to move back i couldnt live in Dublin.

If you live outside Dublin its alot cheaper. Jobs arent terribly great paying in Dublin, considering the price of housing etc etc. I think the school system is excellent too. Hope that helps.

[Mississippienne]

To clarify, Ireland practices jus sanguinis, "right of blood", which means that you may claim Irish citizenship if you have at least one Irish grandparent. They probably won't give you citizenship just for showing up and saying you're of Irish descent (or if, like me, your last Irish ancestor was born in 1780). A number of countries practice jus sanguinis, with variations, including Italy, Japan, and India.

[MoonlightMadness]

Originally Posted by Mississippienne

To clarify, Ireland practices jus sanguinis, "right of blood", which means that you may claim Irish citizenship if you have at least one Irish grandparent. They probably won't give you citizenship just for showing up and saying you're of Irish descent (or if, like me, your last Irish ancestor was born in 1780). A number of countries practice jus sanguinis, with variations, including Italy, Japan, and India.

I guess a great- or great-great- grandparent wouldn't count.

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by Mississippienne

To clarify, Ireland practices jus sanguinis, "right of blood", which means that you may claim Irish citizenship if you have at least one Irish grandparent. They probably won't give you citizenship just for showing up and saying you're of Irish descent (or if, like me, your last Irish ancestor was born in 1780). A number of countries practice jus sanguinis, with variations, including Italy, Japan, and India.

Both grandparents were Irish, but both have died. Dont think I could get a passport through them!!

[Trainwreck20]

A few years ago, there was a story about Ireland trying to recruit ex pats to come back home...they needed the labor, and not just in construction, but technical areas as well.

[BrianH]

We were looking for people to come, i wouldnt say we recruited ex pats but we needed people to come for all the industry that came.