What is living in Dublin really like?
Dublin has become a very international and multi-cultural city and many expats call Ireland’s capital home.
Therefore I was really looking forward to doing this interview with an expat in Dublin about what it’s like to move to and live in Dublin.
This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving to the city or country the expat lives in, and information about what to see and do here.
Life in Dublin as an Expat
Name: Jennifer (aka Dr. J)
Age: 44
Hometown: Buffalo, New York, USA
Her Story:
“For me, the travel bug bit later than it does for a lot of people. I didn’t travel outside of North America until my mid-20s. However, ever since I caught that bug, I’ve been trying to make up for lost time.
It was a goal of mine to live abroad for nearly a decade before I was able to make it happen for myself.
I was working for Google in California when an opportunity came up for a limited number of people to do an expat assignment for one year at one of our international offices. I thought: “Now’s my chance!” So I applied for a role in Dublin and a role in London and landed the one in Dublin.
My husband and I moved to Dublin sight unseen; we had never set foot in Ireland before moving here. We figured that for a year, it was low risk to take the opportunity.
The move definitely worked out well for us. We’re still living in Dublin 8 years later and loving every minute of it.”
Why Did You Move to Dublin?
“Moving to Dublin was about seizing the opportunity to work abroad. I didn’t really care exactly where I went, I just wanted the chance to experience living outside of the US.
I didn’t know much about Dublin before moving here. In fact, when I applied for jobs in Europe, I really wanted to work in London. I had this impression that London was one of the great cities of the world, and anything else would be second best.
But, getting the job in Dublin turned out to be the best thing that could have happened.
The city is just so livable. You can walk from one end of the city to the other in 30 minutes. There is an amazing culture and music scene. There are tons of great restaurants and pubs, and lots of craft coffee shops.”
What Do You Like About Living in Dublin?
“I love how accessible Dublin is.
We don’t have a car and get around mostly on foot. If we’re feeling lazy, we can take the bus, DART (train), Luas (light rail), or a taxi.
Living in Dublin as an American, especially coming from California where we drove everywhere, that’s been such a great change!”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Dublin?
“Dealing with the unpredictable weather can be a challenge.
Ireland has a reputation for constant rain, but it’s really not like that. Most of the time, it rains for a while, then it’s sunny, then the wind starts to blow.
They say if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes!
You need to be prepared for anything though. Carrying a light jacket, umbrella, and sunglasses can definitely weigh you down at times.”
Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country
Is Dublin a Safe City to Live In?
”Dublin, like any large city, has its share of crime and safety concerns, but overall it is considered a relatively safe place to live.
That being said, there are certain neighborhoods that have higher crime rates. It’s a good idea to research different areas of the city before deciding where you want to live in Dublin and to take normal precautions in everyday life, such as avoiding walking alone at night in poorly lit areas.
In general though, Dublin is a welcoming and friendly city with a strong sense of community. I love living here and never feel unsafe.”
Is Living in Dublin Expensive?
“Oh yes, Dublin can definitely be pricey—especially when it comes to housing. Rent is usually the biggest shock for newcomers.
Groceries and eating out can also add up quickly. A casual dinner for two will likely cost more than you expect, and my frequent visits to Dublin’s great coffee shops add up too.
That said, not everything will drain your wallet. Public transport is affordable and reliable, and if you don’t mind cooking at home and exploring some of the free activities (like the amazing parks, coastal walks, or even free museums), you can balance things out a bit.
Numbeo is a good website to get an idea of what the cost of living is like.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Dublin?
“I love that there are so many great coffee places in Dublin (the perfect activity to combine with a walk along the River Liffey or the Grand Canal).
We love taking a leisurely walk to one of several locally-owned coffee places like 3FE, The Art of Coffee, Lolly and Cooks, Bear Market, or Two Fifty Square.”
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Dublin?
“I like Ryan’s Beggars Bush pub in Ballsbridge. Some might describe the place as an ‘old man’s pub’ but I just love the old-school ambiance. They also pour an amazing Guinness at non-tourist prices.
If drinking isn’t your thing, consider heading to Kilkenny Shop in Dublin city center on a Sunday afternoon. They have a lovely not-too-fussy self-service cafe upstairs with live jazz and bluegrass musicians to accompany your brunch.”
What Is the Expat Community Like in Dublin?
“There are a lot of expats in Dublin.
Walking down the street in Dublin, you’ll hear a ton of different languages being spoken.
Because many international companies have their European headquarters here, you’ll find many expats in Dublin, coming from all over Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Many people are here for a couple of years and are interested in taking advantage of all that the city has to offer.
There is never a shortage of people interested in going out for a pint after work or on the weekend.”
Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Dublin?
“If you move to Dublin, definitely check out the different interest groups on Meetup.com.
New and Not So New in Dublin is a great place to start. There are more than 20 thousand members, and the organizers host events for every taste. It’s a great way to meet expats in Dublin and get plugged into the local scene.
There are also a few Facebook groups for expats in Dublin that are worth joining. They are a good place to ask questions before moving to Dublin, and to meet other expats once you’re here.”
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Dublin?
“These are a few websites I’d recommend:
Citizens Information for detailed information about getting a visa and working in Ireland.
Daft.ie is the go-to resource for finding an apartment in Dublin.
boards.ie is great for answering any random questions that crop up when moving to or living in Dublin.
SubscribeDublin is a site that my husband created to help people find out what’s happening in Dublin. It’s frustrating sometimes that there are so many cool events happening in the city that aren’t well-publicized.”
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Dublin?
“Check out the colorful Georgian doors around Merrion Square. They are so Instagrammable 🙂
If you visit Merrion Square on a Sunday afternoon, walk around the fence on the edge of the park and admire the open-air art gallery.”
About Jennifer – Expat in Dublin
Jennifer (aka Dr. J) is the voice and photographer behind the Sidewalk Safari travel blog.
She is an American expat and part-time travel blogger living in Dublin, Ireland with a busy full-time ‘day job’ as a project manager at Google.
Married to husband Scott for over 20 years, she’s been writing about their travels since 2008.
Jennifer’s goal is to inspire people who have a demanding job to realize that it is possible to achieve work-life balance and travel extensively, making use of every business trip and vacation day to explore the world.
About Dublin
Dublin is the capital of Ireland, located on the country’s east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and bordered on the South by the Wicklow Mountains.
The city’s vibrancy, nightlife, and tourist attractions are renowned, and it is the most popular entry point for international visitors to Ireland.
Dublin is disproportionately large for the size of Ireland with around two million people in the Greater Dublin Region (there are only 5.4 million people in the entire country!). The city center is, however, relatively small and can be navigated on foot, with most of the population living in the suburbs.
Dublin was listed by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) as a global city, with a ranking of “Alpha-“, which places it amongst the top thirty cities in the world.
It is a historical and contemporary center for education, the arts, administration, economy, and industry and attracts expats from all over the world.
Also Read:
- Interview About Living in Cork, Ireland – If you want to compare living in Cork vs Dublin
- The Best Places to Visit in Northern Ireland
- 6 Reasons Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
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I really enjoyed reading your blog post about living in Dublin, Ireland. It was very informative and I learned a lot about the city and the culture. I also enjoyed your interview with an expat. It was interesting to hear their perspective.