What’s it like to live in Cork?
Cork is the second largest city in Ireland, attracting people from all over the world.
In this interview, Amber shares her personal experiences and practical tips for moving to and living in Cork.
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 about moving to the place the expat now calls home, and information about what to see and do here.
Living in Cork, Ireland
Name: Amber Haggerty
Age: 31
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Her Story:
”I grew up training wild mustangs and traveling through the US with my alternative secondary school.
I started traveling internationally in college, including trips to both Jordan and Guatemala.
After school, I began to travel extensively through Europe, Latin America, and North America before eventually deciding to move to Ireland with my partner.
I’ve been living in Ireland since August of 2020, and in Cork since November of 2021.”
Why Did You Move to Cork?
”I had only been in Cork for a few hours before I fell in love with the city.
My partner and I visited Cork City while on a road trip through Ireland in late 2020. While in the city, we stopped for breakfast at the Good Day Deli, a beautiful restaurant with outdoor seating facing a carefully manicured garden.
I was eating strawberry pancakes with whipped cream and looking out over the greenery when I decided I wanted to move to Cork.
It took almost a year after that breakfast to actually pull off the move, but we’ve been loving it ever since!”
What Do You Like About Living in Cork?
”I love how friendly and young the city feels.
Cork has an infectious, lively energy that reminds me of Boulder, Colorado, my home for many years.
Walking through the streets of Cork, you’ll often overhear students talking about Marxism or debating the merits of various policy strategies. There’s also a ton of laughter and friendship, even on days when the weather is gray.
An influencer from Dublin said it best, “Cork people really love Cork”. You’ll find lots of strong opinions about which coffee shop makes the best espresso and all of the reasons that Cork is superior to Dublin.
Cork feels like a very international city, which always impresses me, given its relatively small size. I love meeting people from all over the world who have made their homes in Cork, and I started to feel like I had a real community here within about six months of our move.
I’ve met wonderful and interesting people since moving to Ireland, and I feel lucky to be able to call so many of them friends.
Living in Cork reminds me a bit of the first few weeks of college, when everyone is looking around for new friends and there’s a buzz of trying to find your people. There are so many 20- and 30-somethings who moved to Cork for work or school and are looking for connection and friendship.
The locals from Cork have also been incredibly welcoming and kind, many of whom are excited to connect with expats after spending long stints abroad themselves.
It’s also worth noting that Cork is widely considered to be the food capital of Ireland, and the weather feels much warmer here than in Dublin because we’re about three hours south.
I also love being so close to the rest of Europe; I once went to Italy because we found $15 flights to Naples.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Cork?
”If you asked just about anyone, they’d probably tell you the thing they dislike most about living in Cork is that the cost of living is very high and the overall quality of rental housing is low.
We got very lucky when we moved to Cork and found a lovely row house near the city center. However, I know many people here who have had to move several times or otherwise deal with substandard accommodations.
Other downsides: the city is generally pretty dirty, as cities go, and the public transit is lacking.
Although it’s possible to get around Cork without a car, you’ll need your own transportation to get to many of the nicest beaches and to access most hikes.
You would definitely need a car to live outside of the city center unless you happened to be right along a bus route.”
Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country
Is Cork Safe as a Place to Live?
”Yes, Cork is very safe, especially when you compare it to the US.
Most crime here is property crime (broken windows, stolen cars, etc.) and people generally feel safe walking alone even into the late evening hours.
Of course you’ll still want to take normal precautions, like staying mindful of your surroundings, locking your doors, and hiding valuables from plain sight, just to be safe.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Cork?
”There are so many wonderful things to do in Cork, it’s hard to choose!
Lately, I’ve loved walking to the Marina Market, a large indoor/outdoor venue full of vendors like restaurants, coffee shops, bike rentals, and a skating rink.
There’s a wide range of food options there and I especially like Sicilian Delights for Italian food and Hana for Korean food.
I love to sit in the sunshine and watch the crowds go by while I eat my lunch there.”
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Cork?
”If I have to choose, I’d say that my favorite place to hang out is the Franciscan Well Brewery. As the name suggests, the Franciscan Well is a pub built on an old monastic site, and inside they have a small pizzeria that serves some of the best pizza in Ireland.
Sitting inside is cozy and has a sort of classic pub feel, while the outdoor area is bright and lively.”
What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Cork?
”The expat community in Cork is one of the best parts of living here!
There are people from all around the world; I’ve met friends from Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, and the US since I moved here.
The expats in Cork typically fall into one of a few categories: people who moved to live with their Irish or European partner, people who moved to Ireland to study English, and people who came for work/school.
The bustling expat community makes Cork feel young and vibrant, even on dreary days. It feels like I’m always meeting people who are learning something new or reinventing themselves in some way.
There’s a collective sense of discovery and openness that’s unlike anywhere else I’ve lived.”
Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Cork?
”If you know you’d like to move to Cork, the first thing I’d suggest that you do is start looking for housing. You’ll probably need to apply for dozens, if not hundreds, of houses and apartments before you find one, so you may need to find a temporary rental while you complete your search.
As you conduct your search, you’ll want to keep an eye on how the apartment or house is furnished, since you’ll probably be stuck using or storing whatever furniture comes with the rental.
My second tip is to start looking for friends and building community right away since it takes a while to cultivate those relationships. BumbleBFF and Meetup.com are wonderful resources, and it’s a small enough town that you’ll probably meet a few friends through chance encounters as well.
Don’t be afraid to invite people to drinks at a pub or out for coffee; Irish culture is very social, but people here can sometimes be a little shy or wary of imposing.”
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Cork?
”Definitely! It’s no small feat to move abroad, so I’d recommend using as many resources as you can to make your transition as easy as possible.
There are many active Facebook groups in Cork, and they’re full of people who are happy to answer questions and offer advice.
As an expat from the US, a few that I particularly like are: Americans living in Ireland, Americans applying for Irish citizenship, Ireland Immigration Forum, and American Expats in Cork. There are groups for expats from many other nationalities as well!
For meeting people, I’d recommend using both BumbleBFF and Meetup. Don’t give up if your first attempt doesn’t go well! Sometimes it can take a few tries to find people that you really click with.
For housing, I’d recommend starting your search on Daft.
For immigration information, the official site is the Irish Immigration Service.”
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Cork?
”When you’re in Cork, don’t skip brunch at the Good Day Deli! Be sure to make a reservation because it can be hard to get a table, especially on the weekends. They have options for most dietary restrictions, and their coffee drinks are some of the best in the city.
While you’re in town, also swing by Izz, our local Palestinian restaurant. Order the Palestinian coffee, which is served spiced with cardamom and boiling hot.
Then, make your way to the University College Cork campus to see the ancient funerary stones that line the main quad.
Finally, visit a pub. Sin E, O’Sho, and the Poor Relation are all great options, but stop anywhere that strikes your fancy.
For better beer options and a younger, hipper crowd, visit The Friary.”
About Amber
Amber Haggerty runs Amber Everywhere, a blog dedicated to encouraging others to travel.
The mission of Amber Everywhere is to help people feel the sort of belonging, purpose, empathy, and expansiveness that travel can offer, especially if approached with the right mindset.
Amber lives in Cork, Ireland and writes about her experiences traveling and living abroad.
About Cork, Ireland
Cork is the second largest city in Ireland, after Dublin.
The city center was originally built on marshland with boats being able to navigate into the channels that separated the many islands.
Many of the wider streets in the center of Cork, such as St Patrick’s Street, the South Mall, and the Grand Parade, are built on former river channels.
The center is located on an island between the North and South channels of the river Lee. There are more than 30 bridges over these two channels. This, combined with the one-way traffic system, can make the center a little confusing to drive around.
And although Cork is the country’s second-largest city, with a population of only just over 225,000 it is by no means a massive city. The city center is compact and very walkable.
The city, just like most of Ireland, has a mild oceanic climate. That means changeable weather with plenty of rain. Temperatures below 0°C/32°F or above 25°C/77°F are rare.
Cork City is a hub of industry in the region. Several international pharmaceutical companies have facilities here, and Apple has its European headquarters in Cork.
Cork has a thriving cultural scene with several big annual festivals.
Also Read:
- Moving to and Living in Dublin – Interview With an Expat
- 5 Great Reasons to Move Abroad
- The Best Places to Visit in Northern Ireland
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