Relocating within Ireland - How to Up Sticks & Go!
In this two part series i’m going to be chatting through some basic things you need to consider when relocating to another part of Ireland. This first part will focus on moving within Ireland, the second will be geared towards moving here from another country. I’m really only focusing on rural relocations here & the things im advising arent the usual run of the mill legal things. These are lessons ive learned from upping sticks myself at 23 & transplanting myself from North Wexford to a derelict farmhouse in the Tipperary mountains. So with that in mind, lets get started!
Work
The first thing to consider is work. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a career that lets you work remotely, youre hoping to find another job or perhaps youre thinking of starting a business in your new home County, maintaining a steady income is really never far from any of our minds. A lot of articles online simply nudge you off in the direction of your unsuspecting boss with motivational tit bits about how ‘so many companies are more open to the idea of remote working nowadays’. But in Ireland this isn’t always the case. Because of the abysmal state of Irish rural broadband, many businesses outside our capitals dont rely on internet or network based systems at all. And the simple reason why is because they can’t. The infrastructure simply isn’t there.
Now dont worry, its not all doom & gloom. I’ve worked remotely in Ireland for years. First for a company who had the trust in me to let me out to the wilds of Tipperary with a dial up connection & a computer. And then as a business owner myself, working for clients all over the world with just slightly better internet lol!
In my opinion, the best bets right now for a steady income after your move are as follows:
Traditional Employment - Good old fashioned, boots on the ground, job hunting in your new location. A cheaper house means less of a financial demand on your family, so your new job does not need to be so demanding or soul sucking as your last one.
Remote Employment - Applying for jobs that start out as remote ones is always a good idea. Things like online marketing, social media management, copywriting & video editing are all jobs that encourage remote workers. Don’t be afraid to apply outside of Ireland for these jobs. The choices will be so much more varied & since they are remotely based anyway, it wont matter where you live anyway.
Starting your own Business - This may sound a little daunting but we’re not talking setting up a chain of supermarkets here. Think about what money you need to take in to survive & start small. Buy a property with some AirBnB potential, maybe an outbuilding that you might be able to get planning to convert, or a spare room or two that you could rent out. Or begin a small online business. Learn a trade or craft & sell your wares on a marketplace like Etsy. Or if you have a skill or knack for something difficult, teach other people how to do that online using teaching sites like Skillshare. There really are lots of options for this one. The setup costs dont need to be large if you base most of your business online.
Disconnection
The worst thing about moving away from everything you know & love, is moving away from everything you know & love. So do yourself some favours & make it a little bit easier on yourself:
Before you even think about moving to the back of beyond, take a little time to factor in what you will do when you become homesick, which you will. Believe me. If you have a close family, factor a comfy reliable car into your budget for the move. Sure we all think we can zip around the back roads of donegal in an old banger for next to no cost, but how will that banger fare when its making a round trip to dublin every 5 days because someone in your family is sick. I’m not saying you need to shell out 90k on an SUV, but get something comfortable, not too noisy, with a stereo, that way you can scoot across the country with relative ease for birthdays, unexpected emergencies, bouts of homesickness etc.
Figure out your internet connection early on. Although i know broadband isnt brilliant in rural ireland, there should be some solution you can rope together wherever you are. Once you know you’re going to have an internet connection, teach your parents how to email. Set skype up for them on an old laptop you have lying around. It will mean so much to be able to see smiling familiar faces on days when youre not too chirpy.
Take time to visit people, dont just expect them to come visit you. Sure you’ve moved and you’d love to see your friends in your new cottage, but they will also be missing your regular drop ins at their little nest. Don’t forget your little routines with old friends.
Ten Things To Figure Out Before You Make Your Move
Where is your local builders providers ? Are you within their delivery area?
Where is your closest ATM?
What broadband options are available?
Is there mains water/sewage on your property or do you need to sort your own?
Has the house EVER had electricity?
How long is your drive back to your parents/family’s home?
Is there anything with AirBnB potential on the property?
Is the area scenic or a tourist hotspot?
Are there any homes or farm buildings very close by that might impede your privacy/peace?
Does this property have potential to be worth more than what you are paying for it?
I hope these little bits of information help you if you’re contemplating a big move. Taking yourself out of the property rat race can be so rewarding, but its not for everyone. I’d love to hear your thoughts/experiences below, so leave a comment & we can discuss it more!
Maggie
xx
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