If you are researching a move to Ireland, you have probably come across plenty of articles painting the Emerald Isle as a near-perfect destination. Friendly locals, stunning scenery, English-speaking, gateway to Europe — the selling points are real. But so are the trade-offs, and you deserve a straight answer before you commit to a move this big.
At City Post Express, we have spent more than 20 years helping people ship their belongings from the US to Ireland. We have heard every concern, every hesitation, and every honest review after the dust settles. This guide covers the genuine reasons not to move to Ireland — and then, for each one, how people who make the move successfully manage it. Because here is the throughline worth holding onto: moving to Ireland is a big decision with real downsides, but getting your life's possessions there should not be one of the hard parts.
1. The Housing Crisis Is Real
This is the single biggest challenge we hear about from clients. Ireland is in the grip of a severe housing shortage, and it hits hardest in Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
- Rental prices: A one-bedroom apartment in Dublin averages EUR 1,800 to EUR 2,200 per month. Even outside the capital, rents have climbed sharply since 2020.
- Low supply: Demand far outstrips the number of available properties. It is not unusual for dozens of people to show up to a single viewing.
- Buying is no easier: House prices have risen by double digits in recent years, and securing a mortgage as a newcomer is difficult due to stricter lending rules for non-residents.
How people make it work
Many of our clients lock down accommodation before they arrive by joining local Facebook groups, using Daft.ie, and networking with expat communities. Others choose smaller cities like Limerick or Waterford where rents are significantly lower. The housing market is tough, but it is not impossible with preparation. And once you have secured a place, the next worry — getting your furniture and household goods into it without paying a fortune — is one we take off your plate entirely with flat-rate, door-to-door shipping straight to your new Irish address.
2. The Cost of Living Is Among Europe's Highest
Ireland ranks as one of the most expensive countries in the EU for consumer goods and services. Everything from groceries to a meal out to childcare costs more than the European average.
- Groceries: Roughly 20 to 30 percent higher than many EU countries.
- Dining out: A casual dinner for two can easily run EUR 70 to EUR 100.
- Childcare: Among the most expensive in Europe, often exceeding EUR 1,000 per month per child.
- Fuel and car insurance: Irish fuel taxes are over 50 percent, and car insurance premiums remain notoriously high.
How people make it work
Salaries in Ireland, particularly in tech, pharma, and financial services, are among the highest in Europe. The tax system also offers incentives like the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) for certain relocated workers. Many people find that higher earnings offset the higher costs. It also pays to be careful about what you spend on the move itself. Replacing your furniture and belongings in one of Europe's priciest countries is far more expensive than shipping what you already own — which is exactly why bringing your possessions with you is usually the smarter financial choice, not the costly one.
3. The Weather Will Test You
There is no sugarcoating this one. Ireland's climate is mild but relentlessly damp. Rain can fall multiple times in a single day, and winter days are short — sunrise after 8:30 a.m. and sunset before 4:30 p.m. in December.
- Annual rainfall: Dublin gets around 730 mm per year, while the west coast (Galway, Cork) sees upward of 1,200 mm.
- Grey skies: Extended overcast stretches are common, particularly from October through March.
- Impact on mood: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a genuine concern for newcomers used to sunnier climates.
How people make it work
The flip side of all that rain is why Ireland is called the Emerald Isle — the landscape is breathtakingly green year-round. Summers are long and mild, with daylight stretching past 10 p.m. in June. Many people also say they adapt quickly and learn to appreciate the dramatic skies and the cozy indoor culture the weather fosters. A grey winter is a great deal easier to settle into when your own books, your own kitchen, your own bed, and the familiar things that make a house feel like home arrived with you rather than being left behind.
4. Healthcare Wait Times Can Be Frustrating
Ireland's public healthcare system (the HSE) provides coverage to all residents, but the waiting lists are a well-known pain point.
- Specialist appointments: Non-urgent referrals can mean waiting six months or longer.
- Emergency departments: Overcrowding in hospitals is a frequent news headline.
- GP shortages: In some rural areas, finding a general practitioner accepting new patients is difficult.
How people make it work
Private health insurance, while an added expense (roughly EUR 1,200 to EUR 2,500 per year), dramatically reduces wait times. Many employers include health insurance as a standard benefit. And compared to the US system, even Ireland's imperfect public healthcare means you will never face a six-figure hospital bill. The peace of mind that comes from a healthcare system with no catastrophic costs is one of the quieter reasons people stay.
5. Public Transport Outside Dublin Is Limited
If you are used to an extensive metro or rail system, Ireland will feel underdeveloped. Dublin has buses, trams (the Luas), and a commuter rail (DART), but coverage thins out quickly beyond the capital.
- Rural areas: A car is essentially a necessity.
- Bus reliability: Intercity and rural bus services can be infrequent and unpredictable.
- No metro: Dublin still lacks an underground metro system, though the MetroLink project is in development.
How people make it work
Ireland is a small country — you can drive from Dublin to Galway in about two and a half hours. Many people find that car ownership, while expensive, gives them the freedom to explore the entire island easily. The compact size of the country turns what feels like a transport limitation into a lifestyle advantage. And because everything is so close together, our drivers can deliver your shipment door-to-door anywhere on the island, not just to a port or depot you would then have to organise onward transport from yourself.
6. You Will Be Far From Family Back in the US
An ocean is an ocean. For Americans and Irish-Americans moving over, the distance from parents, siblings, and old friends is often the hardest part of the decision — harder than housing or weather, because it is the one downside money cannot simply solve.
- Time zones: Ireland is five hours ahead of New York, which narrows the window for easy phone calls.
- Cost of visits: Transatlantic flights add up, especially for a whole family travelling at holidays.
- Missing milestones: Birthdays, graduations, and family emergencies are simply harder to be present for.
How people make it work
Ireland is one of the closest European countries to the US, with direct flights from the East Coast in around six to seven hours, so it is far more reachable than most overseas moves. The distance is also a little easier to carry when home travels with you. Clients tell us that having their family photographs, heirlooms, children's things, and the possessions tied to decades of memories around them in the new house makes the emotional side of the move far gentler than starting from bare walls. Keeping your life's belongings together is one of the simplest ways to make a transatlantic move feel less like a leap into the unknown.
7. Bureaucracy and Setting Up Can Be Slow
Setting up your life in Ireland — from getting a PPS number to opening a bank account to registering with Revenue — involves paperwork and patience. Processes that might be digital-first in other countries can still require in-person visits and posted documents in Ireland. The same is true at the border: importing your household goods comes with its own customs paperwork, and getting it wrong can mean delays or unexpected charges.
How people make it work
The bureaucracy is a temporary hurdle, not a permanent barrier. Once you are set up, daily life runs smoothly, and Ireland's government services have been steadily digitising year by year. The customs side is the one piece of red tape you do not have to handle alone. If you are genuinely relocating, you can usually bring your used personal belongings into Ireland completely duty-free under Transfer of Residence relief. We handle that paperwork in-house as part of every move — our full Transfer of Residence relief guide walks through who qualifies and what you need.
So Is Ireland a Good Place to Live?
Here is the honest answer: it depends on your priorities. Ireland has genuine downsides of living in Ireland that anyone considering the move should understand. The housing market is challenging. The cost of living is high. The weather is not for everyone. Healthcare needs improvement, and family will be far away.
But the reasons people still choose Ireland are equally real:
- Safety: Ireland consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, with very low rates of violent crime.
- Career opportunities: Dublin is a European headquarters for Apple, Google, Meta, Pfizer, and dozens of other global companies.
- Quality of life: Shorter working hours, generous annual leave, and a culture that values time with family and friends.
- Education: High-quality public schooling and internationally respected universities.
- Location: One of the closest European countries to the US, and a perfect base for exploring the rest of Europe.
- English-speaking: No language barrier for Americans, Canadians, or Brits.
The cons of moving to Ireland are real, but for many people the trade-offs are worth it.
Start With the One Thing You Can Fully Control
You cannot fix the housing market or change the weather. You cannot make the Atlantic any narrower. But of all the moving parts in a relocation this size, the logistics of getting your belongings to Ireland is the one piece you can plan for completely — and the one we make genuinely simple.
For more than 20 years, City Post Express has shipped the personal effects of more than 10,000 families and individuals overseas. We offer flat-rate, door-to-door shipping from the US to Ireland, with no surprise charges at the other end, and we handle the customs and Transfer of Residence paperwork in-house so your possessions are not stuck at a port while you find your feet. Whether you are sending a few boxes or the contents of a whole home, the goal is the same: your life arrives with you, intact and on time.
If you want to see routes, timelines, and what is involved in a move to Ireland specifically, our Ireland shipping page lays it all out. And when you are ready, the next step is the easy one.
Ready to take the logistics off your worry list? Request a free, no-obligation shipping quote and we will help you get your belongings to Ireland the affordable, door-to-door way.