Living in Ireland: The Honest PROS & CONS After 3 Years in Dublin (What No One Tells You)

Thinking about moving to Ireland or curious what living in Ireland is actually like? After three years in Dublin, I’ve experienced the good, the bad, and the “why is it raining again?” moments. In this video, I break down the real PROS AND CONS OF IRELAND, from cost of living and Irish salary expectations to healthcare in Ireland, public transport, safety, and what everyday Irish life feels like.
If you’re wondering “Should I move to Ireland?” or “What’s it like to live in Ireland as an expat?”, this guide will help you see what’s waiting for you here, both the charm and the chaos.

📌 CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Weather
04:23 Housing Crisis & Irish Salary
06:53 Cost Of Living
09:21 Healthcare & Benefits
12:39 Transportation
15:37 Tourism, Activities & Nature
17:20 The Irish People

☀️ WEATHER
Irish summers and winters, unpredictable rain, and how the weather affects outdoor activities. I also share the small but real pros of the Irish climate that people don’t always talk about.

🏠 HOUSING CRISIS, RENT, IRISH SALARY & TAXES
Average rent prices, how renting works in Dublin, and what you can expect from an Irish salary. I go through why the housing crisis is a major con, and how taxes shape everyday life in Ireland.

💸 COST OF LIVING
Is Ireland expensive? Short answer: yes. Between high taxes, groceries, utilities, and commuting, the cost of living in Ireland adds up fast. I also explain minimum wage and how to estimate your tax deductions.

🩺 HEALTHCARE & BENEFITS
What to expect from GPs, wait times, sick leave rules, and the lack of certain benefits (like maternity benefit). I also touch on safety and why Ireland still feels like a secure place to live despite the flaws.

🚉 TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation in Dublin (buses, trains, trams) and why it’s not always reliable. I also mention MetroLink and what it could mean for the city.

🍀 TOURISM, ACTIVITIES & NATURE
Temple Bar crowds, pint prices, and tourist chaos in central Dublin. But also the best indoor and outdoor things to do, weekend activities, and Ireland’s gorgeous nature that make up for the grey days.

🤝 THE IRISH PEOPLE
Friendliness, humour, and why Irish people often become the biggest PRO of living in Ireland.


🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS

📹 VIDEO: Cost of Living in Dublin - How much do we REALLY spend in a month in Ireland? https://youtu.be/jkCJtvxO8EM
💻 BLOG POST: Dublin Bucket List - 26 Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland - A Local’s Picks https://alizswonderland.com/dublin-bucket-list-things-to-do-in-dublin-ireland/

- Summer without 11 days of sun: https://m.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/sunshine-returns-to-dublin-after-eleven-consecutive-days-without-any/a1002783668.html
- Irish Times rent: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/05/19/irish-average-rents-cross-2000-for-first-time-as-rate-of-increase-speeds-up/
- Daft quarterly reports for average rent and house prices: https://ww1.daft.ie/report?d_rd=1
- Jobted & average Salary in Ireland in different fields: https://www.jobted.ie/salary
- Citizens Information & taxes: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/tax/income-tax/how-your-tax-is-calculated/
- Salary calculator to calculate your monthly income: https://salaryaftertax.com/ie/salary-calculator
- Minimum wage in 2025: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/pay-and-employment/minimum-wage/
- Maternity benefit: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/maternity-benefit/
- Riots and burning Luas: https://www.rte.ie/video/id/8682/
- Riots and stabbing: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg3pn8gm4vmo
- Dublin People & commute time: https://dublinpeople.com/news/northsideeast/articles/2025/03/19/metrolink-cost-spirals-to-more-than-e23-billion/
- Irish Rails headphones fine: https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-rail-could-fine-passengers-e100-for-listening-to-music-without-earphones-on-trains-6790502-Aug2025/
- Metrolink: https://www.dublinpublictransport.ie/blog/metrolink-planning-permission-finally-granted-after-years-of-delay


Ireland can be beautiful, frustrating, magical, and confusing… often all in the same day.

👉 If you enjoyed this breakdown of the pros and cons of living in Ireland, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share it with someone who’s thinking about moving here.
💬 And tell me in the comments: what part of the Irish lifestyle surprised you the most?


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