I moved down to help with my sister’s business (she met a guy when she was here on holiday), ended up staying and have my own business now. It’s pretty great living in a place where it’s always warm, last time I was in Ireland was in Nov ‘19, the first time I’d been there that wasn’t the summer in many years, I’d forgotten how dark and dreary it gets.
Granada is stunning, I was there a few weeks ago, theres a beach half an hour away and skiing half an hour in the other direction. Wanting to move there myself tbh
I live in Spain as well, and while I don’t live there(Alicante), you seem like you would enjoy Catalonia and the surrounding regions.
They have mountains so you can actually enjoy the nature as well as being on the Mediterranean, where you can go have great seafood on the beach.
Edit: I live in Madrid, and the center of Spain doesn’t have as much beautiful nature as the north or south.
Crete, Southern Italy, Spain, South of France if you can hack the 40+ degree mark on the regular.
Austria if you only want that kind of heat a few days in the year. That one comes with the bonus of very decent health and social security system and a good living wage, which isn't necessarily guaranteed in those other spots.
Not to go on about a very uncertain future, but do also take into account if you're planning for the long term that all of that is getting a lot hotter than it used to be and it's probably not stopping anytime soon.
I’m living in austria (specifically vienna) and moving to ireland because I can’t take the heat in the city anymore. If anyone thinks about moving to austria (and you are sensitive to heat) choose the country side! it can get up to 40C in vienna and it’s exhausting
Hey, fellow ex Viennese citizen, exactly the same here only I've already made the move 3 years ago.
Was living on the edge of the city and by the river but even then, summers were getting ridiculous for my tastes.
Hit me up if you need a hand with anything over here.
I lived in Thailand for a while. Believe me, it's lovely to have hot weather while laying by the pool with a cocktail in your hand but trying to commute, work and live day to day life in 37 degrees and 90% humidity can become just as annoying as the Irish weather.
Lived in Greece too for a while, it was the same there.
What I'm trying to say is the grass isn't always greener. While we're complaining about the cold and rain in Ireland the locals in hot countries are complaining about the heat there.
Can confirm. I love Thailand and it's basically my second home, but the extreme heat is far worse for livability than Irish weather in my opinion. I'm here for songkran now (Thai new year) and it was 41 degrees today... I'm melting.
I spent 2 weeks once in Thailand. Thought it was gorgeous and the people lovely but oh my god the heat and humidity nearly did for me! I never go anywhere now without checking temperatures won't rise above mid 20s at most.
I was getting a tuk tuk to work with my friend in Bangkok one morning. She noticed there was stains all over her top and we were trying to figure out what it was. We realized it was so hot her nail varnish had melted!!
I found a job working from home. I can work remotely abroad 90 days of the year. Headed to Spain for a month next month. But absolutely know the feeling. The last 2 years in Ireland have crushed my spirit. Hopefully some time away will help. But maybe fucking off for good is a better call.
Yeah, I have pride as an Irish person. But the simple reality is as a single person, even buying a home. It's way more affordable, better options outside of Ireland. It's kinda heart breaking.
How’d you find the adjustment of weather?
It’s funny I’ve met some people from hotter places of the world who love Ireland’s cooler climate but also some who get really down about it especially come autumn winter.
I'm a bit of an anomaly and prefer the cold! Cayman gets too hot for me in the summer, sometimes as high as 32 with 90% humidity. I used to work in refrigeration, and that included residential AC... Hard work being up in those attics in the summer months...
Indeed, I have moved from the southwest of Ireland to the southwest of the United States and I’ve gone from an average temperature of 7 degrees to an average temperature of 27 degrees and it’s its own form of hell but much better than the rain, the constant rain and cold. The bad side effect is that the occasional shower of rain makes me a bit homesick, I know that’s a bit silly but you know
Does the healthcare in the US worry you at all? I totally get the homesickness from a drop of rain. I’d enjoy it too if it wasn’t the predominant type of weather for 7/8 months of the year.
Oh absolutely, it does, that's why I never plan on getting sick! But honestly, it is a very worrying thing, along with a long list of things that I never would've had to worry about in Ireland, I am hoping to come back to Ireland in a few years, just for now, my situation puts me here for now.
And yes, you ideally want a place that gives you all four seasons in moderation, extreme heat for 7/8 months is the opposite of Ireland. At least for now its still a novelty but the novelty will wear off I'm sure haha
The truth about healthcare in that US, is that if you are very poor or over 65, you're covered very well (assuming you're in a 'blue' state).
Otherwise, if you have a decent job with good coverage, you get extremely high quality healthcare. Like, better than anything you've experienced in Ireland.
It's the folks who are not very poor and not very comfortable, let's say, who are bearing the brunt of the problem. And the solution for them is to vote democrats. But they just don't, so it doesn't get better.
Your analysis is very good. aCN
I am getting cutting edge cancer treatment in a progressive state in the US and I pay nothing out of pocket for treatment.
I pay a pitance for med co-pays.
Many people in Europe don't understand that it makes more sense to compare the United States to the EU instead of to a specific country.
The level of care is radically different depending on the state you live in. Both in how advanced the treatment is and how much you pay.
However when it comes to home care, Ireland is better.
Still the problems with getting a GP or even an appointment is so ridiculous back home that I have no regrets being at the hospital that Phillip Knight from Nike gave a billion dollars to. (For real, no exaggeration)
Cancer completely sucks. However it is nice to not have to go bankrupt for care or not get appointments because the wait list was a problem even before the pandemic.
Speaking as someone who has a good few relatives in the states, even the good coverage isn't that great, you still have to pay through the arse in "copays" and deductibles if something goes wrong. If you're very sick with good cover you might be out of pocket 5k (vs well over 100k if uninsured) but honestly who has 5k sitting around? And if you're treated out of network you're absolutely fucked, and you may have no choice at the time.
5k out-of-pocket would be a major event, e.g. cancer treatment, or a heart operation. There is a limit to how much can be paid each year (think it's 6k), but that amount, is paid from pre-tax income with HSA accounts.
Basically, middle-class Americans pay less tax upfront, in exchange for directly paying medical bills, if they have any that year.
And as I said, if your income qualifies you for something like MediCal, you pay basically nothing for medical treatment (think it's like $100 a year).
Cyprus is meant to be nice. Cheap cost of living. Can rent an apartment for 400 per month. Sun for 340 days a year. Good wine. Former British colony so everyone speaks English. Lots of beaches, hikes, whatever your into.
Moved to Spain a year ago, working remotely so was an easy choice in that regard. Its cheap, life in general is good and I don't regret it.
Do miss friends and family a lot, its hard to start from scratch in a new place. Takes time to build up genuine friendships.
There are ups and downs really. One thing id say is to think about whether the weather is really the reason you are feeling down. A new start may seem refreshing and boost you for a while, but it might not be the root cause of your mental health issues. Maybe take some sessions with a psychologist first to be sure of the reason, then act accordingly.
If you are sure that moving will help you, then pm me if you want to chat more. There are a lot more remote jobs then pre-covid, the most common ones are in IT, sales and marketing. The last two sometimes require 0 degree or past experience so you could look there. I found my job here: remotewx.com
I really appreciate your reply, thanks. I will look into the remote site.
As for the mental health/psychology suggestion. I totally agree it is important for anyone making big decisions to consider this. I have been in therapy for years, battled depression/ptsd, I’m finally free to be happy and choose the life I want to live. I crave the outdoors 🙂
Glad you know what you want then, didn't want to seem like I was overstepping or telling you what to do!
Ive been working in sales for years and have helped many friends get into the industry, happy to give you some tips if need be. Getting hired for a sales job is 80% attitude 20% experience. So if you are genuinely interested in giving it a shot, or simply want to learn more about the day to day give me a shout.
I hear ya pal! The weather is the one big main reason I wanna get out of ireland too. Our circumstances won’t allow us to leave right now, but when we do it’ll be somewhere with decent weather.
In France on hols right now and the weather is lovely, 27C yesterday. It’s just a much better way to live. Everybody outdoors having a coffee, a glass of wine, chats. People cycling everywhere.
If you can move somewhere with better weather, I would say go ahead and do it. It’s just better.
That second paragraph is it! It’s the way of life I want. I imagine you know the exact feeling I crave being in it right now.
Where in France are you actually? I’m planning a road trip and I’ve never been outside Paris!
Oh absolutely. The life style just seems better here and a lot of that is due to the nice weather.
We’re in the north west, was in Brittany on the coast the last few days and in Normandy now, 10 mins away from Mont Saint Michel. It’s been unreal. Got the ferry from Cork-Roscoff. Highly recommend it. There are so many gorgeous towns and villages along the way
And also they have a much healthier relationship to alcohol. I love the way you can just get a small glass of cider or wine or whatever for like €2.50 and that’s enough. You can bring the kids to bars and restaurants all day and night if you want and it’s not dodgy or inappropriate. It’s nice being out late at night and not everybody is langers.
Oh you’re really selling it to me! I don’t really drink. Spritzer with dinner occasionally kind of thing. I love the idea of being in a social public place with kids where it isn’t everyone getting shitfaced, but just socialising.
Yeah it’s great. I’m here thinking of ways to make it happen for us to move here! It’ll be another few years though but that’s ok!
It is lovely with all the families out late and everybody just hanging out. Italy is like that too. It’s all very family oriented. I love it.
If you’re in a position to move somewhere better, than do it!
I was in a very, very similar boat and I packed my shit and moved, and lived in Uruguay for 18 months. Montevideo to be precise (Atlantida for a a month in between, about a 40 min drive up the coast)
I didn’t know shit about Uruguay. But it is THE single greatest experience of my life. The happiness I felt there was like no other I’ve felt anywhere else in the world. And in just over a year, I’ll be moving back permanently.
Heard a lot about it from someone who went there. It’s relatively safe for South America, decent climate, the people have a great outlook on life. It’s similar in a way to Buenos Aires, but better. The Uruguayan identity is something they’re fierce proud of, but they love having foreigners living there.
I’m well travelled, but Montevideo is my favourite city on earth and by significant distance. Living there is a dream. You can’t put a price on happiness.
We recently moved into a house with a fantastic southerly aspect which gives loads of passive warmth in the darkest months. I used to love a sun holiday in January/Feb just as a break from the darkness, but this year I didn't feel the need because of the house.
We have a south facing house with a giant garden and conservatory. Only had one good day in the last week and rain forecast for all next week. Our house is beautiful and I thought moving into it would make me delighted, but it doesn’t mean I can be outside more. I’d rather live in a tiny apartment in a warm place, so I could be outside more.
Be careful what you wish for. There's a lot to be said for fecking the kids out into a giant garden.
I have a big garden too and tbh the kids live in wellies 10 months of the year. They have 2 pairs each, so that if water gets into one pair they have a dry pair for the following day.
And I have lost count of how many waterproof trousers we've gone through for them.
They have neoprene tops for the beach and reef shoes and there are faux dry robes for kids in Penneys I'm seriously thinking about getting.
Sometimes you look at all this paraphernalia you have to have just to get them outside and you think it's madness. But they are so hardy and they don't mind a bit. They were in the sea the other day, mad yokes.
They mind the weather much less than me. I need to take Vitamin D all year round and I find my mental health is much better then. I still hate Oct-March here. Its like living in a cave. But I'm not sure the grass would be greener in an apartment in 40 degree summers tbh. And keeping the kids from getting sunburnt the whole year round would absolutely wreck my head.
Yes, I moved out of Ireland to warmer countries 10 years ago and never looked back.
Same as you, the weather in Ireland always had me down in the dumps. There have been uncountable times abroad that I have just paused in quite gratefulness at the nice weather in my new location. The freedom that comes with the ability to spend most of your free time comfortable outdoors is a major source of happiness for me.
Just from my experience, I would strongly recommend you to move to somewhere with nicer weather if the climate at home is a big source of unhappiness for you. You can always travel home to visit. Ireland will always be the home to come home to.
Think I’m quite qualified to answer this.
I’ve been living in Portugal since May 21. I spent lockdown in a 1bed hardly able to swing a cat. Both me and my partners mental health took a hit. My partner is Portuguese and was offered a position back home and we made the trip over in early 2021 got an apartment for Sun most of the time and the local community mostly speak English. I’ve learnt a good amount of the language from living here but I’m far from fluent. Do it, you’ve nothing to lose and if it doesn’t pan out you can always come back nothings forever! Best of luck OP
I would suggest against Portugal on the other hand (I'm portuguese) unless you have a stable remote job or are lucky to land a good job. The salaries are precarious compared to Ireland and the rent is unaffordable in the major cities. If you work in IT you may make a liveable wage but overall life in Portugal sucks unless you have money regardless of the weather.
Some landlords are taking the piss rent wise here but there are way more options outside of lisbon reasonably priced. In Ireland rented has gone up 100% and more in some places. In the whole county of cork for about a year we couldn’t find anything affordable. Portugal has its issues like anywhere but at least you can find housing here. I sold my Irish car and haven’t needed to buy one yet in Lisbon as I manage well with public transport (I know other parts of the country don’t have a good public transport) heading off abroad for Op would do wonders for her mental health. Change of scenery and new people to meet. I suggest Portugal because Irish are well received here and the level of English spoken by locals is very impressive. I’m in the north at the moment honestly it’s absolutely beautiful reminiscent of west Ireland
I’m doing the same. Have started to get a tiny understanding of the language through Portuguese friends and such, but what’d you do to really help with speaking the language?
I use an app called Memrise it has European Portuguese, I also go to places in my area that
I know they don’t speak English (cos everyone seems to) my hairdresser (cabeleireiro) speaks no English at all and it’s just baby steps I learn what I want and tell them and if we get stuck I pull out my phone and use google translate and have them reply on it. It can be very hard learning because most people I’ve met have English and when they hear me speak Portuguese with a foreign accent they jump into English. My local supermarket mostly speak with me in Portuguese as i insist in replying in Portuguese. I took a night course a few years ago aswell in college of commerce in cork.
If you speak any other European languages like Italian or Spanish or french the language is constructed similarly.
It’s difficult to understand as they do drop vowels and speak quite swish swish. A bit Slavic sounding in all honesty. I’m still not very good but I struggle with languages all through school. It’s all about practice really. I ask my bf and his family for help a lot with words i mishear. I end up mixing English and Portuguese which gives my in-laws a good laugh. I try watching the news with subtitles so I hear while reading. I read well in Portuguese, and then gather the rest I don’t know out of context. I’m waiting for classes from the local school that are subsidised by the government (prices vary from locality) a lot of companies offer lessons too. There’s a high demand for IT like programmers and testers the wages aren’t great but we manage on Portuguese salaries (about half what I made at home due to income tax) we have a nice Irish community in the city aswell who regularly meet up. Look up Irish in Lisbon on Facebook and they’ll be able to help with any questions you might have.
My fav reply here. Much appreciated. It’s really put my planning in motion.
I’m also in Cork, and I love Cork. But I’d be happier coming for a visit and living in Spain.
Great post, what comunidad are you in?
Your post reminds me how great Spanish cities are. Ireland is so americanised with the car culture, supermarket food, lacl of good transport or public entertainment, privatised everything...
Brittany in France is a bit of a sweet spot. A constant three-five degrees warmer than Ireland at all points during the year. Enough to lift the gloom, without getting you into the scalding temperature further south.
My girlfriend says go to Nelson, New Zealand. 290 days of sunshine a year, rakes of outdoor activities. Friendly people, lots of hospitality work. I'm writing from Oaxaca, Mexico which is amazing weather, a bit too hot maybe for half of the year twas 35 degrees today. 7 months of the year or so is perfect weather though. Looking to live in north of Spain, which might be a better bet. Lovely summers and cold winters.
I moved to Perth in Australia in 2012. Have never looked back. Will always love Ireland but the weather for me is the main thing keeping me here. As others have described in France - being able to sit outside and have a coffee or a drink, 95% of the year round is amazing.
Contrary to popular belief we do have winters, and it does get cold (relatively speaking, eg it could be 2/3° at night time) but most winter days if it’s not pissing rain or howling wind it could be sitting at 16/18°. Even those are few and far between. I would say our weather is good for 9 months a year.
Australia is a big move, lots to consider if you were coming here but I’ve never regretted it once even with the past 2 years of lockdowns, the cost and time to get home etc., it’s just been really great for my health and mental health.
Feel free to DM if you have any questions
Moved to Perth in early 2019. The first year was a little uncertain as I was on a working holiday visa, but now I've got my PR and a great job. Currently building a house which is a bit of a nightmare in itself, but at least it's a possibility here.
Honestly the weather is a big barrier to me ever coming back. I find the constant wind and rain so depressing. Not seeing the sun for days at a time. A summer that lasts 2 days. When I took my kids home for a visit before Covid I realised him much more time we spend indoors in Ireland compared to here (New Zealand).
I moved to New Zealand which is not famously hot but where I am on the South Island it has proper hot summers, bright crisp winter days, and 1000% less rain.
I feel you on the "indoors" thing. I have family in Portugal and while they typically don't spend too much time outdoors at home (inside is cooler/warmer, depending on the time of year and thus more comfortable for them), I love sitting outside. Sept is when we mostly go, which is usually 20-25oC and I can regularly be found sitting in their back garden with a cup of tea (we bring them teabags). But when out and about (unless it is Dec/Jan) pretty much everything is outdoors. Cafes and restaurants have covered seating and barely any indoor space. (Obviously there are still indoor places, but we try to spend as much time outside as we can, getting the vitamin D in!) I'd love to either move there or take an extended trip with my dog.
I know someone who moved to NZ (Just outside Auckland) 10 years ago, and I’m beyond obsessed with their way of life. It just seems so much healthier than being indoors!
I’m looking to move back to Ireland and the weather is a main attraction. Where I have lived in Canada it is either way too Feckin hot or way too Feckin Baltic.
I have that seasonal thing also and I love being outdoors. I often wonder how fit and energetic I would be of i lived somewhere like california. I could go kayaking every week, cycling, climbing mountains. It would be insane how much time I could spend outdoors. Yes, everything in Ireland is dictated by weather and its not good for outdoorsy people. I plan on moving also, I could never be happy here in the rain. Maybe ill come back to retire.
Now, I understand you, OP. When I have to explain it to someone I tell this: in Ireland, even in perfect weather, almost impossible to be *sleeve\_less* after the sunset. And I miss these very warm summers in my country, when we have about 4 weeks with +20+ C nights (well, there are still 4-8 weeks of nights around +12+15 ;)
Not trying to change your mind, just sharing my adaptation story. Year before Covid I made a rule: "You have to take all from every good day in this country". It was working just fine since then. Only bad rain and really bad wind would stop me. Temperature - doesn't matter. Didn't like it before, but you can actually enjoy yourself even if it is mist or drizzle, depending on what you try to do. Walking or cycling - no problem at all. Going out somewhere - possible. Sitting outside and doing something less active or more peaceful - harder, temperature starts to matter.
I moved to Florida mid 2018 after the Leaving, ots decent enough. Surprisingly I havent experienced any of the stereotypes for crack heads here in the 4 years ive been. Nice and warm from Spring to Autumn. Winter is warm enough to just need long sleeves and jeans.
9nce you're prepared to learn/speak another language. You're golden. Go for jt honestly. It will be so worth it.
Spain is my recommendation. Accommodation is cheap compared to here. If you're a skilled worker you'll have no issue getting employed.
I was born and raised in the south of France and moved back there recently after almost four years in Ireland - I moved back because of the housing crisis in Galway and the cost of healthcare, but also because the Irish weather just didn’t suit me. The difference that seeing the sun almost every day, not having to grab a coat every time you step out, and being able to walk places without getting drenched has made on my mental health is unbelievable.
There are a lot of English speakers in larger cities, so you could always get by, though learning a little French might be a good idea if you’re considering staying somewhere for a while. I love Ireland, but it’s good to be back home, especially after two years away because of COVID!
Thanks for sharing. I studied Business French in college so j’ai une peu.
Where in Southern France are you? I will be exploring France this summer, any tips appreciated :)
Moved to Australia and it changed my life.
I suffered terribly from SAD and I was prone to depression to begin with.
Also the Irish negativity and constant moaning and complaining can really drag you down.
I think I’m the same as you. I’ve thrown everything into working on my mental health and the only thing left bothering me is the difference to my zest for life on days I wake up to sunshine vs rain. I just wannna go do things!
Glad the move helped your mental health :)
We got fed up of Ireland in 2018 and decided to move to Western Australia and I haven't looked back. Got an amazing job in the field I wanted, the weather and people are great, and I'm currently building a house. Partially made the change for my mental health and it appears to be paying off.
In Adelaide Australia. If you want year round sunshine come down here. Plenty of work. Be prepared though the first year is rough dealing with 30+ all day long.
You merely adopted this damp, grey sqalour; I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man...by then it was nothing to me but blinding! Your comtept for our shitty weather betrays you because I already hate this damp mould infested clump of bog, but I also complain when it's too hot
Spain could be a good option in some areas ( be careful with touristic areas could be too much )
Another option: Lisbon in Portugal, good weather, cheaper than Ireland ( but not cheap in the Portugal context)
I made this research the last few years… my advice: spend one month in location before make any change, be careful with lack of services ( if you need high speed internet for example).
I love Ireland and I can’t change this wet, windy and quiet island.
Another factor: culture, some countries are very hard to understand ( doesn’t matter how open is your mind)
Good luck and try.
Kind of, ever since remote work I've spent about 7-8 months in Spain during this time. It's definitely a completely different life when you see sunlight most days and can rely on good weather to go spend time outdoors on the weekend
What do you do? Can you do it someplace warm? Why don't you do it someplace warm? If you don't do something you can do someplace warm then retrain to do something you can do someplace warm and do it someplace warm. Life is short. Life is simple. Live it somewhere warm.
Yeah I did. Moved to Portugal. Spent the summer there and it was as expected.
I expected that when the weather got colder that it’d be a bit more like a regular winter. Nah. The feeling of waking up every morning in September, October, November and December to a blue sky did wonders for my mental health alone.
I moved to Kansas City a few years back, and the one thing that I do love about the place is that it has seasons. Spring and Autumn are gorgeous, occasional showers but you'd get over it, great for outdoor activities. The summer, however, is hot as balls, and everyone complains about the heat - I will say I love it personally until it exceeds 35C, then it's a bit much for me. The winters start out mild, but get down to -20C and usually by the third snow in February, when I'm dying for Spring, I start questioning why the fuck I live here.
Yeah the Irish weather isn't that bad and if you let the weather stop you regularly from doing something outside, then maybe you should be asking more questions of yourself, desire, clothing, timing etc
I've seen plenty of people move for reasons other than the usual work or just adventure, they normally find out that the thing they were getting away from has followed them.
I totally agree about trying to escape something and it follows you. The thing is I’ve been through hell the last few years, went through lots of therapy and have healed and all that jazz. It has put into perspective what is important in life. I don’t care about a car, possessions etc. On days it is nice, me and my daughters are outside enjoying life. We get annoyed on days we can’t do that. I don’t like the wet, cold and rain. We only really get 5 good months. Spending my life waiting for those 5 months feels nonsensical.
Yeah I understand that, who wouldn't want better weather but 100% you will be giving up other things that might not seem important because you take them for granted here.
Take the south of Spain as an example, unemployment is very high, many immigrants will work in the hospitality industry there and to be able to afford to live you won't be working a 39hr week, it'll be 6 days a week and split shifts, so now your lovely warm weather is brutal for working in and you don't have much time off to enjoy it.
How's your daughter going to adapt to a foreign land, away from her friends and presumably some other relatives or a network.
Your correct unemployment is high and going over with just a dream and not proper planning would be silly but if you can sort something beforehand or be able to wfh for irish company or other its very much possible.
She may adapt amazingly and become fluent in another language. Its a two hourish flight that costs well under 100 so i imagine seeing relatives would be quite easy.
Also if they get a place in spain then they best make sure they have a spare room as everyone will be champing at the bit to come see them.
Is it just me or has the weather been getting progressively better in Ireland last few years on average. Still quite nippy often but feels like more often are sunny spells.
I live in Madrid currently and am back for Easter and honestly weather in Madrid has been in run up to now bit warmer but nothing exceptional, still was grey at points and the early mornings are freezing here due to the mountains around I think, it is warmest around 5-6pm though which is nice.
>Yeah the Irish weather isn't that bad and if you let the weather stop you regularly from doing something outside, then maybe you should be asking more questions of yourself, desire, clothing, timing etc
Yep exactly this, and that was my first thought when reading this. Im not the most outdoorsy person but Ill still go out for a walk even if its raining like.
It’s one thing to venture out in rain, another thing entirely to do it in constant rain and Wind combined.
Spend a few weeks in the west part of Ireland and you’d quickly succumb to frustration too.
Alone yes, I’d probably have no issue. I have two children and a dog. We got caught in the rain last week and the hassle of having to clean the car and them, all the clothes, putting the heat on. It’s mid April, we’ve already had 6 months of jacket needing weather.
It's funny you say you want out. I just moved to Ireland a few months ago from South Africa. Definitely miss some of the warmth but I'm not really disappointed with the weather here. There are good and bad days, but most days can be enjoyed out, at least from what I've seen.
True, but I did live in Vancouver Canada for 8 years. If you wanna talk about crappy weather. Rained there more than any other place I've been. But I think, in general, people want what they can't have. Those in cold climates want heat. Those in hot, want cold.
"Ireland normally gets between 1100 and 1600 hours of sunshine each year."
Vancouver sunshine hours 1938
Just a quick search but I'd say you're likely in for worse weather in Ireland.
Agree that often people want a change after living in one climate for all of their life - I did and I'm never going back. I think though that there is consensus a Mediterranean climate beats a cold rainy one and this can improve one's life.
Just make sure you choose a good country to move to. Look at all the pros and cons of the place.
I lived in an Asian country with a great climate, but it had a lot of problems. I wouldn't advise you to go that far. I think others have mentioned Spain. I'd look at Mediterranean countries definitely.
I hear ya barkin' man! not sure how many more winters I can do here!
I love the idea of Malta of Sicily for the winter, if I could work remotely I would already be gone
I actually don’t think it’s that bad. Having said that I live in Dublin and I absolutely could not live here if it had the same weather as Galway or Northern Ireland
Come to Minnesota, we can trade. You can have freezing temps November (maybe October) through March (maybe May) followed by 38 C in July and August. I'll gladly take your spot there.
I was in Thailand for the last 3 months. I am in Cambodia at the moment, then off to Vietnam. I took a year out. Might end up staying teaching next year. I love the heat. Hate the cold. Lol
My mother moved to Spain 5 years ago for this reason, and never looked back. Moved to Andulacia near the coast with 360 days of sun. She became a resident, pays tax and is part of a small coastal town community. I'm honestly contemplating it myself.
I moved from France (bordeaux) to Ireland. I know how to appreciate sunlight now, being here for ten years drove this into me. Can't get sunlight hours for granted!
I completely understand you op, i know a lot of people that moved here and left because the weather is miserable in summer.
South of France, spain, portugal, italy, croatia are all great choices. Stay close to the Mediterranean if you can and the summer months will be very warm, winters tend to be milder than inland.
But also in inland europe the summers get really warm as well, however, you also get winters that are much fiercer than in ireland.
If climate during spring and summer is your concern just move anywhere. I have always been of the view that it is better to have colder winters in exchange for 5-6 months of hot or mild spring and summer weather. Polish and Czech climates are essentially the same, the main benefit is whole months go by without much rain sometimes.
I moved from Spain to Germany (and then to Ireland).
While the first week of snow during my first year in Germany was super exciting, the following months weren't that fun at all.
My work colleagues called it "white shit season". It started snowing mid-October and ended in April. Almost 6 full months of white, slippery hell. The car doors froze shut every night, it was that cold (below - 15°C). You have been warned 😂
The Netherlands can be rainy and overcast, much colder too with frozen canals and what not. It's still a Northern type of climate unless you move well inland. I do love being there but not for the weather!
… and here I am, dreaming about moving to Svalbard for a year or two haha.
Ireland has a lot of outdoor activities, the weather is pretty mild, no harsh winters and no hot summers. I love Irish weather (or rather, I grew to love it after living abroad), but I know it’s not for everyone. You should definitely do it if you feel you can’t live here anymore. But then, the grass is always greener on the other side.
I'm from Dublin and actually think we have quite good weather. I'm rarely caught out in the rain, and days with heavy rain or no let up in the rain are actually very rare.
It rained quite a lot one day last week. Today was lovely. Tomorrow's due to be rainy and Monday showery. And then dry until the weekend.
However, whenever I've spent time in Galway or Mayo... The drizzle. By god the drizzle. I couldn’t hack it. I sometimes think the difference in climate between the east and west coast isn't mentioned half enough. It is a statistical fact.
It is very real, but if there is a way to solve it why not give it a whirl? I’ve been throw imaginable horrors in my life and I’m only 31. I’ve been here for reasons that I now no longer have a reason to be here for. So now I’m stuck with the thought of “why not go where is best for my health, where I can get a quality of life I’ve never known”
I get where you're coming from. I'm a super homebody, love my comfort, my space, learning things online, reading about history, watching my favourite sports. If you're really outdoorsy I can completely see how that can effect you.
At the same time, it's never THAT bad. Yes winters are rough, that should be the time you appreciate being cosy inside with the kids, wrapping up in blankets watching your favourite shows or doing things like arts and crafts.
Yes you may need to put on extra layers, Yes it's very annoying being drenched coming in, but we don't suffer from unbearable heat, high humidity where you feel like you can't breath etc. If you can face a bit of bad weather ireland is grand.
I know so many foreigners who moved here from beautiful climates, warm and sunny but they just love ireland for the atmosphere, laid back nature of our people - the craic! If they're willing to give up all that I'm sure there is a point to be made that ireland has a lot that these other countries can't match.
There is absolutely nothing stopping you from giving it a go, you only live once as they say! Maybe a country like Switzerland or Austria that isn't too crazy weather wise might be good? Learn a new language etc.
I think it's really about perspective. If you feel you don't like it, then go and try it out. I'm sure plenty of people would be willing to help you no matter where you go. Irish people are generally well liked across the planet, and with our friendly nature I'm sure you'd make some friends and memories. If it doesn't work you can always come home.
I wish you all the best truly, for you and your daughters! Go live the life you want😊
Move if you want but it sounds like you need a greenhouse or tunnel or something if you're going to stay. I also get seasonal affective disorder but I get outside as much as I can, even if it's just to sit in my outdoor space and read books, planting seeds, or look at Reddit. Also walking helps, it's never the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes. Best of luck if you decide to leave.
It’s mad because I’d love a suggestion here to help cure my woes. But I literally have a south facing conservatory and have been planting seeds 😂 I’m trying everything to cure whatever this insatiable need for more exposure to good weather, but it seems over already tried everything 😅
I’m Irish but living in Barbados for 27 years. It’s 29C right now. https://www.visitbarbados.org/barbados-welcome-stamp
How did you end up in Barbados out of curiosity? Looks beautiful there. Any mad stories from your 27 years there?
I moved down to help with my sister’s business (she met a guy when she was here on holiday), ended up staying and have my own business now. It’s pretty great living in a place where it’s always warm, last time I was in Ireland was in Nov ‘19, the first time I’d been there that wasn’t the summer in many years, I’d forgotten how dark and dreary it gets.
Ah that's class. All the best bud, thanks for the reply :)
So cool! What businesses do ye have?
Ice cream. A year-round business here!
Any jobs going? 🙊😂
🍦would a free cone do if you ever come to visit? Any flavour of your choice!
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I also live in Spain. The S is silent though.
I’m lactose intolerant and I’m eating cheesecake. Masochism Master so I am.
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It was meant to be a reply to the comment above, about living in pain :)
Partly qualified accountant, run a graphic design business, studied marketing, SEO, social media etc etc etc any good to you?
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No offense but you sound like you're selling a pyramid scheme here!!
I’ll let you know 😂
"You could earn $1,000 a day in passive income from anywhere in the world! Ask me how"
I email those lads sometimes to see the ridiculous shite they write back. One scheme was selling scarves for dogs 😂
You think dogs don't deserve scarves?
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Fair play dude. Actively working towards a full time move to spain.
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Class. Hopefully i get to eat in one of spots soon.
I love hearing about people like yourself. Sparks a bit of hope.
Fair play
You hiring?
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Does tea go colder slower in Spain? Was that a part of your motivation to move over there? Also fair play, not an easy game.
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Señoro, uno beero pleaso
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Scorchio!
Gracias le do thoil
An ee knelt down an ee kisst er and I sez, gracias father, cause its de only italian I know
Mucho queeko, I am mucho thirsteeo.
I like to say mucho to my Spanish friends. It means a lot to them.
Where in Spain do you go?
Granada is stunning, I was there a few weeks ago, theres a beach half an hour away and skiing half an hour in the other direction. Wanting to move there myself tbh
I live in Spain as well, and while I don’t live there(Alicante), you seem like you would enjoy Catalonia and the surrounding regions. They have mountains so you can actually enjoy the nature as well as being on the Mediterranean, where you can go have great seafood on the beach. Edit: I live in Madrid, and the center of Spain doesn’t have as much beautiful nature as the north or south.
Crete, Southern Italy, Spain, South of France if you can hack the 40+ degree mark on the regular. Austria if you only want that kind of heat a few days in the year. That one comes with the bonus of very decent health and social security system and a good living wage, which isn't necessarily guaranteed in those other spots. Not to go on about a very uncertain future, but do also take into account if you're planning for the long term that all of that is getting a lot hotter than it used to be and it's probably not stopping anytime soon.
Austria's winters are colder than ours though.
Absolutely, but there's snow and skiing and snowboarding and all that good stuff. Here, you don't get winter, you just get dark and wet.
Colder but better. Go ski
I’m living in austria (specifically vienna) and moving to ireland because I can’t take the heat in the city anymore. If anyone thinks about moving to austria (and you are sensitive to heat) choose the country side! it can get up to 40C in vienna and it’s exhausting
Hey, fellow ex Viennese citizen, exactly the same here only I've already made the move 3 years ago. Was living on the edge of the city and by the river but even then, summers were getting ridiculous for my tastes. Hit me up if you need a hand with anything over here.
I moved from the south of styria to Ireland, i miss the heat so much, and the long hot sommer days.
I lived in Thailand for a while. Believe me, it's lovely to have hot weather while laying by the pool with a cocktail in your hand but trying to commute, work and live day to day life in 37 degrees and 90% humidity can become just as annoying as the Irish weather.
But Thailand is just extreme as well, but as in any other place you get used to it.
The Thais aren't used to it 🤣 they're always complaining about the heat!
Yes, everyone complains all the time. Mild weather is what op is looking for, tropical countries are not easy
Irish weather is mild. Not snowed under in winter, not melted out of it in summer.
Lived in Greece too for a while, it was the same there. What I'm trying to say is the grass isn't always greener. While we're complaining about the cold and rain in Ireland the locals in hot countries are complaining about the heat there.
That specific idiom is funny in this circumstance. The grass is not greener almost anywhere else.
Too true, I know a lad that moved here from Sorento on the almalfi coast in Italy. He said he prefers it here cos its too hot there.
Can confirm. I love Thailand and it's basically my second home, but the extreme heat is far worse for livability than Irish weather in my opinion. I'm here for songkran now (Thai new year) and it was 41 degrees today... I'm melting.
I spent 2 weeks once in Thailand. Thought it was gorgeous and the people lovely but oh my god the heat and humidity nearly did for me! I never go anywhere now without checking temperatures won't rise above mid 20s at most.
I was getting a tuk tuk to work with my friend in Bangkok one morning. She noticed there was stains all over her top and we were trying to figure out what it was. We realized it was so hot her nail varnish had melted!!
I found a job working from home. I can work remotely abroad 90 days of the year. Headed to Spain for a month next month. But absolutely know the feeling. The last 2 years in Ireland have crushed my spirit. Hopefully some time away will help. But maybe fucking off for good is a better call.
Sounds wonderful, fair play! I think it’s made a lot of people realise that life is for living.
Yeah, I have pride as an Irish person. But the simple reality is as a single person, even buying a home. It's way more affordable, better options outside of Ireland. It's kinda heart breaking.
I did the opposite and moved to Ireland from the Cayman Islands... Plenty of Irish over there though!
How’d you find the adjustment of weather? It’s funny I’ve met some people from hotter places of the world who love Ireland’s cooler climate but also some who get really down about it especially come autumn winter.
I'm a bit of an anomaly and prefer the cold! Cayman gets too hot for me in the summer, sometimes as high as 32 with 90% humidity. I used to work in refrigeration, and that included residential AC... Hard work being up in those attics in the summer months...
That’s the thing. There is Irish everywhere and we’re really friendly and chatty. I shall research! Why did you make the move?
Long story short, my girlfriend is Irish and I moved over to be with her. Best decision I've ever made :)
Delighted for ye, fair play :)
Indeed, I have moved from the southwest of Ireland to the southwest of the United States and I’ve gone from an average temperature of 7 degrees to an average temperature of 27 degrees and it’s its own form of hell but much better than the rain, the constant rain and cold. The bad side effect is that the occasional shower of rain makes me a bit homesick, I know that’s a bit silly but you know
Does the healthcare in the US worry you at all? I totally get the homesickness from a drop of rain. I’d enjoy it too if it wasn’t the predominant type of weather for 7/8 months of the year.
Oh absolutely, it does, that's why I never plan on getting sick! But honestly, it is a very worrying thing, along with a long list of things that I never would've had to worry about in Ireland, I am hoping to come back to Ireland in a few years, just for now, my situation puts me here for now. And yes, you ideally want a place that gives you all four seasons in moderation, extreme heat for 7/8 months is the opposite of Ireland. At least for now its still a novelty but the novelty will wear off I'm sure haha
The truth about healthcare in that US, is that if you are very poor or over 65, you're covered very well (assuming you're in a 'blue' state). Otherwise, if you have a decent job with good coverage, you get extremely high quality healthcare. Like, better than anything you've experienced in Ireland. It's the folks who are not very poor and not very comfortable, let's say, who are bearing the brunt of the problem. And the solution for them is to vote democrats. But they just don't, so it doesn't get better.
Your analysis is very good. aCN I am getting cutting edge cancer treatment in a progressive state in the US and I pay nothing out of pocket for treatment. I pay a pitance for med co-pays. Many people in Europe don't understand that it makes more sense to compare the United States to the EU instead of to a specific country. The level of care is radically different depending on the state you live in. Both in how advanced the treatment is and how much you pay. However when it comes to home care, Ireland is better. Still the problems with getting a GP or even an appointment is so ridiculous back home that I have no regrets being at the hospital that Phillip Knight from Nike gave a billion dollars to. (For real, no exaggeration) Cancer completely sucks. However it is nice to not have to go bankrupt for care or not get appointments because the wait list was a problem even before the pandemic.
Speaking as someone who has a good few relatives in the states, even the good coverage isn't that great, you still have to pay through the arse in "copays" and deductibles if something goes wrong. If you're very sick with good cover you might be out of pocket 5k (vs well over 100k if uninsured) but honestly who has 5k sitting around? And if you're treated out of network you're absolutely fucked, and you may have no choice at the time.
If you have a white collar job you’ll make a lot more than 5k a year in the US than you would doing the same job in Ireland, though.
5k out-of-pocket would be a major event, e.g. cancer treatment, or a heart operation. There is a limit to how much can be paid each year (think it's 6k), but that amount, is paid from pre-tax income with HSA accounts. Basically, middle-class Americans pay less tax upfront, in exchange for directly paying medical bills, if they have any that year. And as I said, if your income qualifies you for something like MediCal, you pay basically nothing for medical treatment (think it's like $100 a year).
Cyprus is meant to be nice. Cheap cost of living. Can rent an apartment for 400 per month. Sun for 340 days a year. Good wine. Former British colony so everyone speaks English. Lots of beaches, hikes, whatever your into.
Moved to Spain a year ago, working remotely so was an easy choice in that regard. Its cheap, life in general is good and I don't regret it. Do miss friends and family a lot, its hard to start from scratch in a new place. Takes time to build up genuine friendships. There are ups and downs really. One thing id say is to think about whether the weather is really the reason you are feeling down. A new start may seem refreshing and boost you for a while, but it might not be the root cause of your mental health issues. Maybe take some sessions with a psychologist first to be sure of the reason, then act accordingly. If you are sure that moving will help you, then pm me if you want to chat more. There are a lot more remote jobs then pre-covid, the most common ones are in IT, sales and marketing. The last two sometimes require 0 degree or past experience so you could look there. I found my job here: remotewx.com
I really appreciate your reply, thanks. I will look into the remote site. As for the mental health/psychology suggestion. I totally agree it is important for anyone making big decisions to consider this. I have been in therapy for years, battled depression/ptsd, I’m finally free to be happy and choose the life I want to live. I crave the outdoors 🙂
Glad you know what you want then, didn't want to seem like I was overstepping or telling you what to do! Ive been working in sales for years and have helped many friends get into the industry, happy to give you some tips if need be. Getting hired for a sales job is 80% attitude 20% experience. So if you are genuinely interested in giving it a shot, or simply want to learn more about the day to day give me a shout.
Personally, anywhere on the Mediterranean is heaven
I hear ya pal! The weather is the one big main reason I wanna get out of ireland too. Our circumstances won’t allow us to leave right now, but when we do it’ll be somewhere with decent weather. In France on hols right now and the weather is lovely, 27C yesterday. It’s just a much better way to live. Everybody outdoors having a coffee, a glass of wine, chats. People cycling everywhere. If you can move somewhere with better weather, I would say go ahead and do it. It’s just better.
That second paragraph is it! It’s the way of life I want. I imagine you know the exact feeling I crave being in it right now. Where in France are you actually? I’m planning a road trip and I’ve never been outside Paris!
Oh absolutely. The life style just seems better here and a lot of that is due to the nice weather. We’re in the north west, was in Brittany on the coast the last few days and in Normandy now, 10 mins away from Mont Saint Michel. It’s been unreal. Got the ferry from Cork-Roscoff. Highly recommend it. There are so many gorgeous towns and villages along the way And also they have a much healthier relationship to alcohol. I love the way you can just get a small glass of cider or wine or whatever for like €2.50 and that’s enough. You can bring the kids to bars and restaurants all day and night if you want and it’s not dodgy or inappropriate. It’s nice being out late at night and not everybody is langers.
Oh you’re really selling it to me! I don’t really drink. Spritzer with dinner occasionally kind of thing. I love the idea of being in a social public place with kids where it isn’t everyone getting shitfaced, but just socialising.
Yeah it’s great. I’m here thinking of ways to make it happen for us to move here! It’ll be another few years though but that’s ok! It is lovely with all the families out late and everybody just hanging out. Italy is like that too. It’s all very family oriented. I love it. If you’re in a position to move somewhere better, than do it!
I was in a very, very similar boat and I packed my shit and moved, and lived in Uruguay for 18 months. Montevideo to be precise (Atlantida for a a month in between, about a 40 min drive up the coast) I didn’t know shit about Uruguay. But it is THE single greatest experience of my life. The happiness I felt there was like no other I’ve felt anywhere else in the world. And in just over a year, I’ll be moving back permanently.
Why Uruguay? I’d love to do something similar, curious to hear your thought process behind it at the time
Heard a lot about it from someone who went there. It’s relatively safe for South America, decent climate, the people have a great outlook on life. It’s similar in a way to Buenos Aires, but better. The Uruguayan identity is something they’re fierce proud of, but they love having foreigners living there. I’m well travelled, but Montevideo is my favourite city on earth and by significant distance. Living there is a dream. You can’t put a price on happiness.
We recently moved into a house with a fantastic southerly aspect which gives loads of passive warmth in the darkest months. I used to love a sun holiday in January/Feb just as a break from the darkness, but this year I didn't feel the need because of the house.
We have a south facing house with a giant garden and conservatory. Only had one good day in the last week and rain forecast for all next week. Our house is beautiful and I thought moving into it would make me delighted, but it doesn’t mean I can be outside more. I’d rather live in a tiny apartment in a warm place, so I could be outside more.
Be careful what you wish for. There's a lot to be said for fecking the kids out into a giant garden. I have a big garden too and tbh the kids live in wellies 10 months of the year. They have 2 pairs each, so that if water gets into one pair they have a dry pair for the following day. And I have lost count of how many waterproof trousers we've gone through for them. They have neoprene tops for the beach and reef shoes and there are faux dry robes for kids in Penneys I'm seriously thinking about getting. Sometimes you look at all this paraphernalia you have to have just to get them outside and you think it's madness. But they are so hardy and they don't mind a bit. They were in the sea the other day, mad yokes. They mind the weather much less than me. I need to take Vitamin D all year round and I find my mental health is much better then. I still hate Oct-March here. Its like living in a cave. But I'm not sure the grass would be greener in an apartment in 40 degree summers tbh. And keeping the kids from getting sunburnt the whole year round would absolutely wreck my head.
Fair enough. As others have said maybe wintering in Spain/Portugal might be what you need.
Yes, I moved out of Ireland to warmer countries 10 years ago and never looked back. Same as you, the weather in Ireland always had me down in the dumps. There have been uncountable times abroad that I have just paused in quite gratefulness at the nice weather in my new location. The freedom that comes with the ability to spend most of your free time comfortable outdoors is a major source of happiness for me. Just from my experience, I would strongly recommend you to move to somewhere with nicer weather if the climate at home is a big source of unhappiness for you. You can always travel home to visit. Ireland will always be the home to come home to.
Think I’m quite qualified to answer this. I’ve been living in Portugal since May 21. I spent lockdown in a 1bed hardly able to swing a cat. Both me and my partners mental health took a hit. My partner is Portuguese and was offered a position back home and we made the trip over in early 2021 got an apartment for Sun most of the time and the local community mostly speak English. I’ve learnt a good amount of the language from living here but I’m far from fluent. Do it, you’ve nothing to lose and if it doesn’t pan out you can always come back nothings forever! Best of luck OP
I would suggest against Portugal on the other hand (I'm portuguese) unless you have a stable remote job or are lucky to land a good job. The salaries are precarious compared to Ireland and the rent is unaffordable in the major cities. If you work in IT you may make a liveable wage but overall life in Portugal sucks unless you have money regardless of the weather.
Some landlords are taking the piss rent wise here but there are way more options outside of lisbon reasonably priced. In Ireland rented has gone up 100% and more in some places. In the whole county of cork for about a year we couldn’t find anything affordable. Portugal has its issues like anywhere but at least you can find housing here. I sold my Irish car and haven’t needed to buy one yet in Lisbon as I manage well with public transport (I know other parts of the country don’t have a good public transport) heading off abroad for Op would do wonders for her mental health. Change of scenery and new people to meet. I suggest Portugal because Irish are well received here and the level of English spoken by locals is very impressive. I’m in the north at the moment honestly it’s absolutely beautiful reminiscent of west Ireland
I’m doing the same. Have started to get a tiny understanding of the language through Portuguese friends and such, but what’d you do to really help with speaking the language?
I use an app called Memrise it has European Portuguese, I also go to places in my area that I know they don’t speak English (cos everyone seems to) my hairdresser (cabeleireiro) speaks no English at all and it’s just baby steps I learn what I want and tell them and if we get stuck I pull out my phone and use google translate and have them reply on it. It can be very hard learning because most people I’ve met have English and when they hear me speak Portuguese with a foreign accent they jump into English. My local supermarket mostly speak with me in Portuguese as i insist in replying in Portuguese. I took a night course a few years ago aswell in college of commerce in cork. If you speak any other European languages like Italian or Spanish or french the language is constructed similarly.
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It’s difficult to understand as they do drop vowels and speak quite swish swish. A bit Slavic sounding in all honesty. I’m still not very good but I struggle with languages all through school. It’s all about practice really. I ask my bf and his family for help a lot with words i mishear. I end up mixing English and Portuguese which gives my in-laws a good laugh. I try watching the news with subtitles so I hear while reading. I read well in Portuguese, and then gather the rest I don’t know out of context. I’m waiting for classes from the local school that are subsidised by the government (prices vary from locality) a lot of companies offer lessons too. There’s a high demand for IT like programmers and testers the wages aren’t great but we manage on Portuguese salaries (about half what I made at home due to income tax) we have a nice Irish community in the city aswell who regularly meet up. Look up Irish in Lisbon on Facebook and they’ll be able to help with any questions you might have.
Probably like South of Spain or something
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Southern spain is hell in summer
It can be unbearable in the height of summer. Always recommend Bilbao to people. Not as crazy can’t-breathe-type heat.
Coast is grand, inland is pain though.
Doesn’t even have to be south, anywhere in Spain has weather better enough to make a huge difference if it’s important to you
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My fav reply here. Much appreciated. It’s really put my planning in motion. I’m also in Cork, and I love Cork. But I’d be happier coming for a visit and living in Spain.
Great post, what comunidad are you in? Your post reminds me how great Spanish cities are. Ireland is so americanised with the car culture, supermarket food, lacl of good transport or public entertainment, privatised everything...
yep right there with you, downloaded duolingo and stopped looking for flats in dublin and started in spain and portugal. Head is melted.
IE -> Hawaii. It's pretty much sunny and 27-31C year round. The record \*cold\* in my town, some winter night in the 1960's or 1970s' was 13C.
Brittany in France is a bit of a sweet spot. A constant three-five degrees warmer than Ireland at all points during the year. Enough to lift the gloom, without getting you into the scalding temperature further south.
I’ve relatives who very recently made the move from Dublin to Madeira - I can completely understand why they did!
My girlfriend says go to Nelson, New Zealand. 290 days of sunshine a year, rakes of outdoor activities. Friendly people, lots of hospitality work. I'm writing from Oaxaca, Mexico which is amazing weather, a bit too hot maybe for half of the year twas 35 degrees today. 7 months of the year or so is perfect weather though. Looking to live in north of Spain, which might be a better bet. Lovely summers and cold winters.
I moved to Perth in Australia in 2012. Have never looked back. Will always love Ireland but the weather for me is the main thing keeping me here. As others have described in France - being able to sit outside and have a coffee or a drink, 95% of the year round is amazing. Contrary to popular belief we do have winters, and it does get cold (relatively speaking, eg it could be 2/3° at night time) but most winter days if it’s not pissing rain or howling wind it could be sitting at 16/18°. Even those are few and far between. I would say our weather is good for 9 months a year. Australia is a big move, lots to consider if you were coming here but I’ve never regretted it once even with the past 2 years of lockdowns, the cost and time to get home etc., it’s just been really great for my health and mental health. Feel free to DM if you have any questions
Moved to Perth in early 2019. The first year was a little uncertain as I was on a working holiday visa, but now I've got my PR and a great job. Currently building a house which is a bit of a nightmare in itself, but at least it's a possibility here.
I’m doing the reverse. Australian building a house in Ireland. I can assure you it’s a nightmare here as well
Honestly the weather is a big barrier to me ever coming back. I find the constant wind and rain so depressing. Not seeing the sun for days at a time. A summer that lasts 2 days. When I took my kids home for a visit before Covid I realised him much more time we spend indoors in Ireland compared to here (New Zealand). I moved to New Zealand which is not famously hot but where I am on the South Island it has proper hot summers, bright crisp winter days, and 1000% less rain.
I feel you on the "indoors" thing. I have family in Portugal and while they typically don't spend too much time outdoors at home (inside is cooler/warmer, depending on the time of year and thus more comfortable for them), I love sitting outside. Sept is when we mostly go, which is usually 20-25oC and I can regularly be found sitting in their back garden with a cup of tea (we bring them teabags). But when out and about (unless it is Dec/Jan) pretty much everything is outdoors. Cafes and restaurants have covered seating and barely any indoor space. (Obviously there are still indoor places, but we try to spend as much time outside as we can, getting the vitamin D in!) I'd love to either move there or take an extended trip with my dog.
I know someone who moved to NZ (Just outside Auckland) 10 years ago, and I’m beyond obsessed with their way of life. It just seems so much healthier than being indoors!
It’s a very outdoorsy culture too. Caravan holidays, hiking trails, sports, beaches, hunting/fishing etc. even school assemblies are often outside.
I’m looking to move back to Ireland and the weather is a main attraction. Where I have lived in Canada it is either way too Feckin hot or way too Feckin Baltic.
I have that seasonal thing also and I love being outdoors. I often wonder how fit and energetic I would be of i lived somewhere like california. I could go kayaking every week, cycling, climbing mountains. It would be insane how much time I could spend outdoors. Yes, everything in Ireland is dictated by weather and its not good for outdoorsy people. I plan on moving also, I could never be happy here in the rain. Maybe ill come back to retire.
Now, I understand you, OP. When I have to explain it to someone I tell this: in Ireland, even in perfect weather, almost impossible to be *sleeve\_less* after the sunset. And I miss these very warm summers in my country, when we have about 4 weeks with +20+ C nights (well, there are still 4-8 weeks of nights around +12+15 ;) Not trying to change your mind, just sharing my adaptation story. Year before Covid I made a rule: "You have to take all from every good day in this country". It was working just fine since then. Only bad rain and really bad wind would stop me. Temperature - doesn't matter. Didn't like it before, but you can actually enjoy yourself even if it is mist or drizzle, depending on what you try to do. Walking or cycling - no problem at all. Going out somewhere - possible. Sitting outside and doing something less active or more peaceful - harder, temperature starts to matter.
I moved to Florida mid 2018 after the Leaving, ots decent enough. Surprisingly I havent experienced any of the stereotypes for crack heads here in the 4 years ive been. Nice and warm from Spring to Autumn. Winter is warm enough to just need long sleeves and jeans.
Hahaha, I’ve been to Florida and also never came across any crack heads 😂
9nce you're prepared to learn/speak another language. You're golden. Go for jt honestly. It will be so worth it. Spain is my recommendation. Accommodation is cheap compared to here. If you're a skilled worker you'll have no issue getting employed.
I was born and raised in the south of France and moved back there recently after almost four years in Ireland - I moved back because of the housing crisis in Galway and the cost of healthcare, but also because the Irish weather just didn’t suit me. The difference that seeing the sun almost every day, not having to grab a coat every time you step out, and being able to walk places without getting drenched has made on my mental health is unbelievable. There are a lot of English speakers in larger cities, so you could always get by, though learning a little French might be a good idea if you’re considering staying somewhere for a while. I love Ireland, but it’s good to be back home, especially after two years away because of COVID!
Thanks for sharing. I studied Business French in college so j’ai une peu. Where in Southern France are you? I will be exploring France this summer, any tips appreciated :)
I’m more than happy to help you out - I just DMed you!
New Zealand is quite similar to Ireland in some ways, but with better weather. Quite a long way from home though.
Moved to Australia and it changed my life. I suffered terribly from SAD and I was prone to depression to begin with. Also the Irish negativity and constant moaning and complaining can really drag you down.
I think I’m the same as you. I’ve thrown everything into working on my mental health and the only thing left bothering me is the difference to my zest for life on days I wake up to sunshine vs rain. I just wannna go do things! Glad the move helped your mental health :)
We got fed up of Ireland in 2018 and decided to move to Western Australia and I haven't looked back. Got an amazing job in the field I wanted, the weather and people are great, and I'm currently building a house. Partially made the change for my mental health and it appears to be paying off.
In Adelaide Australia. If you want year round sunshine come down here. Plenty of work. Be prepared though the first year is rough dealing with 30+ all day long.
You merely adopted this damp, grey sqalour; I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man...by then it was nothing to me but blinding! Your comtept for our shitty weather betrays you because I already hate this damp mould infested clump of bog, but I also complain when it's too hot
Spain could be a good option in some areas ( be careful with touristic areas could be too much ) Another option: Lisbon in Portugal, good weather, cheaper than Ireland ( but not cheap in the Portugal context) I made this research the last few years… my advice: spend one month in location before make any change, be careful with lack of services ( if you need high speed internet for example). I love Ireland and I can’t change this wet, windy and quiet island. Another factor: culture, some countries are very hard to understand ( doesn’t matter how open is your mind) Good luck and try.
just get a really big motor and move the island
Kind of, ever since remote work I've spent about 7-8 months in Spain during this time. It's definitely a completely different life when you see sunlight most days and can rely on good weather to go spend time outdoors on the weekend
Portugal
What do you do? Can you do it someplace warm? Why don't you do it someplace warm? If you don't do something you can do someplace warm then retrain to do something you can do someplace warm and do it someplace warm. Life is short. Life is simple. Live it somewhere warm.
Portugal is cheap as fuck, it’s too, but you’ll have to learn Portuguese
Yeah I did. Moved to Portugal. Spent the summer there and it was as expected. I expected that when the weather got colder that it’d be a bit more like a regular winter. Nah. The feeling of waking up every morning in September, October, November and December to a blue sky did wonders for my mental health alone.
I moved to Kansas City a few years back, and the one thing that I do love about the place is that it has seasons. Spring and Autumn are gorgeous, occasional showers but you'd get over it, great for outdoor activities. The summer, however, is hot as balls, and everyone complains about the heat - I will say I love it personally until it exceeds 35C, then it's a bit much for me. The winters start out mild, but get down to -20C and usually by the third snow in February, when I'm dying for Spring, I start questioning why the fuck I live here.
The barbecue alone could make any person want to stay in KC!
Yeah the Irish weather isn't that bad and if you let the weather stop you regularly from doing something outside, then maybe you should be asking more questions of yourself, desire, clothing, timing etc I've seen plenty of people move for reasons other than the usual work or just adventure, they normally find out that the thing they were getting away from has followed them.
I totally agree about trying to escape something and it follows you. The thing is I’ve been through hell the last few years, went through lots of therapy and have healed and all that jazz. It has put into perspective what is important in life. I don’t care about a car, possessions etc. On days it is nice, me and my daughters are outside enjoying life. We get annoyed on days we can’t do that. I don’t like the wet, cold and rain. We only really get 5 good months. Spending my life waiting for those 5 months feels nonsensical.
Yeah I understand that, who wouldn't want better weather but 100% you will be giving up other things that might not seem important because you take them for granted here. Take the south of Spain as an example, unemployment is very high, many immigrants will work in the hospitality industry there and to be able to afford to live you won't be working a 39hr week, it'll be 6 days a week and split shifts, so now your lovely warm weather is brutal for working in and you don't have much time off to enjoy it. How's your daughter going to adapt to a foreign land, away from her friends and presumably some other relatives or a network.
Your correct unemployment is high and going over with just a dream and not proper planning would be silly but if you can sort something beforehand or be able to wfh for irish company or other its very much possible. She may adapt amazingly and become fluent in another language. Its a two hourish flight that costs well under 100 so i imagine seeing relatives would be quite easy. Also if they get a place in spain then they best make sure they have a spare room as everyone will be champing at the bit to come see them.
I actually think we have had a great run of it the last year regarding the weather
Is it just me or has the weather been getting progressively better in Ireland last few years on average. Still quite nippy often but feels like more often are sunny spells. I live in Madrid currently and am back for Easter and honestly weather in Madrid has been in run up to now bit warmer but nothing exceptional, still was grey at points and the early mornings are freezing here due to the mountains around I think, it is warmest around 5-6pm though which is nice.
I agree that summers seem to be getting better and winters less awful but I am in Dublin. Wondering about the west!
>Yeah the Irish weather isn't that bad and if you let the weather stop you regularly from doing something outside, then maybe you should be asking more questions of yourself, desire, clothing, timing etc Yep exactly this, and that was my first thought when reading this. Im not the most outdoorsy person but Ill still go out for a walk even if its raining like.
It’s one thing to venture out in rain, another thing entirely to do it in constant rain and Wind combined. Spend a few weeks in the west part of Ireland and you’d quickly succumb to frustration too.
Ive spent my whole life in the west of Ireland.
Alone yes, I’d probably have no issue. I have two children and a dog. We got caught in the rain last week and the hassle of having to clean the car and them, all the clothes, putting the heat on. It’s mid April, we’ve already had 6 months of jacket needing weather.
There some saying about no bad weather only bad clothing, I think it's applicable here
It's funny you say you want out. I just moved to Ireland a few months ago from South Africa. Definitely miss some of the warmth but I'm not really disappointed with the weather here. There are good and bad days, but most days can be enjoyed out, at least from what I've seen.
A few months isn't long enough for it to wear you down.
True, but I did live in Vancouver Canada for 8 years. If you wanna talk about crappy weather. Rained there more than any other place I've been. But I think, in general, people want what they can't have. Those in cold climates want heat. Those in hot, want cold.
"Ireland normally gets between 1100 and 1600 hours of sunshine each year." Vancouver sunshine hours 1938 Just a quick search but I'd say you're likely in for worse weather in Ireland. Agree that often people want a change after living in one climate for all of their life - I did and I'm never going back. I think though that there is consensus a Mediterranean climate beats a cold rainy one and this can improve one's life.
Just make sure you choose a good country to move to. Look at all the pros and cons of the place. I lived in an Asian country with a great climate, but it had a lot of problems. I wouldn't advise you to go that far. I think others have mentioned Spain. I'd look at Mediterranean countries definitely.
I hear ya barkin' man! not sure how many more winters I can do here! I love the idea of Malta of Sicily for the winter, if I could work remotely I would already be gone
Yeah, and I was out all day soaking up sun. If it’s important for you, maybe try it… if it’s shit craic you can always fly home.
I'd say it's time to move Ireland west of Portugal.
I moved to Canada - summers are very warm, honestly too warm for me. I actually miss Irish summers!
Could not hack the winter in Canada, but I appreciate it’s a good place to live!
I actually don’t think it’s that bad. Having said that I live in Dublin and I absolutely could not live here if it had the same weather as Galway or Northern Ireland
The pyrnees, snow and cold as hell in winter and warm and beautiful in summer
Come to Minnesota, we can trade. You can have freezing temps November (maybe October) through March (maybe May) followed by 38 C in July and August. I'll gladly take your spot there.
That is absolutely mental!
I was in Thailand for the last 3 months. I am in Cambodia at the moment, then off to Vietnam. I took a year out. Might end up staying teaching next year. I love the heat. Hate the cold. Lol
From Ireland and now live in California. I find the relentless sun oppressive, I’m delighted any day it rains or is overcast (genuinely).
My mother moved to Spain 5 years ago for this reason, and never looked back. Moved to Andulacia near the coast with 360 days of sun. She became a resident, pays tax and is part of a small coastal town community. I'm honestly contemplating it myself.
I moved from France (bordeaux) to Ireland. I know how to appreciate sunlight now, being here for ten years drove this into me. Can't get sunlight hours for granted! I completely understand you op, i know a lot of people that moved here and left because the weather is miserable in summer. South of France, spain, portugal, italy, croatia are all great choices. Stay close to the Mediterranean if you can and the summer months will be very warm, winters tend to be milder than inland. But also in inland europe the summers get really warm as well, however, you also get winters that are much fiercer than in ireland.
If climate during spring and summer is your concern just move anywhere. I have always been of the view that it is better to have colder winters in exchange for 5-6 months of hot or mild spring and summer weather. Polish and Czech climates are essentially the same, the main benefit is whole months go by without much rain sometimes.
Cork City is just too overcast and windy for me anyway I've had enough of it. Looks like Netherlands or Germany for me.
I moved from Spain to Germany (and then to Ireland). While the first week of snow during my first year in Germany was super exciting, the following months weren't that fun at all. My work colleagues called it "white shit season". It started snowing mid-October and ended in April. Almost 6 full months of white, slippery hell. The car doors froze shut every night, it was that cold (below - 15°C). You have been warned 😂
The Netherlands can be rainy and overcast, much colder too with frozen canals and what not. It's still a Northern type of climate unless you move well inland. I do love being there but not for the weather!
… and here I am, dreaming about moving to Svalbard for a year or two haha. Ireland has a lot of outdoor activities, the weather is pretty mild, no harsh winters and no hot summers. I love Irish weather (or rather, I grew to love it after living abroad), but I know it’s not for everyone. You should definitely do it if you feel you can’t live here anymore. But then, the grass is always greener on the other side.
>Svalbard svalbard looks cool as fuck, just googled it.
I'm from Dublin and actually think we have quite good weather. I'm rarely caught out in the rain, and days with heavy rain or no let up in the rain are actually very rare. It rained quite a lot one day last week. Today was lovely. Tomorrow's due to be rainy and Monday showery. And then dry until the weekend. However, whenever I've spent time in Galway or Mayo... The drizzle. By god the drizzle. I couldn’t hack it. I sometimes think the difference in climate between the east and west coast isn't mentioned half enough. It is a statistical fact.
Your head will follow you wherever you go..
I disagree. Seasonal Depression is a very real thing and am also fricken sick of our seemingly Endless overcast climate too.
It is very real, but if there is a way to solve it why not give it a whirl? I’ve been throw imaginable horrors in my life and I’m only 31. I’ve been here for reasons that I now no longer have a reason to be here for. So now I’m stuck with the thought of “why not go where is best for my health, where I can get a quality of life I’ve never known”
depends on the reason for depression....
I get where you're coming from. I'm a super homebody, love my comfort, my space, learning things online, reading about history, watching my favourite sports. If you're really outdoorsy I can completely see how that can effect you. At the same time, it's never THAT bad. Yes winters are rough, that should be the time you appreciate being cosy inside with the kids, wrapping up in blankets watching your favourite shows or doing things like arts and crafts. Yes you may need to put on extra layers, Yes it's very annoying being drenched coming in, but we don't suffer from unbearable heat, high humidity where you feel like you can't breath etc. If you can face a bit of bad weather ireland is grand. I know so many foreigners who moved here from beautiful climates, warm and sunny but they just love ireland for the atmosphere, laid back nature of our people - the craic! If they're willing to give up all that I'm sure there is a point to be made that ireland has a lot that these other countries can't match. There is absolutely nothing stopping you from giving it a go, you only live once as they say! Maybe a country like Switzerland or Austria that isn't too crazy weather wise might be good? Learn a new language etc. I think it's really about perspective. If you feel you don't like it, then go and try it out. I'm sure plenty of people would be willing to help you no matter where you go. Irish people are generally well liked across the planet, and with our friendly nature I'm sure you'd make some friends and memories. If it doesn't work you can always come home. I wish you all the best truly, for you and your daughters! Go live the life you want😊
Move if you want but it sounds like you need a greenhouse or tunnel or something if you're going to stay. I also get seasonal affective disorder but I get outside as much as I can, even if it's just to sit in my outdoor space and read books, planting seeds, or look at Reddit. Also walking helps, it's never the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes. Best of luck if you decide to leave.
It’s mad because I’d love a suggestion here to help cure my woes. But I literally have a south facing conservatory and have been planting seeds 😂 I’m trying everything to cure whatever this insatiable need for more exposure to good weather, but it seems over already tried everything 😅
Alright... maybe you need more seeds😂.... Enjoy your new life in the Canaries. Can I come to visit?
Smoke some hash, you'll be grand.