A cosmopolitan lifestyle, rich culture, plenty of public amenities and small-town warmth combine to make Dublin a fun and rewarding place to live. Here’s some of the things you might want to consider before making a move.
What’s the weather like?
Ireland’s climate could be described as mild, moist and changeable. It certainly rains a bit. Dublin gets about 730mm (28 inches) of rain a year – more than London or Paris, less than Copenhagen or Munich. In the height of summer, the sun doesn’t set until almost 10pm. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing and snow is uncommon except on high ground. The mercury tops out at about 20° Celsius in summer. Here are some average temperatures:
- Winter: November to January 7°C – 10C (44°F – 50°F); Spring: February to April 8°C –12°C (46°F – 54°F); Summer: May to July 17°C – 20°C (64°F – 68°F); Autumn: August to October 14°C – 17°C (57°F – 64°F)
Waterproof coats for summer and winter are good investments, while your bathing suit may have to wait for summer vacations further south.
Recreation
A lot of social life in Dublin revolves around pubs. There’s almost a thousand of them across the city, with one to suit every taste, from sports bars to music bars to bars that treat sports and music as unnecessary distractions to the business of drinking Guinness. Get all your needs met at Publin.ie, if what you need is an entertaining guide to Dublin’s pub scene. There are so many things to do in Dublin.
Open Spaces
It’s easy to enjoy life outdoors in Dublin. The city is dotted with open spaces where you can stretch your legs, get some fresh air and soak up nature. First among them is Phoenix Park, the largest urban park in Europe. Check out Dublin’s many parks and gardens.
Schools and education
Ireland offers free education for primary and secondary school students. Most schools are run by religious groups, with the majority of these schools run by the Catholic Church. All must adhere to the curriculum set by the Department of Education and Skills, which means that religion actually has little impact on the content learned in class. Check out the various schools and education options in Dublin.
Healthcare
Ireland’s healthcare system offers world-class care, partly funded by the government. Every resident of Dublin is eligible for free health care, as are visitors who hold a European Health Insurance Card. However, high-earners are liable for subsidised hospital charges of up to €66 per day, capped at €660 in any 12-month period. Check out the various healthcare and insurance in Dublin.
Cost of living
There’s no getting away from it – Dublin is expensive. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2018 Cost of Living Report ranks it as the 19th most expensive of 133 cities. The high cost of living is driven by high house prices, but consumer goods are also relatively expensive. Prices are however growing at a slower rate than a few years ago.
Getting around
There are plenty of options for getting from A to B in Dublin. This is a fairly compact city, which means walking and cycling are often the best way for getting around. You can drive, of course, but the public transport system is solid and undergoing continuous improvement. Need a lift quick? Lynk, FreeNow and Uber all offer services in Dublin.
Safety
Dublin is a generally safe city. But if you witness or experience a crime, don’t hesitate. Report it to the Gardaí (the name for the police force in Ireland, pronounced”gar-dee”) on 112, or for non-emergencies call Crimestoppers on 1800 250 025.
Find out more about Dublin safety and security.
