Cost of Living in Ireland

In a study done by The Economist magazine, Ireland was ranked as the best place to live in the world. This takes into account all aspects of living, employment, income, health care, physical and mental well-being, as well as recreation.

Housing

The green expanse of land in Ireland may lead you to think that countryside living is what it's all about. True, Irish life in the countryside is a picture of bliss. And it's definitely less expensive. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center is about 700 Euros, and a two to three-bedroom spread would cost you around 1,235 Euros.

Popular destinations are Killarney, Kilkenny, and Letterkenny which are pleasant little towns with their own respective offerings of activities and history. Killarney is popular with tourists while Letterkenny is a gateway to bigger cities and is fast growing town.

City living is a great option for those who prefer the convenience of being near to their place of work. Of course, the best place to live in this case would be Ireland's capital city of Dublin, which, aside from being the country's commercial and business hub, also offers exciting nightlife, beautiful architecture, and great shopping options.

Rent for a one-bedroom flat would cost around 910 Euros monthly and a three-bedroom apartment would cost about 1,550 Euro.

Food

Irish dining is definitely something an expat can look forward to. Any Irish cuisine is sure to be a filling meal as it almost always contains a combination of meat, potatoes, and cabbage. Definitely a complete meal in itself. 

One of Ireland's most popular dishes is called the Irish Stew, which is primarily composed of sweet potatoes and lamb, carrots, celery, and onions in a flavourful broth.

Irish meals, if eaten out, are best tried in Irish pubs. Pubs and fast food joints usually offer the cheaper option in eating out. A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant would cost about 62 Euro.

Of course one can also go for home-cooked meals, which is always best for families. If you plan to cook up some Irish dish, a kilo of potatoes cost about 3 Euro, lamb chops cost around 10 Euro, and a kilo of onions about 2 Euro.

Basic food stuff such as milk cost about 1.14 Euro for a liter, 1.80 Euro for a loaf of fresh bread, and 3.50 Euro for a dozen eggs.

Transportation and Utilities

Citizens of EU or EEA are allowed to drive in Ireland with valid licenses from their home countries. Driving a car as a major mode of transport is best for those in a hurry or travel often with family. Be aware however that petrol can be expensive in Ireland, around 1 Euro per liter. 

Public transport is also composed of trains, buses, and trams. The Irish government is undergoing major modernisation of its train system. There are two main stations in the capital city of Dublin, the Connolly Station and Heuston Station which caters to different destinations outside of Ireland.

The most extensive bus routes are offered by Bus Éireann or Irish Bus. They have a website, http://www.buseireann.ie/ that provides information on bus routes and allows online ticket purchase.

Monthly expense for transport would amount to around 86.67 Euro.

The energy industry in Ireland is deregulated, which means that the Irish people are free to choose their provider. You may check the website of the Commission on Energy Regulation for the list of providers at http://www.cer.ie/.

Landline telephone service is also deregulated, but is dominated by the government-run company called Eircom which also offer Internet services. There are, however, several other companies that provide internet services.

Monthly expense for basic utilities such as gas, electricity, water, and garbage is around 90 Euro while broadband services would cost around 40 Euro per month.

There is a price to pay for the great quality of life in Ireland. But the price has to be worth the Euro services; and in Ireland, it definitely is.