Moving to Ireland from Chicago
Your complete guide to relocating from the Windy City to the Emerald Isle
Chicago vs Dublin: Cost Comparison
See how your Chicago expenses translate to Dublin living costs
Housing Costs
Transportation
Daily Living Expenses
| Item | Chicago | Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at Restaurant | $18 | $20 | +11% |
| Coffee (Starbucks) | $5 | $4.50 | -10% |
| Groceries (Monthly) | $400 | $450 | +13% |
| Gym Membership | $50 | $55 | +10% |
| Internet (Monthly) | $60 | $50 | -17% |
| Movie Ticket | $14 | $12 | -14% |
Jobs for Chicagoans in Ireland
Chicago's strong finance and tech sectors translate well to Ireland's booming economy
Chicago Companies in Ireland
- Boeing: European headquarters in Dublin
- Abbott Laboratories: Major operations in Longford and Donegal
- Walgreens Boots Alliance: Boots stores nationwide
- Motorola Solutions: Cork office
- United Airlines: Shannon operations
Top Industries for Chicagoans
- Financial Services: Dublin's IFSC rivals Chicago's financial district
- Technology: Google, Meta, Microsoft all hiring
- Pharmaceuticals: Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Merck
- Aviation: Shannon and Dublin airports expanding
- Healthcare: Medical device manufacturing hub
Salary Expectations for Chicagoans
Lifestyle: Chicago vs Ireland
What Chicagoans love (and miss) about living in Ireland
What You'll Love
- No Brutal Winters:
Ireland's mild climate means no more -20°F polar vortexes or shoveling snow
- Walkable Cities:
Dublin is compact and pedestrian-friendly, unlike sprawling Chicago
- European Travel:
$50 flights to Paris, Barcelona, Rome - weekend trips are easy
- Work-Life Balance:
25+ vacation days, shorter commutes, less hustle culture
- Pub Culture:
Authentic Irish pubs everywhere (not just on St. Patrick's Day!)
- Healthcare:
Save $5,000-15,000/year on health insurance and medical costs
What You'll Miss
- Deep Dish Pizza:
Ireland has pizza, but nothing like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's
- Chicago Sports:
Watching Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks means late-night streaming
- Sunny Summers:
Ireland is rainy and overcast - you'll miss those perfect Chicago summer days
- 24/7 Everything:
Shops close early, no 24-hour diners or late-night Portillo's runs
- Mexican Food:
Chicago's amazing Mexican restaurants don't exist in Ireland
- Lake Michigan:
Ireland has beautiful coastline, but nothing like Chicago's lakefront
Practical Tips for Chicagoans
Direct Flights
Aer Lingus and United fly direct from O'Hare to Dublin (8-9 hours). Book early for best prices ($400-800 round trip).
Tip: Red-eye flights arrive in Dublin morning - perfect for beating jet lag
Banking
Open a Revolut or Wise account before leaving Chicago. Avoid Chase/Bank of America international fees.
Tip: Keep your US bank account open for credit history
Phone Number
Port your Chicago number to Google Voice (free). Get an Irish SIM from Three or Vodafone on arrival.
Tip: Keep US number for 2FA and banking
Questions About Moving from Chicago?
Our Ireland Relocation Expert can answer all your questions about visas, housing, jobs, and life in Ireland
Chicago Expat Community in Ireland
Connect with fellow Chicagoans who've made the move
Where Chicagoans Settle
- Dublin 2 & 4:
Similar vibe to Lincoln Park - young professionals, restaurants, nightlife
- Malahide:
Family-friendly suburb like Evanston - great schools, coastal location
- Cork City:
Smaller city feel like Naperville - tech jobs, lower cost of living
Connect with Chicagoans
- Americans in Ireland Facebook Group:
15,000+ members, many from Chicago area
- Chicago Cubs Supporters Club Dublin:
Watch games together at pubs around Dublin
- InterNations Dublin:
Monthly expat meetups and networking events
Ready to Make the Move?
Start your relocation journey with our comprehensive tools and resources
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