Moving to Ireland from New York: Complete 2024 Guide
Everything New Yorkers need to know about relocating from NYC to Ireland. Compare costs, find jobs, and plan your move from the Big Apple to the Emerald Isle.
Housing Costs
30-50% Less
Dublin vs Manhattan
Healthcare
70% Cheaper
Than NYC costs
Flight Time
6-7 Hours
Direct from JFK/EWR
Why New Yorkers Are Moving to Ireland
Lower Cost of Living
New Yorkers are shocked by how much further their money goes in Ireland. A 2-bedroom apartment in Dublin costs $2,400-3,500/month compared to $4,000-7,000 in Manhattan. Even with similar salaries, you'll save significantly more living in Ireland than NYC.
- Rent is 40-60% cheaper than Manhattan
- Healthcare costs 70% less than NYC
- No state income tax (unlike NY's 6.85%)
Tech & Finance Jobs
Ireland is Europe's tech hub with major companies that New Yorkers know well: Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and top financial firms. Many NYC professionals transfer to Irish offices or find similar roles with competitive salaries.
- Same companies as NYC (Google, Meta, Apple)
- Strong finance sector (Bank of America, Citi)
- English-speaking work environment
Better Work-Life Balance
Escape the NYC grind! Ireland offers 20+ days paid vacation (vs 10-15 in NYC), shorter commutes, and a culture that values life outside work. New Yorkers love the slower pace while still having access to a vibrant city life in Dublin.
- 20-25 vacation days vs NYC's 10-15
- Shorter commutes (30 min vs 60+ in NYC)
- Less stressful lifestyle overall
Gateway to Europe
For New Yorkers who love to travel, Ireland is the perfect base. Weekend trips to Paris, London, Barcelona, or Rome cost $50-150 roundtrip. You'll explore more of Europe in one year than most Americans do in a lifetime.
- 2-hour flights to most European cities
- Budget airlines (Ryanair) for $50 flights
- Easy weekend trips across Europe
NYC vs Dublin: Cost Comparison
| Expense | New York City | Dublin, Ireland | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Apartment (Manhattan) | $3,500-5,000 | $1,980-2,750 | Save $1,500-2,250 |
| 2-Bed Apartment | $4,500-7,000 | $2,420-3,520 | Save $2,000-3,500 |
| Monthly MetroCard/Transit | $132 | $132-165 | Similar |
| Groceries (monthly) | $500-700 | $400-600 | Save $100-200 |
| Health Insurance | $500-800/month | $90-230/month | Save $400-600 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range) | $80-120 | $66-99 | Save $15-25 |
| Gym Membership | $100-200 | $44-77 | Save $50-125 |
| Internet + Mobile | $120-180 | $77-110 | Save $40-70 |
Total Monthly Savings for New Yorkers:
$2,000-4,000 per month
That's $24,000-48,000 per year you can save or invest by moving from NYC to Ireland!
Jobs in Ireland for New Yorkers
New York professionals find excellent opportunities in Ireland, especially in tech, finance, and professional services. Many NYC companies have Dublin offices, making internal transfers common.
Tech Companies (NYC → Dublin)
- Google: Large Dublin office, easy transfers from NYC
- Meta (Facebook): European HQ in Dublin
- Apple: Major operations in Cork
- Amazon: Growing Dublin presence
- Microsoft: Dublin office accepts NYC transfers
Finance Companies (Wall St → Dublin)
- Bank of America: Large Dublin operations
- Citibank: European operations in Ireland
- State Street: Major Irish presence
- JPMorgan: Dublin office for EU operations
- Goldman Sachs: Growing Dublin team
Salary Expectations for New Yorkers:
Software Engineer:
NYC: $120,000-180,000
Dublin: €70,000-110,000 ($77,000-121,000)
Similar purchasing power due to lower costs
Financial Analyst:
NYC: $80,000-120,000
Dublin: €55,000-85,000 ($60,500-93,500)
Better quality of life despite lower nominal salary
Product Manager:
NYC: $130,000-180,000
Dublin: €80,000-120,000 ($88,000-132,000)
Competitive with NYC after cost adjustments
Marketing Manager:
NYC: $90,000-130,000
Dublin: €60,000-90,000 ($66,000-99,000)
More savings potential in Ireland
Lifestyle: NYC vs Dublin
New York City
- 24/7 subway, but crowded and unreliable
- Long commutes (60-90 minutes common)
- 10-15 vacation days per year
- Fast-paced, competitive culture
- Endless entertainment and dining options
- Hot summers, cold winters
- Small apartments, high density
Dublin, Ireland
- Excellent public transport, less crowded
- Short commutes (20-30 minutes average)
- 20-25 vacation days per year
- Relaxed, friendly culture
- Great pubs, restaurants, and culture
- Mild year-round (no extreme weather)
- Larger apartments, more space
Practical Tips for New Yorkers Moving to Ireland
Direct Flights from NYC
Multiple daily direct flights from JFK and Newark to Dublin (6-7 hours). Aer Lingus, United, and Delta all fly this route. Roundtrip tickets typically $400-800.
Pro tip: Book flights 2-3 months in advance for best prices. Off-season (Nov-Mar) flights can be as low as $300 roundtrip.
Banking for New Yorkers
Keep your US bank account (Chase, Citi, BofA) and open an Irish account (AIB, Bank of Ireland). Use Wise or Revolut for currency transfers to avoid high fees.
Pro tip: Many NYC banks charge foreign transaction fees. Get a no-fee credit card before moving.
Your NYC Phone Number
Port your NYC number to Google Voice (free) to keep it for US banking and 2FA. Get an Irish SIM card (€20-40/month) for local calls and data.
Pro tip: Irish carriers: Vodafone, Three, Eir. All offer unlimited data plans cheaper than Verizon/AT&T.
Transportation Differences
Unlike NYC, you might not need a car in Dublin. Public transport is excellent and cycling is safe. If you do drive, remember: they drive on the LEFT side of the road!
Pro tip: Your NY driver's license works for 12 months. After that, you'll need an Irish license (no test required for US license holders).
Healthcare Transition
Cancel your NYC health insurance once you're covered in Ireland. Register with a GP immediately (like finding a primary care doctor in NYC, but cheaper). Consider private insurance (€1,000-2,500/year vs $6,000-10,000 in NYC).
Pro tip: Bring 3 months of prescriptions from NYC. You'll need to see an Irish GP to get new prescriptions.
New York Expat Community in Ireland
You won't be alone! There's a thriving community of New Yorkers and Americans in Ireland. Many organize meetups, watch NFL games together, and help newcomers adjust.
Where New Yorkers Gather:
- • American expat Facebook groups
- • NYC alumni associations in Dublin
- • Sports bars showing Yankees/Giants games
- • Tech meetups (lots of ex-NYC techies)
- • American Chamber of Commerce events
Things You'll Miss (and Find!):
- • Bagels: Yes, Dublin has good bagel shops!
- • Pizza: Not NYC-level, but decent options
- • Delis: Irish supermarkets have most US brands
- • Sports: Bars show NFL, NBA, MLB games
- • Amazon: Amazon.ie delivers to Ireland
Ready to Leave NYC for Ireland?
Join thousands of New Yorkers who've made the move. Get personalized guidance for your relocation from the Big Apple to the Emerald Isle.
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