Leire, a Spanish woman residing in Ireland, has taken to TikTok under the handle @leirelei to share her candid thoughts on the realities of moving to the Emerald Isle from Spain.
She believes Ireland offers more affordability than some might think, but admits that finding accommodation can be tough. In a video that's attracted nearly 23,000 views, she explains: "More and more Spaniards are moving to Ireland to have a better future with better job opportunities that they don't have in Spain."
Yet, she also questions whether life in Ireland is as "profitable" as it may seem, suggesting that opinions are divided, with some loving and others hating their experience in Ireland. Leire points out that while the average salary in Spain stands at €15,876 annually or €1,323 monthly, Ireland's average is higher at €2,146 per month.
She argues that there are numerous affordable places to live in Ireland away from city centres. Addressing those who complain about high costs, Leire retorts: "Sorry, but that is not true. Where do you want to live? In the centre of Dublin? What are the prices in the centre of Barcelona and Madrid? Young people there can't afford to rent or buy a house there."
Leire highlighted that "Ireland is not only Dublin" – pointing out the existence of many other well-connected areas with vibrant social scenes and facilities. The TikToker, who has resided in two different parts of Ireland, including a quaint town near Galway, shared her experience of paying less than €350 per month for a room, with just one other person sharing the bathroom.
She lived in a house with four occupants, which had a total monthly cost of about €1,350. "Not bad at all," Leire remarked, before sharing that she now lives with her partner in a two-bedroom flat in a small Leitrim town. She enthused: "This town has everything: supermarkets, pubs, movie theatres, restaurants, gyms, bus to the airport. We pay less than €2,000. With two minimum wages, around € 4,000, and paying €1,200 for accommodation is not bad."
They spend approximately €25 on their weekly grocery shop and live comfortably without cutting corners. However, Leire did note a drawback since moving to Ireland.
While jobs are abundant and "it's easy to find a job," she observed that securing rental accommodation is a significant hurdle. She contended that "accommodation is much harder to find" compared to Spain.
Despite this, she would still recommend Ireland as a destination for those looking to relocate. She concluded: "We live quite well. If you're thinking about moving, seeking a new life and job opportunities, I see Ireland as a very good country."
English (United States) ·