Are there any Irish Folk here?

[Foxglove]

Yeah I don’t mind the damp. Just want to know what kind of weather I’m getting myself into. But I do hear it is pretty windy there. :P

What kind of currency does the North use? I tried looking it up online but I couldn’t find anything helpful. How is the exchange rate with Canadian dollars?

Not picky at all about a new job in a new country, lol. I take what I can get until I get settled and establish myself. It usually takes me a few months.

How is the pet policy for apartments in the North and Republic? Nanaimo is pretty strict. But when I lived in Ontario they didn’t care at all. I will be bringing my cats with me.

What about rent in general, is it the same here where you need first and last or first and a deposit?

My heart is not set on Belfast; although I’m sure it would be a lot easier for me to find a job there because it is a bigger city. What smaller cities or towns in the North would you recommend?

Have you lived in County Meath? That’s one of the places I am drawn to the most for a number of reasons. And I would consider living there too. The history, the werewolf myths, and there are quite a few “magickal” places there that would be quite interesting to visit.

Thanks so much AllieG! You have been extremely helpful.

[AllieG]

Hi Foxglove

The North is part of the UK and so uses Sterling. It's about 1.60 dollars to the pound. A guide to costs is roughly what it costs you in dollars will be the same amount in pounds. So if a coffee costs $2 it'll cost £2 here.
Not sure about pet policy as I've never lived there, only visited, but most places here allow cats. However, you'll need a 'pet passport' to get your cats into the UK (not sure about other EU countries). We have very stiff controls because of rabies so they have to have rabies shots, amongst other things, or else they go into quarantine for 6 months and you have to pay their bed and board. Normally you have to give a months deposit on a flat, which is refundable if you don't trash it.
Bangor is near Belfast and on the sea, it is commutable. I don't know any other ones but in the Republic there is Cork, Galway, Limerick - all of which are fairly large. Never been to Meath but it's not far from Dublin.

As you're not planning to move for 2-3 years, if you can save up enough to go over for a brief visit, I think it would help establish where you want to be and also give you a chance to speak to locals.

Cheers!

[Foxglove]

Yeah I had read about the pet passports briefly. Which makes total sense and I completely agree with it.

A months deposit it really reasonable.

Well, I was originally going to come out and visit and then save up again and move out there. Buuuuut. If I did that I wouldn't be able to live in Ireland for another 5 or 6 years. Which is way too long. So, I'd rather just bite the bullet and dive in to see what adventures await in a new country. :P I think if I can't decide where to move by leaning towards places that draw my attention...I'll just put the names in a hat and pick one. Haha. I'm having trouble just waiting my future 2-3 years because I have been obsessed with Ireland my whole life. So the sooner I can get out there and live, the happier I will be.

[BigMac]

Weather there looks nasty

http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Belfast-UKXX0015

[Foxglove]

Kind of looks like a Nanaimo weather forecast, haha. :P

[Foxglove]

Hey AllieG,

Another question. Where in Ireland would I find an amazing library with microfilm so that when I get there I can start researching my genealogy more thoroughly? Thanks!

[AllieG]

Hi Foxglove

The Irish National Archives in Dublin in the Republic is a good place to start. For the North the main archives are in Kew, just outside of London, but there are small repositories in each country. Both places can be searched for records online, so you could start researching now!

[Foxglove]

Sweet deal! I'll have to check out their online resources for sure.

So far, my research prowess has landed me at the beginning of the 19th century which means my 4x great grandparents. I have tracked family to Tyrone, Sligo and Tipperary. And there is still lots more to search! It would be most interesting to visit those places. I bet I still have really distant relatives there, haha.

[Foxglove]

Hey AllieG!

What are your thoughts on County Meath and the town Trim, in particular?

[AllieG]

Hi Foxglove

I've never been there, but there is a Trim website with a forum you could join. trimtown.com