I have posted here before, but infrequently and probably not in a while. I obtained my dual citizenship with Ireland in 2016. My wife, who is American and cannot get Irish Citizenship would also be affected by what ever will hit us. I am weighing costs. What does it cost to live in Dublin, or Cork, or out West near Sligo? I understand it would be a broad picture of what reality costs, but I have no idea. I would have to get a full time job and rent a 1 bedroom apt. Living in the USA is becoming very expensive, healthcare, housing, insurance (killing me). We will not be eligible for USA retirement until 2023 (age 63) at the earliest. So we would live and work in Ireland. Where do I start? If we move it would be in summer of 2018 when our 1 and only goes to college, probably here in the USA. My options would be to move in with my 85 year old mother (lives in San Jose, USA), who I like and really enjoys my and my wife company, move to Ireland and start fresh or figure something out in between. I know I would have to get a rental, get proof of renting to get healthcare, get a job and then there is my wife. What does she need to do? Lost and without answers. I read on the internets etc, seems like I will have to be "boots on the ground" and do research from Ireland. And it seems until you get to Ireland, all is up in the Air until you visit the local Garda and state your intentions, and have a house and a job etc. Catch 22? Anyway, I appreciate any input and experiential help. Bob Elliott

Hi Sarah, I do not know of anyone who has made a trans-atlantic flight with their pet in the cabin of the plane. In fact each time I have flown with my pets, the only option WAs in the cargo area. This is the norm in the US anyway, and I'm guessing is the same from Canada. I tried finding more info by looking on Air Canada's website. They say there are country restrictions, but couldn't find what those were. However on another site, there WAs a mention of a number of countries that you cannot fly your pet in the cabin. Ireland WAs not listed, but the UK WA ...

This paragraph here might indicate a low risk country isn't required for the animal to come in via freight. The information about low risk countries is one the page in the section about travel from within the EU, but none of the low risk countries are EU member states. I have used the contact us link to ask for more information. As regards Air travel, the Department does not require that pets travelling from countries listed in be carried as manifested freight and it is therefore a matter for the Airlines to decide whether to carry the animal in the cabin or as excess baggage.

... the pets. The use of a pet transport company is required by the Airline. They didn't always require it, but they do now. It definitely jacks up the cost as you can see here: How much does it cost to fly a dog to Ireland? Many years ago I did a similar thing to what your planning. I drove from CA to NY to minimize my dogs flight time. I have to say I regretted it. 6 days couped up in a car WAs worse than an extra 6 hours in the Air, in my opinion. But do whatever you feel is best, of course. Ask the pet transport people about whether or not you can m ...

It's completely safe! I had a horrific experience but that WAs because of the companies I used and it WAs an absolute rip off. Let's just say, I used Ireland's national carrier and the only company that they use to fly dogs in. Picked my dog up in a back alley outside Chicago. They then wouldn't allow us to fly because the Air con in the luggage area our dog would be in WAs broken. The rest gets worse but only for the humans. Usually that Airline are fine but flying out of OrD they use local contracted employees who don't give a fig.... As for the pet carrie ...

As a hospital "regular" I can confirm some problems such as long WAiting lists overcrowding in A&E and the 2 tier system of private v medical card. I can not compare Irish to US health care but I can compare Irish to UK. The Irish system is good and as Liam has indicated the cost of insurance is reasonable value for money. I am on the medical card scheme so my WAiting times are longer than private patients, I do not have access to the same hospitals so a procedure that could have been done "private" within a couple of months in Galway just 30 miles aw ...