Dying to hear what others have to say... I've not had much luck with Amazon.co.uk either (and WAs an Amazon addict Stateside). I haaaaaaate getting all the WAy through checkout only to find they won't deliver a particular item to Ireland. Not cool, Amazon UK, not cool! My in-laws are asking where to shop for the little ones for birthdays and holidays. We attempted to use Hamley's only to find out their online shop appears to be UK only. And while Smyth's Toys DO ship, their prices are rather high and their selection is just "meh". I'd really like ...

... made it clear they intend to do nothing in the WAy of paperwork once it hits Ireland. I have no idea how I would have managed this differently. I will definitely choose more wisely for our return to the States in four years time. By then I should really only have 1-2 pallets to return (as much of what I've shipped WAs clothing, linens, and small Kitchen appliances that will surely wear down even with a motor converter. Not sure that FMC can do anything due to the fact they are middle men, but I'm investigating all angles. Obviously our safest bet WAs ...

Hi Liam, Another interesting thing to note on our first appointment WAs we actually nearly got the Stamp 4 visa. The lady at the counter WAsn't sure how many years to give us so she went away to check but instead a different person came back to tell us that we needed to write a letter to the Justice department. We didn't know what she mean't. We didn't know what to write or why we had to write this letter exactly because we were already following the rules they placed on the INIS website. So anyway my husband and I left and read up more about what she WAnte ...

How did it all work out? We are driving to the East coast from the west just so the pups only have to be on one (shorter) flight.

I'm pretty content with the (mild) Irish weather, coming from the American East coast where it just goes from one extreme to another! 🙂 Love Ireland overall. One thing that drives me crazy...those double taps haha! And oh, you are SO right about Irish websites...so many are terribly unprofessional looking with piss poor user interface and lack a lot of important details. Also, many businesse here don't even have websites! I really wonder why that is.

Hi Patty! I recommend using a pet relocation service to bring your dogs back and forth. It is very expensive, but I would hate to make mistakes along the WAy because I missed something. I live in California and am using a a pet relocation service based out of Colorado (a referral from a friend). I'm relocating two cats and it is about $4,000 total for me to move them. That's inclusive of their flights, relocation service fees, and customs fees. I've spent another $400 on brand new airline approved crates and vet visits. My situation is particularly expensive ...

... this option because it will be a non-stop 7 hour flight. Not a huge fan of the estimated cost I WAs quoted! Over $1,000. Or the idea of renting a car and doing the drive. 1. Am I missing a better option 2. Anyone have a dog fly out of Chicago? Also wondering if anyone has any advice on the Annex IV Form. My vet said that they are an approved USDA vet so does that mean I don't have to send the form away? It WAs easier to get my citizenship then it is to fill out this form 😉

Liam, thank you for the shipping cost info, that is most helpful. We are moving from the East Coast and my husband WAs given a quote of about $1500 earlier this year. I WAs not aware that we would also have a destination fee in Ireland so will have to factor that in. David, I love your grandparents entrepreneurship... what a great WAy to cover your vacation costs. Kelsey, I found some information on VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) and transfer of residence here: My feeling is that you could not bring a leased car, but could bring a car that you have a ...

I received a reply from Damien Shields at Schumacher Cargo Logistics. Here's what he had to say. "From the west coast, an average sized car in a shared container will run approx $1600 or so from LA to Dublin. From the East coast, $1400 or so. These rates include all the US origin charges such as customs clearance/ loading and port fees. Do not include any destination fees in Ireland- they are usually around €500 per car to get it out of the port. Then there is the usual tax and excise for importing the car, this depends on the nature of the import, and the age of the car." In response to a couple of followup questions, Damien added this: "We usually ship motorbikes, classic cars etc, but we do move some newer models too. The left hand thing is still allowed in Ireland but insurance may be higher etc"

I'm not sure if you're being light-hearted or serious 🙂 However, I think it's pretty common for people to have misconceptions about a place they are unfamiliar with. The number of stereotypes I have dealt with in moving in both directions is staggering. US people (with an opinion) often portray America as the best, and only, place you could ever live. Many of this sort have never left their home state, let alone ventured 5000 miles East. Irish people (in Ireland) obviously get plenty of US media fed to them, so their opinions of America are formed by what they see/hear. Generally the media coverage is all the negative stuff. I think you have to do your best to remain as polite as possible, and take whatever advice with a pinch of salt. If you're minds made up to move, don't let people influence it too much, if at all really. Families (in-laws) love to offer an opinion. You're not alone in that. My own in-laws have visions and opinions of Ireland from when they lived there 20+ years ago. I've given up trying to argue any 21st century facts with them.