I’m not sure I can help you out too much. I am earning a good salary and I am in corporate housing, so I don’t know the situation too well of the normal residents.

I can tell you that housing prices are VERY expensive. People I know routinely pay between 80,000 and 140,000 Dhms per year for their apartments. I am sure cheaper accommodation can be found but those prices are only for modest 2 bedroom apartments. One of the major problems here is that the prices also rise unpredictably. I just had good friends have to move out of their apartment because the rent was suddenly increased by 30%.

Other expenses are actually quite reasonable. Food is much cheaper than I am used to in NY but I am not sure how it would compared to your hometown. Some stuff is similarly priced, and some stuff, like pork, is MUCH more expensive.

Cars are a lot cheaper here than in the US, and gas is like $1.20 per gallon.

Shopping, like for clothes and luxury items seems very similar in price to Europe. Electronics and computer stuff as well. Both slightly more than the US, probably comparable to London.

I don’t know what else I can say. Most expats come and seem to love it. They all tell me they came for 6 months (like me) but stayed for 6 years. They do enjoy the lifestyle here, and the great winter weather. I think one other thing I didn’t mention above is that service/labor is very inexpensive, so many people here have cleaning staff 3 or 4 times per week, services for laundry, car washing, etc, all good quality and semi-reliable, but VERY affordable. I think people like that.

I hope this helps. Email me directly if you have more questions.

Congrats, mang.

http://www.economist.com/cities/briefing.cfm?city_id=DUB

Skip