Whether you are a student, a student’s mum or just arrived after your husband taking that new job offer - I assume you do not want to spend much. Keep reading if that’s true!
There are ways to enjoy Dublin life on a budget, fully immersing in local culture and happenings.
Accommodation
There’s no universal advice here. Family living requires renting something
- in a good public school catching area
- with easy transport access and something
- not heavy on your budget, as well as
- warm, spacious and well insulated.
Well, this is not an easy task, not if you work in a city centre and certainly not on the starting salary. However, here’s what you can save on: clothes, food, entertainment and education.
Clothes
If you have a car and constantly use it - any clothes will do. However, then you’ll probably gain weight, getting around by car.
Mostly, outdoorsy-style clothes are needed a) when it is raining b) when it is windy. Which is almost every day, on any random part of the day.
“Don’t like Irish weather? Wait 15 minutes”.
When it is lashing, an umbrella is not of much use. You can see many folding umbrellas thrown out after each gale. They recommend to buy a large umbrella, which they promise will not break. We have another kind of folding umbrella, which serves well - steel frame in combination with carbon-fiber. So, if you are from somewhere more sunny, you might find water-resistant trousers most useful. Certainly for kids. Add on - a knee-length water-resistant insulated item on top, with a good sized hood. Wellies - useful for shore walking, outdoorsy type activities. A German student I know bought a pair on the third day of her stay because her runners would not keep water out!
There’s also the range of leather shoes with some trademarks (Ecco, Clarks for example) lined with water resistant materials - I had a pair for six years, lasted long with no leaks, and my daughter had similar boots. I have not seen these models outside of Ireland, however.
Cooking
Having no kids, sure, you can save on real food and order takeaway, but that is not how you are saving - you may damage your health and gain weight in the process. (Here I am, sounding like an old lady.) Cafe foods surely are most filling and attractive, and no wonder - that is where all the flour and sugar goes. You cannot rely on coffee either - there’s a long life ahead with a lot to do.
Seriously, though, whether you are married or not, why not plan your meals. Freeze half-cooked ingredients, so you could quickly put them on the pan after work. When everyone finishes work and goes to a local express store, some of your favourite food ingredients can suddenly disappear from the shelves.
Entertainment
Did you know that you can visit OPW heritage sites for free on the first Wednesday of each month?
Most of the national museums are also free, and you can gain valuable experience by booking free or low-cost workshops. How to find those? Our favourite website for free events is Dublin Event Guide. Then, if you are on social networks and already have a lot of local friends, you can always go to Events/ Popular events (works on Facebook).
Dublin offers what other cities may not - seashore! It is such a beautiful place for jogging or just walking. We know people even get themselves to swim in the sea - it is always 11C, no wetsuits - that is what good acclimatisation gives. Or vice versa.
Another advantage - free park and forest walks. Get used to spending each and every day outside - in the right kind of clothes - and your health improves significantly! You might even want to start one more yoga-in-the-park group.
Education
Same as there are free events, there are free or low-priced workshops.
Creative workshops cannot possibly cost much money when video hubs have DIY videos on all possible themes.
Language exchange is the other free and pleasant form of education. No need to pay an excessive price for courses when all it takes is a group of learners.
Volunteer programs - some prepare you with a free course beforehand.
Children’s education is another huge theme: we have about 1000 bookmarks themed “free education.” All you need is time.
What to visit in Dublin, apart from traditional “tourist traps”?
For over-the-Ireland trips try this DTD tip: choose a hashtag on Instagram - the name of the region you want to see - and look at the non-professional pictures. Moreover, watch this space, because soon we will be bringing non-conventional gems to your attention!
For singles:
When choosing shared dwellings, some will tell you to aim for people with the same length of supposed stay in the city, same matrimonial plans and food habits.
- Read your contract carefully and consult appropriate board when in doubt.
- Most of Dublin apartments come furnished
- Look at the items they sell on expat websites or advertisement sites - maybe you can catch a deal.
- Think Before Buying, if you even need the items - perhaps those are things that you will not take with you to your next apartment or country?
- At the same time, why not part with excessive belongings and sell them to
new expats arriving in town, for a charitable price?
- The most frequent sales: hardware, kitchen appliances, furniture (sofas, shelves, tables), bedding sets, TV-sets
For student’s mums:
Equip your student leaving to Ireland with a lightweight air mattress plus sleeping bag, an inflatable pillow, a pair of lingerie items (well, actually, more than a pair - it dries slowly), socks, a couple of easy-drying bedsheets and towels, his/her distinguishable mug, spoon, and thermos. If they are not going to live with a family - give them a small pan (these are never good in rented apartments!)
Otherwise, all of that can be bought in local shops on sale.
A useful addition is a pack of their regular prescription medicines (ask your doctor). Not all medicines are registered in Ireland.
There is not much room for clothes and belongings in Dublin apartments (and houses). It is not such a bad idea to bring only the most useful garments (which, for most people, is one weather-proof set for all seasons) from wherever you can buy it, and leave the rest to low-priced local clothes shops, such as Penneys and other outlets.
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