Post 24 - Where to go: Dublin, Galway, Cork or Belfast?

When moving to Ireland most people choose to go to Dublin but there are different options and it is worth considering all of them. Dublin does not suit everyone and some other cities may be a better option for you.

• Dublin (1.100.000 inhabitants)

Pros:

- It is the capital of the Republic of Ireland but it is not too big

- It is pretty safe

- Lots of young people

- There are lots of work opportunities

- Dublin is well connected with a big airport and it makes it easier to go home when needed

- it is very multicultural and it is easy to make friends

- lots of stuff to do (cinema, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, theatre, zoo...)

- Lots of language schools and Universities (UCD, Trinity College...)

Cons:

- it is very expensive

- some people think it is not very Irish compare to the west part of Ireland

- it is a big city and you have to be careful where you go / who you talk to like in every big city

http://www.visitdublin.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin

• Galway (77.000 inhabitants - Republic of Ireland)

Pros:

- It is close to Connemara and Burren, beautiful landscape

- Lots of young people (Galway University)

- Some great companies (SAP, Bioware, Smartbear, HP, Zenimax, Wayfair...)

- small airport in Shannon

- you can live next to the sea

- it is cheaper than Dublin

- Lots of pubs playing traditional Music

- It is the most Irish town in Ireland

Cons:

- it is a small city

- Dublin city Airport is 2h drive or 3h in a bus

- the weather is "challenging" (it is quite rainy to say the least)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galway

http://www.galwaytourism.ie/

• Cork (200.000 inhabitants - Republic of Ireland)

Pros:

- Medium size city

- Lovely surroundings (Kinsale)

- English market is great (http://www.englishmarket.ie/)

- Lots of good companies (Apple, Big Fish, McAfee, BMC, Trend Micro...)

- small airport (http://corkairport.com/home.aspx)

- it is cheaper than Dublin

- people are very friendly and very proud of being from Cork

- Great Guinness Jazz Festival (http://guinnessjazzfestival.com/)

Cons:

- it is a small city

- less work opportunities than in Dublin

- people have a very strong accent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_(city)

http://www.cork.ie/

• Belfast (580.000) - United Kingdom

Pros:

- It is quite big and there are lots to do (http://www.titanicbelfast.com/)

- Some great companies (Allen & Overy, Teleperformance, Seagate Technology...)

- Very young, cool and stylish city

- Free healthcare (UK)

- Rich history

Cons:

- Tensions/violence between Protestants and Catholics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfast

http://visit-belfast.com/