Trading Lives: 'I was apprehensive at first but it was the best decision we made as a family'
Author Nadine Hughes Campbell who lives in Cork shares her experiences living Leeside compared to Canada.
Holidays bring that joyful feeling of bright skies, sunshine, excited children ready to play and with meals enjoyed out at restaurants. But what if that joyful lifestyle could last longer?
A recent report shows the cost of living in Ireland has skyrocketed, with families facing up to 30% increases in essential expenses over the past three years.
Many struggle to keep up with soaring grocery bills, rising utility costs and expensive childcare.
This struggle is pushing families to consider significant changes, exploring opportunities abroad for better stability, affordability and quality of life, all while seeking ways to balance living in Ireland with a different lifestyle.
Nadine Hughes Campbell is an author living in Cork. Her family includes her husband, two children plus a dog. Nadine is originally from Canada and she shares her experiences compared to Canada.
“I never imagined starting a family in Ireland, but I'm grateful for the experience. Despite the high cost of living, Ireland offers a good quality of life. Both my children were born here and I initially expected the childcare system to mirror what I was familiar with in Quebec, which is one year of maternity leave and subsidised childcare.
"However, I was shocked to discover the challenges of finding childcare when it was time to return to work. The long waitlists and high costs, averaging €50 a day for part-time care, made it clear why many families rely on one parent staying home or family support. We are lucky that my in-laws can help out, which alleviates a significant financial burden.
“While childcare is a struggle, there are mixed costs in living here. Our grocery bills are lower than what we paid in Quebec and health insurance is mostly covered by our employer.
"However, heating and electricity costs are quite high, with an average monthly utility bill of about €230. Activities for children are more affordable and numerous free community events also help offset expenses.
"Living in Cork, where we can walk for now, is a plus, though I know transportation costs will rise as the kids grow.
Yes, the higher costs in Ireland can be challenging for families, particularly in childcare and utilities, but having a supportive network makes a significant difference for us.
"But overall, I love my life in Ireland. I feel so much more relaxed and truly appreciate the freedom to travel and introduce the world to my kids.”
Orla Kelly is a publisher based in Cork and says, “We purchased a property in Spain years ago, which has become our holiday go-to for its cost-effectiveness compared to holidays in Ireland, especially post-Covid when we felt safer in our apartment.
"With cheaper flights, car rentals and dining options in Spain, our overall expenses are significantly lower, as even our priciest meals there match normal prices in Ireland.
"Consequently, we now prioritise family holidays in Spain, where there's plenty to do all year-round, particularly during winter for outdoor activities and sunshine. Additionally, we use home exchange to swap our Spanish place for visits to other global destinations.”
On the flipside, Amy Kerins is originally from Dublin and relocated to Portugal. Amy shares why she made the decision to relocate, “For the past five years, my family and I have made the stunning Algarve our home. Initially, my husband relocated here for work, and we had planned to split our time between the Algarve and Dublin, where I had built a successful marketing career.
"However, the challenges of a long-distance arrangement, particularly with two young children, soon prompted us to reconsider. After some deliberation, we decided to fully invest in our life here. In 2020, we purchased a lovely house in Vilamoura and I chose to take a break from my career to focus on family.
"I was apprehensive at first but it has proven to be one of the best decisions we could have made as a family. We've built a wonderful circle of friends and the bond we share is like a family. The Irish expat community in the Algarve is thriving.”
What makes it so different than Ireland in terms of schooling and childcare is the cost and particularly free after-hours childcare and the price of creches. Amy says, “We opted for a local school for our children, prioritising bilingual education and we’ve been pleased with our choice.
"The local schooling is free, including essential school supplies and the hours (9 am to 3 pm) are complemented by free after-hours childcare until 6 pm for working parents. During holidays, free care is also available.
"Creches cost between €300 and €500 monthly, while international school fees range from €1,000 to €1,500 plus additional costs.”
In terms of living expenses, the Algarve offers an affordable lifestyle.
Amy shares that, “Dining out is also budget-friendly; at local cafés, you can enjoy two coffees and pastries for under €5. The gorgeous climate here, means a lot of our spare time is outdoors which benefits all of us.” Amy has also reignited her career and is now a Director for QP Savills, a luxury real estate in Quinta do Lago.
She says, “With my children becoming more independent, returning to work has been a game changer. The added bonus of minimal traffic and affordable childcare makes life even easier. While we miss our family and friends, the short flight to and from here, make visits easy for us and our family and friends come here for their holidays.”
Barbara Monahan is based in Dublin and is a brand expert. She has a place that she frequents with her family in Bergerac, France.
She says, “I know our shopping is cheaper in France and we can go to restaurants for at least half the price. I definitely feel like we could live there.
"Living in Ireland feels tied and constrained at times. It is something I will think about for the future when we are not as tied down with work and family commitments. The location and lifestyle in France is what draws us there for most of the Summer and particularly in October.”
It is not just families who have made the move to live abroad, Derek Thornton is originally from Blackrock in Dublin and moved to London. But when an opportunity came to move to Portugal, for Derek it was an easy decision.
Derek says, “I had holidayed in the Algarve for many years so making the move was not a difficult decision. The main reasons for me was the quality of life, the weather, the people and also it was a short commute back to London.
"I quickly made the decision to move here permanently in 2018 and live in a nearby town called Almancil. It is a few minutes from Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and the many gorgeous sandy beaches along this coastline of the Algarve.
"Since arriving I have set up a restaurant called ‘Tribulum’ with another fellow Dubliner, Jonnie Pratt. This venture began just as Covid started so we have faced our challenges but thankfully Jonnie is an excellent chef with a fantastic reputation so we have survived and thrived.”
The short flight time from Ireland again is a positive like Amy mentioned and also for Derek, “It means my family and friends can come and visit very easily.
"My daughter who was working in the NHS in London frequently takes long weekend breaks for the great weather and the beautiful Portuguese surroundings.
"The cost of living is definitely more favourable here and coupled with the pace of life and a bonus of having no traffic lights, the Algarve is a fantastic place to live.
"It is very family orientated with plenty of sports options, outdoor activities, scenic areas for walking which obviously helps maintain a very healthy lifestyle. The Algarve is my home now and although I will always miss a lot about Ireland, I feel that I have made the best decision.”
As families navigate the financial tightrope, the appeal of a new beginning in a different part of the world becomes increasingly irresistible. After all, the pursuit of happiness should never be limited to just two weeks a year!
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