You’ve probably known by now that Dublin is the capital of Ireland, one of the richest nations around the world. Not just that, but it’s also a home to many interesting spots.
The best thing about Dublin is that it’s a city that’s always changing. It’s a city that has so much to offer, and each area of the city has its own unique vibe.
Although Dublin’s cost of living is high, the benefits you can get are worth every penny you’re going to spend.
Here are some of the pros and cons of living in Dublin that you should know!
What are the advantages of living in Dublin?
Accessibility
Living in the country capital is already a benefit itself because of accessibility to all important areas and facilities. This includes facilities for health, learning, and recreation.
In Dublin, you’re able to access hospitals close to anywhere you go. When it comes to public hospitals, there are already 14 equipped with the best experts.
Add this to private hospitals and clinics, and you’ll be able to find a specialist that can cover your medical needs. Also, there are pharmacies in most of Dublin’s streets, so finding the right medicines even during emergencies is easy.
For buying your needs and wants, there are at least 10 malls and more than a dozen of markets here. The extensive products range from fresh goods, apparel, electronics, to luxury and designer items.
For basic repair services like for vehicles and house appliances, as well as maintenance services, Dublin has many options.
Dublin residents and visitors also have access to recreation facilities like pubs, live music venues, theme parks, and spaces for pilates and spa. Many hotels and apartments are also open to accept guests.
Spots to learn new skills are also open in Dublin, such as those for piano lessons, cooking, and sports.
When it comes to jobs, Dublin is a rich city with many employment opportunities. These include jobs in arts, medical and science, engineering, computer systems, and business and finance.
Of course, there are great schools to enroll here, and we’ll share them in the next paragraph.
Top Schools are Located in Dublin
Ireland’s top colleges are in Dublin, and these schools are also among the best in the world.
Based on the Times Higher Education ranking for 2023, Trinity College Dublin is the 161st best in the whole world.
This is located in Dublin 2 and is also open to international students. Almost all programs are offered here to help students advance in their choses career fields.
Another prestigious institution in Dublin 2 is the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – University of Medicine and Health Sciences at the 201-250 bracket.
This is a popular and highly regarded medical education institution in Ireland. It’s known for producing great doctors in Ireland.
The University College Dublin is also one of the top universities in Ireland with the same world ranking bracket with RCSI. It’s leading in research and has a diverse population of learners from 140 countries and educators.
Aside from colleges, postgraduate institutions are also in Dublin for those seeking further studies within the city.
When you’re looking for a reliable institution for your children, there are also preschools and private schools that offer quality education.
Diversity
What comes with Dublin’s large population being the largest city in Ireland is diversity. According to the World Population Review, there are 1,455,004 inhabitants in Dublin as of 2023.
Around 82.7% of Dublin’s population are Irish people, while 20% are non-nationals from the United Kingdom, Poland, Asia, Lithuania, Africa, America, and other countries in Europe.
With a significant number of its population having origins in other countries, Dublin is indeed a place of mixed cultures and traditions.
One testament of this is the establishment of restaurants with various cuisines, including Asian, American, and classic European.
Dublin is also a welcoming place for different religions. Its population has religious orientations of Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Hindu, and Muslim.
Aside from the Irish, Dublin is also an English-speaking country. What’s more, foreign nationals also enjoy academic opportunities in Dublin that are similar to the locals.
There are also measures to assist persons with disabilities, those that are supportive to various genders and sexual orientation.
Interconnected Transportation Systems
Being the country center, Dublin has enough transportation systems to get you from one place to another. The catch? It’s all connected for travelers’ comfort and convenience.
Trains and buses are commonly used by commuters to go to other areas in Ireland from Dublin. In fact, the city has a Dublin Area Rapid Transit system in the coastline that transports people up to Wicklow.
For road transportation, Dublin has many bus companies plying hundreds of routes. Dublin Bus alone has 136 routes with normal operations beginning from 5:00 a.m. to midnight and Nitelink from midnight to 4:00 a.m.
You can also choose to ride with Go-Ahead Ireland if you wish to go outside Dublin. This is because its buses have connecting routes from Dublin to other counties.
Ireland’s biggest airport is also in Dublin, which is the most common entry point of tourists visiting the country. Dublin’s port is also considered a busy port handling 50% of Ireland’s trade, according to the Dublin Port Company.
Although Dublin has many means of transportation, make sure that you research more on the place and how commuting works in this city if you wish to make a visit.
Home to Tourist Spots
Tourist destinations are almost always one of the leading benefits of living in one area. This is because it offers residents and visitors a time and place for a breather from the busy city life.
First popular and an important spot that Dublin has is the Library of Trinity College Dublin. Not only is it a sight to behold, but it’s also a library entitled to receive a copy of all Irish published works.
It also houses Ireland’s national symbol – the Brian Boru harp, the Book of Kells, and a copy of the Irish Republic proclamation in 1916.
If you’ve heard of the famous Guinness World Records or Guinness Brewery, then visiting its storehouse is not a chance to miss. What you’ll experience here is a quick learning on history, as well as quality Irish liquors, particularly their famous renowned whiskey.
The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland is also located in Dublin.
Aside from witnessing different flora species for free, you can also access exhibitions, historic archives, and other events here.
When you stroll further, you’ll also find architectural gems called the Dublin Castle, the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the National Gallery of Ireland. All these are places to revisit history and appreciate architecture in previous eras.
One great thing about Dublin is it’s a mix of busy city life and relaxing nature landscapes.
If you’re the adventurous type, you can have a tour at Dublin Mountains, take the Cliff Path Loop, or take a dip at Bull Island, Forty Foot, and Dublin Bay.
These are just the common spots that you can enjoy in Dublin. The locals are friendly, so you can ask them if they know of any hidden spots.
Take note that Dublin has numerous accommodation establishments that offer short and long-term stays. This means wherever you visit, there’s a place nearby to shelter you or your group.
Good Food
Another benefit of living in Dublin is having access to great food of all kinds and prices. This is connected with the diversity in the city, which brings different cuisines all together.
According to Ireland’s OpenTable, there are 253 restaurants in Dublin as of March 2023. Of this number, you’ll surely be able to pick one that meets your diet or appetite.
So, whether you’re on a tight budget or if you’re looking for the best meal in town, Dublin has you covered.
Irish cuisine commonly uses locally sourced fresh ingredients, be it seafood, fruits and vegetables, or meat. This is one of the reasons why Dublin has some of the best steaks and seafood in Ireland.
Dublin isn’t only limited to Irish food because it’s also a home of different restaurants serving great food on cuisines like Italian, Spanish, Thai, Chinese, and American.
Many farmers and local markets are also present in almost all major areas in Dublin, so cooking your meal with the best products won’t be a problem.
Good for Employment and Business
Aside from being a good place to learn, Dublin is also one of the greatest areas to do business.
In 2018, Ireland was ranked by Forbes as the 11th best country for business.
Significant part of this is from Dublin which accounts for 40.76% or €135,683 million of Ireland’s total gross value added in 2019, according to the Dublin Chamber.
Another factor that makes the city a good place for business is its manpower. Dublin Chamber estimated that 30% of Ireland’s working population are in Dublin, so the chances of getting a good team for your business here are high.
What’s more, the average age for the Greater Dublin Area’s population is 35.67 based on a 2016 census. This means it’s a good population to invest in an experienced and young workforce.
Also, the chamber said 62% of those with jobs in Dublin have a third level educational attainment.
Moreover, it was ranked 3rd most attractive city in Europe for foreign direct investments by the financial times in 2020 and 2021. And with more investments, more jobs are created.
Dublin’s website also noted that Ireland has the third lowest corporation tax in Europe, making it a good destination for those planning to expand to start businesses.
What are the disadvantages of living in Dublin?
- High Cost of Living
- Less Safer Than Other Ireland Cities *
You’ve already read some of the benefits that make Dublin a great place to live. To be fair, we’ll elaborate some common cons, below but there’s not much. *
When you ask a Dubliner about common challenges here, you’ll hear answers about the cost of living. Scroll down to get to know more!
High Cost of Living
One known disadvantage of living in Ireland or Dublin alone is the high cost of living.
In 2022, a list by Forbes included Dublin as the 49th city in the world with the highest cost of living, surpassing Yokohama, Nagoya, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Toronto, Brisbane, and Barcelona, among others.
For Go Digit, an insurance company, the average cost of living for a student in Dublin is €1,500, €1,800 for a bachelor, and around €1,500, and over €2,500 for a family.
Less Safe Than Other Ireland Cities
Dublin is a safe place with Ireland being the 10th safest country globally based on the 2020 Global Peace Index.
However, according to Dublin’s website, “Dublin isn’t as safe as other parts of Ireland” because of its large population. It also cited the Central Statistics Office report that theft and burglary occur more frequently here.*
The United States Department of State also tags Dublin as a medium-threat location in its 2020 crime and safety report. This is particular to crimes affecting US “government interests.”*
These are just the minor disadvantages of living in Dublin which can easily be outweighed by the perks of staying here.
Take note, in 2022, it was ranked 36th best city in the world by global magazine Time Out.*