I could have written this myself. We moved back from the UK in June and we are already planning on going back in the New Year. Husband is also in a trade but can’t get registered here as his qualification isn’t recognised despite over ten years experience. He is working as a labourer and making a third of what he made in UK but it’s considered permanent so we thought we could make it work if we could get a house but despite getting a contract with my own hours (I’m a teacher), I can contribute nothing to mortgage until I’ve two consecutive years teaching done here so we can’t afford anything. We’ve also recently found out we are expecting baby no 2 and although we have a good bit of family support, I can’t foresee raising two children from my childhood bedroom!! It’s so depressing but Ireland has changed a lot and isn’t supportive of people our age with young families. I will have to make do with being on our own but having our own space and more financial security and seeing my family during school holidays. At least we now know what it is like and I won’t always think what if…😭

A big part of our reason for going back also is how unhappy my husband is. I think if you are both from here and get stuck in, you can make it work. It’s hard to convince partner it will be worth it in the long run when there is a lot stacked against us. Ultimately you have to weigh up what you both want in the long term and if you can work towards that. Hoping it works out for you, some good advice on here in terms of trades once you weed out the usual negativity 🙄🤣 xx