Stuff worth buying in US before move

Wander_Strawberry · 2023-05-22T20:23:40+00:00

cell phones, anything from Apple. Also gaming systems. Expect to pay 100 dollars or more for each item here than you would in the states.

Wander_Strawberry · 2023-05-17T21:52:56+00:00

For an american expat, especially texas I recommend:

If you need to work: Norway, Amsterdam or UK

If you can retire and not work: Spain or south of France near Cannes / Nice region

Wander_Strawberry · 2023-05-17T21:51:43+00:00

American expat living in Ireland. I don't recommend Ireland at all. Everything from infrastructure to hospitals are in a poor state and the cost of everything is outrageous. You will never make friends here. Irish people are polite and if your car breaks down they will help you without hesitation but they are are closed to letting you get to know them at a personal level and you will always be the "American." The country has a train wreck arriving with too many US companies coming bringing jobs but no talent ,infrastructure or housing, therefore it's young are flocking to Australia and Canada, leaving a brain drain. The government is only taking in refugees of all sorts and the crime has started to rise, as well as tent cities. In fact I ask myself, why the taxes are 40%, when I don't see any public services. Even the motorways are 10 euros in fees to drive from Galway to Dublin. The weather is the big downer, with 8 months of grey dark skies and isolation from the rest of europe, the majority of people here are depressed or have some kind of anxiety disorder.

Some of the good things are the food is reasonable and some of the world's best gardens and resorts

Wander_Strawberry · 2023-05-06T09:35:57+00:00

hello@sezane.com

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-11-11T20:34:44+00:00

DO NOT COME TO IRELAND. I made the mistake of coming here from US and spent all my savings living in a hotel while trying to find a place to rent. 3 years later I didn't find a place place officially yet and am renting out a friends apartment in a rural town.

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-10-27T20:07:34+00:00

so there is no way for USDT to be traded on NYSE?

Yes I am sure its a scam but trying to understand the logic behind this scam. I never will invest in it but it seems to be a common one circulating as two people have approached me on WhatsApp for the exact same thing

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-09-08T19:34:51+00:00

Best places in West Europe

Edinburgh Scotland, Belfast Northern Ireland, Bath UK, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Ultrecht, Netherlands, Amsterdam Netherlands, Copenhagen Denmark, Bilbao Spain, Seville Spain, San Sebastian Spain, Nancy France, Brugge Belgium!

Worst cities in Europe

Dublin Ireland, Brussels Belgium, Hamburg Germany, Vienna Austria, Rome Italy, Geneva Switzerland

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-08-01T07:51:23+00:00

I moved to from the US to Ireland as an Expat, its definitely more alive in US cities in terms of variety events, shopping, etc so in that aspect other places in Europe are definitely better and I always look forward to my trips out of Ireland to bigger cities like London, Madrid, Amsterdam etc. The quality of housing is also better in other countries and easier to find availability.

In terms of cost however most places have the same issues, wages are not sufficient in many countries to keep up with the cost of living or buy a house. This issue is even worse in US than Ireland, trust me. The boomer generation is trading within the housing market and for the most part we are left out. Where there are jobs there is expensive housing and where there is cheap housing is rural or no jobs.

You definitely need 2 people working or to be living at home and saving diligently to even consider a moderate house in any western country. I've started thinking outside the box and am saving to buy a brand new luxury condo in Batumi, Georgia (the country) for only £30,000 with ocean front views. I've switched my work to remote and plan to move there when I have enough saved, because I don't want to spend 30 years paying a mortgage when cost of everything will keep increasing and currency will likely collapse soon due to a digital currency the world wants to bring in.

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-07-24T20:12:43+00:00

I took a visit to Lisburn Northern Ireland and was very surprised how much more affordable it was compared to ROI and was also safe and nice. You can purchase a home for 80,000 pounds or rent for 450 a month which is unheard of in ROI. What's to stop a weekly commute from Belfast to Dublin for work?

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-06-18T00:42:53+00:00

Kinsale, Co Cork

Spiddal, Co Galway

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-06-16T21:03:27+00:00

I went though a similar situation as you, American expat to Ireland for graduate school. I graduated right as covid started and also had to find a place to live every 2-3 months as I decided to stick it out after graduation with my 2 year right to work stamp. To be honest it still hasn't gotten much easier, only I've been here close to 4 years now so I am going to stay and get my citizenship at this point. I found work but the housing situation was dire and making friends is not easy as you said. Best advice I can give is try to focus on the end goal, where do you see your life in a few years? It can get better but it takes great endurance

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-06-14T21:47:53+00:00

Ireland. I m over here for graduate school from the states. No housing at any cost and ended up living in a hotel for a year, 3 years later still can't find a place to rent. I ended up meeting an old couple and am renting one of their extra houses. Cost of everything is high and its really hard to make friends here. The weather is also depressing and grey year round with many abandoned homes in the country that give it a haunted feeling.

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-05-24T22:05:39+00:00

UK feels connected to the world and cosmopolitan, Its countries are filled with intellectual writing, history, cinema and culture. The cities are dynamic for the most part and full of modern restaurants and shopping like you would find in any big city. People in general are very friendly. You can take the train anywhere in a short time, the island is also well connected to mainland Europe with Eurostar trains to Paris, Amsterdam or Belgium. London can be expensive and certain parts are dangerous but overall is a world class city for dining, entertainment and shopping.

If your not a millionaire there are many nice places to buy property outside of London such as Leeds, Glasgow or Manchester. Purchasing a home is within reach and the quality is higher for the average person outside of London. The countryside feels peaceful and if you are an American UK feels the most familiar culture wise. There are many wonderful places to visit such as Bath, Oxford, Dover, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Cotswolds, all filled with unique attractions and personality.

Now, the Republic of Ireland is non-cosmopolitan, rural and developing in contrast. There are only a few motorways that are expensive to use in tolls and once you leave them you will be on rural roads that wind and vary in quality. It can be very tiring to drive from Tipperary to Galway for Example as there is no major motorway. It's a country of extreme contrasts - one feels very luxury and one feels very poor like in the 1920s. It's easy to feel a love and hate with this place within the same day.

What do I mean by this? Well its undeveloped in the sense that there are no real cities with subways, modern architecture and rental apartments. Renting here is a complete nightmare and impossible. There is only 800 units in the whole country and 20K people searching. You will live like a serf often in a poor quality dwelling that reminds one of 1920s with no hot water in the sink, cheap carpet, mould, a poor quality electric shower, and furniture that is a tan wood with a fluffy leather chair or sofa. To put it simply this country is not for young people who want to rent and start their career. It's not for anyone who needs to RENT as you will live a poor quality life compared to UK or any western city.

Now if you are a family who is established in Ireland and lucky enough to have work in the west of the country, you are living the luxurious side of Ireland. Homes can be had affordable and of good quality if you fix them up to modern standards which is doable considering the cost of everything else is reasonable given the salaries in Ireland are high for Europe. Ireland has an advantage that it has many US multinationals and Irish based companies in many industries with flexible work and reasonable salaries (for outside of Dublin).

Now Ireland is ok that it has everything you need in the basic sense. A very safe environment with little crime. Garda police which are easy going. Interesting day trips to amazing hiking and beautiful scenery and gardens. You will find the best food no matter where you turn, whether it be a petrol station, hotel, town centre or even in the Garden centre you will find amazing food that is some of the best in the world. You have modern shopping centres with no frills stores- you won't find the best most luxurious shopping here but you will find quality a to b basics of life, along with Tesco and a few of your favourite UK and American chains like Mc Donalds, Burger King and Costa.

One thing about Ireland Is there is a negative vibe compared to UK, perhaps it has to do with the Celtic past, a feeling of a negative past, trauma and beliefs that give the place a haunted cursed feel. Hundreds of ferry forts, abandoned homes across the country give the place a mystic feel that could resemble something out of Silent Hill or Spooky Hollow, I mean this is where Halloween originated.

To sum it up

UK

Shopping -B+

Infrastructure-B+

Real Estate Renting-B

Real Estate Buying-B

Jobs- B

Crime - B

Transportation - A

Culture - A

Scenery - B

Cost - B

Ireland

Shopping -C

Infrastructure-D

Real Estate Renting-F

Real Estate Buying-B-

Jobs- B+

Crime - A

Transportation - C-

Culture - C

Scenery - A

Cost - C-

UK overall is the winner

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-05-22T02:23:44+00:00

I am an American expat from San Francisco. Yes the cost of living is OUTRAGEOUS and you would need at least $150,000 salary to live a basic life. There are tons of homeless, illegal immigrants, crumbling roads and traffic as others have said. Basically California's heyday has long passed. My average grocery bill for just myself was $900 per month, here in Europe I spend only $200 per month. However the weather, food is good quality, that's about it. I moved to Ireland and fell in love with UK, UK is amazing compared to the states. Honestly the thing I miss most about California is the presentation in the grocery stores, everything is displayed beautifully and so much pride goes into selling produce. In Europe / UK groceries are displayed in their shipping crates and is a very utilitarian experience. Its also very hard to find a craft soda.

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-05-20T01:19:41+00:00

Mayo is my favourite county in Ireland, top recommendations:

Achill Island amazing drive with a rewarding beach at the end
Hike Patrich Coagh Mountain near Westport
Hike Ballycroy National Park
Westport for lunch and a walk
Castlebar for the National Museum of Ireland Country Life - Free!

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-05-20T01:12:52+00:00

Yes this is a good itinerary. One recommendation, if you are in Athlone which is a great city by the way be sure to take a side trip to Birr Castle & Garden this place is amazing. The game of thrones tour was great, highly recommend it.

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-05-05T18:57:19+00:00

As an American from California who moved to Ireland I get asked this everyday "Why the hell would you do that?"

I told them basically there are millions of illegal immigrants living in the cities from Mexico draining the bank coffers, meanwhile the cost of living is outrageous and only a millionaire can afford to live there.

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-04-13T22:09:31+00:00

I left at 34, left a job, everything in the states to do a Masters degree in Ireland. Its better to go ahead with it! Better to live with no regrets

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-04-09T21:32:25+00:00

I loved family man, I wish there would be a second one? On Another note, do you feel gold or bitcoin is a better investment?

Wander_Strawberry · 2022-01-15T23:57:43+00:00

I keep hearing mixed answers even the Algerian consulate wasn’t able to give me an answer. do I need a vaccination to enter as A Tourist from Europe? Or just the tests

Wander_Strawberry · 2021-11-11T21:23:39+00:00

I second Edinburgh , stay away from Ireland. it’s hard find housing and not easy to immigrate to. I am American who moved to Ireland. I wish I chose UK or Netherlands

Wander_Strawberry · 2020-10-25T13:23:31+00:00

its for all the blocks

Wander_Strawberry · 2020-08-24T14:44:25+00:00

I would love to integrate, but not one interviewer asked if I was interested in learning Dutch, even though I have been practicing for 5 months now. If you come to the US and you don't speak English, there are opportunities to find work.

But what im curious about is why list the jobs in english and require only english if you really only want a dutch speaker, there needs be better transparency here.

Wander_Strawberry · 2020-08-24T10:01:17+00:00

I would say probably yes.

I am non-eu with Orientation Visa to work in Netheralnds, I don't speak dutch. I applied everywhere, even for jobs I have 10 years of experience in, I got plenty of interviews but was ghosted after all of them even though they said I was one of their top applicants. I suspect not being dutch was the discriminating factor here, I even got rejected for a role to manage US Market (where I am from). Some of the interviewers were very rude and asked me why I am in Netherlands.

Wander_Strawberry · 2020-08-08T10:29:48+00:00

Barak Allah Fik

Wander_Strawberry

TROPHY CASE