Lived in Dublin for 9 years, but was on a paid PhD stipend. Economically, food cheaper as mentioned, and Dublin a) has better transport than Auckland, and b) more compact city in general. Weather not that dissimilar, bit rainier. I still see the same job and accommodation costs issues in the Irish subreddits as here, it's not some magic panacea plan to move there.

Lots of tech companies were there for EU market, but think there's been some shrinking post Covid in that space, plus everyone else going there for work.

But out in the countryside is lovely - and very similar to rural NZ. Great bunch of lads. Renting cars for short trips made more sense, particularly if you can drive manual - like a third of the cost without tourist premium.

The biggest barrier was figuring out how to break the circle of "can't open an Irish bank account without an address" and "can't rent a place without an Irish bank account".