Your Expat Community in Dublin

Whether Dublin is the right fit really depends on your priorities. Dublin ranked 37th out of 53 cities in the Expat Insider 2024 survey, not due to a lack of opportunity, but because many expats face difficulties with housing availability and cost of living. Despite this, it performed strongly in the Working Abroad Index, ranking 8th overall, with many expats praising the city's career prospects and the friendliness of the local population.

So, if you're looking for an English-speaking city with international connections, career opportunities, and a close-knit expat community, Dublin has a lot to offer. However, you should be prepared for some of the everyday challenges that come with living in the city.

Choosing where to live in Dublin often comes down to three key factors: budget, commute, and lifestyle preferences.

Ballsbridge & Donnybrook (D4): Affluent, residential areas with embassies, international schools, and easy city access. Ideal for families and professionals seeking a quiet, upscale environment.

Ranelagh (D6): A lively neighborhood with a village feel, full of cafés and restaurants. Well-connected by the Luas tram and popular with young professionals and couples.

Grand Canal Dock, St. Stephen’s Green & Temple Bar (D2/Central): Central locations offering proximity to offices, nightlife, and culture. Great for expats who want to live in the heart of the action (though rents are higher).

Portobello & Rathmines (D6): Trendy, creative neighborhoods with a bohemian vibe, diverse dining, and strong community spirit. A favorite among artists, students, and younger expats.

Phibsborough & Drumcondra (D7/D9): More affordable, family-friendly districts with parks, local shops, and good bus connections to the city center.

Portmarnock, Dún Laoghaire & Malahide (Suburbs): Leafy, spacious suburbs with coastal access or business hubs. Well-connected by the DART or Luas, they’re perfect for expats wanting more space outside the city core.

Finding housing in Dublin can be tough due to high demand and limited supply, particularly in central areas. Most rentals are found online, and the process moves quickly. It's common for listings to receive multiple inquiries within hours.

The main platforms for finding long-term rentals are daft.ie, rent.ie, and myhome.ie, where you can find listings for apartments, houses, and shared accommodation. For short-term stays, popular platforms are Airbnb, Spotahome and Homestay.

If you would like to find out more, take a look at our article Renting or Buying a Home in Ireland.

Dublin is known for its high cost of living, especially when it comes to housing. Rent prices have risen sharply in recent years, and accommodation often makes up the largest portion of an expat’s budget. Daily expenses such as groceries, dining out, and transport can also be noticeably higher than in other European cities. However, many expats find that the strong job market and quality of life help balance out the costs.

To give you a better idea of what to expect, here’s a breakdown of typical monthly expenses in Dublin:

Dublin is generally considered a safe and welcoming city for foreigners. Ireland is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries for expats. While Dublin, as the capital, does experience more crime than rural areas, most residents report feeling generally secure. That said, some areas have higher levels of theft and anti-social behavior, and people may feel uneasy after dark. Overall, common-sense precautions, such as keeping an eye on your belongings in busy areas and avoiding dimly lit side streets at night, are usually enough to stay safe.

Dublin’s public transport is easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. The TFI Leap Card is your key. It’s a reusable smart card that gives access to Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead buses, the Luas tram, DART commuter rail, and even some intercity and regional services.

That said, Dublin faces criticism for public transport reliability, coverage, and cost. In 2023, Greenpeace ranked it the worst European capital for ticket affordability and overall public transport quality.

Frequent delays, “ghost buses” that don’t appear, overcrowded Luas cars, and inconsistent DART service are common complaints.

• Dublin Bus: The city’s main bus service.
• Luas Tram: Dublin’s light rail tram system with two lines.
• DART Train: Coastal commuter train connecting suburbs.
• Go-Ahead Buses: Another bus company operating in Dublin.
• Dublinbikes & Scooters: The city’s bike-sharing scheme, offering easy and affordable rentals. Electric scooters are also widely available for short trips.
• Taxis & Rideshares: Black cabs can be hailed on the street or booked by phone. Rideshare apps like Uber and Bolt provide convenient door-to-door rides, often at a higher cost.

In Ireland both private and public healthcare services are available. The public system is managed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and is accessible to all residents, though the level of coverage depends on your income, residency status, and whether you hold a medical card or GP visit card.

Public healthcare covers visits to general practitioners (GPs), hospital care, maternity services, and emergency services, but it often comes with long waiting times and some out-of-pocket costs, especially for prescriptions, GP visits (if you don’t have a medical card), and inpatient hospital charges. Those with lower incomes, disabilities, or certain medical conditions may qualify for a Medical Card, which grants free access to most services.

Private healthcare in Ireland offers faster access to specialists, private hospitals, and shorter wait times, but it comes at a cost. Many residents choose to take out private health insurance to supplement public care, especially for elective procedures and private rooms. However, private insurance is not mandatory and does not replace public healthcare.

For expats, access to public healthcare depends on your residency and employment status. If you're legally residing in Ireland and considered “ordinarily resident” (intends to live in Ireland for at least one year), you’re eligible to use the public system. However, non-EU expats may be required to show proof of private health insurance for visa purposes.

You can read more about this in our Healthcare in Ireland article.

Dublin is generally considered friendly and welcoming to foreigners. According to the 2024 InterNations Expat Insider survey, expats in Dublin rate the local attitude toward foreign residents positively, with many saying they feel welcomed and safe. English being the main language also helps ease integration for most newcomers.

Culturally, Irish people are known for their warmth, humor, and hospitality, and many expats report that locals are approachable, especially in social settings like pubs or community events. However, deeper friendships can take time. Some newcomers find that while the Irish are polite and helpful, forming close personal connections may require patience and effort.

Dublin offers a range of schooling options for both locals and expat families. The education system is divided into primary (ages 4–12) and secondary (ages 12–18) levels, with most schools publicly funded and regulated but often faith-based, particularly Catholic. Public schools are generally free, though there may be small voluntary contributions and additional costs for uniforms, books, and activities.

For secular or multi-denominational education, there are Educate Together schools, which are popular among international families for their inclusive approach. Dublin also has Gaelscoileanna, where instruction is in Irish, offering full language immersion.

For expats seeking international curricula, there are several international schools in Dublin offering IB, British, French, or American programs such as St. Andrew’s College, The International School of Dublin, and Lycée Français. These are fee-paying and may have waitlists, so early application is recommended.

If you’re new to the city, InterNations is a great platform to start meeting people. We connect expats through regular events, social meetups, and hobby-based groups, making it easy to find like-minded individuals.

Dublin is a friendly and social city, and locals are generally open to conversation. One of the best ways to meet people is by joining activities that match your interests, like sports clubs, art or music workshops, volunteering, or community classes. These offer a relaxed, welcoming way to connect.

The city also hosts plenty of public events like cultural festivals, food markets, and live music nights, where striking up a conversation comes naturally. Pubs remain a big part of social life and often feature quizzes or open-mic nights that encourage mingling.

Online platforms like Meetup, Facebook groups, and local coworking spaces are also great for finding both social and professional communities.