Housing boom in Ireland

[Horse with no Name]

Interesting...looks like a nice place to live. One has to wonder if those were people who might have originally brought their wealth to the US.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14610533/from/RS.5/
>>>snip
Tracing the country's spectacular rise from scenic basket case to economic powerhouse, Ireland's storied green fields are now among the most sought-after in Europe. The property boom has reached from one end of the island to the other, with home values on average soaring by 270 percent in the last decade, according to the government, one of the world's fastest rates. The average Irish house now goes for about $450,000; in Dublin, the capital, the figure exceeds $600,000.
>>>>snip
Fifteen years ago, Ireland had double-digit interest rates, stagnant growth and so few jobs that youths were migrating to the United States and elsewhere; homes were exceedingly affordable. Today, interest rates are rising but remain at just over 4 percent. Many of the Irish who left have returned, joined by a huge flow of Eastern Europeans moving here, all of whom are looking for places to live.

Low corporate tax rates, a highly educated, English-speaking population and a strategic location at the edge of the European Union have led to massive foreign investment in manufacturing and services. Year after year, the economy has expanded at rates envied by most other European countries.

>>>snip

[XanaDUer]

1. Sigh.

I found out that I am entitled to citizenship there.

[mcscajun]

6. Put your sighs away and start the process.

Can't go wrong with dual citizenship, Just In Case.

I'm encouraging those I know who are eligible, especially those eligible because a grandparent was born there; that door won't be open indefinitely.

[Horse with no Name]

7. I have some friends who just returned from there

they fell in love.
How do you find out if you are eligible to move there?

[mcscajun]

8. Start here...

http://www.gov.ie/faq/

Oh, and on the "falling in love" part -- it's a common ailment. I have a half dozen friends I've traveled with in the last two years: both times we visited Ireland, and we're probably going back next year.

[AspenRose]

2. Way to go, Green Tiger

http://www.entemp.ie/press/2000/130900.htm

"In the climate of Ireland’s booming economy, the Government is determined to embrace the culture of new ways of working to ensure the "Green Tiger" goes from strength to strength and that the quality of life for Irish citizens continues to improve. As Minister Treacy says, "The Irish Government is convinced that E-working is a powerful tool which must be used by business to secure competitive advantage. The persuasive power of good example, should not be underestimated and I am determined that our Government will exercise its leadership role by advocating and adopting teleworking as a mainstream method of working - thereby giving the Irish economy the edge."

...and that's from 2000!

[CollegeDUer]

3. Just wait! They will regret not joining the Coalition of the Willing

and draining their money away into Iraq!!!!

[hedgehog]

4. I had my mother rolling on the floor laughing a few weeks ago.

I happened to come across real estate listings in County Mayo and priced a cottage similar to the one her father left behind - single room, rusty tin roof, no heat, no plumbing. It was going for around $96,000. I just hope the Irish don't find themselves in the situation that Vermonters face- priced out of their home towns by wealthy people buying week-end or vacation homes.

[HockeyMom]

5. High Tech Dublin

When my husband was out of work two years ago, he was surprised at how many high tech jobs there were in Dublin. Off shoring isn't just India. Hell, I've been to Ireland several time and have some cousins there. It would sure beat moving to India. Dublin may look at lot like NYC, but once you get out into the countryside it is beautiful. It's almost like going back in time in some places.