You are correct, it's Ireland. As far as visa restrictions go it seems to be somewhere between extremely difficult UK and relatively simple Germany.
Cost is all relative, I guess. Pay is lower than SF, but I also am paying less than half of what I would for my apartment. Given that I was spending a lot of money to take what vacation I could in Europe anyway I actually save a good deal on vacation budget this way too.
I find I have to be careful in conversations because I sometimes gasp at how cheap places are, perhaps insensitively. I guess I just got used to apartments always being $2000+. Of course, it still stings that a "cheap" pint is €5 (I remember two dollar beer night in college not so many years ago!)
> but I also am paying less than half of what I would for my apartment.
Out of curiosity (I understand if you don't want to say) but roughly how much are you paying for your apartment, and how close to the city is it? I'm paying almost 1500 USD for my 2bed apt not far from the city centre, and the landlord is increasing the rent in September (I'm leaving anyway). The saving of ~500 dollars per month I would imagine doesn't last very long when you factor in everything else. I don't know what income differene you have, but a month ticket for bus only is 140 euro, (190 dollars), a beer is €5 (cheap in the city centre)and I find shopping in general to be more expensive than home (outside Dublin, but still in Ireland).
No problem; it's useful information. €800 (about $1080 at the moment), and next to Dublin castle, for a 1 bedroom apt in an old building with quirky plumbing. As I mentioned, it's not the fanciest area, but it suits me nicely. Bull and Castle is nearby and has a nice array of craft beers too. Work is less than 10 minute's walk away. A place like this in SF close to the office, tourist attractions, and not terribly high crime would be $2 grand+, I think. Something like this:
http://www.padmapper.com/show.php?source=3&id=193107035&src=...
I'm not sure what $500 per month you refer to, but I'm guessing transportation costs. I have generally preferred living in places that didn't require owning a car, and find it makes a huge difference. I was in Berkeley for a while, and Santa Monica after that. Note that in Santa Monica I found it necessary to share a car with the gf; You can get around SM fine with a bicycle but LA remains a desolate suburban hellscape.
Cost is all relative, I guess. Pay is lower than SF, but I also am paying less than half of what I would for my apartment. Given that I was spending a lot of money to take what vacation I could in Europe anyway I actually save a good deal on vacation budget this way too.
I find I have to be careful in conversations because I sometimes gasp at how cheap places are, perhaps insensitively. I guess I just got used to apartments always being $2000+. Of course, it still stings that a "cheap" pint is €5 (I remember two dollar beer night in college not so many years ago!)