In this article, we will talk about things you need to know about Cork while planning to move there as an expatriate for job hunting or live.
People from third world countries always look up to the developed countries for better work opportunities as they struggle financially unless they travel abroad.
The same is the case with Africans. People from Ghana, prefer to travel to the West for better work opportunities and then send their remittances back home once they begin working there through many online money transfer companies operating in Ghana such as ACE.
Things to know before moving to Cork
For convenience, we will discuss the important things you must know about Cork before moving there.
Language:- The dominant language in entire Ireland including Cork is English. There are a few areas located at the margins of Cork such as Ballyvourney and Cape Clear, where other languages are spoken.
And the best part is that there are a lot of schools teaching those languages. So, if you wish to learn those languages (Gaelige or Irish Gaelic) you can seek admission in any school even for evening classes.
Weather:- Weather in Cork varies at different times of the year. There are months where you will see bright sunshine which beautifies large swathes of the county filled with greenery.
But, rain is equally abundant and the average temperature drops below freezing at times. If you come from areas with warm clime, you will take some time to adjust to the new environment.
Health care:- Study the healthcare policies of Cork thoroughly before you move here. There are many companies such as Cigna which offers private medical insurance and has many and flexible plans to choose from.
Embassies:- There is no international embassy in Cork. But, all the embassies you will find in different other cities around you which are located just a few hours’ drives away from Cork.
Accommodation:- Finding accommodation can be difficult. Therefore, do your homework properly before you move in.
In this context, PerchPeek can be of help as they will thoroughly guide you from moving to finding accommodation and settling down.
It does not mean they are the only option there. There are other companies you can find online to seek advice from.
Employment:- There is no shortage of work in Cork. But, if you have reasonable skills in the technology sector you can find a better opportunity in Dublin.
Yes, staying in Cork and travelling to Dublin for work will be exhausting in terms of time and money.
Besides, wages and salaries are not very different from London, yet the cost of living is much lower.
Living cost:- The cost of living in Cork is cheaper than the capital. And also the farther away you are from the city centre; the lower will be your living cost.
But, here’s the catch. Every cent you thus save will be spent on commuting.
Purchasing power:- Once you find work in Cork despite its steady job market, you will realize that Cork is a relatively cheap city in comparison to the rest of Europe and the USA.
Your purchasing power will increase despite earning moderate income.
Transportation:- Options for travelling across Cork are aplenty. You can move around freely on public transport if you do not own a car.
But, the best part of owning and driving your own vehicle is that you can use your American driving license if you have one and you need not undergo the tests etc., to get a driver’s license.
The only point to consider with care is to observe speed limits that are in KPH instead of in MPH like in the rest of Europe.
And also beware of the rural driving techniques which are obviously a little different than the main arteries spread across the city.
Neighbourhoods:- You will find plenty of places to visit on the outskirts of Cork such as the Victorian Quarter located near MacCurtain Street.
For shopping areas, you can reside close to Oliver Plunkett Street. For culture rooted in history, you can visit Shandon which is also known as the Old Fort.
All in all, there is a lot for an expatriate to explore in terms of heritage, history and culture in and around Cork.
Culture:- Cork has a rich and colourful culture which is why natives call Cork The Rebel County.
You can easily find live music and theatres all around with a huge variety of museums.
Safe city:- Cork is considered one of the safe cities in Ireland. Yes, crimes do take place but these are rare and far between.
As an expatriate, you can move around freely and safely at any time in the day.
Conclusion:- Moving to Cork is not a bad decision particularly now when you have learnt sufficiently about it in this article.
West already has a lot to offer to the expatriates belonging to the underdeveloped world, in terms of jobs and work.
The catch is to learn the language of the country you are moving to with some skill set given today’s job market demands.
