I split my year between Ireland and the US. From shopping to driving, the everyday differences in my life are striking.
Ireland has some department stores with grocery sections (like Dunnes), but I'm out of luck if I want the giant, sprawling acres of a Walmart Supercenter.
Although I see a lot of complaints in expat groups about the lack of one-stop shops, frankly, I like it.
Wandering through American big box stores always feels like a maze to me.
Specialty groceries are also a little harder to find.When I'm in Atlanta, I have dozens of local international grocers to choose from. At huge spots like Buford Highway Farmers Market, I can pretty much find any specialty items I need.
In Cork, we're blessed with some great natural and specialty grocers, like Quay Coop and the English Market, which have plenty of fresh produce and local products . But it's definitely not as easy to find international ingredients.
I miss the convenience of getting a tub of gochujang, fufu, fish sauce, and berbere seasoning all in one place.
My Cork neighborhood is more walkable.My home in Cork is within walking distance of the city center, which is handy because I don't have a car . I find it's a little pricier to have one in Ireland, and the driver's license tests have a long waiting list.
In Atlanta, many sidewalks in my neighborhood are broken or just missing, but in Cork, I can walk pretty safely the whole way through town.
That's not true everywhere in Ireland, though. Just like in the US, I'd pause before walking down some of the smaller country roads, especially with how fast people drive on them.
The Irish healthcare system isn't perfect, but at least it's cheaper.Irish healthcare — which isn't universal like many places in Europe — is something I'm still learning to navigate. But overall, my plan is cheaper.
Like in the US, there are often long waitlists for providers and sometimes frustrating delays in receiving care.
But unlike the US, if something catastrophic happens with my health in Ireland, I'll probably emerge with at least some of my retirement savings intact.
Both places have natural beauty — but in different ways.My home in Atlanta is a short drive from the Appalachian foothills , which are full of ancient, beautiful forests.
In the hills in Ireland — which actually used to be part of the same mountain range millions of years ago — millennia of deforestation and grazing have left the landscape with far fewer trees. But it's still a stunning landscape, especially along the coast.
Both places have striking beauty, and I like that I always have something different to enjoy no matter where I am.
I carry a jacket with me every day in Ireland.I've lived in the US South long enough that I get cold easily if the temperature drops below about 80 degrees. I'm also used to walking through humidity that makes the air feel like hot soup for six months of the year.
Ireland is humid, too, but the temperature is consistently lower.
I tend to wear at least a light jacket on all but the warmest days, even in summer. There's also, famously, lots of rain. Enjoying the beautiful natural views usually means bringing my jacket along, just in case.
The stone buildings in Ireland are sturdy but cold, so I often find myself donning layers indoors, too.
International travel from Europe is easier for me.Since I'm already using the euro in Ireland, I don't have to seek out currency exchange (or pay exchange fees) when traveling around the EU.
Plus, there are so many nearby countries on the continent — I can travel to Spain, France, and other European destinations on short (and pretty affordable) flights.
It can be way pricier to fly from Atlanta to other big cities in the US — and international travel can get really expensive.
On average, the houses are smaller in Cork, but I don't mind.In my Atlanta neighborhood, people seem to love building big houses. There are some big houses in Ireland, too, but homes have a smaller footprint overall.
In the US, I tend to be a little less intentional about my home-decor purchases because I have more places to put things. However, in Ireland, I have to really want something to justify it taking up space in my smaller house.
As of now, I kind of prefer the latter way of living.
