‘Too difficult to live’: This is a bleak reminder that Dublin renting is at its worst

We know there’s a housing crisis in Dublin. Every month there seems to be another report. Such as the August figures detailing how rents have hit record-highs. Looking at figures is one thing. Reading how many have been forced to change their life because their much-loved home and city is completely unaffordable is something else. There’s no positive spin. Yes, Ireland has many beautiful parts in which you could move to set up home.

Related: ‘I’ve officially been squeezed out of the Dublin rent rat race. I’m moving an hour and a half away’

But that’s not the point.

So many don’t want to do this.

They have to.

They must, if they are to have any decent quality of life.

Moving abroad is one of life’s greatest adventures, but it looses some of its rose-tinted glow if you’re left with no alternative.

In a Twitter thread posted by Rubber Bandits, the question was posed:

I’m trying to cover this on a podcast. But how many of ye are moving out of Dublin? Not because ye can’t find work. But because it’s too expensive. And where are ye moving?

— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) September 17, 2019

The responses posted in their hundreds.

The odd few left because they wanted a change but most felt they’d no choice.

Related: Life of a millennial: I just moved back home with my parents

Some fought through housing crises in their home country and felt that if they could get through it, they could handle Dublin. Not the case.

I moved to Dublin from Sydney for my job. Average house prices in Syd are over $1 Mill aud. I lived through the Syd housing crisis for a decade so thought I would be fine at handling what Dublin could throw at me. I was wrong

— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) September 17, 2019

Even those on what they term a “decent” wage said the mental strain or anxiety was still too much.

Had to move home to Wexford with my partner and two kids. Spent a year paying €2200 a month to live in fucking Blanchardstown. I earn a good living and I nearly had a nervous breakdown, I can’t imagine how people on a lower wage get by mentally. Let alone financially.

— Conor Moules ?? (@conormoules) September 17, 2019

The whole thread is an eye-opening reminder that we are losing our people. They go not only because they feel so much is leaving the city, but also because we have no system in place to aid those who do want to stay.

Related: Bernard Shaw pub in Dublin to close along with Eatyard

Creatives in the thread say they no longer feel the country cares for them, graduates say it’s no longer a city for the young and those of us who have long graduated and might want to settle as adults with our own space, simply can’t.

Im not in the position myself,but id love someone to explain to me how a single working person is expected to be able to live in Dublin? Especially someone in their late 20’s/30’s were house sharing etc isnt an option. Even with a decent wage,i cant see how its possible.

— Karlels (@Karlels) September 17, 2019

A different option

I did the sharing thing in my early twenties, I made friends for life and I loved it. But once I hit thirty, it was another story. I’ve heard countless times of, “Oh, you’ll just have to share” – with strangers – because I’m not coupled up.

But at a new stage in my life, I no longer want that. I’m tired of this city, my home giving me no choice. And as much as I love my family home (and I know how lucky I am to have that option), after living here for over 25 years, I want my own space, to make my rules – even if they are rental-restricted.

Related: Dishonest landlords and secret housemates: The bleak reality of renting in Dublin

But like so many others, I know I won’t get that here.

So what do you do? You leave, start over and begin again.

Some of us have that as an option, others do not.

What it means is that Dublin is losing its soul. It’s losing its ‘buzz” – something that was a draw for so many.

Unless something drastic is done, we will have fewer and fewer wanting to make their home here.

And home is nothing without its people.

Main photograph: Unsplash