Ireland or Scotland: Where is Better to Live?

When it comes to deciding between Ireland and Scotland, it can be a tough choice. Ireland and Scotland are similar countries, and the decision often comes down to personal preferences.

In this post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of living in both countries, the cost of living, and the quality of life in each location.

The Pros and Cons of Living in Ireland

Ireland offers a stunning natural landscape, with lots of green spaces and a mild climate (I know, surprising right?) . Irish people are famously friendly and welcoming, and there’s a vibrant culture here.

On the downside, living in Ireland can be expensive. The cost of rent, groceries, and other day-to-day expenses can add up quickly. Some people also find the weather difficult to adjust to as it rains quite a bit!

Here is a table of my pros and cons of living in Ireland from our moving to Ireland article:

Pros	Cons
🎨 Some of the best culture in the world especially the live music scene	💵High cost of living especially in Dublin.
🌳 Beautiful scenery,Wicklow and the west coast of Ireland are beautiful.	🏡Housing is a real problem all over the country.
😊 Very open and friendly people who like to have a good time.	🚗Transport can be expensive between cities/towns in Ireland
💰 Very strong, diversified economy. You can find a great job in Ireland	🌦️ The weather can be a bit hard to adjust to for people from sunnier climates

The Pros and Cons of Living in Scotland

Scotland has a lot to offer, too. The country is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and there’s a unique culture here that is distinct from Ireland but quite similar at the same time.

The downside to living in Scotland is the weather. Scotland is known for its cold, wet climate, and the days can be quite short during the winter months.

Cost of Living in Ireland and Scotland

When it comes to the cost of living, Ireland is more expensive than Scotland. The cost of rent in Ireland now has increased dramatically as there aren’t enough places to live.

scotland-ireland-cost-of-living-difference — *Source: Numbeo (February – 2023)*

Ireland or Scotland – What would I choose?

Ok, so I am Irish and I may have some bias toward Ireland!! but …

Choose Ireland if…

You are working in the Technology of Pharmaceutical industries as there are plenty of high salaried positions
You care about the weather – It actually doesn’t rain that much in Dublin but it does on the West Coast of Ireland
You have more money and want to be more connected to the U.S.A and Spain, Portugal

Choose Scotland if….

You have less of a budget to rent a property
You are more interested in mountains and monuments
You need healthcare at an affordable price(in Ireland, it is quite expensive)

To be honest, I can find many more similarities between the countries than differences.Irish people and Scottish people usually have quite a bit of common ancestry(especially Northern Ireland and Scotland).

The landscapes are also stunning in both countries with beautiful islands and gorgeous cliffs. I would prefer to be in an Irish pub though in the West of Ireland as the music there is like no other place I have experienced around the world.

For a holiday

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either Scotland or Ireland for a vacation. Both are great places to travel. I have had great holidays in Scotland and Ireland and also want to say that Northern Ireland is also a great place for a holiday and you might get more bang for your buck there.

If I were to choose just 3 places to go, I would choose Kerry or Clare in Ireland, Stangford Lough in Northern Ireland or Edinburgh, Skye Island in Scotland. Okay, that is more than 3 places but I couldn’t help myself!

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