Limerick is located in the south of the country, about halfway between Cork and Galway, both within an hour’s drive. The recent influx of numerous immigrants has increased the population to nearly 100,000, making it the third largest city in the country. Many foreigners currently are living Limerick.
It is a very old city, whose most beautiful sights are undoubtedly the famous university and the city center. The surroundings are spectacular and offer the typical Irish landscape.
In recent times, the city is in the process of shaking off the bad reputation it had in the past, when it was known as a place with a high crime rate. It was commonly known as the “City of Knifings”, reflecting the frequent brawls and the large number of unpleasant people who stayed here. Fortunately, this is no longer the case today, as there are probably less safe areas in Dublin.
Limerick is best known for its university and educational institutions, which are among the most famous in Ireland. The University of Limerick is even considered one of the best in Ireland. It is rationally structured, with all buildings grouped in the university town and therefore easily accessible. Tuition fees are lower than most other Irish universities, which means it is popular with international students from European countries participating in the Erasmus project and non-EU countries. This provides the opportunity to meet students from all over the world.
As in all Irish cities, finding accommodation is always a problem due to the high level of immigration. The high number of students in the city and the constant increase of workers who want to live and work in Limerick exacerbate this problem.
As far as leisure activities are concerned, the city offers little except for the parties organized by the students and the pub nights, in summer it empties because everyone leaves the city as soon as possible, while in winter it is almost always raining. The situation is different for those who seek recreation in contact with nature, in this case Limerick has much to offer. In the outskirts of the city you can go hiking, walking, golfing, mountain biking, etc. In addition, the river Shannon, which flows through the city, offers the possibility to practice water sports such as rowing, canoeing, fishing, etc.
The climate is typically Irish. Cloudy, gray and windy weather dominates most of the winter. It is practically always cloudy and it rains often, the sun sometimes shows itself only in summer. And I add that the temperature in Limerick is always lower than in cities like Dublin or Cork.
As for the cost of living, Limerick is cheaper to live in than Galway and Cork and much cheaper than Dublin. Remember that you can save up to 40-50% on rental costs compared to the capital and a good 30-40% compared to Cork. You will also pay 10% less than in Dublin or Galway when shopping and traveling by bus. This makes the city one of the cheapest in the country.
Living and working in Limerick, conclusion
Today we can call Limerick a quiet and peaceful city, suitable for those who seek a quiet and stress-free life. As soon as you take a walk outside the center, you encounter fewer houses and buildings and quickly find yourself in nature.
On the other hand, those looking for fun are often forced to take the car and make a trip to Dublin or Cork. However, if you prefer a quiet place and a life that consists of a daily routine, I would say almost boring, Limerick could be something for you.
If you are also interested in working in other Irish cities, I recommend reading the guide to working in Ireland
