We moved halfway across the world to experience something new and different. While some aspects have been wonderful, others have left something to be desired.

Both Marisa and I were born and raised in the Pacific Northwest in the United States. Aside from a brief period studying in Europe before graduating from Oregon State, we had never lived outside the U.S. We have, however, traveled throughout the country and noticed many cultural and lifestyle differences. Despite these experiences, moving to a different country on a long-term basis—even within the Western world—has revealed significantly more differences in culture, lifestyle, and assumptions than we expected.

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed embracing Irish culture, learning from local friends, and reflecting on the positive and negative differences between Ireland and home. Below, I’ll share a few everyday comparisons from both ends of the spectrum.

What’s Better

The Irish are famously friendly and hospitable. In Europe overall, we’ve found a real emphasis on enjoying life over work, frequent travel, and cultivating a more equitable society. These attributes are generally true and have made living here genuinely enjoyable.

Urban Planning

Dublin, like many European cities, is very old. Its dense housing and clustered amenities were initially a necessity due to limited transport options, but today they offer convenience and foster connection. Even though Dublin’s transportation is subpar by European standards, a large proportion of the urban population uses public transit, and most of the extended city center is accessible via multiple modes. Medieval quirks—like street names changing every block—can be challenging, but we much prefer Dublin’s walkable urban layout over the car-dominated suburban sprawl we had at home.

Public Protection

The European mindset strongly favors protecting people and the environment, even when it’s more costly or inconvenient for businesses. This approach brings challenges but, in our experience, has mostly been positive. Regulations around food quality, product safety, and data privacy stand out as areas that have directly enhanced our quality of life. While we don’t yet access all government social services as new residents, we’ve seen their impact on public well-being.

Global Cooperation

As a small country in a union of larger nations, Ireland thrives through compromise and cooperation. Adopting standards like the Euro and the metric system just makes sense: the math is straightforward, and measures are easy to understand (1 liter of water weighs 1 kilogram). Prior to decimalisation in 1971, the currency and measurement systems were far less logical. Adjusting took time, but we now clearly prefer metric measures, 24-hour time, and sensible date formats.

What’s Worse

Of course, Ireland and Europe are not perfect. By comparison, the United States’ rapid growth and superpower status did not happen by accident and have brought benefits for many citizens.

Economics

As I’ve written elsewhere, Europe’s cost of living is high relative to income. There’s no single cause or cure, though high taxes and regulations undoubtedly play a role. We manage comfortably due to higher incomes, but we recognise that many aren’t sheltered from ongoing housing and affordability crises.

Productivity

In America, we grow up believing that hard work can solve any problem—the “grind” is glorified, and the American Dream is a driving force. This mindset leads to both burnout and remarkable productivity, a quality we’ve noticed is sometimes lacking here. Projects in Ireland and Europe are often stalled or abandoned (see: Dublin Metro, National Children’s Hospital), and even daily life can feel less efficient—like when food packaging isn’t resealable.

What We Have Learned

It’s unlikely that two ordinary expats will change Dublin’s economy or convince the U.S. to adopt the metric system. But living abroad has opened our minds and given us a broader perspective. We’ve learned to question our assumptions and practices, and to remain open to new ideas and ways of life.