This episode is Part 1 of Stephanie's conversation with Gráinne Convery. Make sure you subscribe for Part 2 coming in the next episode.

Moving to Ireland is exciting, but the practicalities can make or break those first few months and expend all the energy you have.

In this episode, I’m joined by Gráinne Convery of Cronin Group to unpack the real-world relocation hurdles we see every week: the rental market crunch, how to be taken seriously by agents, pet and family considerations, and getting school places sorted without losing your sanity.

We walk through the things you need to secure a home before you land, like virtual home searches, the 40% affordability rule many applicants trip over, and the unspoken realities landlords apply around pets, kids, and bedroom allocations.

On schools, Gráinne explains how we compare curricula, manage waitlists, and steer families toward realistic options—so children settle faster and parents sleep better.

The key thing to note here is planning early. If you understand what agents expect, how affordability is assessed, which developments accept pets, and which schools are actually possible, you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary stress.

Main Topics Discussed in this Episode:

Ireland’s Rental Reality: The housing shortage, agent gatekeeping, and why starting early dramatically improves outcomes.
Virtual Home Search: Viewing by video, negotiating on your behalf, handling paperwork, and key collection before you arrive.
The 40% Affordability Rule: How many landlords/agents assess rent vs. net income—with examples that catch expats off guard.
Pets, Children & Unspoken Landlord Rules: Practical barriers for families and pet owners, and how to target developments where you’ll be considered.
School Places & Curriculum Fit: How Cronin supports school searches, manages expectations, and aligns international curricula with Irish options.

Get in touch with Grainne:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grainne-convery-globalmobility/

Email: grainne.convery@croningroup.ie (and mention the podcast when you do!)

Website: https://ireland-relocations.com/

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Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/.

Chapters:

(00:04) Welcome & What This Series Covers
(00:30) Today’s Guest: Gráinne Convery, Cronin Group
(00:50) Why Relocation Support Matters
(01:49) Gráinne’s Background & Role at Cronin
(03:11) Ireland’s Housing Reality: What People Underestimate
(04:17) Virtual Home Search: Secure a Place Before You Arrive
(05:28) Do Virtual Viewings Meet Expectations?
(06:15) US to Ireland: What’s Different in Renting
(06:47) The 40% Affordability Rule Explained
(09:12) Pets, Families & Hidden Barriers in Applications
(13:05) School Search: Process, Fit & Managing Waitlists
(17:13) Is Ireland’s School System a Good Experience?
(19:18) Outro & Professional Advice Reminder

Mentioned in this episode:

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Pets, Schools & the Affordability Rule: Finding your Home in Ireland with Grainne Convery (Part 1)