As rents rise, people are looking beyond Dublin for their next job
While Dublin is once again ‘booming’, prices are booming too and that presents challenges.
ONE OF DUBLIN’S greatest ills is its property prices. According to Daft.ie’s latest rental report, average rent prices in Dublin range from €1,671 to €2,190.
This is in stark contrast to rental properties in the midlands where the average rent in Longford is €693, Offaly €884 and Westmeath €995.
If people cannot afford to live in Dublin or simply can’t find a place to rent, they will have to look elsewhere – and they already are.
There is a common misconception that Dublin is the only location where people can find a well-paid job. But counties such as Westmeath, Offaly and Longford are highly sought-after locations for both domestic and international businesses.
The business environment in these areas is buoyant and we are seeing more global companies looking beyond the capital and to the major towns, such as Athlone.
Talent pool
Many people working in Dublin are enduring two and three-hour daily commutes and that’s simply not sustainable.
For businesses, the upside of this situation is that there is already a strong and growing talent pool of highly educated and skilled workers in areas such as the midlands.
We know from speaking to many of them that they are looking to address their work-life balance and a reduction in commuting times is their first priority.
Job candidates can sometimes be blind-sided by Dublin, believing it’s the only place to earn a competitive salary in Ireland, but this isn’t the case.
There is a wide selection of both indigenous and international companies operating in the midlands across a number of sectors such as financial services, pharmaceutical, technology and hospitality.
These companies have made a strategic decision to locate their businesses in the region as not only does it offer cost-effective housing solutions, but it also offers cost-effective, high-quality commercial property solutions.
More companies investing
Working outside Dublin does not mean you have to give up a high-profile, rewarding career. Opportunities for growth and development are the same as any in the capital and as we see more companies continuing to invest in the region, we expect that the diversity of roles on offer will expand alongside this.
Without a doubt the lower cost of living associated with the midland counties is an attractive reason to move to the region. While Dublin is once again ‘booming’, prices are booming too, and this presents many challenges for those looking to rent, save for a mortgage or indeed, establish a new business.
Moving out of Dublin is not necessarily the panacea businesses or jobseekers are looking for. It will not solve economic woes, but it can relieve the financial strains often associated with operating from or living in Dublin and offers a fantastic quality of life.
Breda Dooley is a regional recruitment manager at Matrix Recruitment Group
