I bet this happens a lot for anyone who moves from one country to the another, and at first, it didn’t bother me, but after a while, it does get annoying answering the same questions over and over again.

Instead of answering the questions over and over again, I’ve decided to create a list and refer people to this blog post going forward.

Q – What brings you to Ireland?
A – Work. It’s how I moved to Ireland, but it’s not the reason I moved to Ireland. They didn’t offer to move me over for any reason, but I wanted to live in Europe, so when there was an opening, I applied for it.

Q – Where do you work? What do you do there? IT?
A – I work for Microsoft on the bing search advertising, and not really IT more like engineering.

Q – How long do you plan on staying in Ireland?
A – I committed to a minimum of a year for work, but I can stay as long as I want.  I’m an FTE so I can stay in the role I’m in or move to other positions within the company still within Ireland if I wish to.

Q – Why Ireland?
A – Because I love to travel and wanted to live in Europe. It helps that my job has an office here and I speak the language.

Q – What are the difference between here and the US
A – See my blog post Cultural Differences. But for the most part, not all that different.

Q – How do you like the weather? (when referencing the rain and cold)
A – I moved from Seattle, I think I can handle a little rain.
Average annual rainfall Dublin = 714 mm (28 in)
Average annual rainfall Seattle = 952 mm (37.5in)

Q – What do you miss about the US
A – Food mostly. There is much more variety to choose from. Probably because the country is such a melting pot of people, especially in Seattle. And coming from Seattle, I miss the music scene. The city has a lot of great local venues and bands.

Q – Have you traveled much since moving?
A – Read this blog regularly, and you will know where I’ve been. Note, however, I have a job, and it’s not like I can just take off as I want. Plus it does still cost money to travel, and I do have bills. So don’t act surprised that I haven’t been that many places since moving to Europe.

This was also posted on my Substack.