
Moving Home, Comparing the UK & Ireland, and the Warmth of Irish Culture with Michele Coleman (Part 1)
Taxbytes for ExpatsShow Notes
This episode is Part 1 of Stephanie's conversation with Michele Coleman. Make sure you subscribe for Part 2 coming in the next episode. In this episode I’m joined by one of our lovely clients, Michele Coleman, an Irish woman who left for the UK over 30 years ago to build a brilliant career in teaching and special education, and who has now started the journey home. Michele shares why she always felt that pull back to Ireland, even while enjoying opportunities in the UK that simply wouldn’t have been available to her here at the time. We talk about the reality of coming back after decades away – the emotional side as much as the practical. Michele explains what’s different about day-to-day life in Ireland compared to the southeast of England, from pace of life and community to the small interactions that make you feel like you belong. There’s even a mention of how the Irish drive differently! Michele’s story will give you a very honest feel for what “home” can look like after so many years, and why the pull back to Ireland is so strong despite decades away. Main Topics: Michele’s Career Journey in the UK: Michele shares how a lack of opportunities in Ireland initially pushed her to the UK, where she built a long, successful career across mainstream and special education. The Emotional Pull of Returning to Ireland: Despite thriving professionally abroad, Michele describes a constant desire to return home, rooted in family, friendships, and a deep cultural connection. Life Transitions and Timing the Move Back: Michele speaks candidly about personal loss, retirement, and the moment she finally decided the time was right to buy a home in Ireland—even making the offer from Spain. Cultural and Lifestyle Differences Between Ireland and the UK: She reflects on the contrast in pace of life, accessibility, commuting, and social interactions, highlighting what feels distinctly Irish versus life in the southeast of England. Belonging, Community, and the Irish “Way of Being”: Michele and Stephanie discuss the everyday warmth, banter, and sense of community that define Irish life—and why those small moments matter so much to returning expats.
***** Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct. *Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct* ***** If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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: (00:00) Welcome & Episode Intro (01:00) Meet Michele: An Irish Expat’s Story (02:00) Moving to the UK for Education & Career (03:40) Building a Career in Special Education (06:00) The Constant Pull Back to Ireland (07:15) Personal Loss & Reassessing Life Plans (08:40) Buying a Home in Ireland from Abroad (10:00) Career Opportunities vs Emotional Home (13:00) The Reality of Moving Back (15:00) Pace of Life: UK vs Ireland (17:00) Community, Connection & Cultural Differences (19:00) The Warmth of Irish Life & Final Reflections
***** If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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/services-and-pricing/.
More from Taxbytes for Expats
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Moving to Ireland involves quite a bit of practical life admin that is easy to overlook before the boxes are packed. In this episode, Stephanie Wickham speaks with Taxbytes for Expats producer Matthew Bliss about his experience moving from Australia to Ireland. They cover keeping an overseas phone number, managing multi-factor authentication and bank access, setting up an Irish SIM, exchanging a foreign driving licence and using an overseas no claims history for Irish car insurance. Matthew Bliss is the producer of Taxbytes for Expats and an Australian expat who has been living in Ireland for more than three years. Working behind the scenes on the podcast has given him an unusual perspective. He has heard plenty of professional advice about relocating internationally, while also dealing with the decidedly less glamorous practicalities himself. You will learn why retaining access to your existing overseas phone number can matter, particularly for banking and account security, and why multi-factor authentication should be reviewed before you leave your home country. The episode also explains the practical benefits of dual SIM phones, how an Irish number can be added alongside an existing number and why relying exclusively on SMS security codes can create problems later. Get in touch with Matthew Bliss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bliss/ Website: https://www.mbpod.com/ Daily Journal: https://journal.matthewbliss.net/ ***** Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct. *Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct* ***** If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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: (00:00) Welcome Back to Matthew Bliss (02:29) Moving to Ireland: Practical Life Admin (03:18) Irish SIMs, Dual SIM Phones and Keeping Your Old Number (07:09) WhatsApp, Contacts and Staying Connected Abroad (09:18) Bank Access and Losing Your Overseas SIM (10:10) Multi-Factor Authentication for Expats (14:10) Sponsor: Currencies Direct (15:12) Driving in Ireland on an Australian Licence (17:29) No Claims Bonus and Irish Car Insurance (18:44) Does Exchanging Your License Cancel It Back Home?
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