Tech employees abandoning Dublin due to rental crisis

Escalating living costs and low accomodation supply in Dublin City have put serious strain on Ireland's tech sector, with companies and employees now more often looking outside the city for opportunities.

Dublin has become a major tech hub in Europe in recent years, but the city is currently in the middle of a serious housing crisis. The average cost of rental has shot up to over €1,600 per month in the city, existing rental stock has been put under pressure by Airbnb, and construction is not keeping up with demand.

The housing crisis sparked protests and demonstrations throughout 2018, and now it's beginning to seriously affect career paths and business location decisions. Silicon Republic reports that recruiter trends indicate a growing desire from digital and tech companies to locate to areas outside Dublin. Candidates are asking for much higher salaries to compensate for the increased living costs, or leaving their companies if they don't get raises to compensate.

A survey of 150 tech workers revealed a strong desire to abandon Dublin for somewhere more rural with lower costs, with many highly paid employees suggesting they wouldn't make a long-term commitment to a Dublin-based tech firm without the option to work remotely. This mirrors trends from the tech companies themselves, who are now frequently setting up in alternative locations such as Sneem, Sligo, Waterford, or Galway.

Source: Silicon Republic