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The Naive Ignorant's avatar

Always interesting to read about small places. Thanks for the insights :)

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

Yes, 'small' is the operative word!

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Phil Le Bon's avatar

Interesting article! I’m curious, what prompted you to move to Athlone of all places in the whole wide world? What drew you there?

(Apologies if you have covered this in another article. If that’s the case just send me the link 🙂)

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

Hi Philip! Yes I have touched upon the reasons to move to Athlone here https://lifeinireland.substack.com/p/buying-a-house-in-ireland and in other posts, in summary in 2018 house prices were comparatively cheaper in Ireland than in the UK, especially in Athlone. One could say I'm an economic migrant! All I can say is that I don't have to pay a mortgage anymore 😎

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Phil Le Bon's avatar

Very prudent, like your style!!

Just 14 more years of mortgage payments to go for me ….. 😮‍💨

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

I used to have my mortgage with Santander, I cursed every statement I received from them! Did you managed to get a reasonably low fixed rate mortgage?

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Phil Le Bon's avatar

Yes it’s good, for now!

Our 5 year fixed term deal expires next summer. Hoping for a year of record breaking interest rate cuts!!

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! 🍀

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Rosie Meleady's avatar

I've done the opposite of you. I'm Irish and moved to Umbria. And I write about living in Italy as an Irish person. :D

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

Hi Rosie, that's so interesting! I'll check out your newsletter! Are you enjoying Umbria? 😊

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Rosie Meleady's avatar

Yes, I love it here. I couldn't take the Irish weather anymore! Plus all the things you highlighted and the cost of living in Ireland. :)

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Livio Cerneca's avatar

È proprio un piacere leggerti. Grazie per questa visita guidata in un posto di cui non sapevo niente

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

Ma grazie Livio! Spero di non aver offeso gli athloniani con le mie critiche ma ho puntato sulla par condicio cercando di parlare anche dei lati positivi! Gli irlandesi vengono spesso qui per una gita mordi-e-fuggi di passaggio verso la costa ovest.

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Livio Cerneca's avatar

Non credo che qualcuno possa offendersi per quello che hai scritto. Anzi, probabilmente hai puntato i riflettori su qualche carenza che dà fastidio anche agli stessi abitanti di Athlone

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

Grazie mille - sai, la settimana scorsa avevamo le elezioni locali e in molti si lamentano dei continui lavori stradali! Gli athloniani si lamentano molto e poi rieleggono sempre le stesse persone 🤣

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Livio Cerneca's avatar

Suona familiare... 😅

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Paola Bassanese's avatar

Esatto!!! E poi non parliamo dei parcheggi 🤣

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