Salaries in Ireland (Score 1)

I just moved back to Ireland after 6 years in the US. 4 of those years were in the IT sector (Network Engineer). I am getting IRL £40,000 salary (this includes bonuses etc), this equates with about $55,000 USD. I came over from Tucson, AZ and actually matched my previous salary exactly but it must be noted that I passed up a raise when I left. The cost of living is also more in Dublin than Tucson. The Irish economy has sustained the highest economic growth rate of any industrialized world over the past 5 years (8%). I am amazed at the changes I have seen since I returned. Ireland has a huge growth rate in IT. Microsoft, Dell, HP, 3com and others have large facilities here. The government is pushing e-commerce as a major industry and wants us to become the e-commece capital of Europe. If you are thinking of moving to Ireland ask yourself some questions. Do you like to drink? (a yes is good here) Do you mind the rain? (it's a tad moist!) Do you mind small things? (cars, bedrooms, apartments etc) Do you like to drink? Do you want to buy a house here? (forget it, it's more expensive than Tokyo) Do you have kids? Best educational system in the world. Do you dress like a geek? (It's a bit friggin trendy!) Do you like to drink? Socially, it's excellent. Low crime, excellent clubs and pubs, a very sociable people with whom you can have stimulating conversation with for hours. And for all those who are worried about the IRA, bombs etc. There hasn't been any violence in the south (Irish republic) since 1922 and even the north is quiet these days, they've had a ceasefire for 4 years (there has never been an American killed or injured in political violence up there)