I think everyone has already answered most of your questions. I’m actually an ex-ex-ex-ex pat, so I’m not really up to date with what life is like in the states, so it’s hard for me to tell you price comparisons, etc.
When irishgirl said that some things Irish people say would offend Americans, here’s an example:
I’m not a thin woman. I’m not obese, but I certainly have some extra weight on me. Now, our next door neighbors are lovely. I was over having tea with Sarah, the mum and she had a friend 'round, too. Friend was in her 50’s and what I’d call a ‘typical Irish woman’ of that age and background. Anyway, we were not talking at all about weight/clothes/beauty, anything.
She comes out with, “Come 'ere and let me tell you. You really need to lose weight. You have a lovely face and with the extra weight on you, it’s not good. You should join Weight Watchers (which I’d done anyway) because my daughter S did it and she’s lost two stone (28lbs), blah blah blah.”
I just smiled and said nothing. Some Irish women can be very direct and you just learn not to take offense. She meant it in a kind way, and that’s the way I took it.
Another example: On a public bus recently, I got parenting advice from another Irish woman. Sheesh, she’s had 6 kids, she should know a thing or two about it.
Anyway, the plusses for me would be different than for you. Since I’m married to an Irish man, I get the social security benefits (health insurance, etc) that I’m not sure you’d get as an American. The child care is good, the schools are very good and in general it’s a very wonderful place to live. People are very friendly and that’s the major thing for us.
Again, though, ruadh would be a better person to speak to than me. If you have any other questions, please feel free to write to me at the email in my profile.