than a little worried if I didn't have a reasonable savings buffer....enough to pay for flights back and shopping your stuff back to Ireland if it didn't work out here, and a bit extra to cover unexpected expenses that might crop up. I assume you have researched and are aware of things like school fees, expensive school uniforms, donations, the requirement to pay for school stationary and activities etc? Even when being very frugal, many people feel like they are haemoraging cash during their first few weeks......it takes time to find the cheapest places to shop for groceries etc, you'll need a vehicle (or 2 maybe?), replacements for house hold goods you haven't shipped, or hired furniture while you are waiting for your own container to arrive, insurance, connecting household utilities and mobile phones & broadband.