The family struggled to find a rental home and moved in with Michael’s mother while they searched for somewhere to buy
Armed with a plethora of information from several other brokers, the pair were surprised and delighted to become pre-approved for a mortgage with AIB, which transformed their Christmas and New Year discussions, as house hunting was now a reality. They focused on the Drumcondra area, a spot they had set their hearts on due to its proximity to town, as well as the beauty of Dollymount and Bull Island, and well-built cycle lanes.
A high energy rating suddenly took top billing as a criterion in their house search. They began looking for B3 or higher-rated options. While few and far between, the number of sustainably built houses is increasing. Unconcerned by the lack of fireplaces in a home with a high energy rating, Michael notes, “Santa Claus had no fireplace to deliver presents in Hong Kong, so we were used to this!”
Having put down roots Michael has found that, while they loved living in Hong Kong, they are finding the cleaner air in Ireland a complete joy. They are thrilled with the standards of the school system in Ireland and enjoy the milder weather and green scenery. Having recently acquired a family dog, Ginger, a Cavapoo, they have space and luscious northside walks for him.