Some of you may know that I am planning to leave for Dublin on September 5th. I have diligently contacted over a dozen potential landlords and roommates over the last few weeks. In these emails, I’ve honestly stated that I’m an American coming over for three months, possibly longer if all goes well. Of these almost twenty personal emails, I’ve received zero replies. So, this morning I started calling them via Skype. One said that the slot was filled (Strange that it still says available on daft.ie..)and the other said they were looking for long term. I respect that they want long term, but some do say short term, yet I have not been contacted.
Perhaps it is just my perception, but it’s like I automatically have a strike against me because I’m an “American”. The American government has done a lot of bad things over the years, but so has Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Slovakia, and a number of other EU countries. Yet, they are given a free pass. Come on in, they say.
I’m not asking for a red carpet welcome, just to be judged by my character not where I came from. I’m not coming to leech off of the Irish Health Care System, nor am I coming to meddle in their business. I’m hopefully coming because I love Ireland and Irish culture. And, most importantly, I’m coming for illumination.
Those that know me, know that I’m a gentleman. I’ve always thought of myself as a “Human Being”, not an American. Perhaps this stems from a multi-religious upbringing. I’m not ashamed of being American, but I’m not a believer in labels. I absolutely hate labels. Regardless of whether we like them or not, labels are an intricate part of society today. We are labeled rich if in a certain tax bracket, poor if in another bracket, stupid if below a certain number on a test, or a genius if above another number.
I’m not a logical person in the normal sense of the word. I’m a spiritual person. I reckon that has to do with going through deaths door more than once and being able to return. In college, I took all of the regular Algebra, Statistical, and Calculus classes. I made really good grades, but it really was not my cup of tea. There are so many things in this world that will never be explained with equations. We think we are so smart, yet we know so little.
Back to the subject at hand:
So, yeah, I’m an American, so what?
I had figured that the easiest thing to do would be getting a place to stay. I’m not really keen to the idea of sleeping on a bench at Stephen’s Green. If I don’t find something by the end of this week, my plans will be knocked out of whack.
So, I’m irritated.
I’m ill.
And, I’m downright pissed.
Excuse me, while I go for a walk to soothe my soul.
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Hi Jefferson – can you send me a copy of the email you sent out to the potential landlords/roommates = maybe I can help -
best
Jett
Jett, how are you, sir? I’ll send you an email containing the email that I sent out using Daft.ie ASAP. Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
Send that email to me, and read the one I sent you.
JD I doubt very much that it’s because you’re an American! I’d be interested in the ‘wording’ of the email also. I think a certain mutual friend is sending you some links.
As a former Landlady . . .leasing a house is a business proposition and you may not be the best candidate in their eyes. You’re unemployed, a foreigner without residency status and you want a short lease. Plus you’re uninterviewed therefore unsighted. It’s not racism it’s caution and good fiscal practice in a closed rental market. They don’t want some drop-kick that they can’t evict if it all goes pear-shaped or someone who can’t meet the rent.
Don’t get down about it, get proactive! Worst case scenario, you arrive and stay at a hostel for a week until you get on your feet!
Now you’ve had loads of advice, legs up and assistance so go for it and get that American chip off your shoulder!
@Dario Will do, sir.
@Baino It was not my intention to sound like a moaning ol’ c**t (please excuse the wording). I understand their side totally. Jaysus, between my mother, father, and stepfather, they have over fifty homes, apartments, and “Trailers”. So, I know what it is like to have to kick people out and try to judge who will be the best tenant.
I can’t just plop down anywhere. I’ll have over three grand worth of camera and electronic equipment in my backpack. Ack…three weeks left!
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I will send the email out in the morning, so you can see what I wrote to all of these perspective roommates and what not. It has been a very long day. Thanks for the help all…
September is a bad time since School leavers and College students all converge on Dublin at this time looking for rooms, flats or houses. The American tag is not the problem. The old Celtic Tiger has died and many Europens have returned home again. The recession is hovering so people are tightening up all round.
My suggestion is to book into a small hotel or B&B for 2 weeks to give you the space and time to look around. That way you have a place to store your stuff safely.
I wish you well and look forward to catching up with you.
Dammit, Jefferson, we’ve got to get you out of here!!
Skimming through these comments, the advice is correct — and here’s mine, without any more details than what’s written here.
You’ll have much more success meeting someone face to face – and that’s probably the only way you’re going to have any real success here (as others pointed out, you can be the best guy in the world, but to a Landlord who doesn’t know you – never seen you – and you have no means of income, that’s not going to fly).
I don’t know your financial situation – can you stick it out in a hotel for a week? Then, when you meet the folks you need to in order to move, you’re going to have to prove to them you can pay the rent. Maybe you have to pay a few months in advance, or put a heftier security deposit down – if you are able, be prepared to do this.
You don’t need to give them your whole life story – be honest, but offer no more than what they ask of you. It really doesn’t matter that much if you don’t have a job, just so long as they are assured you can pay rent — like I said, whether this is offering more security, some advance rent, or providing a bank statement — don’t offer them anything yourself…let them tell you what’s acceptable to them and negotiate from there if you think what they’re asking is unreasonable.
Anything else, send me an email and I’ll be happy to chime in where I can.
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Grannymar, thank you so much for the suggestions. I am working diligently to find something ASAP. I’m looking forward to catching up too!
Phil, you are a gentleman and a scholar. I appreciate the advice. I’m trying to find a cheap B&B now. I’ve had to face the fact that no one is going to rent without seeing the person, regardless of whether they are willing to pay the deposit or not. I just wish I could get some sort of response from these people. A “Fuck off” response is better than none.