I've been living in a well known city in the Ruhrpott, NRW in Germany for 6 months taking a break from studying. Living in a rather rundown part of the city (still with tram and bus connections that put Dublin to shame) I've paid only 185 euro a month in rent sharing with just one flatmate. I haven't earned great money because it was fairly menial work, yet I've been able to afford rent, food, going out regularly, several weekend trips to cities across the Netherlands, a monthly travel ticket that covers trains and buses in 4 or 5 cities all of which I've visitors (and paid almost half the Dublin bus monthly ticket price) regular meals out, a longer holiday with the girlfriend and still after all that saved a little bit without much effort. Friends of mine here on better money (due to already having degrees) do the same while having their own flats to themselves (350-600 monthly depending on which part of the city). The cost of living is just miles below Ireland. I'll certainly be moving back to Germany after graduation. Now for the downsides, you need the language, without it you'll always be the annoying bloke people are having to change language for. But many cities offer language courses for free to immigrants and especially educated ones. The people while incredibly nice most of the time are a bit anal and love putting each other down. Not speaking normally in our dialect can get tiresome. The opportunities are there, English speaking jobs can be found, but it's a bigger leap into the unknown than aus or the us.