‘The streets aren't paved with gold – you get what you give'

I love the American people. It takes time to get to know their culture, but they have been very helpful to us over the years and make you feel welcome.”

Eleanor O’Connor, née Pidgeon, grew up in Boher, County Westmeath and now at 54, she has called the USA home for the last 33 years.

“I went to Boher National School and after to the Convent of Mercy, Moate, as it was known then,” says Eleanor. “I loved where I grew up, and it’s always the little things you remember – like walking to school and getting a lift with the postman on the rainy days.

“Growing up on a farm, we were never bored. My parents grew all the crops and Mom also cooked from dawn till dusk. On Fridays we went to Mullingar for groceries and Tom, my Dad, would also bring me to the Moate sales.

“On Sundays, my sister and I would enjoy riding our bicycles to meet up with some of our school pals. “Then, during the summer, my Aunt Deenie would pick me up to visit my cousins Edel and Carmel Wallace.

“On one of the visits in particular, I was excited as we climbed in the Dublin Mountains and went to the beach. I remember the summers being hot and beautiful.”

Once Eleanor finished school, she began working at the Eastern Health Board, now part of the HSE, in Lord Edward Street, Dublin.

“I was very lucky to have a job as the economy wasn’t doing very well anywhere,” she says. “It was then that I went with my sister and a couple of friends to Europe on holidays. But it was after, when I came back home, that the Irish government started to offer one to five years leave of absence.

“The program was designed so that when you left the country and you finally came back, you still had a job in Ireland. That holiday inspired me to try new places, so I took advantage of the offer and left in the early ’80s. Everything was so overwhelming in the beginning, but what I remember as my first impression was that the food was good and it was easy to find work.”

Originally Eleanor moved to Boston, before going on to New York.

“At that time mostly everyone was going to New York, and I felt I didn’t want to have children in Ireland only to watch them leave later on. It was there at a little restaurant that I met my husband. We lived in New York for a while, but after taking a trip to Florida, we decided we had enough of the cold and moved there.”

A little while later, however, Eleanor and her husband returned to Ireland, where she again worked with the Eastern Health Board for three more years.

“I missed the lifestyle and of course the warm summers, so we packed up and shipped our belongings back to Florida and moved back! I love the American people, though it takes time to get to know their culture. They have been very helpful to us over the years and make you feel welcome.”

Thirty-three years and many adventures later, Eleanor’s family has grown to include two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two fabulous grand-daughters.

“I will admit during the early years I missed the holidays and birthdays with my family, but we were luckythat the girls and I would go back to visit for the summers. Now, I try and go back every couple of years and my girls visit when they can.

“There are a lot more conveniences over here, healthcare being one. You could make an appointment for within a week, and if you have to see a specialist it’s usually no longer than a few days. You can drive to the supermarket without having to pay for parking. They will bag your groceries and take them out to the car. Even better still, place an order online and stop by the grocery store on your way home from work. They’ll even put your groceries in your car that time too!

“That way, you only buy what you need. You can have them delivered for a small fee and no additional mark up on the items. I now live only five minutes from the beach, and it’s a wonderful way to sit and relax on your days off or after work. There are plenty of jobs for those willing to work hard and sometimes even promotions.

“Looking back, I feel I could return to visit Ireland, but not for good. It would mean leaving my family again, and besides, I’d run out of wild tales to tell!

"As for advice to anyone thinking of moving abroad, mine is that it is a culture shock and it does takes time to adjust. If you like lots of traffic and people, then move to the bigger cities. If you prefer the country life, then there are lots of smaller towns.

“You will need a car to get to work, but you can transfer your driver’s licence, take a test, and be on your way. If you are like me and like to call home every other day, use T-Mobile as it also works when you go back.

“You want to get away for a weekend - there are many airlines selling cheap tickets.

"However, if you want to make poor choices and decide to drink and drive, it’s an automatic $10,000 in court fees. It stays on your record, making it harder to find a job.

“Should you be interested in going back to school and getting a degree, there are plenty of college programs both on campus and online.

“Obey the laws, work hard and you will do well in this country.

“Remember: You get what you give; the streets are not paved with gold.”