Moving to Northern Ireland

[littleme2309]

Hi I wonder if anyone can help. We are looking at moving to Northern Ireland County Down area. Can anyone recommend any areas nice for families please I'd like to be close to the coast if possible. I have a 2 and 4 yr old. Any advice on moving there would be really appreciated please. Thank you x

Thank you Flavia Albia can you recommend any nursery's and primary schools in that area please.

Honestly I found moving pretty tough - it took a few years before I felt settled. But I think that's partly because we moved to quite a sectarian area of East Belfast which was just such a culture shock for me. I'm much happier now we're in Down - not that Belfast wasn't nice, it was, and I love working there, but it was very different - I'd be able to live there now though.

The positives out weight the negatives - the great schools, cheaper cost of living, better work life balance, friendlier people, safer, beautiful scenery... plus the food is amazing.

My DD was born here so can't comment on that I'm afraid.

I live in ballyhackamore which is lovely. I have lots of friends in Holywood and Helen’s Bay.
Holywood has it all, good schools, access to town, by the sea, great high street, parks.
Helen’s Bay is lovely, by the sea. It has plenty of very affluent residents.
The train stops there. Nothing really on there though, it’s just houses.
I’d go for Holywood.
Holywood primary school is good. Sullivan is very good grammar.

I live in Helen's Bay. I think having train access to Belfast is very handy, so you could consider other areas along the line if that works for you. Some houses here are REALLY expensive, but there's some decent family homes too. All the local schools and nurseries are good. Quite common for secondary-age kids to go to school in Belfast (bus or train) but good ones in Bangor and Holywood too. Walking distance of beautiful coastlines and a country park.

Thank you Peachgreen! That's really helpful I'm really excited about moving but quite nervous. Lots of pressure on making sure my boys are happy too. My husbands family are over there so we will know people which will be good. Thanks again

Thank you ladies all this information is really appreciated x

I'd agree with Holywood. It's a lovely wee town, beside the sea and quick to Belfast. And close to the airport and Ikea!

I've typed a response three times now and my phone is playing up and I lose them!

Holywood primary and St Patrick's are both good though very different, ideally you could have a look round both to get a feel for them. As far as I know, neither were oversubscribed last year. Your in-laws might raise an eyebrow at a Catholic school if they're Protestant though.

Nurseries can be either morning or afternoon sessions.

Yay, it finally worked. DS didn't go to nursery in Holywood so can't give you any feedback except to say parents I know who sent their children there seem happy with it.

There's also an army base outside Holywood so lots of English kids in the schools around the area so yours won't be the only ones and stand out which should make it easier hopefully.

Carrickfergus is grim unless you are paramilitary adjacent in my opinion. It has a lively loyalist paramilitary life.
Lots of the areas discussed are expensive but if you have a GB house to sell then they are easily affordable
You could try South Belfast - very mixed and safer than a lot of other areas - if you didn’t fancy countryside and it’s associated poor transport links

Thank you for posting everyone!
Flavia albia thanks so much for that info!!! Il have a look and see if I can book a viewing. My in laws are very easy going so as long as the school is good it won't matter what side it is. I'm definitely going more towards Hollywood now so thank you for all your help x

I'm in North Down too, in a seaside village. Bangor has an integrated primary school, Ballyholme is lovely, as is Groomsport. Agree with a pp, don't go further than Donaghadee if you need to be in Belfast daily.

If you need car free access to Belfast Bangor has a station, but not Ballyholme or Groomsport.

Summers are lovely here when we get the weather, lots of time on the beach, and schools are excellent.

The trains here will be a culture shock, they run on time AND you can get a seat.

Oh I so agree about the trains @ArlenesWoodBurningStove, I came from London and commuting from Bangor has been an utter delight! Beautiful views, you always get a seat, everyone is friendly and you're always on time. One time the train even waited a few minutes because one of the local buses full of commuters was late. Amazing!

We should all have a County Down Mumsnet meet up

Holywood is lovely, there is definitely an integrated primary there.

Hi me again so we've decided on the Hollywood area so now looking at schools in that area. Could any of give me your advice on schools in that area please. I've got Hollywood primary, st Patrick's, knocknagoney primary and nursery and Hollywood Steiner school

I know people with kids in all those schools.
I’m a firm believer in finding the school that suits your child. So could you maybe have a look at them when you’re over one time? Then you’d know which would suit him best?
One parent I know had older kids in private preps and big schools, but younger went to holywood, and he loved it. She thinks it’s brilliant.

Hi EleanorLavish
That's great thank you! That's what I'm going to do but I just wondered if anyone had any experience with the schools.

You should move to Ards, all the best people live there

Hmm. I haven't heard great things about the Steiner school but I guess it depends on how you feel about Steiner schools in general!

Steiner school's a bit weird. I would avoid if you're after standard mainstream education. Also consider Glencraig integrated primary. It's a wee bit out of Holywood town itself, but lovely, and still part of Holywood generally. (I went there).

I did read up on the Steiner schools ethos and I think it’s great if you are super bright or have parents so loaded you’ll never need a job.
DD knows a couple of kids from there but they never actually go and no one seems to bother.

Thanks ladies that definitely doesn't sound like what I'm looking for. Il definitely have a look at the other one mentioned though. Thank you x

I've heard great things about Glencraig, it only has one class per year though I think so if you liked it, you should move as close to it as possible!

Agree that Steiner is a bit wierd, it's a whole lifestyle thing for those I know who've been there. Those people are lovely but I wouldn't have sent DS.

@littleme2309 know this post hasn't been commented on for a while but as it was only last year have you made any progress on your move and how is it going? My DH are both from NI and live in England. We are thinking of moving back and just looking at some advice at the moment. We would be moving back to North Down even though we are from Belfast. Thanks