What's it like to live in/near Belfast?

[ChlamydiaSexPond]

I've been inspired by the latest Kirsty and Phil to do a bit of right-moving in and around Belfast and I am shocked at the houses you get for your money! Our DC are privately educated and having looked at the local school fees, they are crazy cheap too! DH and I work from home so potentially could work anywhere...so, what's the catch? Is it a nice place to live? Are the people nice?

Anyone from the area who can fill me in?

I live about 30mins outside of Belfast, on the coast. What I love about NI is that you are only a short drive away from the most amazing scenery. You def get a lot more house for your money here, when we watch K&P we wonder how people in the S of England manage to ever buy property.
We used to live in Belfast, moved out some years ago to be closer to family when we had children, and the nice restaurants/nightlife became less of a plus. Hopefully this bumps your post up and some posters who do live there now can pop on with their opinions?
I do work in Belfast though, and pre covid would have met friends ‘in town’ after work. It’s a small city (which I like) has a lot of the main chain stores, and plenty of independents. It’s has decent transport to parts of the city, less decent for others although there has been talk of more investment in public transport.
Private school isn’t such a thing here, we have selective education though, with children split at age 11 to follow either a grammar or secondary school path.
Wages tend to be lower (offset by lower house prices etc) but if you are wfh, you will get the best of both worlds.
And we have the tray baked, obv. Should have lead with that.
People grumble about politics and our politicians, although looking at the U.K. at the minute, that’s not unique to us. I genuinely don’t know many people here who would want to move away, and have a number of friends/colleagues who moved back after studying away, or whose partners are from NI and wanted to move home.
I’m happy to answer any specific questions you have.

Thank you for your reply!

I'd keep away from the island in the middle of Strangford Lough.

I live in Holywood just outside of Belfast and I wouldn't live anywhere else! I loved here 9 years ago and having lived all over England and Wales I can say NI is by far the best place I've ever lived. The grammar schools are amazing, and the private schools too if that's your choice. But I find the level of grammar schools here is comparable to private schools in England and they are free! You are only ever a short walk or drive away from beautiful coastline and the city has every shop you could think of, it really is a great place. Our budget allowed us to buy a beautiful home near the city and have enough left for a holiday home on strangford lough. The same budget in London would have got us a pretty pokey two bed apartment at best. Good luck!

@GreenTeaPingPong

I'd keep away from the island in the middle of Strangford Lough.

I live in East Belfast and it's great (though I haven't moved around much, so don't have a lot to compare it to). I think the catches are mainly:

• there are still some "dodgy" areas which don't welcome outsiders, and in general can be a bit insular
• the weather isn't amazing
• wages are low compared to the rest of the UK
• it's obviously harder to get to other parts of the UK
• local politics is still a mess

But schools are good, it's a small city so easy to get around, there are a reasonable number of libraries, parks, leisure centres etc.

I live in Belfast. As pp have said it's great. Lovely houses for your money. Great schools. Private isn't necessary as the grammar schools are fab. People friendly. As pp said it's a small city.

The sectarian strife you might imagine genuinely does not touch my life.