Persuade me that moving to (London)Derry wouldn't be the end of the world ...

[hannahsaunt]

... because I'm not convinced. (See - I don't even know what to call the place!).

Hm, that's one of DH's fav sayings if he feels you've been too slow, 'I'm sure I could have been in Inverness in the time that's taken you.'

Dh could help you out if you're in kidney trouble .

Think we might be seeing where the September long weekend maybe spent!

I've been trying to persuade dh to New Zealand reckoning on if you have to really move, you may as well make it worth your while and get the lifestyle box ticked too.

The September weekend would probably be a grand time to go across and check it out.

derry is not a nice place. i think you would feel v. isolated

HannahsAunt - CAT me if you like - if I am on the right lines, there's a MNetter with a relation who works in endcronolgy in Derry, and I know another consultant there so could put you in touch with real people if that helps??

Another good thing about Derry is that Donegal is right next door. Half (at least) of Derry seems to decamp there every summer. I don't know anyone, from either side of the community, who calls it Londonderry.
If your partner does get offered the job, you could live anywhere in a radius of (choose your number) miles from work. Even across the border in Donegal if that was any more attractive. Newry about 2 hours away, flights to Scotland from the wee airport. You could have a lot worse places to live
At the end of the day, if you are both happy the likelihood is that your DCs will be happy too. There are no guarantees in life though.

Everybody calls it Derry, unless they are a Unionist politician correcting someone in a pompous way. There are fabulous beaches in the county, Co Antrim and Donegal. Limavady is a rather nice town nearby - it was once very 'divided' but less so now I believe. Derry has a bit of a cultural scene too, with Brian Friel's Field Day. I'm in Cork but we're from Belfast - we had to move for similar reasons, and it takes awhile to feel at home, get used to accents, banks, hospital systems,estate agents etc. somewhere a little different to what you're used to.

The other people who call it Londonderry are BBC journalists, and that's only because there are rules about it.

I have moved to NI and am slowly getting to like it.

Because it's small (and I'm in Belfast) everyone seems to already have a lot of friends, so it's hard to make friends.

Derry is a really beautiful city though. Not that that matters particularly if you have to live there.

BB - I will, thank you (but not tonight as have a splitting headache from all this thinking and too many other competing tasks!). It would be Altnagelvin which opens up lots of places to live potential.

Across the border had crossed my mind! Though schools would be even harder to get my head around.

It's the isolation from everything and everyone that I know. Dh will do his job and have colleagues and all the rest will be mine to organise and do ... and I like that but forever seems like a long time; it was fun doing it in Oz for a year but this is a very different story. And not as much sunshine.

HannahsAunt - we have lots of lovely MNetters over here

But yes, lack of sunshine is a definite ishooo

Have relatives there. You'd have easy access to fabulous Antrim coast area, it's a decent size place for shops etc, and thanks to budget airlines you don't have to travel across the country to get out.
No-one who lives there spends time debating its name, though it seems the main topic on this thread!
I live near where you are now OP, and I really couldn't say the weather is any worse in NI than in Scotland.
The home you could afford would certainly be nicer.

im a native belfastian and have visited derry many times. Its lovely as are its natives. What you have to remember about Northern Ireland is that not everyone there lives their live in a state of perpetual tension and adrenalin rush waiting on the fight starting.

The summer months are what cause the most trouble, namely over the 12th of July when the orange marches take place but most people clear out then. There is also a far lower crime rate regarding drugs etc in NI than anywhere else in the UK. Derry in particular is still more town than city in alot of ways, very friendly and welcoming so your kids should fit it.

I may be biased, I love all NI people, think they are great, none better

x

Deb

I can't imagine there being any less sunshine there than Aberdeen or Edinburgh.

It is certainly warmer in the winter than the east coast of Scotland!

You also have Aldergrove, the international airport, not too far away. If you are used to the Scottish education system, the Republic of Ireland's is possibly more similar the the N.Ireland system (7 subjects done for Leaving Cert, is that like highers? I lose track). You'd have the joy of children learning Irish in the republic! (Not the south as a major chunk of Donegal is to the north of Norn Iron).

But it's dry here - you can do a lot when cold and dry but a bit more stuck when wet (warm or cold).

Stleger - and ryanair fly to Prestwick from City of Derry airport

Derry is awful. The trip there on the train may be nice and I myself have spent a really good two hours in the place, despite living in NI for nearly 40years.

There are good things about the city: You can walk around the walls in less than an hour; and, erm, if you get out before nightfall, that's it.

My aunt is from Derry, she moved to Belfast in the early 1970's. When she was settled, her sister immigrated too.

If you are thinking seriously about this, book a hotel room in Derry for 8 days, then see how you like it? I promise, it will be money well spent.

pragmatically is it only decent job on offer?if so probably have to take it.what will you do?could he do job until job market improves then decide about long term future

I must say that we spent a very cold,snowy week in St Andrews one May....When it wasn't snowing there was sleet!

"hannahsaunt Fri 10-Sep-10 22:08:36
But it's dry here "

It was pissing it down in Edinburgh today,I think you have rose-coloured glasses on HA!

Derry is great. I lived in the Midlands in England for a number of years and compared to some of the grimness and ghettos I saw there, Derry is a jewel My hubby is English and he would never go back to England now.

Yes there are idiots and knobheads who like to paint kerbstones and fly flags, but the significant majority of us just live our normal lives in a normal way.

The comments about the weather are amusing - I can honestly say that over the summer, we've had a few days of rain but when I ring the in laws in England it's rained all summer

Things I love :

Friendly people - always someone to ask how you are, chat to the kids, welcome you to a restaurant etc.

Compact city - although there aren't many 'huge' high street names (Big Debenhams is about as big as it gets) Belfast and Dublin are a couple of hours away for the bigger names.

Restaurants - child friendly, reasonable and fantastic quality - pretty much any type of restaurant you could need - and nothing like the Weatherspoons/wacky warehouse type horrors in England.

Parks - lots of green open spaces and parks for kids, play trails etc.

Schools - much better standards than in England both at primary and secondary. Brilliant quality state grammar schools - some are still denomination based but there is also a large integrated secondary school.

Healthcare - quick access to both primary and secondary healthcare. If your husband works in healthcare, the area hospital has seen huge investment and is now a huge trust with really advanced directorates and specialities.

Beaches - Donegal, Antrim coast, Co Down - the beaches are spectacular - clean, uncrowded sandy white beaches within 30 minutes drive.

Kid friendly - toddler groups, soft plays, brilliant child friendly libraries, family focused childcare with lots of good childminders.

Arts and music - where to start ? City of Culture 2013! Check out the Millenium Forum, the Playhouse, The Nerve Centre, Waterside theatre, live music, jazz festival, Halloween Carnival - I could go on Dozens of pubs with live music etc

House Prices - we saw HUGE increases in house prices in the property boom and conversly, now have seen a huge drop so you will get a LOT of house for your money.

Have I convinced you yet ?

Have (hopefully) namechanged so I don't out myself!

I live in Co L'derry, but have only been to Derry City a few times, for shopping. I don't like the city that much, but then, I don't really know it because I grew up close to Belfast. I thought I could answer a few of your questions though as not only am I quite local, but my husband is a GP, we know a lot of people who've worked in Altnagelvin, I studied in Scotland and have spent quite a few holidays there.

Anyway - houses, MUCH cheaper than Aberdeen, as others have said you don't even need to live in Derry depending on how far your husband's willing to commute ( and traffic is much better here!)

School wise, there are some great schools, though I would stick to NI rather than Donegal, simply because Gcse and A levels will be more tranderable if your kids want to go to uni in uk.

Lifestyle - def much less city like than Aberdeen, but as others have said, great beaches in both Donegal and here on North coast, as well as forests etc

I can understand why sectarianism would be a concern, bur it really depends where you live, and the attitudes you teach at home. Both Derry and Coleraine are more multi cultural and generally tolerant ( apart from the headline grabbing areas) because of the universities and hospitals. My son has Indian, Bulgarian, South African etc kids in his year in school.

We moved up here from the greater Belfast area because of the beaches, lifestyle etc, and though we do miss the greater choice of shops, restaurants, cultural events etc we absolutely love it, it's a great ace to br g up kids and we're here to stay.

On Altnagelvin, some friends who've worked there loved it, others have felt it a bit parochial...in general I would say a lot of local doctors in both hospital and primary care tend to know each oth. I don't mean we all hang about together, but it is potential source of new friends, support etc.