Moving to Belfast - help?

[Olliephaunt4eyes]

So, looks like DH and I are moving to Belfast from London. He is from NI but moved away at the age of 12 and I'm English, which means we're totally clueless about where to start looking.

Needs to be in commutable distance to Queen's University, and have primary schooling for DD, ideally non religious schooling. We would be renting for now, probably not buying until we know if we are staying long term. I also will need to be able to get around on public transport as I can't drive, so that's relevant too.

Any advice welcome.

Good luck, hope everything goes well for you

I vote for leafy bit of Ormeau road. That's where I would have chosen, my dh was based in university square too! Good luck with the move.

If you're considering Ormeau Road area and are around on the Mon eve, Ballynafeigh Community House are having an open evening which would give you the chance to see what's offered in the area and meet some locals

Oh, hope it goes well for you!

Tesy

Hope all went well. I live South Belfast, I recommend Stranmillis, Ormeau or Lisburn Road. All walkable to shops/pubs/schools and buses. I haven't lived in Hollywood, but I know plenty that do and love it. Its a lovely spot.
I wouldn't be put off by PP who thinks access to schools is by occupation--Stranmillis PS is non religious, very competitive for places, and a good school, it is simply hard to get in for nursery/P1. Many families I know (including our own) with consultant/legal etc jobs, their kids didn't get in either. There are other schools about, and most are very good. If your child is coming over to start in p2/P3, I imagine it's easier to get a place?
Let me know if you have any questions about South Belfast, I'd be happy to help.

Belfastian on the initial application there is no favouritism, the issue arises when you are a newcomer. You get told no spaces, they'll go on the waiting list. That list isn't first come first served and I have personal experience of that in three Belfast schools. The parents who make an appointment with the headteacher and introduce themselves as a lecturer/doctor nearly always get squeezed in somewhere, even when there is a massive waiting list.

Because Belfast is more northerly than Dublin is it colder and wetter or is the weather very similar ?

Good luck this weekend!

We have family in lots of the areas mentioned and I think because you can’t drive, wanting short commute and also just because areas like Lisburn Road are so nice (and always make us look up PropertyPal and dream of leaving London) South Belfast would be best bet. Hills borough is lovely but relying on bus might be annoying if you’re not used to it and it would be a smaller pool of people around for you to meet than in actual Belfast. Hollywood is lovely too but we found it a pain to get to South Belfast from there on a recent family visit (more used to staying S Belfast).
Definitely check with posters/your husbands family on areas/streets, a street can make a huge difference.

Having suffered the hell that is Sprucefield traffic on a Saturday, Im not sure I'd fancy Hillsborough if I was working in Belfast and / or I didn't drive. Though Hillsborough is lovely.