Anyone who lives in Short Strand Belfast

[MovingOn13]

Hoping someone can help
I currently lived on the lower Newtownards Rd and am uncomfortable in a loyalist area. I am English but very much identify with republicanism. My partner is an Irish citizen, from a loyalist background but as an adult has developed stronger Reputation views

We would like to move, but not too far and so are considering short strand

However, family have raised concerns feeling that we would be in danger (though having said that they are the kind of people who think you can tell someone’s religion by looking)

online seems to be mixed reviews ranging from saying you aren’t safe there if you are in any way seem as an outsider, or saying it’s a welcoming area

i understand that it’s a very tight knit community and would happily embrace that
but would hate to move if it’s going to be no more welcoming (or worse, less) than where we are.

im really looking to hear from people who live or are from the area and can tell me what it’s really like, rather than opinions based on its past reputation.

I’ve found that though the housing executive will tell you most of the east is mixed, and everywhere is multicultural, that it isn’t
but a lot or people’s optioning on certain areas are not based on having lived there, but on hearsay from years ago or a friend of a friend of a friend who once visited.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I'm English, and used to live further out, just off the main road to Newtownards. As a result I know exactly what you mean about feeling uncomfortable in an area. Even though I'm very well educated, I clearly had no understanding of sectarianism until I lived there, of course some people were very nice, but I couldn't wait to leave. Drugs is a big issue in North Down, and paramilitaries are never far away from the money either. Luckily we were able to move after a few months to outside Bangor, which we really like. A few miles of a move and a dramatic change for the better for us.

I've not lived in Short Strand, but on paper, I'd have exactly the same concerns about the area as lots of places here. We're moving back to England in Sept after our 5 year adventure here.

Would you consider moving a bit further up the road to Ballyhackamore/Belmont direction? Both of those areas I would say are a lot more mixed than Short Strand

Do you want to live in a mixed area or a more republican area? Any other considerations like schools / commute / budget?

@hopeishere
i’d prefer mixed, but can’t seem to get anyone to give any advice on what areas to put down for. Happy to consider more republican areas tho

People are going to make big assumptions about you/ your beliefs if you are English/ have an English accent especially in a republican area. Similarly in a very loyalist area if some is known to be from the Republic of Ireland big assumption will be made that they most definitely are catholic and are republican!

I wouldn't live in short strand. It's quite insular and families have been there for generations. Everyone knows everyone. I'd say it could be difficult to 'break in' to that. I'd go for a more mixed area like upper Newtownards rd, Belmont, ballyhackamore, carryduff.

Correct. People tend to have lived in places like Short Strand and Tiger's Bay for generations so those not originally from there will find it hard to be accepted.

I would certainly avoid living in Republican and Loyalist areas as sectarianism and terrorist group coercive control is far more likely.

Ballyhackamore is voted as the best or one of the best places to live in Northern Ireland often. Ballycastle and Helen's Bay are two more in these lists.

Belmont is a good shout too, I think.

I really have no idea if the community would be welcoming or not. I would not make such a move unless I knew the area much much better, and had met and spoken to people living there, had done some shopping there. My only advice would be to do a LOT more research to ensure you're happy with such a move.

I currently live back home on family farm in an area well known for sectarianism, to help out when my father is going through some medical issues. I really can't change anything about the community I live in but I can live my own life.

Great username @KnutonHardz 😀

I think you need to look at moving out rather than in towards the centre. Anywhere around central Belfast is going to be linked to political attitudes and activities on either side. As other posters' mention, I would look at Ballyhackamore or Carryduff areas. Also Bangor has areas that might suit what you are looking for well.

I think @MovingOn13 is looking for a housing association house and was asking if any of their developments were mixed. Apologies if I've misread it though.