Relocating to NI from England

[LittleGreenHearts]

Also posted this on another board who recommended posting here, so apologies for the double post.

Looking for anyone who has moved from England to NI, what was your experience like?

We currently live in the East of England, which is where I grew up. We have been seriously considering relocating to NI for a while and are now looking to take the steps to do so.

we’ve found an amazing house which we would never be able to afford if it were where we live at the moment. We have primary/nursery age DCs, and it would be a beautiful area with lots of open spaces, park and lakes … and considerably bigger/nicer house. Schools seem to be good and there is one within walking distance whereas we currently have to drive to school. I know that’s a small thing but I love the idea of being able to walk to school.

a big chunk of my family are from Mayo but did live in Portrush & Ballycastle for a long time. They have however all moved back to the republic for 25+ years so looking for a little more up to date knowledge/opinions.

I would actually love to live closer to family in County Kerry but for DH that seems more scary as it’s not the UK - so anything to convince him of that instead also welcome.

Thanks so much 💚

Hi, I made the move from
East of England to NI nearly 3 years ago. I'm from here but dh English and dc born in England.

We love it here and have such a better quality of life. We bought a house for half the price and are now mortgage free. Pace of life is just quieter/slower. Nothing is ever really crowded. Dc do brilliant sports/ activities. Schools are excellent (dc go to grammar). There are big problems with school placements/ support for children with SEN so worth considering if this impacts you.

I live by the coast about 10 minutes from Belfast. Belfast changed so much on the 20 years I was away. Great food/ music/ culture scene.

The only downside for me is the weather is duller, colder and wetter. I loved the weather where we were, but my dh hates the heat so actually prefers it here.

Feel free to ask any questions.

I did yes - 5 years ago. I'm from here though, which helps.

It would be helpful if you could suggest where in NI you are thinking of living as my opinion will differ depending on where you go.

also - what's the work situation? Are you planning to job hunt? Can you work remotely?
Yes - a move to ROI is a bigger shock to the system due to all the bells and whistles being very different, however I would say quality of life is better if you have a decent salary to afford it.

It would be close to Ballymena if that helps?

It was mainly quality of life we are looking for - I am a healthcare worker and would be looking to get a nearby hospital job. Husband is a business owner who could work remotely for a while with the view of slowly transitioning the work/business to be more local to where we would be

As in i would like to know more about quality of life… would you say it’s better than England etc

How do you define quality of life- everyone's will be different.

Our quality is definitely better- no mortgage, nicer house, dc at grammar school (instead of the failing comp that would've been our catchment), less traffic (compared to SE England), access to clubs/ hobbies (no long waiting lists), cheaper travel to Europe, access to beaches/ cities and countryside within a short distance. Generally a slower/ quieter pace of life.

Personally I wouldn't live in ballymena itself as I find it quite run down. Some parts of Antrim are nice as is randalstown.

It’s not Ballymena itself that’s just the closest “big town” but thanks for your perspective

thanks for your input

You really should name the town if you want proper advice.

I moved to my native NI from England a few months ago, the main reason being to be closer to family here.
I miss how secular England is, so much religion enmeshed in schooling here, it's not the same as people deciding to send DC to a faith school in England because some of them are better. The health service here is absolutely shocking for waiting lists and the political situation is crap (I didn't feel it was great in England either but this is something else).

I think it depends where you are @felisha54 , we had much cheaper and better options to travel to the rest of Europe from England.

NI is a beautiful place though and has moved forward a lot, there are better restaurants and cultural options, good theatre shows, concerts etc and plenty of parks and beaches and adventures to be had with DC.

In terms of quality of life I think you'll find housing costs cheaper which is a big chunk of most families' outgoings.

Can't tell you anything about moving to Kerry, maybe get your thread title edited to include County Kerry as it just says NI people there won't click on it.

So you're probably talking about Randalstown or similar if it's close to Ballymena.

I echo the previous poster that the political situation here and the religious element to everything is tiring at best and totally off putting at worst. Being from NI, I didn't think it would bother me to return, but it does. I think when you move away and don't have to deal with the closed mindedness of it all, it's hard to go back to it.

Ballymena and surroundings have a lot of this - flags everywhere - again I don't know for sure where you're talking about because you won't tell us but in general, it's very "flaggy" in parts.

Do you want to factor in what religion your kids are/other kids are when picking a school? It's a bit tiring.

Our health service is in tatters, probably more so than where you currently are.

Whereabouts would you be moving from in England? Approx?

Hi OP. I don't know anything about living in NI but Kerry is beautiful. I recommend it.

I was brought up in a neighbouring town to Ballymena and couldn't get out of the place quick enough. That was thirty years ago now, maybe it has got better. I also lived in Cork for ten years and much preferred it, so I would definitely prefer Kerry to NI. When I visit my folks in NI I'm always so glad that I got the hell out of dodge. The sectarianism and the small-mindednes absolutely does my head in! I'm sorry to be so negative, NI is beautiful, the schools are great, houses are cheap etc etc, but it's not for everyone.

There are many places in NI that are very lovely (Ballycastle for sure, Portrush not bad) but Ballymena is not one of them. How close will you actually be to Ballymena?

Where in NI? You say near Ballymena but not there so what's the name of the town?

As others have suggested Ballymena doesn't have a great reputation, the usual issues with paramilitaries and drugs that impacts several towns in the northeast in recent times. Before making such a move it would be important to spend a few weeks in the area to get familiar with it, find something the works for your family etc.

I'm back home helping out when my father goes through summer medical treatment. I'm near a town that has similar challenges, but lucky to be a few miles away on our farm. I've been happy enough with the NHS here, but we've also got great great great local GP support (old army friend of my uncle)

Ballycastle is lovely as pp mentioned.

Ballycastle in indeed lovely. I have friends that live there and I used to work there in a part time job as a teenager, so I know it fairly well. I'm not sure how welcoming they would be to English ' blow-ins' though, unless it has changed a lot. Although if your family is from there you might be fine. Personally I'd prefer Portrush or Kerry, but that's just my opinion. Although West Cork is the most beautiful bit of Ireland IMO

I’m from N.I but live in England. I often flirt with the idea of moving home for the house prices, quieter life etc. but, having spent the full summer in my home town with my children, I realised that the area we live in in England has a lot more to offer, especially opportunities for teenagers, and realistically I suspect my children would move back as soon as they turn 18 anyway. Have you spent a block of time there to compare?

@LittleGreenHearts I don't know the in's and out's but if part of the 'scary' part of living in ROI is sorting visa/ work permit etc he won't have to British citizens have the right to live and work in Ireland (and reverse)

You could look at Kells, Cullybackey, Ballyclare or Templepatick. All lovely - great schools.