Moving to N.I

[WeeWeegieChick]

Looking for advice as I'm heads like mush trying to make up my mind.

my kids and I live in Scotland, my mums from N.I but lived here most of her life. We visit a lot and kids (young teens) want to live over there, sadly most of my family has passed away so no tie to any one town.

Both kids have Autism and I've got ADHD. Looking for good public transport, school and plenty to do.

Am I mad for making a big move? I'm 45 and always wanted to live there and thinking if I don't do it now I probably won't ever do it.

If you want to do it, and your kids want to do it too, and you can afford to do it, then go for it.... Do you have an area in mind you want to move to?

The only place with even reasonable public transport is Belfast.

I hate to tell you that services for adhd and autism are virtually non-existent in NI. Think carefully before you make the move.

@Jabtastic they’re virtually non existent in every part of the UK.

We live in BT9 (Upper Lisburn Rd area) and it would definitely tick all of your boxes OP. I’ve lived in other parts of Belfast (grew up in the east of the city before moving around a bit) but this area is definitely the best by far in my opinion, especially with teens. Cosmopolitan, very handy to the city + beyond, safe, plenty of green space and a lovely community vibe with lots of nice independent shops, cafes and restaurants etc on Lisburn Rd and in Stranmillis. We’ve got a train station and plentiful bus services into the city centre right on our doorstep and schools are absolutely fantastic - the grammars are world class. Methody, RBAI, Victoria and Rathmore are all worth considering to name a few.

My only reservation would be healthcare - the situation within the NHS in NI is absolutely dire and quite scary at the minute to be honest. If you can’t afford private health insurance then I’d genuinely think twice about moving here - I’m fortunate to have a policy through work and as a family we absolutely rely on it nowadays. On the NHS it’s common to wait years for basic surgery/consultations. When DD needed spinal surgery it would’ve been a 5 year wait without insurance!

I think people outside NI have no idea how bad it is here.

Take however bad it is in England and multiply it by ten. That's how bad it is here. Even with private healthcare you will often wait months because everyone is using it. Our teen had a minor injury recently and the minor injuries unit had beds and trolleys in it like an overflow ward.

@JabtasticI'm not in England so I couldn't comment on what it's like there.

@Melbourne55that's all really helpful, thank you! I've looked in your area and really liked it. I've read up a lot on the NHS situation in NI and had seen it is really worrying. I'd been looking into health insurance plans to cover us for that.

@Jabtasticas for Autism services, they're piss poor here in Scotland. After the colossal years wait for a diagnosis you're on your own

As long as you are making the move with your eyes open then good luck with it! You will be on your own here too with autism services but at least you're used to it already. There may be charities (of variable quality) that offer support groups. Belfast / North Down area is probably your best bet for plenty to do or Newcastle if you like mountains. Enniskillen has lots of lakes, boating etc. It really depends what you like.

How old are your kids? Would they want grammar or secondary education? Provisiob even with a statement is very mixed. As a pp says BT9 is the “naice” area along with bits of east Belfast.

There are services for ASD but of course they’re stretched like everything else. Each trust has their own intervention team and there’s an outreach/ advisory service for schools. https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/child-adolescent-autism-service/

re health insurance. Don’t go with Beneten unless you’re already with them as you can’t claim for 2 years. I use Bupa and it’s been really useful.

In terms of good locations, south Belfast, pockets of east Belfast (Stormont, Rosetta, ballyhackamore) or Holywood, Jordanstown or Bangor (again bits are nicer than others).

"good public transport, "
Shit everywhere, a bit less shit in Belfast

"school"
fairly good everywhere

" and plenty to do."
Varies

Interesting! I have a number of conditions and my health care has been fantastic. Example after Xmas I had trouble controlling my blood sugars got a consultants appt straight away and my specialist nurse has seen me 3 times since then. The education is so much better here. As for having loads to do well I live on the north coast and it’s fantastic all my DC had an idyllic childhood and my DGC are currently having a ball on a visit. Everything is available to you here oh and houses are cheaper too

@Crispynoodlethats really positive to hear. I hope all is fine with you now after your trips to the doctor.

do you mind me asking where you are? We've been looking a lot at the north coast, my kids both surf so being near a beach would be helpful, but not essential as I could drive them

@WeeWeegieChickballycastle is on the coast with access to great beaches. It’s a lovely town.
to the south, Bangor, ballyholme and donaghadee offer access to water sports- sailing, paddle boarding etc.