Ballymena or Derry?

[WeeWeegieChick]

Where would you choose to live? It's just me and my teenagers, starting afresh after a horrible divorce

Why those two places in particular? Do you have family or work in either? They are very different! What do you want in somewhere to live? What are you looking for in schools?

Neither if I’m perfectly honest! Can’t beat south Belfast in my opinion, especially for teens. DD and friends really loved growing up here. Well connected, lots to do and great schools.

Derry over ballymena but depends where you feel most comparable. I personally wouldn’t live in ballymena. Does it have to be those two places?

Derry definitely.
Ballymena is a kip , sorry ballymena .

Derry, unless you have loved ones in Ballymena perhaps.

I've family in Ballymena so kind of thought it might make sense to be near them. We need to be near'ish to Portrush. That's the only tie we have to anywhere, sadly the budget won't stretch to living there.

Where in particular?

Lived in both and yes they are very different but both have good and bad.

Ballymena has a bad rep but it feels more like a community and has some lovely areas to live in. It’s handy to Portrush rather than going over the mountains via Limavady. Shopping is getting a little better and Ballymena is central to everywhere/ major town and city. It also has very good schools and some lovely parks etc.

Derry is my not my favourite place so this may have my own bias attached but people are tend to be very rude and not as welcoming there. Crime rates are through the roof and the housing situation is dire. On the plus side it has ok shopping. Some decent schools and fairy good transport links. Also some lovely parks and architecture and plenty to do recreationally.

When I first glimpsed at the title I thought it was to choose between baby names and I thought god please don't name your child Ballymena 😅 never mind me ha!

Have you considered ballycastle? It’s a lovely place. I’ve family that live there who love it and visit it often.
do you currently live in NI?

Cushendall❣️
Easy drive to ballymena. Not bad to Derry either

What about coleraine? 10 minutes to Portrush in car. Train station that would get you to Portrush, ballymena or Derry? Town centre is not what it used to be but a decent retail park

Haha! Yeah I would have rightly deserved all judgement for calling my baby Ballymena

Had a look, gorgeous but nothing in our budget

This is really helpful, thank you. I have always liked Ballymena, although I totally get why it wouldn't be many people's first choice, or any choice for that matter.

it's so difficult finding somewhere nice within budget

I live in Ballymena, nearly forty years has its good and bad points, overall very happy here.- There is a large band parade tonight.

What about Coleraine or Ballymoney? Closer to Portrush, both have excellent schools and train stations and bus links, easy to get to Portrush from either. Ballymoney is small but very friendly, Coleraine bigger, decent shops.