Best places to live in Northern Ireland with young children

[GreatGreenOP]

Hello,

I am planning to move Northern Ireland in the next year and would be appreciative of any suggestions in locations as I can be quite flexible. I would be looking for a relaxed feel with access to cafes/shops/activites for children, ideally drivable to the seaside and within a reasonable drive/train to a larger airport. I have two young children 3y and 1y so looking for somewhere friendly, young families, lots of nature and good schools (focus on outdoors, play etc rather than just good academics).

I have a job already, but my husband works as a personal trainer doing individual clients and running cardiac/Cancer/stroke rehabilitation sessions. So I need to take gyms etc into account when planning as he would need to build his buisness up again or start anew.

I know I may be asking the world - but worth seeing if somewhere like this exists. Thanks so much in advance:)

Are you moving for your job or what’s the reason for the move?

Yes for my job! But it is spread around NI so I can choose any base.

moy near Dungannon is a lovely little family oriented town!

Can I ask - what is the general attitude towards someone who is English moving in? Are communities quite accepting of this?

Enniskillen would work well for you but travel to the airport could be an issue.Good schools and lots of access to activities of all sorts.

its good you can live anywhere. I’d budget an issue? If not then places like Royal Hillsborough, Holywood, Helen’s bay, or Jordanstown would be good options. The last 3 places are very close to Belfast city airport and not too far from international.
if you want more city vibes then south/ east Belfast would also work (Stranmillis/ Ballyhackamore). There are lots of great schools around NI both primary and secondary (lots of excellent grammars).
those places I’ve suggested would be quite MC type areas. My dh is English and works with quite a few English people. No issues at all. My dc had English accents when we moved back also.

No you won’t have any issues with your accent. Northern Irish people are lovely I have the same accent and have had zero issues in over 20 years, I wouldn’t choose to live in a predominantly catholic area though.

edit - don’t know why I’ve focussed on accent, but obviously it’s the main identifier of where you’re from

My parents live in County Down and there are almost more English accents than NI in some areas of that county now!!! A local restaurant manager/owner is English - all the vowels of his accent are still English but he has been there so long that speaks with a NI inflection: it’s awesome.

Bangor maybe

Ballyhackamore definitely. Great schools, close to airport.city centre/ short drive to beach. Fantastic restaurants and great public transport

Enniskillen is great for young families, loads of activities to get involved with, lots water based! Close to the beaches in Donegal and great schools. A bit of a trek to the airport is the only issue.

Second Holywood area, but Ballyhackamore lovely too.
No issue with English accent. Near the sea, great schools, high street with shops and cafes etc. Near airports. And train.
Bannatyne gym in Holywood, plus David Lloyd in Dundonald.Youre near to Bangor too which has gyms also.
I have a few englsh friends who moved here with kids and love it!

As an aside, my kids went to Campbell College a boys private school and it is very outdoorsy. It is local also, but loads of schools all good.

I would look at Ballyholme, Bangor/ Groomsport/ Donaghadee for beaches and easy links to Belfast/airports