Not STRICTLY speaking overseas (unless you consider Northern Ireland overseas) but...

[TheRealMBJ]

We may have to relocate to Northern Ireland (from North Yorkshire) by the new year. I would prefer to live in SOuth Belfast but as that would mean an hour commute to (and back) from work for DH, so may not be the most feasible of options.

Would anyone be able to recommend THE Best place to live South of Belfast?

Where is your dh working ?

Also is he going to drive or get train to work ?

I'd rather not say, cause it gives quite a lot away. He will be driving.

I only meant a place like Lisburn, Antrim, hills borough, Dublin etc.

Sorry, the town where he would work is very industry specific, and as such, i would essentially be declaring the industry he works in, I have already been 'recognised' from this information before, so don't want to name it.

He will work an hour's drive south of Belfast, in Northern Ireland

My in laws live around Warrenpoint (near Newry), it's a lovely part of the world.

Thanks Stokes.

My inlaws live in South Belfast (Finaghy/Malone Rd area).

Ill get shot down (as previously) by the NI crew - but I wouldn't move there in a million years. The 'troubles' are supposedly over - but it's is still not a place I'd want to raise dc - my 6 year old nephew, in a "good" part of NI comes home telling sectarian jokes.

If its an hour south of Belfast, it's an hour north of Dublin. I know what I'd prefer!

(Ok so shoot me, but my dh who grew up there says we move there over his dead body and bil who lived abroad is also still trying to leave).

Can I assume from your name weegie mum you hail from Glasgow ? All I can say is each to their own !

Malone area is lovely v expensive ! Stranmillis is nice.

I live in South Belfast, same area as Weegie's in laws.

We love the area. We love Belfast. You're going to get Sectarian stuff anywhere in NI. And South Belfast is better than some areas.

An hour south of Belfast is not an hour north of Dublin due to the crap road system.

Also, Dublin is very very expensive and doesn't have things like the NHS.

I haven't been to Newry myself, but I do hear it's lovely.

Thanks everyone. It is good to hear all opinions but I must say Weegie that, given that we may end up having little choice, it is hardly helpful to be so negative.
And it isn't an hour north of Dublin.

We will be coming for a whirlwind reccy next week. Just to get a feel for the place. Any 'must sees'?

Are you going to be in Belfast MBJ?

I would walk around City Centre, which isn't very large so easy to do. Maybe go to Botanic Park and the Ulster Museum. If you want to see more of NI, North Coast is gorgeous and plenty of coach trips to get there or easy to drive.

You might like to come post in Belfast Local and, as the local editor, I'll point people to the post so you get some replies!

Not sure why that other link doesn't work!

I'm from Dublin and live in Belfast now - I'd choose Belfast over Dublin to live in now, for lots of reasons.

While you're over I'd go for a drive around any areas you might contemplate living, no substitute for just wandering around and getting the feel of a place. I love the north Down coast (Holywood to Bangor) but the location may not be what you're after. Not sure if you are looking as far south as Newry/Warrenpoint but if you are they'd be worth a look and certainly a nicer place to live than, say, Portadown IME.

It's hard to work out exactly where your DH works, so some of these suggestions might not be any good but try:

Rostrevor - gorgeous village near to Warrenpoint. By the sea and mountains, community spirit.

Newcastle - small town by the sea, a bit sad in wet weather.

Saintfield - small town but pretty-ish (for NI) high street

Strangford - small loughside village

The countryside surrounding Killinchy, down by the lough

I grew up in South Belfast and now live in York. The nicer areas of South Belfast are a pretty good place to grow up: good schools, a lot of cultural activities, plenty of sports opportunities. The smaller towns feel a lot more closed in and provincial (like the less naice bits of N. Yorks) but the surrounding countryside is very lovely, so good if you are an outdoorsy person.

Oh thank you thank you thank you. We are going for a lightning speed reccy next Tuesday to Thursday and I really appreciate all this info.

Tee we have already chatted via email and I may very well call upon you again.

TheYami we currently live an hour NNE of York along the A64/A171. I l

Posted too soon (damn phone)

I love York.

TBH, I am petrified of being isolated again. I felt so alone when we first moved here and had kids and had to work so hard at building a network if acquaintances, that I am very frightened of having to do it again.

I am also worried about the sectarianism. Not violence or aggression. That I am used to and can cope with (and as far as I understand is wildly exaggerated by the English Meed-yah anyway) but the undercurrent.

Also, I am a by city girl at heart and find it hard to ove where we do currently, moving even further from civilisation it terrifying. I would much rater ove in Douth Belfast and make DH commute, so we are going to give it a test run when we are over.

He'll be working a further south than Newcastle

God, please excuse all the typos, it's late and I'm on my phone...

Hey I went to school in south belfast- just of the Malone road and we had a teacher who commuted from Annalong which is about 10mins further from newcastle so I would say it would be do able

Hmmm. I'm English, now live an hour south of Belfast, in Tyrone. Not a lot happening here in terms of shops, restaurants etc, but lovely countryside, great community spirit and think it is going to be a fab place to bring DD up. Fermanagh is looovely, but more than an hour away from Belfast. Can't think of any particularly industry specific towns in NI tbh.

None of that probably helps you OP!

Kilkeel? Newcastle/Rostrevor/Strangford would all be lovely if it is.

Thanks.

Annalong is not far away (and in fact there is a Kiely house for sale there...)

I am feeling bouyed by all you lovely folk on here. This is a hard thing for me to reconcile to tbh, but I am getting there. Will perhaps feel more confident after net week, and at least known g what to expect.

It all seems so sudden

Can you drive/will have a car if not I'd stick to Belfast or Lisburn.

Spot on exile