Belfast/Holywood - Making the most of our May visit (advice needed)

[Meditedi]

Hello all,

Planning a visit to Belfast in May to scope out areas, particularly Holywood. We're currently in London but looking to relocate in next 2-3 years. Big attraction is access to nature, beach, water sports while near major international airport. And also access to Donegal by car where we have some family. Looking at buying (budget around £350k) beforehand and renting out initially.

Looking to make the most of our visit and would love insights to help plan effectively. Holywood seems family-friendly but open to other suggestions.

Key priorities for our visit:

• School options (DC will be 12 and 9 when we move - currently in London Catholic primary). We are open to all types of schools
• Family-friendly areas to view within our budget
• Swimming/sports facilities (kids into swimming, tennis, football and Gaelic football)

Would really appreciate:

1. Which parts of Holywood should we prioritize viewing?
2. Other areas worth considering with good schools?
3. Current housing market insights - areas giving best value?
4. Practical steps for planning school transitions?
5. Any estate agents/schools you'd recommend contacting before our visit?

Just want to make sure we use our time efficiently in May!

Thanks in advance.

350k won’t go far in Holywood- might need to go a bit further out to Bangor.
All the grammar schools are good!

If you don’t need to be near Belfast I would be tempted to go North Coast- Coleraine/ Port Stewart/ Castlerock.

£350k probably won’t get you a decent family home in Holywood, or in any nice area of Belfast/North Down for that matter I’m afraid. For reference a close friend (who also moved from London!) has just sold her 4 bed Holywood townhouse for £550k. I think you need to reassess your situation and probably look at selling up in London before buying in NI.

To answer your original questions though:

1. Holywood itself is tiny and you can walk from one end of the town to the other in about 10 mins. Demesne Road & My Lady’s Mile are where the most desirable homes would be. My friend lived in the Demesne Gate development with her family and they loved it. You could look further out to Seapark too. There’s also Kinnegar (right beside the esplanade) however houses there would be on the smaller side.
2. If you really want to be by the sea then you could look further along the coast to Cultra, Helen’s Bay, Bangor West and Ballyholme. These are all lovely but pricey areas. Much better for water sports though if that’s what you’re into - I don’t even let our dog swim in the water at Holywood nowadays, far too polluted. Parts of east Belfast like Ballyhackamore and Stormont are great and would still leave you within easy reach of the sea. A bit cheaper too. We live in south Belfast (Malone area) and I have to say that we absolutely adore it. Amazing for families, great schools, very well connected via roads + public transport and lots of nice parks, cafes, restaurants and shops.
3. Unless you’re far outside of Belfast then nowhere!
4. Apply to grammars ASAP for your 12 year old, an entrance assessment will likely be needed and you may find it difficult to get a space. Most good schools are fully subscribed. Your 9yo will need to take the SEAG exam so it’s advisable to start preparation this year.
5. We used Simon Brien and they were absolutely fantastic - would highly recommend.

Do you know NI well OP? As I think if you want to have the best schools opportunity you’d be crazy to delay past the 11+.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/craicnet/4980339-secondary-school-belfast?page=1

Also your budget might be a bit off for holywood, where prices have risen a lot.

💯 this all my children had the best time growing up here and the schools (and colleges) are fantastic

Thank you all. Already some invaluable insights and good questions.

Regarding knowledge of NI - I've had some exposure but not as much as I'd like. We spent a few weeks in Belfast and traveled along the coast staying in B&Bs about 8 years ago, plus spent a week in Derry this Christmas. Loved both. Looking to deepen our understanding of NI now over a period of time. We want to get it right.

About location requirements @Janedoe82 We actually need to be near Belfast or other main university with technical campus (Derry) due to academic job opportunities, which is why we're focusing on this area. I was thinking of also visiting Coleraine if it’s commutable to Derry.

On the budget front - We'd prefer not to sell our London property initially. Bad family experiences of selling up in the past. We're happy with 3 bedrooms, terraced, good enough size to be in a good location. There's some flexibility to stretch the budget with additional financing if needed.

@theyreallyaredicks and others who mentioned school timing - This is really helpful feedback about the 11+ considerations. Could you share what you think would be the optimal timeline for the move, keeping in mind the school transition? We want to plan this right for our kids.

@SlaveToAGoldenRetriever - Thanks for the detailed insights about areas and Simon Brien recommendation. The pollution info about Holywood water is particularly useful given our interest in water sports.

Just to clarify our children are currently 6 and 9 I had just added 3 years in the post as to the age they would be once we move. We are thinking of buying a property and renting it out in the rental market as an investment. Then moving in in 2 or 3 years once we get everything sorted.

If the children have done more than 50% of education not in NI they don’t need to sit SEAG/ transfer test and grammar schools can admit under special provisions. Have a look at each schools criteria. One of mine got into grammar based on CAT score.

Maybe look at Seahill, out towards Bangor. On the train line and an excellent integrated primary school but no shops. Good access to costal walks and loads of families.

No where is far in NI :)

We are in the Ballymoney postal code, it's 35 mins to International airport, 45 mins to City airport and 60mins to the centre of Derry/Londonderry - by car. Trains every 30 mins to Belfast

2 and a half hours to Dublin

20 mins to some of the best beaches in NI

Coleraine has a sizeable university and of course the New Tech campus

Its worth a look at what's known as the Triangle area

I dont have children but I understand we have some outstanding schools up here

We too came out of London - 20 years ago now , and chose this area because of the good links to everywhere else. My family are from Donegal , DH's from Armagh - its about the same travel time to visit them all

£350k will buy a lot of house up here