Dublin or Belfast?

hollisterb

Ok I know this might be a dumb or stupid question - I'm from London and am looking into a move to Dublin soon as I just want to go somewhere new.

I work in the Design industry - web/graphic. I've had some job offers from Dublin in the region of 35k.

I've been posting in the Dublin section and have got some cool information.

Now just out of curiosity I typed in on Google, Web Design in Belfast and it seems there are some agencies there who deal with some pretty big clients.

So my question is - what is the difference between Dublin and Belfast, being the two capital cities of Ireland and N.Ire respectively.

I'm a 24 year old guy, single and so in terms of fun, jobs, people, industry, growth, prices etc etc -

IF you were to compare the two, could you and what would be a general conclusion?

Thanks

4zn76tysfajdxp

Galway.

peanuthead

I cant really offer alot of help but I know alot of people from dublin tend to work up north as they earn more in GBP than they do in EUR. In terms of fun, I really wouldnt know about that, but In my opinion the nightlife in dublin is pretty crap. Look into the salaries they offer in both areas anyway. Also, if the companies in the north are better known isn't that going to look better on your CV too.

Do you plan on moving back home anytime soon? You might want to consider a company which has an office in London too, so if you ever wanted to go home, you could get a transfer.

Peyton Manning

Belfast and Dublin are awfully similar, believe me. But jesus, if you thought the Dublin accent was tough at times.....

Redpunto

Archimedes wrote: »

Belfast and Dublin are awfully similar, believe me. But jesus, if you thought the Dublin accent was tough at times.....

Titter

CHeaper shopping up the North, cheaper everything 'ppose

Cunny-Funt

Yeah Belfast is just one of those places I'd never wanna visit again.

Quazzie

Belfast is a bit of a sh*thole but it might be less of a culture shock for you, with you been from London n all.

dlofnep

Dublin is a ****hole. Full of ignorant people with stupid accents. The city iself is a smelly, bucket of vomit. You cannot drive around Dublin. Prepare to spend half of your day on the Luas.

(No offense!)

Belfast is alright. But very political. I like visiting there, but I wouldn't wanna live there.

Galway is the nicest city in Ireland IMO. Everyone there is spot on. Genuinely nice people. Good nightlife. Nobody has agendas. The city is clean. And you can always get away to the country for scenery.

Gogo Galway. (Coming from a waterford man.)

Terry

Belfast: Stay in the city itself.
Dublin: Stay outside the city.

Both have their positives and negatives.

Negatives:
Belfast: Falls and Shankill areaS.
dUBLIN: Clondalkin, Blackrock, Blanchardstown and such.

Havermeyer

I'm from Dublin, but would recommend Galway also.

AckwelFoley

Belfast is the worst city ive ever visited in over 25 countries.
Im no fan of dublin either but that sh!thole up north in the queens country makes dublin look like paradise

rossie1977

dlofnep wrote: »

Dublin is a ****hole. Full of ignorant people with stupid accents. The city iself is a smelly, bucket of vomit.

rotfl :pac:

anonymous_joe

I'd have to suggest Dublin.

Friendlier people I find, better pubs/clubs/etc, bigger and more cosmopolitan city.

yawnstretch

I'm from Dublin, I've visited Belfast a couple of times.

Galway's where it's at.

ironictoaster

As monkeyfudge said once, Galway is full of hippies and firebreathers

Oh yeah, my vote goes to Dublin

AckwelFoley

Galway sell bottled water..

lol, very heavy tho.
Full of lead.

Cianos

Galway is a great place for a weekend alright, but I can imagine it feeling a bit small after a couple of months. Then again many people like that. And if you love the countryside, there are loads of beautiful places very close to Galway. I haven't seen much of Belfast, it is nice but from what I've seen I'd recommend Dublin over it. There are actually quite a few things going on in Dublin if you know where to look. Good music, the people are friendly once you get talking to them.

Also, don't mind what others have said, being English in Dublin really is a non-issue. You may get the odd prick here and there who will give you a hard time but you get pricks everywhere.

colm_c

I work in a similar field and to be honest the job market isn't great here, there are cuts left, right and centre.

Unless you absolutely need to move or have a job lined up, I'd be staying put in London.

You should apply for some jobs on this side of the water before you even consider leaving London.

As for Belfast v Dublin, it's much of a muchness really.

Rein-in

I regularly work in both, and would choose Dublin over Belfast, any day.

In Belfast everyone seems to have a chip on their shoulder, and nobody trusts anybody.

Therickmachine

Go with Dublin, Its not perfect but its a little like London.

I find Belfast small and claustrophobic. The people are obsessed with whether you are Catholic or Protestant/where you come fromm bla bla bla (who really gives a damn???) yeah I know its their history etc etc
BUT I really don t appreciate people asking about my religious background or what my views on politics are. Couldn t care less TBH
Belfast is miniscule in comparison with Dublin.

In Dublin people don t really care and mind their own business. For this reason I like both Dublin and London as they are really anonymous and not at all closed off. On saying that though it can be quite unfriendly and crowded. Very expensive.

It depends what you are looking for. but coming from London I would prefer Dublin as I think the 2 cities are similar enough!

Terry

Rein-in wrote: »

I regularly work in both, and would choose Dublin over Belfast, any day.

In Belfast everyone seems to have a chip on their shoulder, and nobody trusts anybody.

I've found that some Belfast people hold a grudge against us for giving up the six counties.

Tawny

Between Belfast & Dublin --> I'd choose Belfast.

The people are actually really friendly, theres always lots going on. Good nightlife but not too big, impersonal or intimidating. Good shopping, plenty of good day trips nearby if you want to see around. University town so very youthful. Politics is an issue, but generally isn't a problem, as long as you dont end up living on the Falls Rd or the Shankill.

Just take all the opinions with a pinch of salt. To be entirely honest, while I love living in the Republic and find people very friendly, a lot of irish people have developed this really weird Jekyll and Hyde relationship with us 'Nordies'. Almost verging on xenophobia.

Galway is great but jobs are scarce at the mo.

samhail

i worked in belfast for 3 months at the start of the year... and there is *alot* more eye candy up there that here in dublin... but id pref to work in dublin.

nlgbbbblth

Kaleb Raspy Navel wrote: »

Galway.

Most overrated city ever.

nlgbbbblth

Therickmachine wrote: »

The people are obsessed with whether you are Catholic or Protestant/where you come fromm bla bla bla (who really gives a damn???) yeah I know its their history etc etc
BUT I really don t appreciate people asking about my religious background or what my views on politics are.

what have you got to hide?

those people obviously care, otherwise they wouldn't ask.

tedstriker

Dublin is much bigger than both Belfast and Galway and as a 24 year old single person I am sure Dublin would be much more suitable. Nightlife in Dublin is much better and the jobs pay more.

Shmuck

tedstriker wrote: »

Dublin is much bigger than both Belfast and Galway and as a 24 year old single person I am sure Dublin would be much more suitable. Nightlife in Dublin is much better and the jobs pay more.

I think the nightlife in Belfast is better, and while jobs pay more in Dublin the cost of living is so much higher there so you're better off in Belfast.

burgess1

Galway City is great, as a few people have said already. I like visiting Belfst but I don't think I'd choose to live there.

Húrin

I'm biased cos I'm from there but I like Dublin better. Belfast is ugly and has strong hints of the UK for some reason (this is an aesthetic not a political dislike).

emeraldstar

Yes, Galway is very very nice... but too long here and it'd get a bit stuffy. Bit too small for me. It's a large town really.

DUBLIN all the way. Still not very big as cities go, but I lived there the last 5 years and I love Dublin.

Never been to Belfast.

m@cc@

Not a huge difference really. Wages are higher in Dublin as is the cost of living. If you're going to be commuting back to London on a regular basis, either Belfast airport is easily better than Dublin (worst airport I've ever been in) is terms of ease of passage. You will find that there can be sectarianism in Belfast but that depends on who your friends are. I haven't been asked my 'religion' in years. I actually find that folks in Dublin have a chip on their shoulder about my accent but maybe that's because of pre-concieved ideas on that my opinions are.
In terms of size, Dublin would more what you're used to, in terms of culture, Belfast might be more what you're used. It depends on what you consider to be most important, you could be equally happy in either.

kraggy

Domo230 wrote: »

Belfast IMO is the biggest shi*hole of a city. Such an ugly city full of prejudiced and unfriendly people.

I live in Dublin and find it quite nice, its not perfect but its a million times better than Belfast.

That, but the other way around.

Capt'n Midnight

is there any nightlife in Belfast during the week ?

++Galway , if you can get a job

m@cc@

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

is there any nightlife in Belfast during the week ?

Of course, but you'll be overrun by students.

gurramok

If you wanna live in Belfast, you want to get elocution lessons to blend in with the locals

m@cc@

gurramok wrote: »

If you wanna live in Belfast, you want to get elocution lessons to blend in with the locals

A bit rich from someone from the Northside.

gurramok

m@cc@ wrote: »

A bit rich from someone from the Northside.

Ah now, my nordie English is better than your Dutch English

As you're in the Netherlands, a certain historic figure revered by some people in Belfast is from there

m@cc@

gurramok wrote: »

Ah now, my nordie English is better than your Dutch English

As you're in the Netherlands, a certain historic figure revered by some people in Belfast is from there

I wouldn't bet on it. As for the historic figure, I'd never have guessed from the lack of emphasis on 'orange' in the country.

hollisterb

Looks like Dublin might be more suited...

Belfast sounds good but Dublin is def. the bigger more renowned city and I think it makes more sense

m@cc@

hollisterb wrote: »

Looks like Dublin might be more suited...

Belfast sounds good but Dublin is def. the bigger more renowned city and I think it makes more sense

Well thankfully Dublin is in the Euro so at the moment, the wages would be even higher with weakening of the pound. I moved over to the Netherlands from Belfast a few months ago and I'm paying off debts in Belfast much quicker than I expected. It all adds up.

monosharp

I wonder why noones mentioned Cork ?

At least to compare it to a smelly bucket of vomit ala Dublin.

bug

Belfast is a concrete hole grid where the accent grates on your brain.

Its like capel street in Dublin if everything were about ten stories higher.

Savman

Galway = poor man's Temple Bar
Belfast = ppl die up there
Dublin ftw.

Savman

monosharp wrote: »

I wonder why noones mentioned Caaaaaaark ?

Fixed that for you.

Fratton Fred

I'd say Dublin personally. I've never been to Belfast, but people from northern Ireland are scarey and are covered in unionjack tattoos and although people will tell you its "British", it is as British as Glasgow

for a Londoner, I would say Dublin is not as much of a culture shock as you may think, although prepare to get incredibly frustrated with the amazingly low standards of customer service in this country. A night out in Dublin is about as expensive as a night out in the west end, with less Neon and more vomit.

As for Galway, lovely place with great people and nightlife, but to put it into a context you may understand, think of moving to a city the size of Guildford that is two hours away from any other form of Humanoid activity. It may be a bit too much for a young Londoner to handle. It's not as easy to get home for the weekend either, as you can only fly with Aer Arran to Luton on a plane powered by an elastic band.

stovelid

Lived in Belfast for a few years, and I liked it a lot. Weigh up the options basically. Dublin has more going on, but a decent wage will go a lot further up North in terms of standard of living.

Not sure I agree with the 'political' either. My experience is that, as an non-nordie, you have to search out that kind of opinion, and most people prefer to keep schtum about it unless they know you well. I knew a handful of English people there who never got any grief. As for the sectarian stuff, if you're a professional, you are going to be renting somewhere nice in South Belfast or the centre, you hardly going to be living in problem areas so that won't be an issue. I also witnessed far less trouble than Dublin when socializing in the city centre.

m@cc@

stovelid wrote: »

Lived in Belfast for a few years, and I liked it a lot. Weigh up the options basically. Dublin has more going on, but a decent wage will go a lot further up North in terms of standard of living.

Not sure I agree with the 'political' either. My experience is that, as an non-nordie, you have to search out that kind of opinion, and most people prefer to keep schtum about it unless they know you well. I knew a handful of English people there who never got any grief. As for the sectarian stuff, if you're a professional, you are going to be renting somewhere nice in South Belfast or the centre, you hardly going to be living in problem areas so that won't be an issue. I also witnessed far less trouble than Dublin when socializing in the city centre.

Glad to hear it from a non-Nordie. I'm from the the country but I have to say for the most part, I never felt any sectarian atmosphere. We have moved on in that sense. The old image of the Falls and the Shankill are a far cry from the rest of the city. People feel more comfortable holding onto to their stereotype rather than challenging it.

dennisthemennis

i wat attacked in belfast becuz im catholic.

m@cc@

dennisthemennis wrote: »

i wat attacked in belfast becuz im catholic.

How did they know that?

thelordofcheese

dennisthemennis wrote: »

i wat attacked in belfast becuz im catholic.

Are you sure it just wasn't because of your hideous spelling?

monkey9

Belfast has the best looking women on the island!