Would you move up North?

c_man

I've been somewhat surprised by people's reactions to a friend moving up to Belfast from Galway. Disparaging comments, vague allusions to getting shot and a general feeling that it's ****. Before ye start on Galway people, most of these doing the moaning are from elsewhere in the country!

Personally I wouldn't mind at all. Have lived in Dublin, maybe Belfast would be a change. WHat about ye?

Cold War Kid

God yeah, Belfast is a great city. There's some awful stupidity down here in relation to Northern Ireland.

Zhane

Friends moved up north not so long ago. Met with the usual remarks that you mentioned but they are getting on really well up there.

toastedpickles

Been to belfast 10/10 would live again

kneemos

What about the protestantarianism.

c_man

kneemos wrote: »

What about the protestantarianism.

Did you not see the picture of Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley laughing together. It's all grand.

Dozen Wicked Words

I'm English, lived in the North for well over a year, had no problems up there. There are some great places to visit too. If I wandered round a rough looking estate in the North dare say it would not be as pleasant, but same could be said for my home town in England or plenty of places here in the Republic. Good, bad and indifferent everywhere.

jamesbere

Get it right, it's Norn Iron

the evasion_kid

No,I can literally feel the atmosphere changing when I drive across the border

dxhound2005

It would be best to move to somewhere like Strabane, Belcoo or Jonesborough first to acclimatise to the exotic nature of the place. If it all became too much you could literally just walk across the border back to civilisation.

Later on expeditions into the interior and the East might be in order.

Junkyard Tom

I'd have no problem with it. That being said if I was of a minority group I think I'd prefer the south. There are certain parts of the north that aren't all that welcoming to foreigners, gay people and non-whites.

Smiles35

Heraldry all over. Cats piss smell would be more pleasurable.

Jesus Wept

No

c_man

The Rodgers wrote: »

No

But you'd fit right in.

RayM

As Ian Paisley once (thrice) said: Never!

Cold War Kid

Junkyard Cat wrote: »

I'd have no problem with it. That being said if I was of a minority group I think I'd prefer the south. There are certain parts of the north that aren't all that welcoming to foreigners, gay people and non-whites.

Or people from Cork.

Rayne Wooney

How far north?

Junkyard Tom

Cold War Kid wrote: »

Or people from Cork.

Or Irish people in general.

The Backwards Man

I am up north

Junkyard Tom

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I am up north

Anywhere above Athlone is up north. Donegal is the most up north of all regions!

William F

I have before. There are much less foreigners up there than Dublin. Much more opportunities too.

Surprising how many people will emigrate before considering going north.

dxhound2005

Some of them don't like Mexicans.

Spent a couple of days in Belfast Last year for work, didn't like it at all. Felt on edge all the time and always looking over my shoulder and that was with a large group of people (30+). Wouldn't really like to visit again never mind live there.

The Backwards Man

Never had a moment's bother in Belfast and I've been through it all, Mount Vernon, Tiger's Bay, Twinbrook, Ballymurphy, you name it, I've been there at all hours.

Worst thing that ever happened me was got my back window in the van blew out in Ballyclare. By a stone threw up from a strimmer!

John Doe1

Belfast is a million times better than Galway village:p

It is really weird hearing people down the country think of Northern Ireland as some alien land filled with close minded bigots. I am from Letterkenny and there are very little differences between people from here and say Omagh.

There is some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe there and some of the friendliest most straightforward people you could meet.

Spirit of 67

Wouldn`t mind Republican West Belfast or the Glens of Antrim , nice people in both .

Ranchu

John Doe1 wrote: »

Belfast is a million times better than Galway village:p

It is really weird hearing people down the country think of Northern Ireland as some alien land filled with close minded bigots. I am from Letterkenny and there are very little differences between people from here and say Omagh.

There is some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe there and some of the friendliest most straightforward people you could meet.

And then there's the DUP.

The Backwards Man

Ranchu wrote: »

And then there's the DUP.

There's cnuts everywhere.

John Doe1

Ranchu wrote: »

And then there's the DUP.

What about the DUP?

I would prefer to have Peter Robinson as leader over that clown Kenny any day.

54and56

John Doe1 wrote: »

What about the DUP?

I would prefer to have Peter Robinson as leader over that clown Kenny any day.

Enough said.

Savage Tyrant

I'm from the north, and would never consider moving up again. Just not an enviroment I'd be willing to raise my kids in.
I find the mood and vibe to be very depressing most of the time. It's not a very "accepting" place.

kneemos

I switch off mentally and literally whenever the North gets mentioned.
Can't imagine what it's like to live in the place.

The Backwards Man

kneemos wrote: »

I switch off mentally and literally whenever the North gets mentioned.
Can't imagine what it's like to live in the place.

Same as down south more or less, except with more TV channels

TheLastMohican

Only if Dana and Jo "PrettyBoy" Brolly moved South.

SHOVELLER

Lost count how many times I've been to Belfast and Derry over the years and without a doubt they are the friendliest people on the island. Along with the cheap beer and the sexy accents on the females:D

The 24 hour Dublin to Belfast bus has been a great addition.

The amount of so called well travelled Irish who have been around the globe who have never bothered going north is incredible.

Pure ignorance.

FanadMan

No. Been there, done that. Despite the lovely friendly people there, I have bad memories and don't really want to do them again. But it won't stop me having a short visit/holiday there.

mg1982

Anytime i being up there which is rare i didnt get a good vibe off the place. Not sure if id even holiday there nevermind live there.

SpaceTime

A place where a governing party sees it as fine to spew bile about gay people - not a hope!

While that lot are in office I wouldn't even spend a penny up there!

And don't give me the stuff about how the people are lovely : they elect and elect that lot. It's a democracy - the politicians don't get in my accident.

I find aspects of NI depressing - the same political cycle and squabble running on and on and on and on ...

coffeepls

No, but that's only because it's too far away from all my family & friends. I haven't been up to Belfast in years, but I always thought it was a fantastic city. It has transformed over the years. It used to be so weird seeing the routine army patrols in their full regalia about 25 years ago.

Actually it has been too long since I've been there. Might give Belfast an oul visit.

petrolcan

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I am up north

North of the South.

Amirani

It's probably too small I reckon. Belfast I'd consider for the right opportunity, but that's it really.

theteal

Lived just off the Lisburn road in Belfast for 6 months. Quality city!

Moved to Bangor for 4 months after that. Can't really recommend that hole. The looks that my republic reg got from the slack-jaws never got old. Serious shoulder chips there.

Emsloe

Lived there for a couple of years for college and absolutely loved it. I wouldn't be too keen on raising my kids there though, the dynamics are something I'd rather they didn't have to deal with as children.

stoneill

If they changed their accent I would. Lurdle lur frostbit sichyayshun.

The J Stands for Jay

Diego Simeone wrote: »

It's probably too small I reckon. Belfast I'd consider for the right opportunity, but that's it really.

Bigger than Galway

frostyjacks

People are friendlier up north, provided you stay out of the loyalist areas. There's less pretentious self-righteous liberals, and they have the only proper football championship.

Balmed Out

In the right circumstances definitely. Been up a few times and always had a great time. Especially like Derry wish there were flights.

anncoates

I'm settled where I am now so no, but hypothetically, I probably would live in Belfast.

I lived in Belfast for a few years and I liked it and it's still a bit special to me. I visit often.

It's (and the people there) got something about it that's pretty cool and since I lived there, its improved in a lot of ways.

anncoates

frostyjacks wrote: »

People are friendlier up north, provided you stay out of the loyalist areas

People always say stuff like this about Belfast.

If you're a student or professional in Dublin, you wouldn't say to your mates, right lads let's go into the most working class area we can find, roll into the most locals pub we can find and stay there all day.

So why would you do that in Belfast?

As for avoiding such areas completely, it's a small city. You easily get a handle on where's where in a matter of weeks.

pablomakaveli

Not a chance. Been there a few times and didn't like it at all. Place has a hostile atmosphere.

J Cheever Loophole

pablomakaveli wrote: »

Not a chance. Been there a few times and didn't like it at all. Place has a hostile atmosphere.

I'll mention that to the two Cork lads who play in our seven-a-side soccer on a Thursday night.

There's also a Dundalk lad who plays - but sure that's North anyway!!