Dublin or Belfast?

hollisterb · 01-11-2008 09:07PM #1

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 · 01-11-2008 09:14PM

Galway.

peanuthead · 01-11-2008 09:17PM

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 · 01-11-2008 09:22PM

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

Redpunto · 01-11-2008 09:24PM

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 · 01-11-2008 10:33PM

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

Quazzie · 01-11-2008 11:29PM

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 · 01-11-2008 11:37PM

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 · 01-11-2008 11:45PM

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 · 01-11-2008 11:53PM

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

AckwelFoley · 02-11-2008 12:21AM

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 · 02-11-2008 12:31AM

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 · 02-11-2008 12:35AM

I'd have to suggest Dublin.

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

yawnstretch · 02-11-2008 01:09AM

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

Galway's where it's at.

ironictoaster · 02-11-2008 01:13AM

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

Oh yeah, my vote goes to Dublin

AckwelFoley · 02-11-2008 01:19AM

Galway sell bottled water..

lol, very heavy tho.
Full of lead.

Cianos · 02-11-2008 02:20AM

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 · 02-11-2008 02:43AM

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 · 02-11-2008 02:46AM

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 · 02-11-2008 02:07PM

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 · 02-11-2008 02:11PM

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 · 02-11-2008 02:22PM

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 · 02-11-2008 02:27PM

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 · 02-11-2008 03:29PM

Kaleb Raspy Navel wrote: »

Galway.

Most overrated city ever.

nlgbbbblth · 02-11-2008 03:32PM

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 · 02-11-2008 03:40PM

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 · 02-11-2008 04:38PM

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 · 02-11-2008 05:50PM

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 · 02-11-2008 06:07PM

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 · 02-11-2008 06:56PM

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@ · 02-11-2008 09:40PM

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.

Dublin or Belfast?

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