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Moving to Belfast Megathread

24

Comments

  • #52
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    IamtheWalrus wrote: »
    Don't want to rain on anyone's parade but I went to uni in Belfast and worked for 6 months after. Great student life, work life not so good. I find they hate everyone who is remotely different. In saying that, there are lots of people who don't. Just being honest.

    My circumstances were similar in that I went to uni there first and then stayed on for work but I had a totally different experience. It cuts both ways I suppose. I don't think a bad experience should put anyone off giving it a go though right?


  • #53
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,319 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    IamtheWalrus wrote: »
    Don't want to rain on anyone's parade but I went to uni in Belfast and worked for 6 months after. Great student life, work life not so good. I find they hate everyone who is remotely different. In saying that, there are lots of people who don't. Just being honest.
    I dont have any great experience of Belfast but I have visited and stayed there many times and find the places and people to be most welcoming.

    Its good in one way to see another viewpoint but from reading all the posts on the forum and particularly this thread it appears that the majority of people have a pleasant experience.


  • #54
    tqu80
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 ✭tqu80


    Thanks everyone, it's good to hear it's not all happy days up north too. London is an option, as it Scotland. :rolleyes: I dunno where to go, just not Cork! I had just been reading such good things about Belfast and had a great experience myself. I have another few months to decide and weigh up options.

    I have applied for a masters in QUB, it would be great to get it and study there... Fingers crossed!


  • #55
    IamtheWalrus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,075 ✭✭✭IamtheWalrus


    tqu80 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone, it's good to hear it's not all happy days up north too. London is an option, as it Scotland. :rolleyes: I dunno where to go, just not Cork! I had just been reading such good things about Belfast and had a great experience myself. I have another few months to decide and weigh up options.

    I have applied for a masters in QUB, it would be great to get it and study there... Fingers crossed!

    In terms of doing a Master's there, I'd recommend Belfast. You may have to be strong willed and not stay in the pub when you should be studying but that's the same anywhere I suppose. I did my M.Sc. up there.

    I was probably being a little harsh on the place but I have lived in Dublin and London since and have found both much better. It's only the uneducated locals that are small-minded but it's unlikely you'll be mixing with them, same as anywhere. I think one of the reasons is that I like big cities, I like everything that is happening in the country to happen in my city. Belfast is cheap as chips in comparison.

    The boys up there will not be able to understand your accent but they'll love it non-the-less.


  • #56
    tqu80
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 ✭tqu80


    IamtheWalrus wrote: »
    In terms of doing a Master's there, I'd recommend Belfast. You may have to be strong willed and not stay in the pub when you should be studying but that's the same anywhere I suppose. I did my M.Sc. up there.

    I was probably being a little harsh on the place but I have lived in Dublin and London since and have found both much better. It's only the uneducated locals that are small-minded but it's unlikely you'll be mixing with them, same as anywhere. I think one of the reasons is that I like big cities, I like everything that is happening in the country to happen in my city. Belfast is cheap as chips in comparison.

    The boys up there will not be able to understand your accent but they'll love it non-the-less.


    I have managed to stay out of the pub in Cork all these years! I do admit, I am attracted to the big cities also. But studying in a big city I can imagine is expensive business. I don't think I can afford London just yet.

    As far as accents go, I love that Northern accent! ;) Although, when we were around Belfast, I was understood by most people. But my sister who has been living in london for years, was not understood at all!


  • #57
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    Just wondering about my health insurance I am currently with VHI but as part of my package with my new job they pay my private health insurance so I was wondering what do I do?

    If I cancel my insurance in the south does that mean I wont be able to go to the doctor in the south? ie have a operation done in the south?


  • #58
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    6679 wrote: »
    Just wondering about my health insurance I am currently with VHI but as part of my package with my new job they pay my private health insurance so I was wondering what do I do?

    If I cancel my insurance in the south does that mean I wont be able to go to the doctor in the south? ie have a operation done in the south?

    You could, you'd just have to pay for it! Tbh the NHS is very good in NI, from experience much better than in England. Also any kind of referral to a doctor/hospital in ROI would be a nightmare (if it's even possible) so if you were pretty sure the move was permanent or long-term you'd probably save yourself a lot of money by cancelling the VHI.


  • #59
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    pow wow wrote: »
    You could, you'd just have to pay for it! Tbh the NHS is very good in NI, from experience much better than in England. Also any kind of referral to a doctor/hospital in ROI would be a nightmare (if it's even possible) so if you were pretty sure the move was permanent or long-term you'd probably save yourself a lot of money by cancelling the VHI.

    Would I need to get travel insurance for being in the south if I cancel the VHI?


  • #60
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    If you're spending huge amounts of time down there and/or have an ongoing illness that requires treatment then maybe keeping the VHI is the best thing (if they'd allow you to living in NI)? For a relatively healthy person who is only there for the odd weekend/week at a time it's not really value for money, unless you're struck down by a terrible illness of course!


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  • #61
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    How much is the Metro Smartlink card and is the only place I can get it beside City hall?


  • #62
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    The card itself is £1.50 though they occasionally run promotions where it's free. The journey prices vary depending on which zone you're in, there's a link here. From recollection you can either buy the initial card online or at the kiosk by City Hall, after that you can top it up in newsagents and the like.


  • #63
    jimbo007
    Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭jimbo007


    Hi
    I've been offered a job in the titanic quarter and know very little about belfast, apart from what i've been reading on the internet (and boards) the past few days.

    I have a young family, and a child who's going to be starting secondary school.

    I'm looking for recommendations of where to live, either in belfast or a commuter town, with a good secondary school nearby. We're catholic and moving up from the south. I'm finding it very difficult to find advice on schools from the internet.

    Also does anybody have any advice about living/commuting from banbridge? Downpatrick? Dunno, just trying to work out options.

    Also a lot of advice seems to be centred on living in stranmillis / malone rd., but I can't figure out if there's any secondary schools near there...

    Thanks a lot.


  • #64
    Berns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,485 ✭✭✭Berns


    if gonna use public transport can only get to both by bus. Downpatrick more Catholic than Banbridge I think :rolleyes: Maybe ask in Down but prob get the same ppl chkin.


  • #65
    jimbo007
    Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭jimbo007


    thanks, anyone else? anyone know what carryduff is like as a place to live and if there's a secondary school near there? or any schools near malone?


  • #66
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    Re. Banbridge, everyone I know who commuted from there into the city drove as far as the Sprucefield park and ride and then came in from there on the bus. Banbridge is pretty small itself but it has lots of new housing estates so it's on the up and would probably be good for young families. My boss used to commute from Downpatrick and the traffic can be a bit heavy at times but if it's somewhere you have your heart set on then I wouldn't let that put you off. It's a lovely part of the world!

    Actually in the city Malone is nice and leafy, as is Stranmillis but you will have more students living in Stranmillis which may be a problem. The more established roads out near St. Mary's have less students and a good mix of amenities for young families again. Commuting into the city would be easy by bus as it's an area served well by public transport.

    Re. schools if you take a look here the Belfast Education and Library Board has a list of all schools. Those in BT7 and BT9 would be very close to the Stranmillis area. Malone College is the only integrated secondary in the city. There's one senior gaelscoil if the language is important to you, it's on the Falls Road in W. Belfast (bus into town and another one out if you're coming from Malone area).

    I don't know that much about Carryduff, sorry!


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  • #67
    jimbo007
    Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭jimbo007


    that's great pow wow, I hadn't come across that list of schools before..!
    some very helpful information, anybody else with any more information would be brilliant, thanks.


  • #68
    the_doctor199
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭the_doctor199


    jimbo007 wrote: »
    thanks, anyone else? anyone know what carryduff is like as a place to live and if there's a secondary school near there?

    I live about 2 miles away from Carryduff and would recommend it to a young family. There's primary and secondary schools within a few miles, 2 large shopping centres within 5 miles, regular buses into Belfast. It's about a 15min drive into Belfast, probably 40 at rush hour though.


  • #69
    Berns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,485 ✭✭✭Berns


    pow wow wrote: »
    Malone College is the only integrated secondary in the city.
    Can't be :o Lagan College at least as well? Dunno where abouts in Belfast exactly but prity sure it was one of the first integrated. Remember the Down captain comin down from there to Shimna for a day or sumfin.
    Was Malone not private too? Might be thinkin of sumfin else :s Maybe they changed :s


  • #70
    the_doctor199
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,017 ✭✭✭the_doctor199


    Berns wrote: »
    Can't be :o Lagan College at least as well? Dunno where abouts in Belfast exactly but prity sure it was one of the first integrated. Remember the Down captain comin down from there to Shimna for a day or sumfin.
    Was Malone not private too? Might be thinkin of sumfin else :s Maybe they changed :s

    Lagan is indeed an integrated school.


  • #71
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    I was referring to BELB schools in the link I gave. Lagan is SEELB :)


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  • #72
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    I want to join a gym in Belfast anyone have any recommendations?


  • #73
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    Which area of the city are you in?


  • #74
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    Live in BT7 but work in Queens Island.

    Was thinking of getting something in the City just in case I move after my lease runs out.

    Also who is the best to get broadband and cable off? Was thinking Virgin.


  • #75
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    We had Virgin and it was the cheapest we could find at the time. If you register with one of the cashback sites (eg topcashback.co.uk) you get a kickback which usually offsets the connection fee or thereabouts (if you care :D)

    I don't really know of any good gyms in the area but if you're willing to go a bit up the Lisburn Road I've heard very good things about Peak Physique. I was with Fitness First in Connswater and I wouldn't recommend it!


  • #76
    ShowMeTheCash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,651 ✭✭✭ShowMeTheCash


    pow wow wrote: »
    We had Virgin and it was the cheapest we could find at the time. If you register with one of the cashback sites (eg topcashback.co.uk) you get a kickback which usually offsets the connection fee or thereabouts (if you care :D)

    I don't really know of any good gyms in the area but if you're willing to go a bit up the Lisburn Road I've heard very good things about Peak Physique. I was with Fitness First in Connswater and I wouldn't recommend it!

    I would not recommend connswater either, never liked the vibe in that place... But if you are going into town LA Fitness is handy, in Adelaide street, has a pool and the staff are always very friendly.


  • #77
    ShowMeTheCash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,651 ✭✭✭ShowMeTheCash


    jimbo007 wrote: »
    Hi
    I've been offered a job in the titanic quarter and know very little about belfast, apart from what i've been reading on the internet (and boards) the past few days.

    I have a young family, and a child who's going to be starting secondary school.

    I'm looking for recommendations of where to live, either in belfast or a commuter town, with a good secondary school nearby. We're catholic and moving up from the south. I'm finding it very difficult to find advice on schools from the internet.

    Also does anybody have any advice about living/commuting from banbridge? Downpatrick? Dunno, just trying to work out options.

    Also a lot of advice seems to be centred on living in stranmillis / malone rd., but I can't figure out if there's any secondary schools near there...

    Thanks a lot.

    Hi Jimbo,

    Titanic quarter I am guessing citgroup or one of those other IT companies in that area.
    I used to work there. Thing to watch out for is you are travelling in from ravenhill road or ormeau road direction for work is the traffic bottle necks there which is a nightmare at 8:30 to about 9am, If you are coming in on the M3 you are sweet.

    I have lived in 3 locations in Belfast, Ravenhill, Lisburn Road and am now out in newtownabby /Glengormley direction some people rule out the north of Belfast but if you have a car it is easy and the bus will have you in town in 30 mins from these areas.


  • #78
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    pow wow wrote: »
    We had Virgin and it was the cheapest we could find at the time. If you register with one of the cashback sites (eg topcashback.co.uk) you get a kickback which usually offsets the connection fee or thereabouts (if you care :D)

    I don't really know of any good gyms in the area but if you're willing to go a bit up the Lisburn Road I've heard very good things about Peak Physique. I was with Fitness First in Connswater and I wouldn't recommend it!

    How does the cash back site work?

    There is a few that my works offers discounts on so I will post them up here and see what you guys think of them.


  • #79
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    You register and when you want to buy something from one of the cashback partners you just go via their site first - the link you click takes you to the legit retailer website but the cashback site notes that you went via their portal. The cashback amounts accrue (there's usually a delay of a month or two from when they log you having made the purchase to when the amount actually hits your cashback account) and then you can withdraw the money either to your own bank account or by cheque. I've had it about a year and got £115 back so far on just everyday shopping etc.

    Sorry for going slightly off-topic :o


  • #80
    paky
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,138 ✭✭✭paky


    6679 wrote: »
    I want to join a gym in Belfast anyone have any recommendations?

    i recommend the city council gyms. once you register you can use any of the gyms in the city which is very handy if your at the other side of town


  • #81
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    Yeah just looked at the ones my company offers

    Fitness First
    David Lloyd Leisure
    Reebok Sports Club - think that is only for the London office.

    I see LA fitness have a 3 day free pass so I might try that out.

    On a side note in my house we have one of them cards for your electricity but I went to top it up there last week with £20 and it said on the receipt £12 went on to my meter and £8 went on PC Contribution. What the hell is PC Contribution?


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  • #82
    ShowMeTheCash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,651 ✭✭✭ShowMeTheCash


    6679 wrote: »
    Yeah just looked at the ones my company offers

    Fitness First
    David Lloyd Leisure
    Reebok Sports Club - think that is only for the London office.

    I see LA fitness have a 3 day free pass so I might try that out.

    On a side note in my house we have one of them cards for your electricity but I went to top it up there last week with £20 and it said on the receipt £12 went on to my meter and £8 went on PC Contribution. What the hell is PC Contribution?

    You need to get the name of the electicity changed over into you're name.

    There has been an outstanding amount owed on that account. So basically 40% goes to settling the pervious bill.

    Exact same thing happened with me. Phone NI electric tell them you have just moved in and you new a new account. They may require a landlords letter etc.. You can have the 8 pound refunded also.

    With me what happened was I moved in same thing. I called and found out that peopel pervious had not paid a bill and was why the metre was installed.


  • #83
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    How do I go about getting an GP in Belfast? Any recommendations?


  • #84
    Berns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,485 ✭✭✭Berns


    6679 wrote: »
    How do I go about getting an GP in Belfast? Any recommendations?

    Any use? Got link from council website which lists some with postcode. Don't live in Belfast myself so can't recommend any there though sorry.


  • #85
    catweasel10
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭catweasel10


    6679 wrote: »
    How do I go about getting an GP in Belfast? Any recommendations?

    There's Dunluce Health Centre (a few different practices) on the Lisburn Road, or if you're going to Queen's, the University Health Centre is really good. There are loads of medical practices around, so maybe check to see which ones operate appointment visits, and which ones have morning clinics that you just turn up to. Morning clinics on a first come first seen basis can be annoying. Phone up, ask if you can register and make an appointment so that they can go through your medical history. You'll get a buff-coloured medical card in the post. Hope that's of some use.


  • #86
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    catweasel10 wrote: »
    There's Dunluce Health Centre (a few different practices) on the Lisburn Road, or if you're going to Queen's, the University Health Centre is really good. There are loads of medical practices around, so maybe check to see which ones operate appointment visits, and which ones have morning clinics that you just turn up to. Morning clinics on a first come first seen basis can be annoying. Phone up, ask if you can register and make an appointment so that they can go through your medical history. You'll get a buff-coloured medical card in the post. Hope that's of some use.
    That is about an half hour walk from where I live but still pretty close. Once I register with one can I then switch my GP?

    These are the two that are closest to my house, any options on them?
    http://www.ormeauhealthcentre.co.uk

    http://www.ormeauparksurgery.co.uk/


  • #87
    catweasel10
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭catweasel10


    I don't know much about either of those, sorry. There's a pharmacy very close to them, which is a plus when you're feeling rough and not up to walking all over the place to get your prescription filled. If you register at one of them,and decide that you'd prefer to go somewhere else, you can just re-register at another practice, bringing your medical card with you. If you mean switching your GP within the practice, that shouldn't be a problem, just ask to for appointments with that GP, otherwise you'll just be given whoever's available soonest.


  • #88
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    Does anyone know of any outdoor type of clubs I could join such as Rock Climbing and Kayaking in Belfast?


  • #89
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    The council run facility on the embankment (Ozone Centre I think?) has a climbing wall, not sure about clubs and the like. QUB has a vast array of them run out of their facility nearby but I'm not sure if non-students can join the groups.


  • #90
    nedzer2011
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭nedzer2011


    6679 wrote: »
    Does anyone know of any outdoor type of clubs I could join such as Rock Climbing and Kayaking in Belfast?

    Would like to repeat this request... Given the resources around the city there must be a canoe or watersports club of some sort??


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  • #91
    el tel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,991 ✭✭✭el tel


    This information is not hard to find at all :):rolleyes:

    http://belfastkayakclub.co.uk/about_us.html

    Also

    The Boat Club at Cutters Wharf, off Stranmillis, certainly has rowing (and tennis, gym etc.) would say they could point you in the right direction of canoeing if they don' offer it themselves.


  • #92
    nedzer2011
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭nedzer2011


    el tel wrote: »
    This information is not hard to find at all :):rolleyes:

    http://belfastkayakclub.co.uk/about_us.html

    Also

    The Boat Club at Cutters Wharf, off Stranmillis, certainly has rowing (and tennis, gym etc.) would say they could point you in the right direction of canoeing if they don' offer it themselves.

    Cheers.... Much appreciated!


  • #93
    Mike 1972
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,018 ✭✭✭Mike 1972


    6679 wrote: »
    How do I go about getting an GP in Belfast? Any recommendations?

    Try and register at one of the bigger practices/medical centres.

    In some of the smaller ones it can take ages to get an appointment. In a bigger one if you want to get seen urgently and your usual doctor is busy theyll try and fit you in with another one.

    IIRC you need to register with something called the "Central Services Agency" first. They send you out a medical card (not to be confused with a similarly named document in the Republic) and you take it down to a medical centre/clinic and tell them you want to register. You can also use the medical card to register at a dentists (in some places you might run into problems if their books are full)


  • #94
    student89
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭student89


    Ok so been offered a job with Lloyd TSB in Dundonald and Im from donegal so I probably will have to move up, anyone any ideas what its like to live in Belfast? and what accommadation is like?

    Thanks


  • #95
    spider guardian
    Closed Accounts Posts: 884 ✭✭✭spider guardian


    student89 wrote: »
    Ok so been offered a job with Lloyd TSB in Dundonald and Im from donegal so I probably will have to move up, anyone any ideas what its like to live in Belfast? and what accommadation is like?

    Thanks

    Cost of living here is relatively cheap, wages are that bit less than the Republic though. Good nightlife and a nice town feel, plenty to do and plenty of people around, you will enjoy it here


  • #96
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    I am moving house to Surrey St off Lisburn Rd. Should I avoid this street?


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  • #97
    NI Grapevine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭NI Grapevine


    Cavehill Red wrote: »
    You shouldn't have a problem at work. Maybe the very rare bit of stand-offishness from some bigoted types at worst.
    The issue is more where you live. Things are a bit more fluid now, but there are still those who don't like 'themmuns' living among them. As a woman you're less likely to face hassle, though. And I've always found Belfast a much safer city than Dublin, for all its troubles.

    Cavehill is giving good advice here


  • #98
    NI Grapevine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭NI Grapevine


    6679 wrote: »
    I am moving house to Surrey St off Lisburn Rd. Should I avoid this street?

    Surrey Street is quiet, no problems there.


  • #99
    spider guardian
    Closed Accounts Posts: 884 ✭✭✭spider guardian


    NI Grapevine wrote: »
    Surrey Street is quiet, no problems there.

    Agreed. You shouldn't have any problems there. Close to tesco and the bus, you can't lose.


  • #100
    nedzer2011
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭nedzer2011


    NI Grapevine wrote: »
    .....and not run by paramilitaries...

    This sort of information should really be on your flyers!!


  • #101
    6679
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 115 ✭✭6679


    Seeing that I have moved can anyone recommend a good doctor and dental surgery near the Lisburn Road.


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