Moving to Belfast: A Comprehensive Guide

Belfast is a city in perpetual transformation, often neglected and overlooked. There’s a lot going on and a lot to see in this city that has been made famous and infamous throughout modern history, from shipbuilding to being one of the filming cities for Game of Thrones.

Belfast is Northern Ireland’s largest metropolis and capital, as well as the island of Ireland’s second largest city. With a population of roughly 330,000 people in the city and about 600,000 in the wider Belfast urban region, it is not a large capital city by any means. It’s a little city with a long and fascinating history. If you are thinking about relocating to Belfast, the information provided below will assist you in making an informed decision about moving to and living in Northern Ireland’s capital.

Costs of Moving and Shipping to Belfast

To find out how much removal costs in Belfast, contact a removal company to give you a price based on the variables of your move. In fact, the cost is determined by the number of items you need to move in your new home, the distance between the old and new homes, the use of additional moving services such as packing, storing, cleaning, and furniture assembly, and, last but not least, your moving date. As a result, in order to receive an accurate moving quote, you should discuss specifics with the removal company in Belfast. Usually, they will request an inspection to determine whether there are any accessibility issues or particularly large items to transport.

Real Estate

As per Getamover survey, the average number of bedrooms for UK residents on the move is 2.90, however this figure can vary dramatically. Because Belfast has more room than the rest of the UK, many people prefer to live in houses, especially outside of the densely populated city center. Many people in Belfast will own their homes rather than rent because house prices are substantially lower than in England. Property prices are growing in Belfast, as they are across much of the United Kingdom.

Property in Belfast is currently increasing in value by over 15% every year. This is nearly double the annual increase in the United Kingdom as a whole. Part of this surge is attributed to Belfast’s status as a highly attractive place to reside. In Belfast city centre, a one-bedroom flat costs around £95,000 on average.

A one-bedroom apartment outside of the city center costs roughly £70,000. Apartments with three bedrooms cost £230,000 in the city center and £150,000 outside of it. Belfast can be a highly logical place to buy property because property prices are substantially lower than the rest of the UK, but earnings are frequently comparable.

The Employment Market

Belfast is a hub for jobs from all across the province, despite the fact that the country is primarily rural. On the outskirts of the city, the historic industries that established the city – shipbuilding and textile trades – still exist and thrive, while the city center is home to many huge office buildings and commercial centers.

Belfast attracts a lot of business and with it comes ever-increasing affluence because it is significantly cheaper than much of the UK, particularly London. Belfast’s unemployment has historically been higher than that of mainland UK cities. However, this isn’t a genuine picture of the city. The total unemployment rate in Belfast is currently around 8%. However, there are substantial skills shortages in certain industries, particularly in the city’s huge hospitals.

Cost of Living

Belfast is not an expensive city to live in, and the lower cost of living compared to the rest of the UK is a big draw. Northern Ireland maintains the British pound as its currency, whereas the Republic of Ireland is a member of the Eurozone. This attracts a continuous stream of clever customers from the south of Ireland who are looking for cheaper goods and services in Belfast.

Education

Schools in Belfast continue to diverge in terms of Northern Ireland history, with those further east focusing on British history and those further west focusing on Irish history. Languages are also an important part of education in Belfast, with Irish language classes taught in schools with a predominantly Catholic student body.

The city is home to two universities: Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. Queen’s University is highly ranked and well-respected throughout the UK, attracting students from all over the world. There are 184 schools in the city, including primary, secondary, and grammar schools, with generally high achievement and results.

Transportation

Since Belfast is such a small city, getting around on foot is often the best option. There are numerous bus services within the city that provide easy access to residential areas, as well as a rail service that runs across Northern Ireland and into the Republic of Ireland. A typical city bus journey will cost you £1.90.