Thinking of moving to Belfast? Whether you’re starting a family, planning an investment or beginning higher education, here is what Belfast has to offer.
House Prices 🏠
Property Investment 🏠🏠
Regeneration of the City of Belfast is to see government investment of nearly £400 million over the next 10 years – all aimed at making it a more attractive place in which to invest, work, live and study.
The city has already won global recognition as:
- The most business-friendly small to medium sized city
- One of the top ten small to medium sized cities ranked by its economic potential
- Among the top ten small to medium sized cities scored in terms of its lifestyle attraction and availability of human resources.
Economy ££
Traditionally, Belfast is probably best known for its shipbuilding and linen production, but a recent resurgence in its economic fortunes has seen a revival of investor confidence and regeneration of a diversified economy:
- The financial services sector currently employs 20,000 and has attracted investment by such heavyweights as the Allstate Corporation, Citi, Liberty Mutual and HBOS
- A popular location for the hosting of conferences and other events – the Financial Times voted it one of the top ten places in the world in which to host such gatherings
- Tourism has become an important economic motor, with National Geographic magazine describing the city as “a treasure”.
Location and Transport 🚌
One of the major attractions of the City of Belfast is its “connectivity” with the rest of the world:
- Belfast has two airports – an international terminal that is just 30 minutes from the centre of the city and the George Best Belfast City Airport serving regional destinations
- Sea ferries offer direct links to both Scotland and England
- Translink bus and rail services throughout Northern Ireland.
Education 🎓
- The Belfast Education and Libraries Board is responsible for more than 200 schools and nurseries in the city
- In addition, the Independent Schools Council (ISC) lists five private schools and colleges in Northern Ireland’s capital
- Leading universities and colleges include Queens University Belfast, Ulster University, St Mary’s University College Belfast, Belfast Metropolitan College and Belfast School of Art.
Environment 🌷
- Belfast sits in the valley of the River Lagan, constrained by the Antrim Plateau to the north and the Holywood and Castereagh Hills to the south
- There are 46 parks (covering 3,000 acres) in the city, 8 of which have been given green flag awards.
Trivia 🎬
Finally, did you know …
- Hollywood legend Errol Flynn went to school in Belfast – attending the Royal Belfast Academical Institution in 1921
- One-time president of the state of Israel, Chaim Herzog, was born in Belfast in 1918 – his father was the rabbi at the Annesley Street Synagogue
- Landmark giant cranes at the iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard are called Samson and Goliath.
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