job hunting... (Merged)

belfastgirl23

jammin wrote: »

Appalling, isn't it. The children in that class will grow up thinking "boo" whenever they hear the words England / English mentioned, as they remember being taught to do this in school. Incidentally, when I was of school age, in my school in England, I remember learning about the Roman and Viking invasions of Britain, and of WW2. I don't remember being told to "boo" at all. I also don't hold any bad feelings at all, whatsoever, to Italy, Scandinavia or Germany (or their peoples).

The parents didn't complain. They don't speak English too well (they're Malaysians, in Ireland on work permits), and will be here on a short term basis and will be going back to Malaysia in time. I doubt they care too much, to be perfectly honest. But it shocked me, that the teacher in question must have seen this "booing" as nothing more than a bit of fun, but failed to see the damage that it will do to the children.



Thanks for the heads up. Will definitely check out South Belfast then. I appreciate you letting me know about avoiding very loyalist areas. I'm sorry to learn about the intolerance of Asian people there (though I'm sure that racism is commonplace in most big cities worldwide, sadly). Where would be the very loyalist / very republican areas the are best avoided?

Many thanks, once again.

I'd say as a general rule avoid North Belfast - whilst there are some beautiful areas it is riddled with peacelines - I still haven't properly figured out the geography up there and I've been in Belfast 20 years. And a couple of streets can make a huge difference there so unless you get very good local guidance, avoid.

To me East Belfast and West Belfast are largely okay although like anywhere there are some big estates that might be best avoided. But I always think of them as solid areas with enough of a sense of their own identity that they don't need to keep others out.

But I'd still say South Belfast is easily safest. Definitely to be avoided in South is The Village (area just off the lower lisburn road, runs to boucher road) and Donegal Road areas. Foreigners and students have been subjected to attacks in these areas. I think any of the SB areas mentioned here - knockbreda, ravenhill, ormeau, four winds are very tolerant and mostly of the 'mind your own business' mindset.

To sum up my advice would be that you should initially look for somewhere in South Belfast and then get to know the rest of the city where you might need to make more of an informed judgement....

PS anyone got any thoughts on Cregagh Road and Castlereagh road? My feeling is both are probably fine these days...

tara747

SnowyOwl wrote: »

??????? My post stated "not especially cheaper than London, except for the price of houses". So what are you bringing up comparisons to English/Welsh town and arguing with me for?

Because Belfast house prices are almost as dear as London house prices at the mo. I'm saying that prices should be comparable to similar places in the north of England (with correspondingly low wages etc) and not London. Hope I didn't offend you, if I did I'm sorry.

SnowyOwl_2

Here's an internet link which you might find of interest if you wish to research the possibility of working on one side of the border and living on the other.

http://www.borderpeople.info/index/browse-all/browse-detail.htm?objId=4753

Lots of people travel across the border for employment. At the moment it's very very good for those people who are paid in Euros then convert Euros to Sterling for living purposes as the exchange rate is their favour. People come from as far away as Dublin to go to Sainsbury's in Newry...the place is bedlam Thursday, Friday and all weekend with Mexicans. Currently living north and working south is wonderful, but who knows how long it'll stay good.

My personal opinion is that Lisburn or surrounding area would be a good strategic move. Lisburn has a train station to get into Belfast centre, and it's close to the M1 should you gain employment somewhere like Portadown or Craigavon. If you were to get employment in Dundalk it's only about an hour there by car so you could still use the Euro/sterling exchange rate to your advantage.

If you've any other specific questions I'll be only too happy to answer them where possible.

Pretani

tara747 wrote: »

West Belfast does seem to be a very cosmopolitan area with many people from other countries, the Feile always has lots of international events etc. Also you could try South Belfast, it is the nicest (IMO!) and safest of all.

West Belfast is not as cosmopolititian as made out to be, especially for an Englishman. There's still widespread intollerance of the English.

tara747 wrote: »

I would avoid the very loyalist areas of the city as your wife may become a target for racists (google and you will find plenty of stories of Asian people being treated badly in these areas).

Could you specify which loyalist areas?

tara747

Pretani wrote: »

West Belfast is not as cosmopolititian as made out to be, especially for an Englishman. There's still widespread intollerance of the English.



Could you specify which loyalist areas?

Sorry, didn't read the OP properly - just saw that his wife was from Singapore (IIRC?). Yes, perhaps West Belfast would not be the best choice if you're English! Which is a shame. Any other nationality seems welcome there though.

Loyalist areas where racist incidents have happened (that I have heard of, there may be more): the Village, Sandy Row, Donegall Pass, Mount Vernon, White City, Rathcoole, Tiger's Bay, Shankill Road. So mostly south and north.

Pretani

here's a site specifically designed to help people who live and work on the border. Lots if interesting stuff in it

http://www.borderpeople.info/

seatzie

Pretani wrote: »

here's a site specifically designed to help people who live and work on the border. Lots if interesting stuff in it

http://www.borderpeople.info/

nice spot Pretani that looks pretty useful

leftieM

I reckon the only place that is in any way cosmopolitan is Stranmillis in Belfast. It seems to draw in foreign academics and it's as diverse as you're going to get here.

belfastgirl23

leftieM wrote: »

I reckon the only place that is in any way cosmopolitan is Stranmillis in Belfast. It seems to draw in foreign academics and it's as diverse as you're going to get here.

Depends where on stranmillis you are though - anywhere 'above' the roundabout and you're probably going to have student problems. For my money the ormeau is probably the most diverse ....

leftieM

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Depends where on stranmillis you are though - anywhere 'above' the roundabout and you're probably going to have student problems. For my money the ormeau is probably the most diverse ....

Yes, I was thinking of Stranmillis towards Malone, past the roundabout.
I heard Ormeau had become more diverse. I used to live there back in the bad old days.