East Belfast? Safe?

seatzie

the other thing I should add alisara is a lot of us who lived through the troubles are trying to bring our kids up not to care who does what on a sunday and what school they go to, and long may that continue, I don't want my own child growing up assessing "what foot someone kicks with" the way most of us did when we were kids

seatzie

drew2k9 not sure what you're getting at Drew - so they have bonfires so its a paramilitary estate? perhaps we'll agree to disagree :-)

alisara

Drew i didnt see any this year, nor were there any flags in my road not one - although i have to say that a friend of mine in rosetta looks out to a bonfire each year. So that doesnt bother me.

I also stated that i am not a catholic - my child is through marriage - separated now!

I am also a victim of the troubles and lets just say cant live in a catholic housing estate (well actually hopefully nowadays i can) and was brought up not to see a difference in people which was no mean feat after what happened to my family whilst growing up.

In case you didnt read my post i am also mixed race and wanted to check on that aspect as well, unfortunately it is always something i have to check on and am conscious of anywhere i live. Sometimes people in belfast like to say go back home and I want to say where exactly I am half-northern irish!

caz2703

Personally I wouldn't have classed Sydenham as an estate. Knocknagoney yes but Sydenham no. That area of East Belfast is fairly quiet in comparison with some areas. As for Catholic schools, personally I wouldn't know any except Our Lady & St Pats and even at that I wouldn't have a clue of the uniform and I grew up in E Belfast.

If you are worried maybe your daughter could wear a jacket to cover the school blazer but it depends on how strict the school is about uniforms.

alisara

Thank you Caz, it doesnt look like a housing estate to me either

mypie

I was born and bred in sydenham (inverary area) and it has changed so much over the years. I don't live there now but my parents and grandparents still do. I see so many different cultures there now that it proves it has changed for the better (although I loved growing up there). No matter where you go in life there will be people that cause trouble but I honestly think your child will be ok.

alisara

Thank you Mypie - I think she will be safe as well. One poster said it was a housing estate i am living on - its definitely not! I live beside St Bernards Church.

I was totally fine about living here, as I am mixed in every way, until a work colleague suggested that "what about your childs uniform" but in hindsight my colleague has only lived in one area of belfast if you know what i mean.

I didnt have much choice in the matter, I would have preferred another area (was living in family home in south belfast and prior to that Bangor) but just cant afford it for a while yet, and due to family diffs had to move within short notice. I would never have put my child into a housing estate covered in flags etc - not that i am running anyone down who does but having a diff coloured skin in belfast etc you have to be careful. Cant move out of Belfast either due to work etc..