Moving to Belfast
 

I am an American and my BF is Dutch. We are both 35+ adults and he has been offered a full time permanent contract position in Belfast. We are planning to settle there in a few weeks and have never been there. We are curious to hear all about what it is like in the area and what we should expect. We are planning to move to the area of South Belfast and other than that, we know nothing. I have spent a decent of amount of time traveling before and look forward to learning a new culture. I would greatly appreciate any comments about any aspect of Belfast day to day living from how much average water bill is to where is best place to shop for food or go to gym or grab some cocktails, all would be welcome. Thanks.

Just be very careful what "full time permanent contract" means under UK law. It should be ok, but if the term "consultant" is slipped in there or "contactor" then you are expected to be self employed with very few rights.

The religious devide still exists.

Try http://www.city-data.com/
and good luck to you both~

Thanks for the tip. The contract is pretty firm. He has benefits and relocation assistance.

What does the religious divide still exists mean to an American and Dutch expat? Will there be an issue? He is an Atheist and I am a Baptist that is more about just believing in God and not organized religion because of my own bad past experiences with churches. If we keep our mouth shut about politics and religion are we good to go?

I have searched the internet pretty hard and really want to hear from as many people that live in the area as possible. I have spent a lot of time outside of USA recently and so I understand that some have bad viewpoints of American politics. I want to fit in and just be like everyone else as much as an Expat can, He is Dutch so he wants the same thing too. He is fluent in English and his new job is Bi-lingual so that won't be any type of a barrier more so than my cultural differences and vernacular styles will be for me.

What is it like to just be an average joe in Belfast? What are the cultural day to day experiences consisting of? Where are the best places to hang out at? What are the cool things to do, besides tourist traps? Is there anything we should be doing to prepare before we come? We wish to be respectful and humble and make new friends while still being ourselves.

Please do not make the mistake of calling Northern Ireland ; Ireland either. It is more the UK then Erie.

I should add, that while the contract is "permanent" our plan is too stay for only a year or two before moving back to Netherlands or SouthEastern England area.

PS you will still need a work visa
http://www.wikihow.com/Move-to-England

Sorry, I had no idea. I know it is part of the UK as I am working with the UK immigration for a family permit but I also have to list the country as Ireland and not England. So, it is best to call the country "northern Ireland" when asked, is that not incorrect as it is not a separate country?

Does this come up a lot? What is best way to respond?

As an American, non EU marrying a Dutch person ( soon) I am eligible for a EEA family permit according to UK law. Once I obtain my family permit, I am allowed to apply for my residence card which allows me a work permit. This is via the Freedom of Workers Movement of EU law. I do not have the contract in Belfast, my EU partner does. I shall not apply for a job in Belfast until I have my residence card.

Ireland is the Republic of - the southern part. Nothing to do with the UK.

Northern Ireland is one of the 4 parts of the UK - England, Wales, Scotland (but I don;t know the details of what is going on there) and Northern Ireland.

Have never spent significant time there - only a couple of days - so can't help with details. But politics and religion can be very intertwined and complicated. And I know nothing about residential areas - but I would look into this carefully with local experts before making any decisions.

Northern Ireland is most definitely not the country of Ireland. It is a part of the UK.

I wasn't responding to Nytraveller! I would always call it Northern Ireland and never shorten it to Ireland.

I would spend some time reading about Northern Ireland to familiarise yourself with it before moving. This book may be useful

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Worki.../dp/1845280679

Here is my question, UK is not a "country". It consists of four countries. So, I should respond that I live in "northern Ireland" if ever asked what country I live in?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom

Can anyone tell me what costs to expect in addition to monthly rent for budget? I have checked and found their is a tax that is called "rates" and I see their is water/sewage but cannot find where to get an average for a 1-2 bedroom apartment in Lisburn Road area for these extra expenses. I really need this info from Belfast locals if there are any out there.

You could say either the UK or Northern Ireland. Depends on the context. I live in London and almost always say I live in the UK unless specifically asked to refer to England. Others may be more specific...I am guessing some would say Scotland, or wales, or Northern Ireland rather than UK. But they could also say uk.

I good site for rentals to get an idea of price is http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...e&rent=To+rent

Your local council will tell you the rates for council tax etc

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/counci...tarerates.aspx

You will also need to pay for a tv license if you have a tv

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/cs/pay...ence/index.app

Your rates will be determined based on the property value at some point in time and is paid by the occupier not the owner. You will likely need to get this from the owner or vendor of the place you rent from.

@jamkins............Wow you have to pay to have a tv? That is different. Thanks for that info.

I have been all over rightmove.uk but that only tells me my rental rates and what I should clarify I am looking for is expenses outside of rental rates, this TV license is a great example of that. Can you tell me how much the average water bill is for a 2 bedroom apartment in that area? Are the tax rates due with your rental payments or separate and do you pay extra for trash pickup as well? I expect the normal tv/internet/ phone/ electric bills so I am really asking about the others. Thanks.

Gotha. I shall tell BF also, to refer as Northern Ireland and never Ireland.

@jamikins

Thanks, I found that site and I think it should be around 1000-1300 pounds a year for rates, that helps, thanks much. The TV license lists at 145.50 pounds a year, also thanks. The water and sewage I found the site for but can't figure out what an average bill for a 2 bedroom apartment would be accept that it is either metered and fluctuates or set if un-metered.

You pay your rent to the owner or agency. Usually it is listed weekly so times that by 52 and divide by 12 to get your monthly payment

You pay the tv license to pay for the funding of the BBC (public broadcasting) and everyone that has a tv pays it. Ours is £12 a month. You pay this to the licensor as a direct debit monthly or annually.

You pay council tax to the council separately to your rent.

Usually water is included in your rent.

Other expenses would include satellite, Internet, phones, mobile phones...

Almost all can be set up as direct debits from your bank account.

I think most water, sewage is included in rent - we own so pay water but didn't when we rented as it was included in our rent. But it could be different in Northern Ireland I suppose.

Thank you again, I have looked into the water and unclear about if landlord does that or trash, so sent an email to realtor. It would indeed be great if the rent covered those but just want to make sure.

Trash is handled by the council and included in your rates.

Cool, that is great to know.

Check if energy is included with the rent, often not. An average small house (and UK houses are generally smaller than European average,which themselves are smaller than US ones) will cost you £1200 to heat and light. Phones lines including broadband will come in at £15/month. But Sky TV or BT TV is another cost again (internet multiple TV channels on the internet) but if you want lots of sports then you will need it.

For the purposes of the rest of the world the country is the UK. However within the country has a semi-federal structure (we don't use the word but it helps) and laws vary between the four+, as a result, for instance, getting an abortion on the "NHS" in NI is very difficult, while easy in England.

http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=733
We look at ecpat sites always thinking how great it would be!

That was not very useful, sorry.
http://www.expatforum.com/britain/be...ity-guide.html

Not a very hopping site! When do you go look for apartments? I would want something close to his work and public transportation.

"...will cost you £1200 to heat and light."

a lot of that will depend on how well your home is insulated and weatherized and also on what the winter temps are like. The terraced house where we lived in England had single pain windows and was very poorly insulated. One cold winter, our heating bills topped £300 per month. (There were times when we felt we might just as well open the door every few hours and throw twenty pound notes out onto the driveway.)

If possible, before you sign a lease, ask what the average winter heating bill was for the past year or two. Something we should have done.

...single pane windows (although, given our winter heating bills, maybe single pain was correct)

Even if you watch TV on a PC or Iwhatever you will still need a tv license.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ33
Explanation of the UK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNu8XDBSn10
Ensure you get it right before you go and you understand teh politics of NI.

Sorry, can't resist. Is he a Catholic atheist or a Protestant atheist?

>>where is best place to .... grab some cocktails,<<

Boy, are you in for a culture shock (do people meet up for "cocktails" anywhere outside the USA and maybe London)... ;)

More seriously though, do take some time to research the history and politics of Northern Ireland, so that you have at least a basic understanding of what the locally sensitive subject areas are. Flying in and giving the impression you thought it was "Ireland" would not get things off to a good start amongst people from the Unionist side of the community.

Josser, I managed to resist :-)

Azalia, it would also be useful to know where in US you are from. Boston would be interesting...

You have heard of 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland? For much of 1970s, 80s and early part of 90's, Northern Ireland saw armed conflict between the militants from both the Nationalist (Catholics wanting union with Republic of Ireland) and Unionist (Protestants wanting to remain part of the UK) sides. There were bombings, shootings and kidnaps and 1000s of people died. While the armed conflict is now over and there is general peace, the religious/political divide still exists and occasionally flares up. There are still areas that are predominantly Catholic Nationalist and Protestant Unionist in the inner areas, though suburbs are largely sectarian-free. As outsiders, you are insulated from all that but you need to be aware that it exists and take care when speaking to people from different communities.
I suggest when you get to Belfast, take the excellent black cab tour (several operators) which will show you both the history and present reality of sectarianism.

I now see this question has been changed from Ireland to The Untied kingdom. Well done who ever done that :-) Perhaps the OP will now understand a few things a bit better.

"An average small house...will cost you £1200 to heat and light."

That's £1200 a year (usually to heat, light and provide cooking gas), which is roughly what we pay. I've spent most of my life in end-of-terrace (so exceptionally cold), small, pre-1900, houses and can't begin to imagine how heating one can come anywhere near the £300 a month one poster alleges. Insulation in the UK is poor by many standards - but £300 a month implies absurdly feckless waste on the tenant's part.

"Phones lines including broadband will come in at £15/month."
About average.

"But Sky TV or BT TV is another cost again (internet multiple TV channels on the internet) but if you want lots of sports then you will need it."
Maybe. If you're in a satellite-connected house, or think it's worth installing a dish (satellite connections are near-ubiquitous in the UK: cable's extremely rare), Freesat gives you hundreds of channels without paying a subscription. I've never seen the point of paying for TV.

"where is best place to shop for food" The nearest supermarket. If you have specialist tastes, google
.
"go to gym"
Google

"grab some cocktails"
Fly to the nearest country such horrors are available. If you can't cope with pubs or wine bars, you've chosen the wrong country.

"from how much average water bill is"
To anyone in the UK or Ireland (Northern Ireland is in both. It's not in the Republic of Ireland, which is NEVER to be called Eire in English. According to the law of the Republic of Ireland, the English for the entity south of Northern Ireland is...the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, that entity is usually known as The South, or "the 26 counties". Northern Ireland is often called "the Province" in Northern Ireland) your water obsession is incomprehensible.

Northern Ireland manages water charges differently from the rest of the UK. But, for an average household in Northern Ireland, providing water absorbs £160 a year out of general local taxation (there called "rates") which is levied on property, though how it's passed on to tenants in rentals does vary. So water really is a trivial issue in people's budgets.

Low water charges mean NI's water delivery infrastructure is Victorian, and the system has to be changed. How to change it is highly controversial (see a hint at http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-29110674.html) but no changes are going to be made before 2016. Water will continue to be a small - and generally unitemised - part of the local taxes your landlord will pay. He MAY bill you these separately, and it's worth getting that clear upfront.

Non-domestic water supply in NI is managed differently, and it's possible you might end up renting somewhere that's classed as non-domestic.