Thinking about moving home?
Thinking about moving home?
You’re not alone. After a certain worldwide pandemic, expats around the world have been reconsidering the place where they call home. In fact, we’ve noticed a significant upward trend in our own diaspora trading sunnier shores for the beloved Emerald Isle of their youth. And we’ve been welcoming their wee bronzed faces home with open arms.
Thinking about relocating?
You’ve come to the right place. Allow us to show you why Northern Ireland should be at the very top of your list. Hear us out…
1. It’s cheap as chips
Let’s start off with one of the biggies. Unless you’re a multi-millionaire, house prices are likely to be one of the biggest deciding factors in determining where to put down roots.
And whether buying or renting in Northern Ireland, you’ll get significant bang for your buck in comparison to other parts of the UK and beyond.
The most recent figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that the average house price is £306k in England, £213k in Wales, £189k in Scotland and £174k in Northern Ireland.
Interested in other mind-boggling house price comparisons with New York, Hong Kong and Sydney? You’ll want to check out our previous blog: What a £360K property can get you in NI vs around the world.
It's not just houses that are cheaper. Everyday expenses such as bread, milk and bus tickets are generally more manageable, meaning families can enjoy a comfortable, high-quality lifestyle without breaking the bank.
2. Limitless job prospects
Good career opportunities are a must-have for any move. Luckily, employment is booming here, with an impressive employment rate of 72.4% that’s increasing year on year.
Jobs within technology, healthcare and renewable energy industries are particularly in demand. Or if you work in the tech industry, we’ve got more good news. Northern Ireland has one of the fastest growing tech sectors in the UK, and 23% of jobs advertised last year were digital tech roles. This covers everything from telecom and data analytics, to fintech and IT services. As for cybersecurity? We’ve got it on lock. Did you know Northern Ireland is the #1 international investment location for US cyber development projects?
Over 1,100 international firms are taking advantage of our talented workforce and setting up camp in our wee part of the world. And our capital city, Belfast, is now in the Top 5 European investment destinations of the future.
Not bad for a wee country with just 1.9 million people. Yep, we might be miniature, but we are mighty.
3. Supports remote working
So, the job market is good. But we know what your next question is. Does Northern Ireland support remote working?
We’re happy to tell you that the answer is an emphatic yes!
So, if you’ve grown accustomed to lunch-time dog walks, Teams calls, and a comfier WFH wardrobe (pyjamas on the bottom half, anyone?) you’ll fit right in here.
According to Ofcom, Northern Ireland is the best connected of all UK nations. Thanks to our lightning-fast digital infrastructure, we’ve been ranked as in the Top 25 Best Cities to work remotely – with 80% of the country now able connect to ultrafast Full Fibre broadband. Speedy!
4. Excellent Education
Whether you’re a student, a parent, or someone who values educational attainment – you’ll know that a quality education is synonymous with good job prospects, financial security and personal growth.
We’re proud to share that our 9-10 year olds are among the best readers in the world, our GSCE and A Level students consistently outperform their GB counterparts, and we’re home to two internationally respected universities – Queen’s University and Ulster University.
From pre-schools to post-graduates, we think it’s fair to say that Northern Ireland can get a big fat green tick for its education system.
If you’re reading this from across the world and are thinking about moving to Northern Ireland to study – this is your sign. Seriously.
Queen’s University was recently ranked 4th in the world for ‘international outlook,’ with approximately 4,000 international students from over 90 countries. And we’d love to give you a big ‘ole Northern Irish welcome, too.
5. Friendly neighbours & community spirit
Avoiding eye contact and small talk with strangers is a prevalent, unwritten social code in many big cities around the world. But in Northern Ireland, you’ll find quite the opposite! People are friendly and welcoming and won’t think twice about inviting you into their homes for a cuppa.
Belfast came joint second in last year’s Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards for the friendliest UK city, and according to research, our people are more willing to lend a hand to a friend than anywhere else in the UK– travelling more than 60 miles to help them with a flat tyre! That’s the kinds of friends you need in your life. The ones who will (quite literally) go that extra mile for you.
Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quaint countryside village, you’ll find tight-knit communities held together by kindness and a sense of humour. It’s a far cry from the place it was forty years ago.
If you dream about hosting dinners, dropping your kids to football practice, hiking in the Mournes, singing in the local choir, and popping to the pub with friends, Northern Ireland is calling your name. A vibrant social life, entwined with others is possible, and common in this corner of the globe.
And there you have it. Five good reasons why you should consider moving back to Northern Ireland or relocating here for the first time. And we haven’t even got started on our stunning scenery, world-class food and drink, or contemporary arts & entertainment scene. Sure, we’d be here all day if we listed all the benefits.
If you were on the fence, hopefully we’ve now convinced you to take the leap and move back to the motherland. There’s no place like home, right?
Right, get those flights booked, bags packed, and we’ll be seeing you soon!
