New members of the Northern Ireland forum, introduce yourselves here - 2020

Hi there. We are a couple in our 50s and have family in Bangor. We know and like the area , but still researching the move . I'm Scottish , my husband is English.  Wil there be any problem with my husband being English as when we visit it appears not , but only there for a few days at a time . At our age we can't afford to make a wrong judgement .
Everyone's seems really friendly and if so , we will be coming over to live there . Thanks for your help

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

I served in N Ireland during the troubles and have been back since when I had a business interest there.

Bangor is a lovely place; I think as long as you don't go around banging a drum about how fantastic being a Brit is, you'll have no problems at all.  There are still little enclaves around the province where people live in the past, but just stay away from them - they will be very obvious when you see one.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

Do you mean places in the past and avoid in the province or in Bangor or both. Certainly wouldn't bang on about being a Brit. Pretty rude to as well . We love all people and live our lives everyone equal , and all cultures respected.  I'm so grateful for any info , and honest info as this is our future life.  We do have family there so not totally alone , but it needs to be the right decision .
Thank you for taking the time to reply

Hi again.

I mean that even today, there are streets and houses across the Province which are decorated in support of either the Republican or Unionist causes, curbstones painted red/white or green/yellow; flags hung above the front doors; as I said, they are very obvious, you could never drive/walk through them by mistake.  If you have family who lives there, speak to them; this link will take you to a web-page that graphicly demonstrates what I mean.

That said, should you drive through one of the areas, you won't get any hassle, I never did.  I was just surprised when I went back there, some places have not moved on from the 1970s.

Late edit - I should emphasise that these places are very much in a small minority.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

That's brilliant. I thought that was maybe what you meant, but needed clarification!
I genuinely thank you for your help and replies.
Take care

Morning @Daisy2020 and @Cynic. Wow, first time I've logged into this site in ages. Any craic going here? Apologies but working from home and don't know what possessed me to try logging on here while I wait for a part of my system to boot up. Anyway, livin' la vida loca in Co Down - any other US ex pats in this area either of y'all may be aware of?

SalGuerrero wrote:

Morning @Daisy2020 and @Cynic. Wow, first time I've logged into this site in ages. Any craic going here? Apologies but working from home and don't know what possessed me to try logging on here while I wait for a part of my system to boot up. Anyway, livin' la vida loca in Co Down - any other US ex pats in this area either of y'all may be aware of?

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

I should also add, welcome to the Emerald Isle, one thing you'll notice as you live there is there are so many different shades of green, that it almost certainly deserves the title.

Craic - is pretty much dominated by Brexit and COVID.  The good news today about the new vaccination options should enable us to return to some kind of normalcy sooner rather than later.

Have a happy New Year.

Cynic
Expat Team

Good morning Cynic & Expat Team - yes, been living in Ireland - North and South, on and off since 2003, so know it well. Well, let's hope that the vaccine rollout is safely carried out and as equitable as possible. Have  fun, safe New Year y'all.

Hi,

I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread:
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=916045

Thanks!