Wouldn't we all?...seriously though it won't be a problem as long as you can afford to rent/buy in so called "no-flag" areas, but they are usually middle/upper class and the housing isn't cheap.

Were all safe enough for a while yet then.

If you're not from the 06, and especially if you're from the 26, be careful in unionist areas. The vast majority of racist attacks take place in their "community".

That's EXACTLY what I meant. South of the Ormeau Bridge is mixed and is relatively safe. Once you go to Lower Ormeau stay on the university side.

Thanks for the help. Reading the replies makes me feel like I'm planning a trip to a warzone :wink:

I am anticapating some aggro because of my accent from some people. Just don't want to be living with it day in-day out. Someone mentioned Newtownards to me? Whats that like?

Newtownards is good in parts, bad in others - same as anywhere else. Don't get things out of proportion - you'll be safer in Belfast than you will be in large parts of Dublin or Limerick. NI crime figures are good.
And I wouldn't worry about the accent.

Your accent won't be a problem daily unless you go somewhere like the Shankill.
Just like my accent isn't a problem in Dublin unless I go to Ballymun (or somewhere).
Newtownards is OK mostly (not the Westwinds estate, but then I'd avoid the Westwinds estate), Comber or Saintfield is probably better if you want to go that side of Belfast.
There's a load of towns around Belfast where there'd be no problem unless you caused it yourself. (Lisburn, Carryduff, Glengormley etc etc etc).

S.Belfast is nice but expensive. Out towards Ballynahinch is equally as nice but a good bit cheaper.

No you're accent wont be a problem daily, just every second day.
Actually the Southern accent is often mistaken by backwoodsmen as belonging to Tinkers. .
Anglo Irish you'll get a cold reception in Loyalsit areas.
Even if you do wear a monocle.

__________________
Just 1 gram of cocaine destroys 4m2 of tropical rainforest. Give it up ya selfish b'stards.

Which explains why you never see Southern registered cars in Northern Ireland of course. And that's why nobody from ROI ever buys holiday homes in NI either. Tosspot.

Only if you go round offering to tarmac people's drives.

Absolute nonsense. You'll get a cold reception in really rough, working class estates no matter which side they belong to. Most areas will treat you as you treat them.

Cheers for the help and advice. Came back from another weekend visit to Belfast and can't say i experienced any problems. Next time we'll go out to a few areas and see what it's like. House prices seems to be much like the south? Average in Cork is €250,000 anyway so I hoping around the same.

I agree with Ballinran aboutt he tougher areas. There are areas in Dublin or Cork or Limerick I wouldn't go near for fear of my safety. Areas I'd undoubtedly recieve a cold welcome. But these are areas I've no interest to live in. Some middle of the road, middle class area is what I'm after really.