September 15, 2023
If a vibrant and desirable location is what you are after, then South Belfast might just be the location of choice. A highly sought-after area for home buyers in the city, South Belfast consists of a number of safe and quiet neighbourhoods, each with a distinctive character and a shared sense of community, which offer residents a range of amenities right on their doorstep.
In this blog, we will explore the advantages of living in South Belfast, covering everything from its excellent education opportunities to the green, leafy, and quiet suburban life.
Leafy City Living
Famous for its tree-lined streets, South Belfast has a reputation for being the ‘green’ area of the city. Botanic Gardens, the Lagan towpath, Barnett’s Demesne and Ormeau Park are just a few examples of parks and walkways that are within a 10-minute drive of each other and offer residents the opportunity to explore nature whilst still being in the heart of the city. Whether it’s a walk with friends through the gardens at Ormeau Park, a picnic in the Lagan Meadows with your family, or a peaceful cycle along the Lagan River towpath, South Belfast has an outdoor setting to suit everyone.
Popular Shopping Routes
With so much greenery, it’s easy to forget the proximity that South Belfast offers to a number of the city’s bustling thoroughfares. Whether you enjoy a bit of window shopping or an afternoon to browse the shops, South Belfast offers a variety of options to meet your needs. The Ormeau Road, Lisburn Road, Stranmillis Road and Saintfield Road offer shoppers the choice of everything from independent boutiques to high street brands.
In 2021, the Ormeau Road was named as Northern Ireland’s High Street of the Year, in part due to the community spirit and thriving local businesses that trade on this historic street. However, if the convenience of a one-stop shop with accessible parking is more appealing, look no further than Forestside Shopping Centre, which boasts a range of big name brands all under one roof.
Thriving Gastro-Scene
Boutique restaurants, cosy pubs, coffee houses and delicious eateries – South Belfast offers an abundance of culinary delights. On the Ormeau Road, you’ll often find a queue of people outside the General Merchants on a Saturday morning in line for the famous coffee and all-day breakfast menu, or The Shed restaurant buzzing with diners in the evening. In Stranmillis, the outdoor area of Cutters Wharf is a popular spot with people enjoying food and drinks overlooking the River Lagan. Whilst walkers, joggers and cyclists often enjoy a relaxing break at the Lock Keepers Inn on the banks of the river.
Community Spirit
Noted for its host of public events there is no shortage of things to see and do in South Belfast. For sporting enthusiasts young and old, there are several sports clubs that you can join, including Cooke Rugby Club, Belvoir Park Golf Club and Belfast Boat Club. For those who enjoy the creative arts, the Lyric Theatre, Crescent Arts Centre, QFT and Ulster Museum have a jam packed events calendar. Other popular community events that you won’t want to miss include Mela at Botanic Gardens, Ballynafest and Belsonic – there’s definitely something for everyone and all ages!
Getting Around Belfast
In terms of transport, South Belfast is well connected with the rest of the city and offers several regular public transport routes in and out of the city centre. The Cairnshill Park and Ride and Metro bus routes are ideal for those who need ease and flexibility when travelling to the city centre.
Top Priorities for Families
Parents will also have plenty of choice when it comes to both primary and secondary schools, with the likes of Lagan College, Aquinas Grammar School, Methodist College, and Victoria College all situated in the area.
At the weekends, there is a range of activities available nearby that are suitable for all age groups and budgets. We Are Vertigo, Let’s Go Hydro, and the Knockbracken driving range are popular spots for fun-seekers and are all located just five minutes from the Four Winds area of South Belfast. For those looking for something at a slower pace, explore the past and the present at the Ulster Museum or check out the upcoming film releases at Northern Ireland’s leading independent cinema, the QFT.
South Belfast is a beautiful suburb of the city that mixes greenery and space with amenities and convenience. It offers homeowners the chance to be part of a close knit and safe community in a thriving popular suburb of the city.
At Fraser Millar, our current development in South Belfast, Lancaster Park, not only offers a great location with all these excellent amenities nearby but our residential development offers three and four bedroom stylish detached and semi-detached homes.
Award-winning and Passivhaus LEB Certified, our homes greatly exceed mandatory building regulations and energy performance, delivering superior building standards, low energy bills, constant fresh air, excellent internal comfort and quiet interiors.
So, if you’re thinking of moving home come along to our show house at Lancaster Park on Sundays between 2pm and 4pm and see for yourself the benefits of living in South Belfast as well as the benefits of Passivhaus living.
frasermillar.co.uk
