NORTHERN IRELAND

Belfast: south — Best Places to Live in the UK 2020

Leafy, laid-back and full of parks, bars and cafes, this is the most sought-after corner of the Northern Irish capital for good reason

Best places to live: South Belfast has some of the most expensive homes in Northern Ireland — though they are good value compared with the rest of the UK
Best places to live: South Belfast has some of the most expensive homes in Northern Ireland — though they are good value compared with the rest of the UK
ALAMY
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times

Northern Ireland’s capital is young (43% of people are under 30), defiantly optimistic (it enjoyed the highest productivity growth in the UK between 2013 and 2017) and determined to put past troubles behind it. “There are now two generations here who haven’t had to live with sectarian issues,” says Bill Wolsey, a hotelier and entrepreneur who has done as much as anyone to put the buzz into Belfast, with the luxe Merchant Hotel, the trendy Bullitt Hotel and a host of bars and restaurants in which to toast the new mood. His latest venture is the conversion of the Ulster Sports Club into a retro, small-scale live music venue showcasing “all the oddities that reflect the character of Belfast”. That said, the next big show