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Best Places to Live in Belfast UK: 2026 Guide
Belfast's Vibrant Living Awaits
Table of Content
Living in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is more than choosing a neighbourhood. It offers a lifestyle that is affordable, secure, and keeps you connected. Where you live during university time has a huge impact on the commute time, rent prices, social life, safety, and connection to the campus and city life. Belfast neighbourhoods have different vibes and costs, which can often make it difficult to choose the best places to live in Belfast for students.
From the energetic student scenes in Botanic cafés to tranquil, green suburban escapes, each area has a fresh side of urban life. If you are looking for nightlife spots just at your doorstep, cheap student housing options, or just a short distance to the university campus, then Belfast has some amazing neighbourhoods that match your preferences.
Why Belfast Is a Good Place to Live
As one of the UK's most welcoming student cities, you will get to experience budget-friendly days, reliable transport benefits, great nightlife, and ways to academic success and careers. Below are the reasons why the areas to live in Belfast are perfect for students to live and thrive.
1. Public Transportation: Belfast has Translink buses and trains, making travel simple and reliable, with strong connectivity throughout the city. Students from 16 to 23 years of age can use a yLink card to get 50% off on tickets. Both the Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University campuses are well surrounded by quick and good transport options.
2. Cost of Living: Belfast comes in the list of the UK’s best student cities, offering an affordable cost of living as compared to other major universities. The average rent for on-campus housing like Queen's University’s accommodation and private Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) costs around £145 to £210 per week, while private rentals can be higher depending on the area and property type. The monthly student expenses cost between £300 and £1,900, depending on lifestyle choices. To know and understand more, we recommend that you read this guide about the cost of living for students.
| Expenses | Monthly costs |
|---|---|
| Rent for a 1B apartment | £650 to £900 |
| Shared apartments | £450 to £650 |
| Grocery costs | £160 to £220 |
| Transport passes | £50 to £65 |
| Eating out with meals | £7 to £10 |
| Casual dining costs | £12 to £18 per person |
3. Academic & Professional opportunities: The city features famous universities like Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, famous for teaching and research, in engineering, health sciences, and the humanities. Students get different placement and internship opportunities through local businesses and global companies that are based in Belfast. The city also offers plenty of part-time jobs for students, in hospitality at lively City Centre spots like Cathedral Quarter pubs, retail in bustling Victoria Square, or flexible student ambassador roles on campus, perfect for balancing studies with income, making it one of the best places to live in Belfast.
4. Student life: Student life in Belfast is always enriching and fun. The Queen’s University area has some of the great and popular cafes in Belfast, boutiques, art galleries, and bars, all located within an easy walking distance. Social life for students remains quite affordable. The rooftop bars, live music venues, and cultural festivals keep students entertained throughout the year, which you will experience in the best places to live in Belfast.
5. Natural attractions: There’s no shortage of things to do in Belfast for students. Students can chill and relax in City Hall Gardens, walk, and explore the historic Maritime Mile. The NI Science Festival and Chinese New Year celebrations are some of the annual events students can enjoy. The Giant’s Causeway and scenic coastal routes are the best things to see in Belfast during free time.
6. Food, Dining & Nightlife: There are some of the best bars in Belfast to grab a drink, pubs in Belfast that are quite popular and budget-friendly, and tasty restaurants in Belfast that offer diverse food options in Belfast. The White’s Tavern is a famous Irish pub that sits alongside the modern rooftop cocktail bars, attracting a large number of visitors, and restaurant meals here cost around £13 to £19. However, rent can be higher in popular areas, nightlife spots get filled out on weekends, and placements are highly competitive, so early planning before moving is essential.
Top 10 Best Areas To Live In Belfast
1. Stranmillis
Crime Index: 33
Safety Index: 70 out of 100
Walkability Score: 88 out of 100
Average Rent: £700 to £950 per month
Nearest Universities: Queen’s University Belfast (5 to 10 minutes walking distance)
Stranmillis comes in the list of the best place to live in Belfast for students, especially those who are studying at QUB. This area offers a calm, academic atmosphere with excellent safety measures. Safety measures in this area include well-lit residential areas and neighbourhood police patrols. The Botanic Gardens, Lanyon Building, and the McClay Library are natural landmarks that students can explore.
2. Botanic Avenue & Holylands
Crime Index: 42
Safety Index: 61 out of 100
Walkability Score: 92 out of 100
Average Rent: £600 to £850 per month
Nearest Universities: Queen’s University Belfast within 2 to 5 minutes walking distance, Ulster University Belfast ( a 15-minute bus ride).
Botanic Avenue & Holylands is one of the best place to live in Belfast for students who are attending Queen’s University Belfast. This neighbourhood has a very calm atmosphere filled with an amazing campus life. The well-lit streets, regular neighbourhood police patrols, and active late-night transport roads help maintain the safety rate in the city. Botanic Gardens, Ormeau Park, and Queen’s University Student Union are some of the natural landmarks to explore. Botanic Avenue & Holylands is widely famous as one of the best places in Belfast to live.
3. Malone Road
Crime Index: 31
Safety Index: 72 out of 100
Walkability Score: 78 out of 100
Average Rent: £750 to £1,050 per month
Nearest Universities: Queen’s University Belfast (5 to 10 minute drive)
Malone Road stands out as one of the best place to live in Belfast for students and working professionals. The peaceful, residential environment with high safety standards and a strong community feel attracts students from all over the world. The safety measures taken to lower the crime rates are quiet tree-lined streets and an active neighbourhood presence. Malone House, Barnett Demesne, and nearby green walking spaces are top cultural landmarks. This is one of the best neighbourhoods to live in Belfast.
4. Cathedral Quarter
Crime Index: 45
Safety Index: 58 out of 100
Walkability Score: 94 out of 100
Average Rent: £800 to £1,100 per month
Nearest Universities: Ulster University Belfast (5-minute walk), Queen’s University Belfast (15-minute bus ride)
Cathedral Quarter is one of the best area to live in Belfast for rent, and for those who prefer to live in the city-centre area. This is one of the best places to live in Belfast that features a cultural atmosphere with modern student housing apartments, historic architecture, and excellent walkability scores. To maintain safety, there are measures followed, such as CCTV coverage, active nightlife security, and clean public spaces, contributing to the low crime rate. St Anne’s Cathedral, The MAC, and the cobbled streets of Commercial Court are some of the main cultural attractions in Cathedral Quarter. This makes it one of the best neighbourhoods to live in Belfast for students attending the University of Ulster.
5. Ballyhackamore
Crime Index: 38
Safety Index: 63 out of 100
Walkability Score: 82 out of 100
Average Rent: £650 to £900 per month
Nearest Universities: Ulster University Belfast (15-minute bus ride), Queen’s University Belfast (20-minute bus ride)
Ballyhackamore comes in the list of the cool places to stay Belfast as it offers a balance between an affordable lifestyle and academic opportunities. This is one of the best places to live in Belfast, which has many local cafés, dining restaurants, and strong transport services connecting students to the city centre. Quiet residential streets, regular neighbourhood policing, and reliable public transport services are followed to ensure that the crime rate is low. The main local attractions here are the CS Lewis Square, Ballyhackamore Village, and the nearby vast green spaces, and this neighbourhood is one of the best and cheapest places to live in Belfast.
6. Titanic Quarter
Crime Index: 41
Safety Index: 62 out of 100
Walkability Score: 85 out of 100
Average Rent: £800 to £1,100 per month
Nearest Universities: Ulster University Belfast (10-minute walking distance), Queen’s University Belfast (20-minute bus ride)
Titanic Quarter is a perfect suburb for the students who are studying at Ulster University and those who like a modern lifestyle and accommodation with scenic waterfront views. This area, as one of the unique places to stay in Belfast UK, features newly built apartments, open public spaces, and excellent connectivity to the city centre. CCTV surveillance, well-lit walkways, and on-site building security are contributing to a safe and secure environment. The Titanic Belfast, the Maritime Mile, the SSE Arena, and scenic waterfront walking routes are some of the main attractions, making it one of the best places to live in Belfast UK.
7. Ormeau Road
Crime Index: 39
Safety Index: 63 out of 100
Walkability Score: 82 out of 100
Average Rent: £650 to £900 per month
Nearest Universities: Queen’s University Belfast (15-minute bus ride), Ulster University Belfast (20-minute bus ride)
Ormeau Road is one of the best places to live in Belfast UK, for students and young professionals. The area offers a residential atmosphere and is filled with cozy cafés, restaurants, and vast greenery spaces. Well-lit main roads, frequent neighbourhood patrols, and active local communities help keep the area safe with low crime rates. There are some popular landmark attractions like the Ormeau Park, local cafés, and riverside walking paths.
8. Lisburn Road
Crime Index: 32–35 out of 100
Safety Index: 65–68 out of 100
Walkability Score: 80–85 out of 100
Average Rent: £750–£1,050 per month
Nearest Universities: Queen’s University Belfast (10 minutes by bus), Ulster University Belfast (20 minutes by bus)
Lisburn Road is one of the most desirable and cool places to stay Belfast, UK. This area has many boutique shops, cafés, and modern housing apartments. Safety measures are taken to keep the crime rates low, such as busy commercial streets and a strong community presence. Top universities like the OUB, attractions like the Victoria Square, Windsor Park, and a wide range of dining and retail options make Lisburn one of the unique places to stay in Belfast UK for students.
9. Belmont Road
Crime Index: 37 out of 100
Safety Index: 65 out of 100
Walkability Score: 79 out of 100
Average Rent: £600 to £850 per month
Nearest Universities: Ulster University Belfast (15-minute bus ride), Queen’s University Belfast (25-minute bus ride)
The Belmont Road area, which is located in East Belfast, is a good place to live in Belfast UK, for students and graduates who are looking for value and community living. The area offers a relaxed vibe with independent shops and eateries. Safety measures are taken through residential streets, neighbourhood policing, and good transport routes. Nearby attractions here are the Belmont Bowling Club, local cafés, and students get quick access to the city centre.
10. Jordanstown
Crime Index: 33 out of 100
Safety Index: 70 out of 100
Walkability Score: 74 out of 100
Average Rent: £550 to £800 per month
Nearest Universities: Ulster University Jordanstown (10-minute walk), Ulster University Belfast (25-minute bus ride)
Jordanstown is one of the best places to live near Belfast UK, for students studying at the Ulster University. This area has a quiet and suburban environment with coastal access and a strong campus life. Low-density housing, campus security presence, and well-lit residential areas help to maintain the safety and security in Jordanstown. The top natural attractions here to explore are the Jordanstown Shore, beautiful coastal walking routes, and the famous Ulster University’s Jordanstown campus. Jordanstown is one of the cheap places to live in Belfast for students.
Conclusion
Belfast is an amazing city for domestic and international students. International students cover about 20 to 25% of the city’s total population, offering a very strong multicultural vibe. The UK Graduate Route allows graduate students to stay and work for 2 years after their studies, and 3 years for PhD graduates. Crime rates in Belfast are 10 to 15% lower than the national average. Over 65% of students live just within 30 minutes of their university campus, reducing the risk of late-night travelling.
Choosing the best area to live in Belfast depends on your needs. If academic opportunities and calm living matter most, Stranmillis and Malone Road consistently rank among the best neighbourhoods in Belfast to live. For affordability and socialising, Botanic Avenue is a top choice, while Cathedral Quarter allows a walkable and city-centre living. Ballyhackamore stands out for value and a good lifestyle. This guide about the safest and most dangerous neighbourhoods in Belfast will help you make a better decision. So, whether you’re chasing convenience, looking for a close community, or simply looking for a place that feels like home, these are the best neighbourhoods to live in Belfast for every chapter of your story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belfast UK a good place to live?
Yes, Belfast is a good place to live, due to its affordability, compared to other UK cities, rich culture, friendly people, and proximity to beautiful nature, offering strong employment and good education.
Is Belfast cheap to rent?
The average private rent price in Belfast was £1,117 recently. That compares with £871 across Northern Ireland. Local housing data are based on a smaller number of properties than our national estimates, meaning short-term trends are more variable.
Is Belfast very rainy?
The 12 cities with the heaviest rainfall in October are Glasgow, Swansea, Belfast, Blackpool, Stockport, Cheltenham, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Aberdeen, Eastbourne, Exeter, and Hastings. December is the second most popular month for rainfall when looking at each city's heaviest month of rainfall.
What languages are spoken in Belfast?
The three languages of Northern Ireland that are still spoken today are Irish (Gaelic), Ulster Scots, and English.
Is Belfast good for students?
It is a modern, compact capital city with a great quality of life. The city has a great history, exciting events, festivals, great food, fantastic shopping, and world-class culture. It is also one of the most affordable cities for students in the UK.
Is Belfast expensive for students?
Some of the best area to live in Belfast offer low utilities, reasonable housing, and budget-friendly transport options. There are many affordable places to live in Belfast for students that provide academic and social benefits.
Is Belfast safe to walk at night?
Yes, Places like the city centre, Queen's Quarter, and busy streets are normally safe to walk at night. Never take a dark street at night, never leave your items unattended, and be on the alert.