Greencastle and the surrounding north Belfast neighbourhoods offer a settled, family-friendly base with consistently low crime and living costs that undercut the UK average across council tax, utilities, groceries and transport. Fortwilliam, for instance, charges council tax at around £95 a month against a £147 national average, while Duncairn comes in roughly 42% below the norm. Crime trends are moving in the right direction nearly everywhere, with burglary and vehicle crime staying low and figures in areas like Fortwilliam and Innisfayle continuing to fall into 2026. Schools are a real strength across the area. You'll find well-regarded options on the doorstep in nearly every neighbourhood, from Hazelwood Integrated Primary and College in Bellevue to Cavehill Primary, St Therese of Lisieux Primary, Seaview Primary and Dominican College in Fortwilliam, plus a good mix of state, Catholic-maintained and integrated choices within easy reach throughout. Air quality is another consistent plus, rated good across the board, which suits an active, outdoor lifestyle given the elevated, green setting on Belfast's northern slopes. Getting around does vary a bit by neighbourhood. Duncairn stands out for genuine public transport options with its own bus and railway stations, while Bellevue, Cavehill and Innisfayle lean more towards car use, with everyday public transport and some grocery shopping requiring a short trip outside the immediate area. Chichester Park and Fortwilliam both offer strong trunk road and M2 access for commuters, alongside a solid spread of supermarkets, pharmacies and GP practices. Overall, this is a well-connected, affordable corner of Belfast that suits families and anyone wanting low crime and good schools within easy reach of the city centre.