Relocating to Bristol
Discussion
Having read the excellent thread on relocating to the Worcester area I thought I would ask a similar question about Bristol. My sister is looking at moving away from the North & Bristol has caught her eye, although we don't know too much about the area. One ofthe key issues is that she doesn't drive so would need to be in an area that has access to good public transport facilites by bus & train.
Any pointers to good or bad areas or any other issues to be considered would be gratefully received. I thought that I had read a topic simlar to this but the site search has failed me.
Any pointers to good or bad areas or any other issues to be considered would be gratefully received. I thought that I had read a topic simlar to this but the site search has failed me.
I used to frequent Brizzle quite a bit when I had friends living there. Clifton is the nicest bit but very expensive. Quite a lot of the rougher areas are slowly being gentrified. My mate lived in Bedminster that was ok but perhaps a bit chavvy. Had another mate in Hotwells, that bit is not bad and a short walk to Clifton, the centre, etc. St. Pauls and Montpelier were pretty dodgy back then but probably getting better.
C0ffin D0dger said:
I used to frequent Brizzle quite a bit when I had friends living there. Clifton is the nicest bit but very expensive. Quite a lot of the rougher areas are slowly being gentrified. My mate lived in Bedminster that was ok but perhaps a bit chavvy. Had another mate in Hotwells, that bit is not bad and a short walk to Clifton, the centre, etc. St. Pauls and Montpelier were pretty dodgy back then but probably getting better.
Bedminster/Southville is now quite trendy and a 10-15 minute walk into town, but house prices reflect this and parking is a nightmare - especially if City are at home. Totterdown is also popular now. Further out there is Portishead and Clevedon but Buses are your only option for public transport - a train link from Portishead is on the cards but could be a few years away yet. Might be worth looking at the new Metrobus route due to start this year. A big investment by the city, so anywhere close to a stop would be good if you don't drive
https://www.google.es/search?q=bristol+metrobus&am...
https://www.google.es/search?q=bristol+metrobus&am...
If public transport is her thing then avoid this place like the plague! Lots to love about Bristol but public transport absolutely isn’t one of them! There is no underground/tram or anything, just very overcrowded buses. Trains within Bristol itself are very limited.
However if she cycles, then the crusade against the motorist that the city has waged in recent years will probably be seen as a good thing for her. I’m convinced the council have made most of their road ‘planning’ decisions around making traffic flow deliberately worse but maybe I’m cynical.
Re buses I live 5 miles out of the centre and it’ll be about an hour door to door trip for me to get from my door to the centre on a bus (bus stop is 2 mins from my door)
Will she be renting or buying? An enormous range of areas to consider depending on budget. City centre and the more trendy areas are incredibly pricey, best value is suburbs - I live just over the county border in South Glos and a 3 bed semi here is cheaper than a 1 or 2 bed flat near the centre. But even our place has gone up 20% since we moved in just over 2 years ago.
It’s a lovely city though aside from that! Anything you need to know feel free to ask.
However if she cycles, then the crusade against the motorist that the city has waged in recent years will probably be seen as a good thing for her. I’m convinced the council have made most of their road ‘planning’ decisions around making traffic flow deliberately worse but maybe I’m cynical.
Re buses I live 5 miles out of the centre and it’ll be about an hour door to door trip for me to get from my door to the centre on a bus (bus stop is 2 mins from my door)
Will she be renting or buying? An enormous range of areas to consider depending on budget. City centre and the more trendy areas are incredibly pricey, best value is suburbs - I live just over the county border in South Glos and a 3 bed semi here is cheaper than a 1 or 2 bed flat near the centre. But even our place has gone up 20% since we moved in just over 2 years ago.
It’s a lovely city though aside from that! Anything you need to know feel free to ask.
Edited by BRISTOL86 on Friday 9th February 18:13
I'm N.Bristol, Chipping Sobdury to be exact.
What type of area does she want to live in? Bristol pretty much has it all; inner city central, harbour side developments, previously 'rough' areas being gentrified, high end of town - Clifton, suburbs like Westbury, Downend, Winterbourne, fringe / new developments like Bradley Stoke and Emersons Green (would avoid at all costs!) through to more village feeling areas like Long Ashton and where I am in Sodbury.
What type of area does she want to live in? Bristol pretty much has it all; inner city central, harbour side developments, previously 'rough' areas being gentrified, high end of town - Clifton, suburbs like Westbury, Downend, Winterbourne, fringe / new developments like Bradley Stoke and Emersons Green (would avoid at all costs!) through to more village feeling areas like Long Ashton and where I am in Sodbury.
I lived in Bristol for many years before I moved abroad and absolutely loved it. The Clifton area is lovely and all, but super expensive.
My last place was at the County Ground in Bishopston, which was a great location. Easy to walk into town if required, loads of good bars and restaurants nearby and a great social scene and community. Still relatively expensive, but not quite as much.
If she is single with no kids, somewhere like that - or Southville/Bedders as previously suggested are great fun places to live. If she has a family, she might prefer somewhere a bit further out, like Yate, Coalpit Heath or Emerson's Green. Be warned though, anywhere that requires a drive to commute in from is extremely painful in rush hour!
Public transport sucks, taxis are pricey. City is vibrant, friendly and a great place to settle.
My last place was at the County Ground in Bishopston, which was a great location. Easy to walk into town if required, loads of good bars and restaurants nearby and a great social scene and community. Still relatively expensive, but not quite as much.
If she is single with no kids, somewhere like that - or Southville/Bedders as previously suggested are great fun places to live. If she has a family, she might prefer somewhere a bit further out, like Yate, Coalpit Heath or Emerson's Green. Be warned though, anywhere that requires a drive to commute in from is extremely painful in rush hour!
Public transport sucks, taxis are pricey. City is vibrant, friendly and a great place to settle.
I've lived in Bristol all my life with stints in London and Brighton.
Yes, Clifton is lovely but parking is a bloody nightmare and it's over-run with folk who know nothing about Bristol except "Clifton is lovely".
Do you have children? If so you probably want to take a look at Henleaze, Westbury-on-Trym, Sneyd Park, Westbury Park or Redland and yes Clifton. All lovely areas, not far from the city centre and with fantastic schools - but you'll need a decent budget as houses ain't cheap!
South of the river (Bedminster, Southville, Ashton Gate etc) has been up and coming for about twenty years and has certainly come along way but be aware of the football ground and associated crowds and traffic - it's a bit too 'hip' for my tastes; Guardian and flat white compulsory
. Long Ashton is nice and a bit further out if you like some greenery...
We have two young kids and reside in Westbury-on-Trym and have a couple of other properties in Redland which has the best secondary school in the City so will be retained.
Happy to answer any questions you might have.
Yes, Clifton is lovely but parking is a bloody nightmare and it's over-run with folk who know nothing about Bristol except "Clifton is lovely".
Do you have children? If so you probably want to take a look at Henleaze, Westbury-on-Trym, Sneyd Park, Westbury Park or Redland and yes Clifton. All lovely areas, not far from the city centre and with fantastic schools - but you'll need a decent budget as houses ain't cheap!
South of the river (Bedminster, Southville, Ashton Gate etc) has been up and coming for about twenty years and has certainly come along way but be aware of the football ground and associated crowds and traffic - it's a bit too 'hip' for my tastes; Guardian and flat white compulsory
. Long Ashton is nice and a bit further out if you like some greenery...We have two young kids and reside in Westbury-on-Trym and have a couple of other properties in Redland which has the best secondary school in the City so will be retained.
Happy to answer any questions you might have.
gred said:
Might be worth looking at the new Metrobus route due to start this year. A big investment by the city, so anywhere close to a stop would be good if you don't drive
https://www.google.es/search?q=bristol+metrobus&am...
Best answer yet, the metrobus 'should' open thing up 'if' they get a company to run ithttps://www.google.es/search?q=bristol+metrobus&am...
Yate? seriously?
I suppose it has a railway stationFYI the fiotball ground will really cause you no problems at all unless you live in its shadow, or want to go to B&M Bargains or Halfords at 3pm every other Saturday.
Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
BRISTOL86 said:
FYI the fiotball ground will really cause you no problems at all unless you live in its shadow, or want to go to B&M Bargains or Halfords at 3pm every other Saturday.
Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
pffft not a side of town we'll go near when a match is on - absolute nightmare. Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
DoubleSix said:
BRISTOL86 said:
FYI the fiotball ground will really cause you no problems at all unless you live in its shadow, or want to go to B&M Bargains or Halfords at 3pm every other Saturday.
Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
pffft not a side of town we'll go near when a match is on - absolute nightmare. Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
On a normal Saturday we get out of the ground about 4.50, back to the car about 5.00 and I’m back in Oldland at around 5.20. Would take me longer than that to get home from work on a normal day which is half the distance.
BRISTOL86 said:
DoubleSix said:
BRISTOL86 said:
FYI the fiotball ground will really cause you no problems at all unless you live in its shadow, or want to go to B&M Bargains or Halfords at 3pm every other Saturday.
Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
pffft not a side of town we'll go near when a match is on - absolute nightmare. Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
On a normal Saturday we get out of the ground about 4.50, back to the car about 5.00 and I’m back in Oldland at around 5.20. Would take me longer than that to get home from work on a normal day which is half the distance.
BRISTOL86 said:
DoubleSix said:
BRISTOL86 said:
FYI the fiotball ground will really cause you no problems at all unless you live in its shadow, or want to go to B&M Bargains or Halfords at 3pm every other Saturday.
Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
pffft not a side of town we'll go near when a match is on - absolute nightmare. Parking is such a nightmare that no one bothers to try and drive to football anymore. We actually do, as we can park on someone’s driveway near the ground, and we are still back to my fiancées folks (about 3 miles from the ground) within 10-15 minutes after a game kicks out, even with a sell out crowd.
Definitely worth thinking about areas East of the city as they can be just as quick to commute in from as several areas within the county border. Keynsham and surrounding area is good as the trains are good to Bristol Temple Meads.
On a normal Saturday we get out of the ground about 4.50, back to the car about 5.00 and I’m back in Oldland at around 5.20. Would take me longer than that to get home from work on a normal day which is half the distance.
Another Oldland resident here, but maybe for not much longer sadly....
BRISTOL86 said:
Oh no! How come?
Live in a rented house and the landlord's considering selling up. Keeping an eye out for something quite local as my youngest lad is at SBL but decent houses within my very limited budget are as rare as hen's teeth round here.Have loved living here though.
Transport in and around Bristol is terrible, public or otherwise.
Without knowing where she’s planning on working, it would be difficult to recommend areas based on public transport options.
Also, is she alone? With a family? House or flat? Buying or renting?
I grew up in Bishopston, but now couldn’t afford to live there as an adult with a family.
I spend my twenties in Fishponds on a lovely road with decent neighbours. Prices a lot lower, but increasing rapidly! A solid investment over the next few years.
I’m now in South Glos and Hambrook/Winterbourne/Frampton gives you a lot more space for your money, but next to useless without a car. The wife does bus into town though with no issues.
Without knowing where she’s planning on working, it would be difficult to recommend areas based on public transport options.
Also, is she alone? With a family? House or flat? Buying or renting?
I grew up in Bishopston, but now couldn’t afford to live there as an adult with a family.
I spend my twenties in Fishponds on a lovely road with decent neighbours. Prices a lot lower, but increasing rapidly! A solid investment over the next few years.
I’m now in South Glos and Hambrook/Winterbourne/Frampton gives you a lot more space for your money, but next to useless without a car. The wife does bus into town though with no issues.
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