Moving to Bristol

magyar

Tondella wrote:

well I'll be working on victoria st, near bristol meads station

Bit more than 20 mins walk then, as BTM is the other side of the town centre to Bristol. There's a train from Clifton Down to BTM, which may be the best way, although it's not too bad a cycle.

magyar

chrispyphillips wrote:

I loved it, and am sure you will too my lover

Cheers, drive!

magyar

Tondella wrote:

Thanks for this, I have only heard good things about living in Bristol, either from people who have lived there or want to live there.

It really is fabulous. I'd live there but I work too far the wrong way, otherwise I'd be there like a shot. Great local culture scene, local bands, pubs etc., but also plenty of green areas, nice walks and so on.

Plus you're close enough to London for a day trip (last train back is usually about 11.30pm) and also to Cornwall for a spot of surfing!

V_Chic_Chick

I really don't know about how much places go for, but I would recommend Redland/Cotham (where my mum lives, and I live part time), but the nearest supermarket is in Clifton Down (unless you count a small Somerfields). You're only a stone's throw away from the Gloucester Road, which has all sorts of local, independent stores on it, as well as a Tesco Express, Boots and Smile. It's also about 20 minute's brisk walk to the city centre, if you go down the very steep Marlborough Hill (I mention this because we were doubling our journey time before we realised this, which took about 4 years. There are lots of converted Victorian properties, and the local school, Cotham comprehensive has a good reputation if you are planning on having kids.

Clifton (I'm going to talk about Whiteladies Road area here, as that's what I know about - my grandparents live there) is good, and there are lots of good shops on Whiteladies Road, including a Tesco Express where I spent a month arguing with them over voucher acceptance, before I produced a letter from CS and emerged triumphant. . . . they hate me there but that's a whole other story. There is also a Sainsbury's at Clifton Down, where there is also a boots, wh smiths and so on.

As for those 5102 flats over St James Barton - don't. They're stood over a busy main road, and the traffic noise must be awful.

There is also an out-of-town shopping centre on the north side of Bristol, called Cribbs Causeway, with a massive shopping centre called The Mall (subject of many a girly outing), and a big Vue cinema, b&q, tkmaxx, hobbycraft etc.

You'll want to stay away from areas like Knowle West, St Pauls and Laurence Weston, as they are really rough. Bedminster isn't quite as rough, but is still a bit chavvy TBH.

magyar

V_Chic_Chick wrote:

You'll want to stay away from areas like Knowle West, St Pauls and Laurence Weston, as they are really rough. Bedminster isn't quite as rough, but is still a bit chavvy TBH.

How very dare you! Agree with all the rest, though.

One other possibility, although it's also a little on the rough side, is Montpelier which is quite bohemian. Although if you can afford it the other areas are nicer: maybe popping into places like Montpelier for a curry...

Just don't even go INTO St Paul's. Not even for a look!

V_Chic_Chick

There's a nice city farm in Bedminster though, called Windmill Hill City Farm. I start volunteering there on satyrday week There are also city farms in St. Werburghs, Hartcliffe and Laurence Weston, but Hartcliffe is also mega-rough.

I have to agree about the whole don't-even-think-about-going-into-St-Pauls bit though. There are more pimps than you can shake a stick at, plus a massive drug problem. There's a girl in my year at school whose dad used to own the infamous black and white cafe there, before the police got a court order to pull it down. He was on the local news about it when they pulled it down. Which is how they got the money for an Audi TT and her private education. She's been seen more than once hanging around on the streets of St Pauls more than once too.

Molanole

I loved living in Bristol and would go back like a shot if the work was there for me. Fantastic place.

I guess that Bedminster would be the best in terms of your work location. It would probably be described as up and coming (think in the same way that Acton or Tooting are up and coming but in a Bristol equivalent IYSWIM).

Clifton is nice but way too full of students and probably a bit far away once you move into the more bohemian areas. Redland and Cotham are nice too and with all three areas you have the number 8 and 9 buses which go to BTM. Having said that all areas would be a decent enough cycle.

Also what about Hotwells? It was up and coming when I was there.... if it ever got there I don't know but might be worth a try.

tiff

Agree with all the above, Clifton/Cotham/Redland/Kingsdown are great areas. If you live there you can walk to Whiteladies Road, which has many shops/cafes/bars/delis etc. Also Clifton Village has a really nice atmosphere.

squirreltufty

I've lived within 10 miles of Bristol (<--- deliberately vague) for a VERY long time, and I know it VERY well.

If you work near Temple Meads, you will possibly want to live fairly centrally.

Clifton/Redland/Cotham are very desirable areas, with nice (but expensive) shops but when I lived there I found I got very little for my money, and I could never park during term time, and I found it a little TOO 'studenty'. Buses (and occasional trains) will take you right to BTM from Clifton.

Montpelier, St Andrews, Bishopston, Horfield are all a blur... I've never been sure where one starts and another ends. The line between St Pauls and Montpelier is also quite blurred these days.
All of the above are north of the river.

South of the river you will find Totterdown, Windmill Hill, Victoria Park, Bedminster, Southville, Ashton. Southville & Victoria Park are the most expensive of these (but still way cheaper than north of the river), mainly because it will only take you a short walk to Temple Meads area or the centre, and about the same to drive the same distance:rotfl:(slight exaggeration, but I kid you not, the congestion is horrific at times:eek:). The shopping and entertainments are not as classy as Clifton etc., but they are definitely improving, and there are some definite hot spots, and you get a lot more for your rent or mortgage.

Once you get into the suburbs, you get less culture and shopping, but more garden space and house for your money. There are also two huge, sprawling, bleak council estates (Hartcliffe and Southmead) plonked on the northern and southern edges. Give me a choice between St Pauls and Hartcliffe, and St Pauls wins hands down.

The closest of all to Temple Meads is Redcliffe. There are some very swanky apartments and warehouse conversions, about 10 minutes walk from BTM, Broadmead and some lovely places to eat and drink, and a couple of of arty cinemas. But no gardens to speak of, and parking may be a problem.

Hotwells is expensive (with similar apartments etc.) and located on a busy route in and out of Bristol, but right opposite the marina and the SS Great Britain and pretty close to Clifton shopping etc.

Any help?
Sorry for the long post.:eek:

Glad

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