Moving to Bristol

Anouchka

My son has just been offered a job in the centre of Bristol. This is brilliant news but unfortunately we do not know Bristol at all.

Together with his girlfriend he will be looking to rent a not too expensive flat in a safe location and he would be very grateful for any advice anyone could give on which areas he should concentrate his search.

Any other information or advice on the area would also be most gratefully received.

Thank you

geri1965_2

What is their budget? How far from the centre of Bristol does he want to be (i.e. will he be driving/getting public transport or walking/cycling?) Do you know whereabouts in the centre of town his office/workplace is?

Houses in some parts of town are cheaper than flats in others.

Nicer areas tend to be more expensive, obviously. Inner city areas as cheaper but not necessarily very safe.

Savvy_Sue

geri has set the right questions, although I think one could validly ask what's meant by the 'centre' of Bristol? However I'd add that there are fewer 'unsafe' areas than you might expect: individual streets can be 'dodgy', but that could apply even in 'nice' areas.

I'd say the key question was how he'll be getting to work: if he's driving I hope he gets parking provided (or he'll pay a fortune). If he's using public transport then making sure he only has to get ONE bus will help his journey times no end.

Same applies to his girlfriend, of course. There might need to be a compromise on the travel convenience!

Of course, we are a cycling city these days, so that may help! He'll certainly get fit!

Anouchka

Thankyou very much for your replies guys.

His office is close to Temple Meads station. Neither of them drive so will be reliant on either public transport or walking (or cycling if they are so inspired).

Price wise they think they could stretch to £700 pcm max but would rather pay less if possible. Location wise they would like either to be close to or in the city centre or further afield, for example the suburbs or even villages etc., with a direct bus or train route into the city. Initially they will be looking for furnished accommodation.

It would be really great if you would be kind enough to suggest a few areas for them to begin their search in.

Thanks a lot

geri1965_2

I would suggest looking around Bedminster/Southville/Totterdown/Brislington for Temple Meads (all within walking distance). Alternatively there is a pretty regular train service on the Severn Beach line, so he could try Lawrence Hill/Redfield/Easton (some people might say that those are not very nice areas however) Montpelier/St Andrews/Bishopston/Redland (a bit more on the expensive side).

geri1965_2

This is not far from the station, and is quite a nice area (up and coming).

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-34699928.html/svr/3108;jsessionid=4B4D6CD3DEF0394A117032FAED1DCCA9?showcase=true

This one has a snooker table!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-26794473.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-34587889.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-14836368.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-26824815.html

Savvy_Sue

geri1965 wrote: »

I would suggest looking around Bedminster/Southville/Totterdown/Brislington for Temple Meads (all within walking distance). Alternatively there is a pretty regular train service on the Severn Beach line, so he could try Lawrence Hill/Redfield/Easton (some people might say that those are not very nice areas however) Montpelier/St Andrews/Bishopston/Redland (a bit more on the expensive side).

I agree with most of that, but it's worth saying that the Severn Beach line is 3 times every 2 hours rather than every half hour, and it becomes LESS frequent at going home time. Also the service stops VERY early on a Sunday, when the buses are generally pants.

Further out / more suburb-y, they could look at Sea Mills and Shirehampton on the SB line. Neither of them has much night life, and there's a better range of shops in Shire, which apparently is up and coming for rentals!

I have colleagues living in Lawrence Hill and Easton, I'd say it was a case of 'pick your road' there. Don't know Easton.

Also they could look at Knowle, which is downhill on the way to work. DS1 used to live there, perfectly safely and happily.

If NOT within walking distance, then I'd recommend if possible finding somewhere with more than one bus or train to work, btw. The NW corner benefits from being able to use the 902 Park and Ride service which stops along the Portway, and we have the train, and various bus routes courtesy of First.

geri1965 wrote: »

This is not far from the station, and is quite a nice area (up and coming).

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-34699928.html/svr/3108;jsessionid=4B4D6CD3DEF0394A117032FAED1DCCA9?showcase=true

This one has a snooker table!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-26794473.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-34587889.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-14836368.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-26824815.html

they all look FAB! :rotfl: But a bit confused about whether the one with the snooker table is furnished or unfurnished, and would you be able to get it out of the way if you didn't want it???

MoneyMate

Check the areas out with http://www.police.uk/ :money:

Savvy_Sue

Yes, although I still say there are dodgy streets within otherwise OK areas.

Personally I'd check out the pubs and nightclubs nearby ...

Arachne_2

geri1965 wrote: »

I would suggest looking around Bedminster/Southville/Totterdown/Brislington for Temple Meads (all within walking distance).

Agreed - I lived in Totterdown for a long time, and my mum currently lives in Southville - North Street's got some lovely shops and a great atmosphere.

Nice and close to OP's son's office, too.

For convenience I think I'd stick to South Bristol, although places like Shire/Sea Mills are nice too (used to live in Shire when I was younger).

geri1965_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

But a bit confused about whether the one with the snooker table is furnished or unfurnished, and would you be able to get it out of the way if you didn't want it???

I was confused about that one as well.