Renting in Bristol

Wyndham

Moving to Bristol for work, and looking to rent there. Any advice on areas which are nice, or to avoid? I'm looking to be quite central.

Also, rents seem high and agency fees extortionate! Any agency recommendations - or not - as I want one that isn't going to cause me nothing but problems over the next few months.

AnotherJoe

Like anywhere else, rents will be hugely variable depending on location, and a random location posted here that's decent to live in wont help you if its the other side of Bristol and it takes an hour to get across at rush hour.

I drove across Bristol S to N a couple months ago and the areas varied between nice and slum like, only a mile or two apart, including some very dodgy looking areas maybe less than a mile from the centre. So, ask your new work colleagues.

DCFC79

Decide how far you want to be from say a bus stop or the shops, do you want to be lugging shopping on a bus or would you have use of a car ?

As been suggsted as your colleagues.

I was going to suggest spend a day in bristol but possibly not enough time to do that as Bristols big to cover in a day.

seashore22

Clifton is very nice, but one of the pricier areas of Bristol. I don't live in Bristol, but have a relative who does. The only thing that I hate about it is the parking as it can be a nightmare at times.

The only lettings agent I know of and can recommend is Abode.

http://www.yourabode.co.uk/Abode-Property-Rentals-and-Letting-Management-Services-Clifton-Bristol

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Bristol is expensive. When I rented a few years ago I did so in Southville, which was lovely. Not sure I could afford it now. Bedminster, Redland and Hotwells are all nice enough and fairly central. Clifton is great but expensive. Avoid Easton.

Need more info really, what is your budget? How old are you? Family? Are you looking for a house share or your own place?

seashore22

Also be aware that the Bristol rental market is hot at the moment and you will have to be quick off the mark..

easilydistracted

I lived all over Bristol for the best part of ten years and rented out my place until January (well rooms for friends). The property market there has gone absolutely crazy, both sales and renting. So absolutely agree with Bluebirdman that we would need a lot more info to signpost you and don't expect a lot for your money.

There is an agency that weren't charging tenants any fees and I remember seeing a lot in the press about it at the time, but I have no idea if that agency are any good.

The area I owned and last lived in was Greenbank which I loved, its getting a bit hipster now and therefore expensive. Its really urban so not to everyone's taste but is somewhere I'd recommend if you can afford it. The transport links were fab including a cycle path, but do not go on the cycle path in the dark alone. Eastville nearby is also good in places and not great in other places. Clifton is very posh and you get a lot less for your money, not my cup of tea but lots of people like it and its handy for town, but up a big hill.

I would definitely suggest you take a block bit of time off to go looking at properties and being ready with a rental deposit as they will go in seconds.

The one thing to be really careful about is that agents will advertise a place as being in one area eg Westbury-on-trym (quite a nice area) when its in a really deprived area (Southmead). You can really go from a nice area to bad really quickly.

If you try and drive any distance across the city its a complete nightmare, much better being close or on public transport.

Good luck

TheGardener

My DD was in Bristol for 2 years up until last year and our method (not knowing the area at the time) was to use rightmove to list all 1 bed flats - then looked at where the mid priced ones were and spend a weekend looking round and chatting to agents. As others have said thought - Bristol is a really young, vibrant city at the moment and accommodation prices to rent or buy are diabolical! DD loved living there, she reckoned it was only 2nd to London for the 'vibe'.

Wyndham

Thanks all for the comments.

As I said, I want to be quite central. I'm going to be working quite close to the city center (a little west, but not much), and would like to walk to work, so looking within about a mile or so of there. Unfortunately, I don't have much time to sort this out due to the nature of the job (contract work) - and yes, I know that's not ideal! It will be just me renting, no family.

Thank you again.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Slightly west of centre isn't really giving us much. It could be Clifton, Hotwells or Bedminster. There is no CBD as such, I work in Temple Quay which is Central, but some distance from Queen Sq where a lot of businesses also are. You also haven't given a budget.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-44867985.html

Is that a start?

Wyndham

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Slightly west of centre isn't really giving us much. It could be Clifton, Hotwells or Bedminster. There is no CBD as such, I work in Temple Quay which is Central, but some distance from Queen Sq where a lot of businesses also are. You also haven't given a budget.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-44867985.html

Is that a start?

Thanks I appreciate the help. I may have phrased it badly or something though. I'm not looking for you to find somewhere for me, but to know (generally) areas to avoid which are close to the center (by which I mean where the main shops are, and about a mile around). So of the areas you've mentioned, are they OK? Or would you avoid them?

And if you've rented in Bristol, was the agency you used any good or not? People may not have views, but if there is a good one, it's worth knowing.

Thank you again for all the replies.