Renting in Bristol

dannim12345

Nice but central I would say Clifton, Redland, Hotwells etc. Yes, they are expensive areas. I am with a agency called Sarah Kenny who are good and very professional but the fees aren't cheap (although that will be change at some point due to the autum statement).

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

No - the agency I rented through were not good. They were even mentioned in this thread as being good, not my experience! But then I have a 0% success rate. Every single one of the tenancy agreements I've ever signed has had unenforceable clauses in. The most recent agency turned up for viewings with 0 notice. But, when I rented, I just accepted that letting agents somehow know nothing about property, and get on with it. Life is too short, go for the property you like.

If you can afford Clifton - super. If not, Southville or Redland are great alternatives. The only place that could be described as Central that's a must avoid is Easton.

boliston

I would have a look at something at something like rightmove that lets you do area specific searches - BS1 covers most of the central part of bristol and most of the more suburban parts have other postcodes so I'd go with BS1 if possible. I visit bristol quite a lot and clifton village, although very posh is quite a way out from the centre up a steep hill, although park street leading to clifton is very nice area.

Have done a quick search here http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=OUTCODE%5E259&numberOfPropertiesPerPage=24&radius=0.0&sortType=1&index=0&propertyTypes=flat&primaryDisplayPropertyType=flats&includeLetAgreed=false&viewType=LIST&areaSizeUnit=sqft&currencyCode=GBP

which brings up quite a few results - some apartments seem aimed at students but i'm not sure if you have to be a student. Nice areas are the "old town" centred around baldwin street/park street/queen square/corn street which has loads of character and there are other newly built flats near millennium square but this area does lack character.

bearcat16

I lived in Bristol for many years. Great place.

Live in either Redland, Westbury Park, Clifton or (if you don't mind a commute) Longwell Green.

It's better to rent directly from a landlord (rather than through an agency) but if you can afford to buy a house, then do so. It will probably earn more than your salary in appreciation.

sammyjammy

AVOID ST PAULS AT ALL COSTS!!!!

http://www.ukcrimestats.com/Neighbourhood/Avon_and_Somerset_Constabulary/St_Pauls

ciderboy2009

I was just about to add St Pauls to the 'No' list!

OP - can you give us a better idea of where exactly your work is? I've lived in Bristol all my life and don't really know where to recommend based on your 'slightly West' description.

Also, will you have a car or be likely to have a lot of visitors by car? Most of the central and surrounding areas now have residents parking schemes which can make parking horrendous.

Finally, can you give an idea of what type of property you're looking for - there's not much point in recommending areas which are mainly 1 or 2 bed flats if you're looking for a 4 bed house.

brizzledfw

I have lived in Bristol for over 15 years now - love my adopted city.

We have rented rooms out in the past (we used SpareRoom) and walk or cycle pretty much everywhere in town.

Everywhere (including Greenbank and Easton (I have good friends who wouldnt live anywhere else) has some nicer parts and more gritty parts..) but rents are expensive. £400 pm plus bills for a room is not unusual. You may get a better deal on M-F if you can manage that.

Parking point above by ciderboy above is also well made and traffic is stupid. Walking or cycling is a much better option in the rush hour.

Hope you enjoy your stay