Bristol – where to live?
Whilst life has changed a lot over the last few months, life is starting to resume again and job offers and house moves are happening. Here is our latest blog on why moving to Bristol is a fantastic idea.
For whatever reason, you have made the decision to move to Bristol. Firstly congratulations, as massive aficionados of all things Bristol, we know you will love your new home. It’s one amazing city that we have lived and worked in for longer than we care to remember. Here are a few thoughts on how to find your feet and help you make decisions on where to live and how to move around.
Where to live?
Waterfront, city-centre living
For being in the midst of it all, take your pick from one of the many developments that surround Harbourside. Once a busy working harbour, Bristol’s Harbourside is now one of the places to live. Wapping Wharf, Canon’s Marsh and Redcliffe to name but a few. You won’t ever be far away from a sunny waterside place to walk and sit, any number of places to eat and drink and well-known landmarks such as Brunel’s iconic SS Great Britain and the fascinating museum all about Bristol and other good stuff at the M Shed.
Bohemian rhapsody
A bit further away from the action, but oh so desirable is Hotwells, Clifton Wood and Clifton Village. The brightly painted houses of Clifton Wood tumble down the hill from the village to Hotwells, linking the three areas together in one glorious bohemian mix of Georgian, Victorian and modern architecture. Views, crescents, parks, independent shops, restaurants and pubs appear around corners, often tucked away for locals to keep secret and visitors to find. And – yes eventually from Clifton Village you reach “the bridge” suspended across the Avon Gorge. Imagine having that as your neighbour, many do!
Fields and cows
Feeling like having a bit of countryside on your doorstep, rather than being in the middle of it all? Look no further than Long Ashton, Almondsbury, Chew Magna or Winterbourne. All are villages in their own right but are within a 20-30 minute commute (depending on traffic) into Bristol city centre. Weekend country walks, Sunday roasts at your local village pub and then Monday morning, “back to it in town” – but not a million miles apart. Sounds ideal huh?
Leafy neighbourhoods
If something a little more residential is your thing, think leafy ‘burbs, quiet residential streets, between the city and fringes – then look no further than the likes of Stoke Bishop, Henleaze or Brislington. Bristol has many neighbourhoods like these, each with their own personality and array of accommodation and amenities.
Need more help? We can highly recommend Peter’s team at Accommodation Unlimited, real experts on finding just the right place for you to live in Bristol.
Moving Around
Public transport is not Bristol’s strongest feature, forgive us and enjoy all the other brilliant aspects of living in this city. However, needs must – you have to get around. By foot is fantastic – great if you are living and working in a fairly central area. Don your trainers and off you go. Be warned you will get fit very quickly, Bristol is built on seven hills, so lots of ascents and of course descents.
There are varying options when it comes to public transport and the Bristol City Council is working hard to reduce traffic so (we should say in more normal circumstances) jumping on the buses or even local trains is getting easier and more efficient. Some can even have the pleasure of commuting via a ferry or water bus. Now that’s a really great way to start your working day.
If you are living on the outskirts of Bristol or in the countryside, you can take advantage of the park and ride and the Metro Bus schemes that exist around the fringes of the city. Far more cost-effective and less time consuming than driving into the centre of Bristol and paying for parking there. Simply park your car and jump on an express bus into the central area.
If you do decide to drive into town, there are quite a few central car parks which are all listed here.
We really love Bristol and hope you will too. Happy settling in and please feel free to ask us anything you like about all things Bristol and of course finding a job in Bristol
