Thinking of moving to Bristol? We’ve created a useful guide to give you some basic information that we hope you’ll find helpful.
Bristol is a city with a story behind it and a cocoon of spirited and passionate West-Country folk which create an unmistakable identity to this cultural hotbed in the hills of South-West England. Filled with historic landmarks, cobbled streets, and an unrivalled aquatic heritage, Bristol is the heartbeat of culture and a fabulous place to live, work, or visit. Our authentic and reliable guide takes you through the ins and outs of everything you need to know about moving to this exciting, modern, and growing city.
Stokes Croft is one of the street-art centres of Bristol, the classic Georgian terraces in Clifton, this city is, in all truth, as much of a various place as the people who live in it. There are a bunch of incredible alumni who have come from Bristol. Banksy, the creator of Wallace and Gromit, and a heaping helping of independent businesses. Bristol has a strong culture of individuality and self-expression.
Bristol is a unique place, and it has many styles. Each part of Bristol is distinct – they have a unique style and way of life that makes picking the right place for you to live quite tricky. To make sure that you’ve got the knowledge you need to make the right decision, we’ve put together a guide on some of our top-rated neighbourhoods in Bristol.
Best Place to Live
Clifton
Clifton is considered to be one of the more desirable areas of the city. Known to be an affluent area, it is situated on the banks of the River Avon and is considered one of the more expensive areas in the city to live. The area is packed with character, with quaint streets and easy access to the city centre. There are some great walks nearby and there are brilliant schools while crime rates are low. The Georgian and Victorian houses give the area charm and character. Here you will find the famous Clifton suspension bridge as well as independent shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés. It is also the location of the University of Bristol, which certainly adds to the appeal of the area.
Redland
Redland can be found just south of Henleaze as this is another place that is definitely perfect for living in. You can find that perfect balance between the hustle and bustle of the city or the peace of the quiet suburbs. You will find that the area is made up of family homes as well as villas and flats, which means that there is a diverse population here, ranging from young families to professionals. As it is in proximity to the University of Bristol, students tend to spend the term time living here, although there are plenty of other top schools located in the area. There is lots of history here, some great places to explore as well as restaurants and bars.
Redcliffe
Located in the centre of Bristol, this is the best place to live if you love city life. It is a high-end area of the city and can be found between the floating harbour and the River Avon. There has been a lot of development there in recent years, while you will also find a range of restaurants and bars too. There are plenty of historic places nearby too, while it is ideal for young professionals who aren’t keen on a long commute. If you are moving there with children, then you will find some of the best schools here too.
Portishead
Portishead is located ten miles away from the city centre, which means that you can enjoy the best of both worlds if you are thinking about moving here. This is an area that is popular with families. The marina has recently been redeveloped with flats being added for professionals, while there are many restaurants and shops available to enjoy too. It has no shortage of amenities and things to do, which means Portishead is a good place for people who like to keep busy.
Bedminster
You will find Bedminster on the south side of Bristol, and it has been through significant redevelopment in recent years. You will find many Victorian-style properties here and plenty of history and quirky areas. Many properties have been converted which makes it ideal for busy professionals it is only a mile away from the centre of Bristol which means that you can enjoy the hustle and bustle but also enjoy walks along the River Avon.
Knowle
Knowle is a residential area that can be found to the South East of the centre of Bristol. It is popular with families as it boasts lots of green spaces that can be enjoyed. The prices are lower here, although commuting into the city centre is not difficult thanks to good transport links. A lot of development has taken place as the area wants to appeal to more people, which means that you will find that perfect blend of old and new.
St Pauls
This is a lively area of the city and is ideal for those who love diverse cultures and everything close at hand. It consists of Victorian and Georgian properties, many of which have been converted into flats. It is close to the city centre, which does mean that prices are higher. It takes minutes to get into the centre of Bristol, but here you will find Cabot Circus and the likes of the harbour, which can be enjoyed with its restaurants and bars.
Southville
You will find Southville to the south of the River Avon and from here you can access the harbourside where you will find plenty of restaurants and bars. In the area, there are plenty of independent businesses too, making this a thriving and popular area. It has the Tobacco Factory Theatre which is a hub for the area, while it is popular with families looking to set up home in one of the many Victorian terraces in the area.
City Centre
The city centre is a hive of activity, as you can imagine, but here you will find plenty to keep you entertained. The cost of living in the centre is higher, but with this comes a plethora of restaurants, bars, and venues that you can enjoy. There are plenty of flats available, while there are many shops and shopping centres too. As you can imagine, the centre is more popular with professionals than families although if you choose the city centre and want to escape, the transport links are excellent.
Brislington and Knowle
Brislington and Knowle are settled next to each other on the BS4 postcode. Brislington once visited by King Henry VII in the 15th century, and Knowle has been recorded in the 11th-century Domesday book under the original spelling of Canole.
Brislington is the heart of two main development areas that have been converted into studios by various industries. The city centre is walkable, which makes it one of the broadest demographics and highly eclectic areas. There are unique local convenience shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Its counterpart is much more modern and traditional, having many community groups and the boardwalk shopping centre. The area is recently home to a multiple redevelopment program.
Brislington Brook, a tributary of the River Avon, runs directly through the northern border into the Woodlands of Nightingale Valley.
Totterdown
Totterdown is one of the best places to visit if you want to explore Bristol, not just because of the best views in the city, but you can also see a brightly coloured range of houses that showcases the creativeness of the residents.
Totterdown was called by The Times newspaper the fifth-hippest place to live in the UK in 2016 with the help of Paintworks. Its quirky attraction and aesthetic charm of the different coloured terraced houses is an iconic sight to the south of the city. As well as access to a large assortment of houses to live in, there are plenty of creative types you can enjoy here.
The area is pretty popular for younger families because there are lots of school options, plenty of local parks, and a very friendly local atmosphere.
St George
The St George area has become a popular choice for families. There are five schools in the area, and it’s also reasonably affordable for a first-time buyer. Nowadays, the average cost of a house is above £200,000.
Saint George’s Park is the centrepiece of the area, and it is a stunning, open green space with plenty of things to do. There is a play area, tennis courts, a skate park, and even a music festival in the summer.
If you go down to Church Road, then you’ll see all the local amenities on full display. There is a wonderful selection of different cafés and restaurants, an organic food shop, and even an artisan bakery.
Easton
As the name Easton suggests, this is the eastern side of the city and is a pretty popular area. The average price of a house is £230,000. The area has become well known for being part and part of the legend known as Banksy, a street artist who remains unknown to this day. Banksy left many of his graffiti projects in the area, and it’s a hotbed for both the artistic and the Bohemians alike. Furthermore, the area is home to a very strong sense of community and also environmental awareness. So, if you are an ethnically oriented person, then this would be a good spot to settle.
As well as having a great selection of places to eat, the area is home to the Bristol Sweetmart. This is a place full of award-winning things, so it’s well worth popping in to take a glance.
Montpelier
Montpelier is one of the most popular areas for young people. It is popular with young professionals who are drawn to the nightlife, as well as the cultural options available in the area. It’s near Stokes Croft, with very multicultural residents, so if you like the inner city, this is somewhere you could settle in. Plus, it does have some of those gorgeous Grade II Georgian properties; they’re just at a much lower price than in Clifton.
Although the area is popular with young people, it’s also suited to families, as there are five schools within the area. You’ve got four basic primary schools and then an all-female secondary school.
Hotwells
Hotwells is located south of Clifton, a district in Bristol named for the hot springs that come up from the rocks of the Avon Gorge next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s about a mile out from the city centre.
A lot of the housing in the area was in a state of disrepair during the first half of the 20th century, but over the last 50 years, a proper renovation effort has been led, and a lot of the older Georgian properties have been successfully restored to former glory. Furthermore, there are plenty of housing developments built on what used to be dockside wharves.
Longwell Green and Bitton
Longwell Green is a suburb of Bristol located in the county of Gloucestershire. It has many local amenities, as well as a primary school committee centre. There are retail and leisure parks nearby, and it’s a very pleasant place.
The BS30 postcode is also home to Bitton, south of Gloucestershire which is home to 9000 people.
Keynsham and Saltford
Keynsham is a town which is located between Bristol and Bath and home to about 16,000 people. It’s been occupied since pre-start times, and at least two Roman villas have been identified in the area. In the 12th century, it was a medieval market town. The area has pretty good transport connections and is close to Salford.
Salford, in this case, is a large village near Bristol. It’s one of the more important villages in the area thanks to the Salford Manor house, which is the oldest building currently occupied in England. There are also four pubs, a Norman church, and the old brass mill that goes back to the 18th century.
Bradley Stoke and Almondsbury
Bradley Stoke is a suburb that was built in the 1980s just outside Bristol to the north and is below the interchange of both the M4 and the M5 motorway. It is located about 6 miles from the city centre, which makes it very convenient for anybody trying to travel into the city, and it has the Willowbrook Centre in the area which attracts millions of visitors every year.
Contrastingly, Almondsbury is a large village which is located just a few miles from the city centre. One of the most important historical landmarks there is Saint Mary’s Parish Church, which dates back to the 12th century.
Backwell and Nailsea
Finally, there is Nailsea, a commuter town with more than 15,000 population, the Nailsea Glassworks were founded in the 18th century, and while they didn’t last very long, the glass that was produced is still popular with collectors today. The town has many pubs in youth clubs, and there’s been a carnival since the 1960s. There’s a rich history for this place, even though it hasn’t been necessarily the most successful, and it’s always nice to come and visit the carnival and see what’s about.
Alveston and Thornbury
Alveston is a small village that has about 3000 residents. It’s 10 miles north of the city centre and is near where Bristol connects to Gloucester. The local pub, the Ship Inn, used to be a coaching house and goes back to 1589.
Contrastingly, Thornbury is much bigger than Alveston and is a market town located about 12 miles away from the city centre. Around 12,000 people live in the region and are famous for the discovery of the Thornbury hoard, which saw over 11,000 coins dating back to 260 A.D. dug up. There is a High Street, lots of pubs, and two supermarkets.
Failand and Leigh Woods
Failand is on the edge of Somerset and sort of skirts the border between that and Bristol. It’s a quaint, charming village with two separate parts, which are both an older and smaller area located about a mile from the larger, more new area.
In a similar sort of vein, Leigh Woods is a village that is located just outside the city of Bristol and is located beneath the Leigh Woods National nature reserve that make the area a beautiful site for nature lovers.
While it is true that both villages don’t have a lot of local amenities, you can get to Clifton Village via the suspension bridge. However, there is a post office, a general store, and country pubs.
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