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Moving to Bristol
Thinking of moving to Bristol? You’ve come to the right place!
Moving is very difficult. It involves a lot of planning, a lot of packing, and a lot of changes. That is why if you are thinking of moving to a new city, you must get to know as much as you can about your new home. And so, to help you know more about the great city of Bristol, we’ve gathered some facts that could help you make your move easy, smooth, and painless!
Brief Overview of Bristol
Bristol is a city in southwestern England and is considered one of the United Kingdom’s largest settlements. Existing for hundreds of years already, Bristol has become a genuinely historic centre. It used to be a part of Gloucestershire and Somerset before it was created as the county of Bristol. It temporarily became the county of Avon in 1974 but soon became a unitary authority afterwards.
Located just about 120 miles west of London, Bristol has been a historic seaport and commercial centre since the Roman era. Bristol is also known as the “Birthplace of America” after John Cabot sailed from Bristol to help discover North America in 1497 aboard The Matthew. It was a vital port for England’s maritime trade of tobacco, wine, and cotton.
Spanning over 110 km2, Bristol houses an astounding population of almost 700, 000 residents according to recent surveys. It is currently the 8th most populated area in the United Kingdom. The official language that is widely spoken is English. However, over 20 other languages are being spoken. The list includes Polish, Somali Urdu, French, Spanish, etc. Bristol is culturally diverse and is known to be welcoming to most cultures.
Many young professionals are moving to Bristol because of the excellent job opportunities that it presents. The city of Bristol’s modern economy is composed of creative media, electronics, and aerospace industries. Its city-centre docks have also been redeveloped as centres of heritage and culture. Convinced of moving to Bristol? We have partnered with the best Removals and Man and Van in Bristol to make sure you move with ease.
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Another significant percentage that takes up Bristol’s population is of students. Bristol is home to two major universities — University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. Luckily for these students, Bristol’s economy is booming right now and is absorbing many university graduates for the new companies starting in Bristol.
There are a lot of attractions and things to do in Bristol that I am sure you will not be bored ever. In The Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide 2017, Bristol was voted as the Best City to Live in Britain. The Guardian also named Bristol as one of the 10 Happiest Cities To Work.
Bristol caters to all types of people. Regardless of whether you are an art fiend, an animal lover, an outdoors enthusiast, or a theatre buff, Bristol has a lot of attractions for you. If you are into trendy shops, buzzy restaurants, bars and pubs with live music, and interesting adventures, you may opt to visit the neighbourhood of Clifton. Additionally, it is home to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a popular landmark in the Clifton area that has borne witness to many cultural as well as historical events in the city,
There are over 400 parks and gardens in Bristol. Its aim to become a green space did not go unnoticed. In 2015, it became the first UK city to be awarded the European Green Capital Award. Go around Bristol and have a great day out with your family or have a romantic break for two or even a solo adventure. You will surely have a great day.
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Best Area to Live In Bristol
Bristol is a friendly city, and you can find yourself in any neighbourhood and still enjoy what it has in store for you. However, if you want a definitive list of the best residential area here are a couple of places to help get you started:
Westbury on Trym
Westbury on Trym is one of the top choices for growing families. It has excellent schools nearby, both primary school and secondary school. Having these institutions in close proximity makes it easy and safe for your children to travel back and forth. It has great gardens and other green spaces nearby like the Downs and a part of the River Trym.
Southville
Southville is a residential area near the south bank of the River Avon. If you live in the right spot, you can enjoy the water views. You can have an active social life here with the many cultural institutions, local businesses, and events.
Look forward to the shows and performances staged by the Tobacco Factory Theatre and the vibrant scene of Upfest Gallery’s street-art festival. With its Victorian terraces and lively restaurants, Southville is a trendy area that can be great for students and young professionals.
Montepelier
Montpellier is known for being a bohemian residential area with its colourful terraces, hip cafes, and small pubs. It is known for its vibrant nightlife, diverse cuisine, and artsy neighbours. There are plenty of local events with live music, themed parties, and gallery shows.
In many ways, the Montpelier area showcases the best of Bristol’s thumping spirit. The only downside is that it can get pretty noisy. If you are a light sleeper, the suburbs might be the best place for you.
Clifton Village
Clifton is a very posh area with grand Georgian houses and a Rolls-Royce driving by now and then. You can find upscale boutiques, speciality stores, along with jazzy pubs and restaurants. It also has an excellent primary school nearby.
While you might feel safe and secure in Clifton, it is pretty far from the main city centre. Unless you have your own vehicle, it isn’t the most accessible place, and the houses can get pretty pricey.
Redland
Redland is near Clifton, and it is also an affluent suburb. It is a popular choice for young professionals and university students. A part of the area is serviced by the Severn Beach Line and the public bus. However, for the most part, it is best if you have a vehicle to help you get around.
Stoke Bishop
If you want to get away from the busy city life, then Stoke Bishop might be more your speed. It is located near Westbury on Trym and Sneyd Park–other excellent suburban neighbourhoods. It is a part of the outer city, so you may need to consider travel time for work near the city centre.
Easton
Easton is a part of the inner city. It is popular among young professionals and working-age individuals who want to stay close to all the activity. It is a very accessible place, so you should have no problem running errands or going to work. You can also use Bristol’s public transport system, which is mostly centred in the area.
While Bristol as a city boasts of Banksy’s works, Easton is considered his home. A great number of his pieces were found in buildings and houses in the area. Unfortunately, not many of those can be seen today with the council’s decision to paint over them. But who knows, you might catch his signature style when you live in Easton.
Cost of Living in Bristol
It would be great for you to know that the cost of living in Bristol is considerably lower than it is in other major cities in the UK. This means that many of the residents living in and moving to Bristol right now are ex-Londoners who have gotten tired of the extremely high cost of living. According to studies, the consumer prices in Bristol are 13.90% lower than in London.
Unlike other major cities, residents in the city benefit from the low Bristol cost of living. Here is a table for the average daily expenses in Bristol:
- Inexpensive restaurant: £10.00 – £15.00Takeout Coffee: £2.00 – £00
- Bottle of Coke: £0.80 – £2.00
- 1L of milk: £0.50 – £1.00
- A loaf of Bread: £0.53 – £1.30
- 12 Eggs: £1.10 – £2.50
- 1kg Chicken: £5.00 – £8.00
- 1kg Beef: £8.40 – £10.78
- 1kg Apples: £1.00 – £2.80
- 1kg White Rice: £0.45 – £1.79
- Consumer Prices in Bristol are 13.90% lower than in London
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Bristol are 30.02% lower than in London
- Rent Prices in Bristol are 50.32% lower than in London
- Restaurant Prices in Bristol are 2.10% lower than in London
- Groceries Prices in Bristol are 9.47% lower than in London
- Local Purchasing Power in Bristol is 52.97% higher than in London
- 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: £750+
- 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: £500+
- 3 bedroom flat in the City Centre: £1,400+
- 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: £950+
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: £3,833+
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside city: £2,766+
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world. New York restaurants are 27.84% more expensive, and groceries are 77.11% more expensive than Bristol.
Numbeo states that given the prices in London as compared to Bristol, you would need around £3, 289.18 to maintain the same standards of life that you can have with £4, 700 in London. Here are some of the computations that Numbeo made:
Public Transport in Bristol
Bristol’s public transport network is fairly comprehensive with trains, buses, and a harbour ferry available. However, residents have complained that while there are plenty of options available, they do not cover the city very well. If you are planning on moving to Bristol take care to position yourself near transport links or live within walking distance for easy access to your school or work.
Rent Situation In Bristol
The rent in Bristol, just like the grocery prices, is also lower. Rent takes up the majority of someone’s salary. If you are trying to save up, there are obviously a lot of steps that you can take, so you do not have an overdrawn bank account. Prices still vary obviously. They depend on the size, location, and the neighbourhood around the house. However, here is the average cost of rent in Bristol:
Average Price For Rent In Bristol
Average Property Price In Bristol
How To Save In Bristol
There are a lot of ways you can take to save up on money in the city of Bristol. The first thing obviously is to live simply. Most of the attractions in Bristol are free, such as the parks. Take advantage of these free activities by spending your weekend in them. Not going out often and spending quality time inside your home is also an option. If it interests you, there are several Art Museums and Galleries with free entrance in the city, especially in Clifton.
Another way to save money is to take public transportation instead of getting a car which has a lot of maintenance costs like gas, parking, and repairs. The public transportation system around the Bristol area is quite efficient. It is preferred by the majority of its residents because of its low prices. You can surely get around Bristol and the neighbouring area without too much of a hassle.
Besides car payments, you can save money by looking into flatshares. Finding a roommate can decrease your monthly rent and utilities by half. It also makes it easier to find an apartment in a nicer neighbourhood. You can ask for references from family and friends or check out Spareroom, Gumtree, or Room Buddies for potential roommates.
You may also opt to cut down on unnecessary expenses as well. One main expense that you can cut down on is eating out. Although restaurants in Bristol are relatively cheaper as compared to restaurants in cities like London, eating out multiple times a week adds up. So, if you think you can make do without a meal from your favourite restaurant in Clifton, stay home and have a great time by yourself, with your pets, with your significant other, or with your family.
One thing that most residents in the UK are doing is to rent or get self-storage facilities. The storage industry in the UK is one of the biggest and fastest-growing sectors in Europe right now. It is because many residents are choosing to downsize because of the insane price hikes on rent.
Downsizing is the process of choosing a smaller, cheaper place to live. This choice means less space. Thankfully, there are many storage facilities available in Bristol for residents to store their extra belongings. Thousands of Bristol residents now live in smaller flats. They have moved most of their excess furniture and other items that are not relevant to their day-to-day lives into storage units.
Storage facilities are also important if you decide on moving to Bristol. They make moving easier to relocate since you do not just dump all your furniture from your old home to your new home in one go. It is especially convenient if your new house is not yet ready to accept your stuff (i.e. if you’re still renovating). There is also the case that your things just wouldn’t fit inside your new home, which can lead to many problems, if not for the existence of storage facilities.
You can get a storage facility in Bristol for as low as £7.50 per week — a far cry of an expense as compared to the convenience that it often brings. Storage Facilities come in different and varying sizes. We recommend that you get one that is the best fit for you. You can check out our size guide here so you know just how big you should get.