Bristol

Bristol is located in the South West of the UK but it has great transport links throughout the country. It also has an airport close to the centre. Combining city and countryside living Bristol is one of the most popular cities for Londoners looking to escape. This Area Guide gives you an overview of this city and some of the best places to live in Bristol. Including, reviews from residents who own or rent in Bristol. 

4.57
Average Location Score

Excellent

69%

Very Good

21%

Average

8%

Disappointing

1%

Very Poor

0%

Best places to live in Bristol

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

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Colourful terraced houses in Bristol

Getting Around

Bristol is the wealthiest, happiest city in Britain, according to a survey by MoneySuperMarket. It outperforms other cities in terms of economy and quality of life. With the completion of the Bristol Arena, the high-speed rail reducing the time to London and the transformation of the harbourside, there is a lot going on. The city is made up of a series of areas, each of which has its own unique character.

Best places to live in Bristol

The top place to live in the city is Clifton. To live here you need plenty of spare cash, but if you love original Georgian homes this is the place to be. Redland is also a popular area and slightly more affordable. Both Clifton and Redland are popular with young professionals and are near Clifton Village which offers restaurants and independent shops. Clifton is the default option for many would-be movers with its architecture, shops, schools and outdoor space.

best_places_to_live_bristol_bench_overlooking_docks

If you want to be more central then explore the once-derelict Floating Harbour which is the heart of the city. With views of the harbour, the SS Great Britain and to experience Bristol maritime history this could be the location for you. Heading south towards the centre you will find a number of new developments. Spike Island, previously former docklands can be found between the Floating Harbour and the Cut. Here you will find Steamship House and Wapping Wharf one of the newest waterside developments, which are both great places to rent in Bristol.

“The area is well equipped with pretty much everything you need, lots of small independent shops and restaurants.” Andrew, Verified Resident of Wapping Wharf

“I like the location as it is easy to get around by foot. I dislike the fact that if I had a car there would not be any space as there is not enough car park.” Kristin, resident of Steamship house

Bristol Suspension Bridge at dusk

Outside of the City Centre

Further out Emersons Green and Downend are areas located just a couple of minutes from each other. Each offer easy access to the centre – 20 minutes in the car, 30 minutes by bus or 45 minutes cycling. Popular with families these are great suburbs with excellent schools. Each of which have access to the motorways and the ability to quickly escape to the countryside. Horfield is a good safe neighbourhood which offers plenty of great shopping and local produce. The commute to the city centre is within easy reach only a couple of miles away.

Hanham is perfect for families and the quiet life but closer to the centre than Emersons Green and Downend. But, a great place to rent in Bristol nonetheless and the property prices reflect this. Whilst there are not many new developments in this area you can find the Paintwork Apartments on the waterside just off the Bath Road between Hanham and the centre.

“We love that our children can play around this place and that we do not get to worry so much about them.” Nick, Verified Resident of Paintwork Apartments

Featured developments in Bristol

Paintworks Apartments, BS4

Paintworks Apartments, BS4

Verve
4.11 (14 reviews) 4.11 (14 reviews)
The Eye, BS2

The Eye, BS2

The PG Group
3.44 (7 reviews) 3.44 (7 reviews)
Finzels Reach, BS1

Finzels Reach, BS1

Cubex
4.61 (8 reviews) 4.61 (8 reviews)
Wapping Wharf, BS1

Wapping Wharf, BS1

Umberslade
4.20 (11 reviews) 4.20 (11 reviews)

Reviews in Bristol

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The perfect location!

Review Date Jun 2021

Lakeshore is situated in a fantastic location with an excellent range of local amenities such as Aldi, Boots, Home Sense and much more! Only a short drive away from the city centre!

Please review your development:

Lakeshore apartments are made up of an open-plan kitchen and reception room, a large double bedroom, a bathroom and an abundance of storage. Building management and property management cannot be faulted and queries and issues are always dealt with promptly

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

No windows so can get hot in the summer

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

No windows in the property so it can get warm in the summer months

4
Facilities
3
Design
5
Location
4
Value
5
Management
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A good place to live

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jun 2021

I think the area is good, not far walk away from the town centre, close to the river. I feel safe in the area.

Please review your development:

The design of the building is great, love the lay out of the flat and the roof top area, there’s so much space you can go and chill out. There’s plenty of things to do instead of staying inside the flat. There’s a gym and a common area and a pool table.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

A good thing that I didn’t know before moving in is how Welcome everyone is.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

One thing that could help the accommodation is maybe having visitors parking so when friends and family come to stay there’s somewhere that easy to park.

5
Facilities
5
Design
4
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Manager Response - This reply is pending HomeViews approval

Hello Chloe, thank you so much for your 5* review of Box Makers Yard. The apartments at Box Makers Yard are on average larger per sq ft compared to developments in the area to give you the extra space. It’s lovely to hear about the nice welcome you received, the team have been working very hard over the last 6 months with so many apartments moving in within such a short space of time. As it is a city centre location parking is limited, however there is 1 hr drop up bays near the property and Gardiner Haskins car park is only a few mins walk away. I hope you enjoy your time living here, thank you Gavin.

100% recommend –

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jun 2021

We love how easy it is to get into town and the fact that the train station in only a 5 min walk away is great. The only downside is that there isn’t a local supermarket within a close walk. The nearest one McColls doesn’t sell anything fresh but with all the new flats and offices being built around I’m hoping a small Sainsbury’s or Tesco’s will pop up nearby!

Please review your development:

The development is great, the communal areas allow for socialising as well as giving you the perfect place to “escape” the flat. As someone who will be working from home I’m really looking forward to using the communal area. The interiors also create a really homely environment. Our favourite facility is the private dining rooms, having the option rent these out made box makers yard stand out from any other flat complex we saw. The flats are also very spacious with lots of storage! The process of moving into the flat was really great too, the in depth information we received from the building management made the move seamless and not too stressful. Overall we are so happy with Box Makers Yard, every one is so friendly.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

We didn’t expect everyone to be as nice as they are – moving from a flat block in London we didn’t even know one other person in our building – we’ve been here for 2 weeks and we’ve already made lots of friends.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

To be able to have a local supermarket closer- there’s a very small Tesco express about 10 min walk away but one more local would be great!

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Manager Response - This reply is pending HomeViews approval

Hi Emily, thank you for your 5* review of your home. We are hoping soon we will have some more information on some of the retailers going into the ground floor retails units on the development, we will inform all the residents once we know more. Thank you for your kind comments, the team will be very happy to read them it means a lot to us 🙂 Keep an eye out for the monthly resident events taking place for you to join in with and meet more of the residents. Thank you, Gavin

Great value for money and lovely people

Review Date Jun 2021

Location is slightly lacking although still has a few good selection of resultant on the doorstep. Noise is minimal although there is ongoing maintenance work. Transport is very good in our area

Please review your development:

The flats are very well built. Good size and a lot larger of what we would get for our money in London. Facilities within boxmakers are great. Communal area is nice, clean with lots of space. The gym downstairs has good equipment. The staff are all very helpful and friendly.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

That we could have an even closer large supermarket eg Tesco etc

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes they have. We had an issue with a vandalised car. This issue was resolved

5
Facilities
4
Design
3
Location
4
Value
5
Management
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Manager Response - This reply is pending HomeViews approval

Hello Jack, thank you for your Box Makers Yard review. We do have some retail units opening on the ground floor of Box Makers Yard blocks, the retailers are to be confirmed at present, potentially one could be a supermarket and when we have had confirmation all the residents will be informed. There is a lot of regeneration happening in the area, it’s a very up and coming area with excellent links via train and to the airport. We are glad we could help and assist you with your car issue. We hope you enjoy living at Box Makers Yard. Thank you, Gavin

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