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

70%

Very Good

19%

Average

8%

Disappointing

2%

Very Poor

1%

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
4.52 (6 reviews) 4.52 (6 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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Highbroook Park Review

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jan 2021

The area is beautiful, but being a walker and no local amenities/shops on doorstep is limiting. The parks are aimed at young children and not slightly older ones.

Please review your development:

Great layout to the housing development, in keeping with the local surroundings. Bus routes are now good for communicating in and out of the city centre. More housing is being developed and hopeful this will allow more pedestrian walkways/paths. More local amenities would be welcomed.

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

How long local walkways / paths would take to be built.

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

Slightly bigger garden. Parking can also be limited. Visitors of other housing sometimes park in spaces of nearby houses.

3
Facilities
4
Design
5
Location
4
Value
3
Management
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Harry Stoke :)

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Dec 2020

It’s starting to be great in terms of amenities. Close to supermarket, train station and the Metrobus is brilliant – 13 mins to the city centre!

Please review your development:

Really pleased with my house! However the area is now becoming quite pricey. When we bought it was amazing value – spacious, high spec finishing and appliances. 6 years in it is still looking great. Really happy with the location too as it is so close to many things.

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

New neighbourhood was not very developed. However we’re now getting more amenities.

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

Nothing – super happy with everything about it! Has been perfect.

5
Facilities
4
Design
4
Location
4
Value
3
Management
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Overall a great place to live

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Dec 2020

The location is definitely a positive; there are lots of green spaces with trees and a park. The retail park is only just over 20 minutes away on foot so it’s not too far if you enjoy walking.
However, the M32 is nearby and you can definitely hear it (even on the opposite side of the estate).
There is also a lot of construction currently which adds to the noise pollution as well.

Please review your development:

The house design is definitely quite nice and the design of the estate has been well thought through. Good road design to stop people speeding and it definitely works. However, there is no pavement for pedestrians in some areas which is inconvenient as you have to walk on the road with cars driving by.

Parking is not much of a problem near my house. There are always few spots for visitors to park in but I hear it can be a bit problematic on other parts of the estate.

The playground is well maintained and still a fair bit of green space available. It’s definitely nice to look outside the window and still see some trees.
Unfortunately the lake is slightly overgrown and you cannot see the water anymore which is a shame and has been like this for over a year. Otherwise the management has been fairly good as the grass and bushes gets regularly cut.
Unfortunately, There is another housing development being built nearby so a lot of the trees have been cut down too.

Abbey Wood retail park and Sainsburys are just over 20 minutes away on foot and they are the closest shops to the estate. Nuffield’s Health and DW Fitness are fairly close by so it’s easy access to a gym.

The Metro Bus stops right outside the estate so the transport links are amazing. Especially with parkway being only 15 minutes away on foot!

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

That there was going to be another housing estate being built nearby which would ruin some of the green spaces.

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

The garage is not connected to our house so it can be a bit inconvenient whenever it rains and I need access to the garage.

4
Facilities
4
Design
4
Location
4
Value
4
Management
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Not the best.

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Dec 2020

We have Imperial Park shopping centre a two minute walk away and also a new Aldi has opened. Parsons street station is around 5-7 min drive away and there are regular buses to and from the city.

Please review your development:

The layout and design of the place is very nice and different but as everything is so open plan it can get annoying.
Property management can’t help with anything really they ask you to call the building manager.

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

We had no heating for over a year…

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

A bigger freezer and more cupboard space in the kitchen. And if we’d have know that there are regular ceiling leaks.

2
Facilities
4
Design
3
Location
3
Value
2
Management
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