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. 

4.55
Average Location Score

Excellent

69%

Very Good

22%

Average

7%

Disappointing

1%

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

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

Reviews in Bristol

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Great if you want to live near a city but not in it

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Let’s start with the good…There is a retail park on your doorstep with an M&S, The Range, Costa Pets at Home, B&Q and a gym within 2 min walk (the one in the building is very disappointing). The community are really nice (not everyone but for the most part). It is easy to get out to the mendips and is close to the airport. Unfortunately, it is the lack of transport links and then even worse lack of parking that really lets this development down. The apartments themselves are well insulated from outside noise, retain their heat well and are sturdy. When we moved it we were told there would be communal BBQ areas built but there is really only 1 area and it isn’t officially a BBQ area, the residents just use it as one. There is petty vandalism of cars around the area which links me back to the lack of parking.. Unless you are lucky enough to be able to rent or buy a space under the building there is no where safe to park your vehicle at night. Also the bike storage is a joke as many bikes get stolen or you go to find you are missing a tyre in the morning.

Please review your development:

I think the design is interesting, functional and safe but they didn’t quite finish off the building and the carpets could definitely do with being changed. The outside area of the complex is great and was perfect during lockdown as it felt like our own personal park. We are lucky enough to look out on the pond/lake and seeing the ducks, annual heron and even the odd otter has been delightful. The apartments themselves are basic and allow you to put your spin on the place quite easily which we liked. The management company are useless (that is probably still being too kind) but the staff that work in the grounds are really nice and polite and try help as much as they can.

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

I wish id know just how terrible Urban Splash were going to be at getting back to me about fixes (we have been living with non-working bedroom lights, a leaky shower and a dented front door for 4 years).

What is the best feature of your home:

We live in one of the “penthouse” apartments and we save a ton on heating. The insulation ensures we never need to put the heating on and in the summer we can open our massive sliding door and keep ourselves cool.

2
Facilities
4
Design
3
Location
4
Value
1
Management
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Nice place to live with friendly staff and residents

Review Date Mar 2024

Good area of town to be in and close to temple meads station. Anti-social behavior is evident but as it would be anywhere.

Please review your development:

Building management are a fantastic team and always there to help. Facilities (gym equipment) more recently has been needing maintenance and fixing but hasn’t yet been done.

The building is in a great location surrounded by coffee shops and not in the middle of the hustle and bustle of town

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

The continuous rising of costs (rent & car parking)

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

All the in house staff have been fantastic and faultless

4
Facilities
3
Design
5
Location
4
Value
4
Management
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Building / facilities front of house team are fantastic

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

It’s a great location, very central. Can be a bit noisy, mostly due to construction in the area.
Having a Mokoko coffee shop in the block is a real perk, really great coffee and made on prem pastries / sandwiches. Very helpful having a reception area too, when you have visitors or parcels.

Please review your development:

Building / facilities front of house team are fantastic, very helpful. Particulalry Michael and Vilius. Makes a big difference knowing things get done quickly. The complex design is good, I like the fact we have a rooftop garden, underground parking and a good gym all under one roof.

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

How intense the local area can be, especially outside the Sainsbury’s.

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

Very quickly, wait times are short and helpful from FOH team.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Great for people prefer modern apartment

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Feb 2024

Located near the city center. Super convenient for shopping and commuting to work. Clean and safe community. I’m very sensitive to noise but I feel totally fine here.

Please review your development:

Modern design with great facilities such as gym and terrace. Bike store is convenient and safe. Management and maintenance team here are very helpful and responsive. The building can keep really warm inside during winter, which helps saving utility fees.

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

The team gave quite comprehensive information before moving in, but I wish they can introduce more about the possible future changes on rent and utility fees

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

The management team is very helpful and responsive. Once there was a problem with the window in my apartment, they fixed it in 2 days.

4
Facilities
5
Design
4
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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