renting, buying? Family? Tolerance for commuting?

I was at UWE for a year, and worked not far away for a couple of years. You're on the periphery of the city there, so it's quiet at weekends/evenings. It does have the advantage of being near to some of the newer housing estates (Bradley Stoke, Emerson's Green, and there's a new one being built called Lyle Green I think), and it's handy for the M32 if you want to live somewhere more rural (I even know people who commuted in from Chepstow in Wales).

I suspect Frenchay will be one of those places that depends on which road you live on. I don't know it at all, but it borders Stapleton & Fishponds which are not particularly pleasant. Bits of Downend are ok.

Looking at the map of the nearby areas: Avoid Filton, Southmead and probably Patchway and the bits of Horfield closest to those.

Horfield, Ashley Down, Henleaze and bits of St Andrews will be ok if you need a house rather than a flat. Tend to be a bit more affordable than the 'posher' areas. They're around the 'Gloucester Road' region which is a good place for restaurants etc (and a main arterial route out to UWE)

Redland, Cotham and Clifton are nice if you only need a flat, or are loaded. You've basically got the choice of basing yourself around Clifton Village, or Whiteladies Road.

When people talk of the centre of Bristol, it's more the area around the waterfront (where there are some nice modernish flats). There's not much to commend itself in terms of living in the centre though, apart from the waterfront down to Hotwells.

I wouldn't bother looking south of the river as the commute will be too much of a pain for what it gets you.

If you want rural/small village feels, then look at what's in the regions around Chipping Sodbury, Dursley and perhaps Thornbury areas, and the area to the north of Bath would also be doable - oddly, you'll probably have a similar (driving) commute from the north of Bath as you would from Clifton in rush hour.

If there isn't a major need to buy anything, I'd probably rent in Clifton/Waterfront for 6 months to suss the city out. The places that will appeal will very much depend on personality and the kind of thing you're into. eg. if you want lots of night life and pubs on your doorstep, then a flat on the waterfront or something around Gloucester Road or Whiteladies Road (and to a lesser extent Clifton Village) will be where you want to be.

If it looks like a serious move and you need to bounce more questions off me, let me know.

Posted By: CWC, Jan 21, 12:32:32