Living in Bristol – 15 Top Moving Facts
One of the most lively and diverse cities in the UK, living in Bristol is becoming an increasingly popular choice.
Boasting an illustrious history of maritime excellence, Bristol has diversified over recent years and is one of the best places to live!
Featuring high levels of employment and a thriving economy, it is clear to see why Bristol is emerging as a prevalent relocation destination.
The city also enjoys a fascinating arts and culture movement, making it a fashionable spot with a range of different demographics.
Bristol clearly has a multitude of factors contributing to its popularity which we will explore throughout this article.
If you are interested in moving to Bristol be sure to read through our 15 top moving facts.
Best Places to Live
Bristol is home to some wonderful areas. Image credit: Unsplash
Ranked as the third best city to live and work in the UK, according to The Independent, Bristol is home to some stunning locations including the River Avon, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Harbourside.
If you are hoping to start your move to Bristol soon, it will be of great use to be informed of some of the best areas to consider.
The city certainly has a plethora of great suburban areas, ideal to call home.
Top of most people’s list is Clifton, one of the most sought-after areas to live in the whole of Bristol.
This charming area is extremely popular due to its spectacular views of the famed Suspension Bridge and is usually the first location people imagine moving to in the city.
Due to the relentless popularity of Clifton, house prices are understandably on the higher side.
According to Zoopla, average prices for property in the area stand at £730,857.
Housing (Buying/Renting)
Bristol is home to some excellent properties. Image credit: Pixabay
Due to the increased popularity of the city, average house prices in Bristol are a little higher than in the rest of the country.
Sitting at an average of £393,917 in March 2024, the average price of a property in the city is over the £284,691 national average.
Costs will undoubtedly vary from region to region, but there is certainly a home for everyone in the city.
There are understandably various different prices associated with different property types when moving to the city.
According to Numbeo the price for a detached property is currently sitting at an average of £553,233, with semi-detached homes costing £403,723 on average.
Those considering purchasing a terraced property can expect average prices of £382,780, while flats will set you back an average of £335,341.
Rent prices have been on the up across the UK in recent months and years.
Bristol is certainly no exception to this rule, with the average cost of a one-bed flat in the city centre costing £1,419.88!
This is certainly higher than the UK average, really showing the city’s popularity.
If you are considering renting in Bristol, this is how it matches up to other major cities across the UK:
- London is 41.9% more expensive
- Brighton is 11.3% more expensive
- Cardiff is 18.5% cheaper
- Manchester is 18.8% cheaper
- Birmingham is 32.2% cheaper
Living Costs (Food/Groceries/Eating Out)
Bristol is renowned for its diverse fusion of cultures; this is certainly reflected in the variety of restaurants you can find throughout the city.
When moving to the city you will soon recognise the range of eateries and how popular they are with the locals.
With such a variety of options, prices may vary from place to place.
As a general overview, here are the prices you can expect to pay for different food when living in Bristol:
- Inexpensive Restaurant: £15.00
- Takeaway Coffee: £3.28
- Basic fast-food menu (including a drink): £6.70
- 1L of milk: £1.10
- Loaf of Bread: £1.16
- 12 Eggs: £2.54
- 1kg Chicken: £7.03
Transport in Bristol
Bristol Temple Meads Station. Image credit: Wikipedia
One of the many positives of life in Bristol is its excellent transport links.
Located in a central area, the city has superb links to the rest of the UK by both road and rail.
Bristol is perfectly situated with easy road access to London as well as the north and east of England.
Positioned at the intersection of the M4 and M5 motorways, Bristol is a terrific transport hub.
Living in Bristol also means access to two top draw railway stations.
Bristol Temple Meads is the biggest rail hub in west of England, with direct services offered from London, Scotland and Wales.
Travelling to and from London Paddington is easy, with trips further afield to the South of England and South Wales all being provided by Great Western Railway.
The cities other station, Bristol Parkway, is located to the north of the city.
Services from here allow easy access to Birmingham, Cardiff, Gloucester and London.
If you are more interested in explore Bristol than travelling outside of the city, there are various modes of transport available.
Bus, train and even ferry services make travelling within Bristol very easy.
Below are some example ticket costs to expect when in Bristol:
- One way ticket – £2.00
- Monthly season ticket for bus, tram and train – £83.80
- Petrol (per litre) – £1.48
Local Airports
If you are making the move Bristol, you will have access to a great local airport.
Bristol Airport is a large international transport hub, with operators flying in and out of the region to over 125 destinations.
The airport offers easy travel to and from the city with the Airport Flyer Express buses running two regular services.
The A1 bus service runs every 10 minutes during peak hours.
It gives simple links for those travelling to Bristol Airport and allows access to Bristol Harbourside, Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Bus Station for those who have just arrived from the airport.
The A2 airport bus operates between Bristol Airport and Bristol city centre.
Buses run every 30 minutes between the hours of 3.30am and midnight, providing a valuable service for tired travellers.
If you want to get some more about travelling to and from Bristol Airport, check out the Bristol Airport website, they have some invaluable information that is sure to be of great use.
If your travel destination is not on list of Bristol Airport locations, Heathrow will be your closest major airports.
Around a 1 hour 30-minute drive away, Heathrow is the largest airport in the UK and will be sure to cater for any location that Bristol Airport has neglected.
The rapid growth in Bristol’s popularity has fuelled massive investment into the region, the airport has certainly not been overlooked in this financing.
MP Liam Fox has recently announced new plans for the expansion of Bristol Airport.
The plans will see the airport capacity increased to 12 million passengers a year, up from the previous limit of 10 million.
Shopping in Bristol
Bristol entices shoppers with its rich blend of renowned high-street brands and unique independent outlets.
Reflecting the city’s eclectic vibe, it caters to a broad spectrum of preferences among its residents.
The Bristol Shopping Quarter, nestled in the heart of the city, stands out as a top destination for shoppers.
Boasting an extensive mix of shops, from popular mainstream and designer labels to distinctive boutiques.
Beyond retail therapy, the Shopping Quarter also offers excellent dining options, a multiplex cinema, and exciting leisure pursuits, including cutting-edge virtual reality and popular escape rooms.
For more details, head over to the Bristol Shopping Quarter’s official website.
Historic Locations in Bristol
The Clifton Suspension Bridge. Image credit: Envato Elements
Bristol beautifully intertwines its modernity and hip culture with a historical depth spanning thousands of years.
The city’s architecture truly tells the story of this history, featuring a variety of styles from Norman ruins to Gothic and Georgian influences.
Key landmarks like the SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge also contribute to Bristol’s rich historical landscape, offering insight into its industrial and engineering heritage.
This mix of architectural treasures and historical landmarks shows off the diverse character of Bristol’s various areas, making it a city of both historical significance and contemporary appeal!
Entertainment in Bristol
There is a plethora of fun activities to enjoy in and around Bristol, you are sure to be fully accommodated.
The combination of the history of the region and the eclectic modern city it has evolved into means there is a wide variety of entertainment activities to be enjoyed.
You are sure to find a variety of live music, dance, theatre and comedy performances when in Bristol.
Bristol is home to a number of theatres; their brimming calendars mean there is something different to enjoy almost every day.
Each of Bristol’s theatres offers spectators a different experience.
The largest and most coveted of the bunch is The Bristol Hippodrome.
One of the top theatres in the country, The Bristol Hippodrome stages major West End and Broadway productions.
As well as all of your West End favourites, the theatre also stages ballet, opera, concerts and children’s shows.
The Bristol Hippodrome’s action-packed programme is sure to have something to get you excited about.
Theatre Bristol is a fantastic project which supports grassroots theatre and arts projects.
Founded in 2005, Theatre Bristol states that ‘By combining this grassroots support with collective action we help create a connected, confident and ambitious sector.’
Their invaluable work is helping to secure a strong future for the scene within Bristol.
You can visit the Theatre Bristol website to find out more about what they do and to book your ticket for future events.
Leisure Activities
Like many major cities, living in Bristol will provide you with all the typical leisure activities.
Unlike many places, Bristol has garnered a reputation for film, it is in fact a designated UNESCO City of film.
This status means that Bristol is one of only 18 cities in the world that meet the coveted UNESCO requirements.
It should come as no surprise that Bristol has its fair share of cinemas.
One of the city’s most popular niche cinemas is the Watershed.
This independent cinema has a reputation for showing the very best in art film and hosts various film events throughout the year.
For all of the latest blockbusters be sure to head to the 13-screen cinema in the Bristol Shopping Quarter.
The city is even home to a venue to watch all the worst films, Bristol Bad Film Club let you get some enjoyment out of some truly terrible flicks.
If your idea of leisure include a relaxing swim or some time in the gym, Bristol has you covered.
There are a multitude of different leisure centres across the city.
One of the most popular is Hengrove park leisure centre.
Located in the heart of South Bristol, the modern facilities offer an impressive 50m international swimming pool, 20m Teaching Pool, 180 station gym, a sports hall, Sauna as well as a Spa & Steam Room.
The centre hosts over 90 different group exercises every week, ranging from spin classes to badminton lessons and is also home to a lovely café so you can grab a bite to eat after your workout.
Schools and Education
Bristol has some good education provisions. Image credit: Pixabay
The quality of the schools in the city attracts a lot of interest.
Bristol offers a wide selection of highly considered schooling at both primary and senior levels.
There are 138 primary schools currently assisting children within the city.
Of these 138 institutions, 23 have been awarded an “Outstanding” rating by Ofsted across all of the different criteria.
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School was top of the list for these ‘Outstanding’ schools, scoring ‘well above average’ for all three key areas, reading, writing and maths!
There are 49 secondary schools located in Birmingham, 4 of which we granted ‘Outstanding’ status by Ofsted.
Redland Green School was the highest-scoring secondary school across Bristol, followed closely by Colston’s Girls’ School.
The city is also home to the University of Bristol, one of the UK’s top institutions.
A popular location for many students due to the diverse culture and nightlife.
The university is also recognised as one of the best in the country.
The University of Bristol consistently ranks in the world’s top 100 and the UK’s top ten universities in league tables that draw on information from both research and teaching excellence.
It is one of the most popular UK universities, attracting an average of eight applicants for every available place.
Crime Statistics
As with any major city in the UK, Bristol is not immune to crime.
When considering if a major city is a safe place to live it is a good idea to compare crime statistics between major cities in the country.
There are some fantastic services including Numbeo which can compare the statistics of two areas.
As of March 2024, the level of crime in Bristol is considered moderate, with a crime rate of 45.89 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
This is a relatively low crime rate, especially when compared to London which is considered to have a high level of crime, with 63.91 incidents per 1,000 people.
The most interesting thing about crime statistics in Bristol is the perception of the city among its residents.
Although actual crime statistics are considered moderate, residents’ opinions are that there are low levels of crime.
Many believe experiencing it first-hand is not something they worry about.
Only 30.63 people out of 1,000 people living in Bristol were worried about their car being stolen.
The crime carrying the least worry for residents was racial attacks.
These had an index of 26.75 compared to London which stands at 40.88.
It is clear that whilst crime isn’t non-existent in Bristol, the public response to crime is excellent, making life in Bristol feel very safe.
Employment and Industry
Bristol offers residents a range of job opportunities. Image credit: Pexels
Recent employment figures released by the Office for National Statistics Office state that Bristol has a 76.7 per cent employment rate.
This is a higher level than UK average, including major cities such as London and Birmingham.
Bristol’s economy has historically relied on its port, centring around the trade of goods as well as shipbuilding.
In recent years the city’s economy has really diversified meaning living in Bristol offers residents a range of career options.
The chief employer in the city is now Public services with a total of 134,699 residents working in this sector this amounts to 27.5% of the workforce.
The second biggest employers are business & financial services with a total of 95,604 employees, 19.5%.
The NHS is another huge employer, with around 42,000 working in the healthcare sector, 16% of the city’s workforce.
The diversification of Bristol’s economy is a positive sign, indicating the city can provide exciting job prospects in the future.
Taxes
Taxes in Bristol. Image credit: Pixabay
No matter where you live in the UK, all residents have to subscribe to the same tax system.
Value-added tax, referred to as VAT, consists of a 20% tax added to a variety of different goods.
This is always added to the cost of the product when you purchase it.
Another important tax to consider is council tax.
The cost of your council tax will depend on the area you live as well as the size of your property, to find out how much you have to pay visit the Bristol council website.
A final tax to consider if you decide to buy a property in Bristol is stamp duty.
There isn’t tax on the first £125,000 of the value of your property.
However, the rate raises up to 12% for properties over £1.5 million.
Parks
Bristol is often labelled as a rural city.
This is mainly due to its stunning location and the quaint rural surroundings.
It has an abundance of green spaces, ideal for spending a relaxing afternoon enjoying some sun or a day out full of fun play equipment to entertain the whole family.
There are well over 400 gardens and parks in and around Bristol.
You will never be too far from somewhere to take a moment away from the bustling city lifestyle.
Amongst the best outdoor spots in the city has to be Castle Park.
Offering a perfect combination of past and present, the park houses the remains of a great medieval castle.
Located between Bristol Shopping Quarter and the wonderful Harbourside, Castle Park offers a quiet place to enjoy the city.
The park is also a hotspot for artists, with many pieces of artwork found scattered throughout the park.
These include innovative seating, a sculpted stone throne as well as a distinctive water fountain.
Follow the link here to find out more about some of Bristol’s many lovely parks.
Sports and Activities
Bristol is a very sporty city.
Despite the city’s many hills, it is uncommon to see people cycling or running around the area.
If you are heading to the waterfront, you are sure to see people boating around the harbour.
A trip to the Downs will ensure you can see a game of local Sunday league football.
If you are a bit of an adrenaline seeker, living in Bristol will be great for you!
The city is home to a whole host of great rock-climbing locations, both natural and manmade.
The Avon Gorge is the perfect spot for those with experience climbing.
If you are a newbie then there are various indoor climbing centres to get you up to speed.
Some of Bristol’s great attractions also include the opportunity to improve your climbing.
With rock climbing walls at the Bristol Zoo and the chance to climb the rigging at Brunel’s ss Great Britain.
Alongside a variety of sports clubs, there is also a plethora of live sports events to enjoy in Bristol.
The city is proud to be the home of two major football teams, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers.
Tickets to matches are often available on the day but if you are interested in buying tickets or a season ticket in advance you can visit the Bristol City website and the Rovers website respectively.
Alongside football, Bristol hosts top flight rugby and cricket matches throughout the year, to find out more about sports in the city head to Visit Bristol.
Ready to Move to Bristol?
Are you thinking about making the move to Bristol.
There’s no time to lose.
You can start planning your perfect move today, White and Company’s Bristol Removals Service can help with getting you to your new home.
Whether you’re moving to Bristol for the amazing job opportunities, the vast history, fantastic transport links or great education, we will ensure your belongings arrive safely without disruption.
Give us a call today or fill out a quick quote form to see how we can get your dream move to Leeds underway
Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.
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