relocating to bristol area

[timetomove]

I am a serial lurker and this is my first post.

Currently live in London with DH and 2 DCs (primary school age).
For the first time, we are considering a move out of London and one option would be to relocate to the Bristol area (DH could potentially move to the Bristol office of his current employer at some stage and I would also be hopeful of getting a job there in the medium term).

We know nothing at all about the area however and cant really weigh up the pros and cons from a quality of life perspective without giving some thought to where we would live. We plan to head down there to get a bit of a feel for it, but it would be great to have some initial thoughts from those who know the area on the ideal place to live to give our explorations a bit more focus. Assuming (for now) that budget was not an issue, if you worked in Bristol where would be your ideal place to live taking account of the following factors:

1. Schools. Given age of kids and likely timing of move, our focus is more on secondary (state or private). Kids are quite academic. Would like them to be able to travel to school on their own in due course at secondary level, without being too long a journey, rather than being reliant on lifts.
   

1. Commute. Since the move would be driven by quality of life, we would not want to spend too long in a car or train into central Bristol to get to work.
   

1. Area. Probably too big a jump from central(ish) London to somewhere completely rurual. Equally, we would not want to be in the city centre. So large village or a town or green suburb. Some sort of community feel and lots of families.
   

4 transport. DH likely to have to travel to London from time to time (and we have lots of friends here) so it would be good to have easyish access to mainline train link.

Thanks in advance.

[QueenofWhatever]

Best come over to the Bristol local board and we will all pile in with our many opinions. I'll pitch in first by saying (like me!) you will want to live in Bishopston/Horfield. Others may disagree...

[mintyfresh]

Agree with QueenofWhatever - St Andrews/Bishopston/Redland/Horfield would be area of my choice (if money no object!). Schools can be an issue in some parts of Bristol although a few have become academies recently which will possibly improve the choices available. There are also a number of good independent schools.

These areas are easily commutable into central Bristol - walking distance is preferable as Bristol traffic is a long standing joke (unless you are in it of course!).