What is Staple Hill like?

[BambinoBoo]

The search continues . We have been looking around North Bristol for 6 months now and can't seem to settle on an area that ticks all the boxes: good schools, roomy houses, lively high street (we're londoners), diverse, affordable and near to Filton where DH and I both work. We had been looking at Downend, and almost bought a house in Bromley Heath but it was far too quiet and DH said I'd go spare in a matter of weeks. By chance we stumbled upon Downend/Staple hill borders and wondered if anyone could tell me what Staple Hill is like. Is there anywhere we should avoid looking etc?

In terms of schools, we'd prefer to send DS to a Catholic School (although not ruling out non-RC schools) - we know that St Augustines in Downend is good, but if anyone can tell me about St Joseph's in Fishponds which is the next nearest, I'd be grateful.

Many thanks.

[CaptainBarnacles]

Staple Hill high street is great, but I'm not sure it would seem that lively to a Londoner. I'm also not sure how diverse it is.

Would you not be better off a bit further into Fishponds? Oldbury Court is a great park, the high street has improved a lot, and it's much easier to get into town from there.

[Humphreythehamster]

Fishponds is much better. I have lived in both and SH is full of EDL types, definitely not diverse.

[BambinoBoo]

Thank you for your replies! Sorry it's taken me so long to post, it's been a bit of a whirlwind week. At last, we have bought a house, although not SH. We're going to be just by Downend High Street, so near enough to the school we want to send DS to, and near enough to a bit of life. Yippee, no more rented.

Thanks again.

Oh Humphrey I must ask, what is an EDL type?

[Humphreythehamster]

English Defence League, one step off the BNP!