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Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Property/DIY

Bath or Bristol?

61 replies

Courgetteflower1 · 14/08/2020 22:52

Trying to find the perfect place to move to. I’m currently in London with young children and debating staying in London but moving to a leafier area, or moving out all together.

Went to visit Bath and Bristol and really like both.

We’re looking for somewhere liberal, maybe a bit arty, great community, and great for kids. Also want good schools and access to lots of green and somewhere safe that is also a fun place to grow up (not boring for teenagers). DH and I both work from home maybe 80% of the time, and the back into London for a day a week.

With that criteria, which would you go for?

OP posts:

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KatherineParr4 · 14/08/2020 22:54

Bath would be my choice but both are great. The traffic is awful in both places though.

WhamRap · 14/08/2020 22:57

If you want it to be great for teenagers choose Bristol. I love Bath but I'm old and boring. That's why it appeals to me. If you live in Bristol you can visit Bath easily.

Courgetteflower1 · 14/08/2020 22:58

I have heard that about traffic, katherine! I think because it’s August it wasn’t too bad when we visited. Pollution is awful where I currently live and it’s one reason I want out, so I’d need to figure that out carefully.

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minnieok · 14/08/2020 22:58

Bath is more architecturally interesting in the centre. Bristol has better restaurants. Personally I prefer being out on the coast, but I can sail 5 mins walk away (when I buy my dream yacht)

Courgetteflower1 · 14/08/2020 22:59

That’s good to know, WhamRap - my kids are still very young, but I’m thinking ahead!

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PeanutButterFalcon · 14/08/2020 23:00

There are some lovely places on the outskirts of Bath.

Hairthrowaway · 14/08/2020 23:00

I feel like everyone I know from Bath couldn’t wait to leave, but I met them in London though so probably not the same demographic as a family settling down.

Personally I’d go for Bristol as it seems more fun, but it’s probably just as expensive as London

Courgetteflower1 · 14/08/2020 23:01

I thought Bath was beautiful, minnie - much more so!

Like both because of easy access to the coast.

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lostinthoughts · 14/08/2020 23:02

Bristol for sure. Have a look around cotham/redland/Clifton/Henleaze areas. Great sized houses with plenty of action nearby bars/cafes/theatres and large parks. Could look at slightly further out for biggest gardens and more space. Stoke bishop/westbury on trym nice areas too. Great for teens as good transport links to safe areas/venues.

PeanutButterFalcon · 14/08/2020 23:02

Posted too soon sorry.

In between bath and Bristol is doable as they are both reachable from some places in about 30-45 mins and on the bus routes for your children. I personally know and enjoy Bath a lot more than Bristol. It has a completely different atmosphere

MrsMoastyToasty · 14/08/2020 23:38

What's your budget?

KoalasandRabbit · 15/08/2020 02:20

I prefer Bath.

480Widdio · 15/08/2020 02:38

Lived in Bristol for years and loved it.

Bath is a strange place,nice to visit,but lovely to leave.

There was a thread here on MN a couple of months ago discussing what a weird place Bath is.

Dinosauraddict · 15/08/2020 06:53

I'd choose Bristol!

BeijingBikini · 15/08/2020 07:08

I'm pick Bath, I lived there for 4 years as a student and it was amazing, like living in Narnia. Lots going on too. I went to Bristol a few times but tbh found the place a total dump, it felt rough and had a huge homeless problem.

Fennelandlovage · 15/08/2020 08:06

Bristol for me esp for the liberal artsy bit of your criteria.

Courgetteflower1 · 15/08/2020 08:17

So many mixed opinions! I’m definitely looking to leave behind a rough neighbourhood feel (there’s high crime where I am in London right now).

I want to cap the spend at £900k for a house with a garden - could spend a little more if that wasn’t enough, but would rather not have more of a mortgage. (Selling a London property that we’ve owned for a very long time.)

I’ll check out the Bath thread...

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Panda368 · 15/08/2020 08:30

Bristol Every time! More interesting. More diverse. More artsy. Better music venues. A better night out - bath gets pretty sleezy after dark. I've lived in bath, my brother has lived in bristol for may years.
When your kids are older you will have to deal with them going to Bristol on nights out if you go for Bath.
Both have good access to lovely countryside and bristol is surprisingly green for a big city.

KatherineParr4 · 15/08/2020 08:50

@BeijingBikini

I'm pick Bath, I lived there for 4 years as a student and it was amazing, like living in Narnia. Lots going on too. I went to Bristol a few times but tbh found the place a total dump, it felt rough and had a huge homeless problem.

Bath also has a huge homeless problem though. Apparently the ground is warmer than other cities because of the spa water or something. I have been there quite a lot, and there are a lot of homeless people.

Misty9 · 15/08/2020 16:10

I'd definitely pick Bristol with your criteria. I grew up there and it ticks nearly all your boxes now, especially the great place to bring up a family. I've still got family there and whenever I visit I always think it's lovely. If you have money - which you do! With that budget you're laughing too.

The only downside is the schools, secondary especially can be difficult. My brother is currently facing this issue and may have to move house to get a decent one.

But definitely Bristol over Bath.

MinnieMountain · 15/08/2020 16:12

Bristol. I went to university there and wanted to stay but fate DH intervened.

I can see what PP meant in calling Bath Narnia.

Bristol has plenty to do for all ages. It feels very relaxed. DS (6) loves going there.

bronzedgodesswannabe · 15/08/2020 16:19

I grew up in Bristol but have been priced out of the nice areas so we've moved to Gloucestershire

I'd literally give my left tit to have your budget-
Bishopston, cotham , Redland are the best areas

Do it! I could cry at how much I would love to live in those areas!!!

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IceCreamSummer20 · 15/08/2020 16:19

Bath definitely. Too much either wealth or crime in Bristol.

Mrbay · 15/08/2020 16:20

Saw your needs/wants and instantly thought of Frome, 20 mins away from bath but due to have a 1hr train direct to London soon. Failing that the train from westbury gets into london in an hour.

Your budget would get you a fantastic property with your own few acres in the frome area.

Misty9 · 15/08/2020 16:22

@bronzedgodesswannabe

I grew up in Bristol but have been priced out of the nice areas so we've moved to Gloucestershire

I'd literally give my left tit to have your budget-
Bishopston, cotham , Redland are the best areas

Do it! I could cry at how much I would love to live in those areas!!!

I grew up in Bishopston and my parents sold our 4 bed Edwardian semi for 97k in 1999. Can you imagine it?! It's worth over half a million these days. 😭

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