Leaving London for Bristol with 10 year old and 12 year old

[takethegirloutofwales]

We've been in London since 2002. Loved it, moved from North to South and been settled in the suburbs for 13 years. We've finally had enough. My husband's London company has a Bristol branch and he is going to request a transfer. His job is stressful and I think we need out before he suffers - mentally or from a stroke or heart-attack. The Bristol office is 60 people as opposed to the 450 where he currently is and I think the way of life is just a bit calmer. We've looked and could buy a property a 15 minute drive from the office. If we can sew it all up, then we can move before DS starts year 6, get him settled somewhere and then apply for secondary school in the usual way. My daughter is currently in year 7 so I guess it's going to be harder for her in that we will need to find a secondary that will take her. If push came to shove we could go private for her. But I guess my question is for anyone in the know around Bristol, where would we look to base ourselves for decent secondary catchment for my son. My husband's new office would be on Queen Charlotte Street and we'd love for him to half a short journey to work of under half an hour. In terms of what we can afford to buy, we'd be looking up to about £750k. Would be great to get some insider info.

Maybe get your post moved to Property/DIY board OP?

I'd have a look at Redland/Cotham area. That would allow your husband/children to walk to work/school as well as rush hour traffic can be awful in Bristol city centre and parking is tricky. Bristol is a great place to live I'm sure you won't regret it!

Bristol is brilliant but there's a projected shortfall in school places over the next few years so you want to research hard about that! Also the traffic and parking is dreadful so don't rely on driving...

Hmmm... I think you might get somewhere in Southville or Bedminster for that (and have money over! ) Lots of families around there and North st has cracking shops. I would think about encouraging your husband to walk to work. Driving to the centre is a pain. You could also look at Clifton. Some nice houses within the catchment for Cotham and Ashton Gate. I like this one for eg www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-88226240.html.

Also Bishopston might work. Your husband could get the bus or cycle. Bishopston is just by the Gloucester Road (longest street of independent shops in Europe) and lots of families. There's the lovely St Andrew's Park nearby and good schools. I have lots of friends there and I'm always jealous! This kind of house is there www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67925499.html

He's got an electric bike so would love to be able to cycle - does that open up even more options?

Do you think we'd have trouble getting a space for our daughter for end of year 7 or moving into year 8?

Definitely look at school places first, they are notoriously short in Bristol. Some of the secondary schools aren't great either.
Commuting by bike could work if he doesn't mind hills. Public transport is poor and traffic is awful.

As well as Redland/Cotham as someone above has suggested, look at maybe Westbury on Trym/Stoke Bishop, slightly further out so maybe more expensive properties and not too much longer of a commute. Im not too familiar with schools in that area yet as my dc is too young, but I do believe the schools in those areas are good!

Is the office in the city centre? Traffic and parking are fairly hideous in Bristol

Yes city centre - but he would cycle preferably - hence asking for areas not too far out.

Good luck. We are in a similar position - different geography though. Year 7/8 is probably not the worst time to move but you wouldn't want to leave it much later (imo), that's certainly driving my thinking.

I would also look at at st Andrews and henleaze

We did the move 14 years ago, but only with 1 child at the time. We now have 2 children in Y8 & 10. We actually rented in Clifton for 6 months until we got a feel for where we wanted to buy - we didn't want to make an expensive mistake due to lack of knowledge of the city. In the end , we actually moved out out - 25 mins with no traffic, 45 mins in rush hour (DH sometimes cycles, takes a similar amount of time in rush hour).

I think the areas suggested are all lovely areas - I also have colleagues in Portishead if you fancy something a bit smaller town-wise, but still a quick commute. Many also live in Long Ashton.

We wanted a village life, rather than jumping from 1 city to another (plus we'd both grown up in villages, so knew what to expect), but it does mean driving everywhere and a potential lack of facilities (but means a very close supportive community - my kids couldn't get into any kind of trouble as someone would notice and let me know!).

My kids actually go to (private) secondary school in Bristol for a number of personal reasons, but they went to the local village primary school, and have maintained their local friendships.

There are several areas you could consider and as others have mentioned Bishopston, Redland and Cotham. Cotham's local school for secondary is Cotham School. My daughter is in year 7 and enjoying it.

Bishopston and Redland are in the Redland Green school catchment area. It's known to be quite a tough school to get in to as it's very popular.

Primaries are all pretty good in those areas.

Your DH could walk or cycle from those areas pretty easily. Cotham is the most central of those areas. About a 15-20 minute walk to work for him.