My DS been offered a job in Bristol-huge relocation for him- where could he live? Anyone local able to help

[RockyToad]

He didn’t go to uni- started an apprenticeship and for the last 18 months the has been doing so well in his chosen field. That said - he’s had mine other DCs support- we help him a lot emotionally . He has Asperger’s and I’m very concerned for him. When you go to uni you go into halls and have freshers and are guided - my son struggles socially and doesn’t have a friends network just a girlfriend who will live a couple of hours away.

if anyone has gone through similar or can suggest reasonable/safe areas he could live - if he takes the job we won’t have long to find somewhere. He’s really trusting and I worry about how he will get on - I guess that’s natural but I’m so thrilled for him and this could be such a great opportunity that I’d love to be able to advise him as best I can

thanks for listening

He’s doing an apprenticeship in his chosen field in London.
hes seen a vacancy in Bristol for a prestigious company and he passed all the interview stages with flying colours they offered the job on the spot - it’s all very sudden

The posts about Fishponds going downhill are bizarre. It's completely on the up - new cafes and shops opening, new houses being built etc. It's near loads of parkland, well connected by buses and next to the cycle path. It's a great place to live.

Ahh. Is there reason why he doesn't want to continue with the apprenticeship? What one is it? What qualification would he end up with?

Are you sure it's a good idea, to leave the apprenticeship, and take the job offered?

Why does he want to leave his apprenticeship? I’d make sure he actually wants this move and job, rather than just wanting to get away from his current situation. Could there be something going on at work?

I would think about this and discuss. My son did totally the reverse and much prefers London- he's in IT -now 26. I live in Bath and being honest given what you've said about his issues I would in that situation live in Bath and get the 12 minute train each way- right to where he wants to be- it's quieter but nice , still buzzy and got way better quality shares in my opinion-we used to live in Bristol and it has lousy and can be painfully slow public transport unless you live very close too e of the few internal rail lines or can walk it . I've known it take me 35 minutes on a bus to the centre from 2 miles out. Whilst Bristol is very liberal and supposedly all inclusive it can also in my opinion feel quite aggressive , I do realise London can too but he's going to be there without a support network. Before anyone says I'm anti Bristol-we did live there and my H is from the area. My son said he actually felt safer in London and he went there at 19

I’m going to go against the grain and advise strongly against him becoming a lodger in Bristol - he’s never lived away before and it’s incredibly insecure plus not necessarily any cheaper.
Unfortunately I do agree with PP that Fishponds has taken a bit of a dive - it’s feeling considerably more deprived and run down than pre Covid but the same could be said of a lot of places. Not sure Easton ever actually improved... Fishponds, Speedwell and St George all have house shares with half decent bus services to the centre.

Don’t suggest that at 20 he goes and lives in Dursley or Gloucester with an easily hour plus commute in lousy traffic and a clean air charge plus parking every day. I’m sorry to say but Yate is a shithole and Nailsea doesn’t have much going for it either (bar lots of soulless new builds being thrown up). Bath could well be an option although the trains become tourist hell a couple of times a year. He may struggle to get a GP or dentist - Bristol is bloody awful for both.

However - it’s a city with a lot going on and a lot of opportunities to find his niche. Music, gaming, hiking, sailing, art and culture. Plenty to pick from. At 20, £27k is a decent starter wage and it’s only a couple of hours from you in London.

@TiredCatLady we didn't have any trouble on GP or dentist in Bath by the way and I have to be honest the care has been vastly better - including the hospital too - I don't dislike Bristol, has lots going for it but thinking of the specifics the OP has mentioned- I think it's quite a tough place in that situation with no family support on hand

Hi OP
Sounds exciting, a house share will be a great way to meet people. Yes it’s hard to find a place but he’ll get there.
Brislington and St Annes - safe residential area with nature reserves but close enough to the city.
also Redlands, parts of fishponds, horfield are all fine.
avoid - henleaze, Easton, St Paul’s, knowle - probably too gritty for a newcomer.
bedminster is nice, southville too expensive and busy and Clifton is £££££
or somewhere like downend- more of a small town feel and good buses to centre.

We have a graduate trainee at work who rents a room in a shared family home via airbnb from monday to thurs each week. He travels home at the weekend. Not sure where you are based but this may be a temporary option? Also might be worth looking at serviced apartments. There used to be some in the centre near temple meads/ redcliffe.

@RockyToad

The National Autistic Society has a Bristol branch which has its own private Facebook page, OP.

I wonder whether they could advise.

https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/branches/bristol

Driving in Bristol is hellish so make sure he is comfortable with bus networks.
Lots of students from second year flat share, so it's worth looking at Bristol and UWE uni Facebook pages and checking for people looking for extra people for flat shares. That way he's with similar age group and you can usually get a good vibe of the people also from their FB pages.

Bristol is amazingly diverse, fun and beautiful with amazing music and food scenes. I grew up there. But like others have said, it's gritty and there's a very illegal substance undercurrent. The north west quadrant of the city is the safest (but also the most expensive).

A house share with other young people could be a good way to start to meet people.