Ashton Gate/Windmill Hill/Bedminster

[BambinoBoo]

Arrrrgh!! We just can't decide where we want to live (rent). Looked at Henleaze and Westbury - both really lovely, but pricey and a bit too suberbs IYSWIM (I'm a Londoner). Bishopston seems nice but not convenient to get to Filton by bus (I don't drive), so am looking at houses near a train station that go direct to Filton and have seen the areas at subject. Just don't know much about them - your opinions would be much appreciated. We are a married couple in our 30s/40s with a 19 month old. Thank you!

I'm surprised about the buses not going to Filton from Bishopston. Which bit of Filton do you need to get to? It's just that there are lots of UWE students in Bishopston/ Horfield and UWE is on the edge of Filton, so I would have thought the public transport links would be quite good.

Nevertheless, Windmill Hill/ Bedminster/ Southville are lovely IMO. Not so sure about Ashton Gate. I know nothing about schools and what not, but in terms of nice streets for walking and weekend coffee shops and restaurants you can't go wrong.

You sound quite similar to me (I've lived in Westbury and Henleaze, and moved because it was a bit too suburban) and we've just settled in to Ashley Down. Bishopston proper was a bit expensive, but Ashley Down has excellent local schools (so I'm told - my baby's only 5 months, no actual experience of that yet) and the buzz of Gloucester Road is just a short walk away. I love it here.

In summary, if you were interested in Bishopston, you'll like Southville/ Bedminster. Personally, I prefer North Bristol, but both areas have a lovely, community feel to them.

I love Ashton Gate/Southville area - vey child friendly - Greville Smyth Park is fab and there is a new park at the end of Smyth road/Winterstoke road. Also walking distance from Ashton Court and from the Docks - all recently renovated - nothing like as disgusting when I was a child! North Street has some lovely shops and restaurants including the Tobacco Factory.

Schools in the area are apparently better then when I was a child.

Most of the 70's go up Gloucester Rd to Filton.
I think the 71, 72 1nd 73 go as far as Parkway.

Thanks all. I'll be working at the MOD and I heard the busses only go as far as the Sainsburys but that the traffic is pretty solid across town so could take quite a while, whereas Filton station has an exit onto the site so going by train makes more sense and why we can widen our house search. I really must learn to drive

I am after somewhere with a nice friendly funky vibe - but still child friendly - and I love places with a café feel (I used to live in Muswell Hill in North London so if anyone's has been there, you'll know what I mean). We currently live in a village in kent and it's dead so to a Londonder like me, it's torture on a daily basis.

I am liking that these areas are getting the thumbs up as I checked out a couple of schools on Ofsted and they were rated as Good.

Have a look at the number 75. Also (seriously) consider cycling. Top end of Glos Road (Ashley Down) to Filton should be under 15 minutes.

Also speak to the MOD - they may well offer car share schemes or buses, I know Airbus and the like do.

If the bus drops you at Sainsburys, that is almost no distance to walk to the MoD, although granted the train station is literally no distance at all. Have you been down to do a recce?

QueenofWhatever is quite right about the cycling, and the provisions on site at the MoD for cyclists are good. The parking can be really difficult (and some people might, illegally of course, find themselves parking in Sainsburys)

Not "illegally". That's just silly. But you know what i mean.

Didn't consider cycling as I'd have my toddler with me (nursery on-site). Thanks for all your tips though.

I did a recce last week and came away thinking Henleaze, then something didn't feel right so I totally changed my mind to Bishopston, then checked out the bus routes and am now looking at the train which is only 20 mins from Parson street or Bedminister (before you say that's loads, my current commute is 4 hours per day so it should be a breeze ). Am going in a couple of weeks for another recce but that will have to be the final one before decision time. Excited and bricking it in equal measure.

If you're after Muswell Hill vibe, the closest you'll find in Bristol is Southville around the Tobacco Factory, or off the Gloucester Road, which is similar but busier. St Andrews Park off the Gloucester Road is lovely for kids, with a great playground and pool, cafes and little shops of the Gloucester Road are fab, interspersed with some grimy bits.

Many thanks all!! crumpetsolo love that name btw, and thanks for the Southville tip -being a Londonder, I'm used to the grimy bits too .

I think we are pretty much decided that South is better for us - child friendly, housing is cheaper and the type of houses I love, the vibe is less suburbs and from what I can see, the majority of schools dotted around the areas I mentioned all seem pretty good. Whereas, on much of the North side, it appears that you have to pracically live in the playground to get a place somewhere decent.

Don't forget Totterdown - quite boho and arty - they have the famous 'Front Room' art festival. Lots of people with young familes, funky houses, decent pubs and a few cafes, fab park (victoria park). Downside - not as good a shopping area as North Street but it's only a fifteen minute walk to the dockside and ten minutes to Temple Meads. Lived here for 5 years and love it (got a 2 year old). Good luck where ever you choose and welcome to Bristol (also known as the graveyard of ambition for ex-Londoners, be warned!)