Advice on Berkeley Road estate Staple Hill

[BambinoBoo]

We've seen a fantastic house on Vistoria Street in Staple Hill/Downend Borders. It ticks all my boxes for a house - however, the road behind it houses quite a large estate of flats - not high rise, but still a substantial area. I know I am generalising here, but wondered if anyone was familiar with the estate and if it's known for trouble, anti-social behaviour etc. Many thanks.

Hiya

I have a shop in Staple Hill High Street so know the area quite well. A lot of the flats are occupied by old people, who make up the bulk of our customers. Younger tenants appear to be young mums with kids. Not a particularly troublesome area. I would suggest having a look round the area on a Fri/Sat night to get a feel of the place after dark before you commit. That's what I'd do.

Hope you get sorted.

Thanks alwayslurkin We actually viewed the house first off in the evening so it was dark and we drove round by the flats and couldn't see much going on to be honest. It's just me being a typical Londoner really - see a block of flats and immediately think trouble. I will take a look on a Friday night though. Thanks again.

HAave a close friend who lives in the flats, she's been there for 15 years. Reckons no trouble at all. Think Victoria Road's OK. Good community spirit really. U always take a risk when moving to a new city. Bristol's OK really. Lived here for 54 years and woul'dnt move away. Think you will be ok. If you need to move here you could do worse.!

Hi BambinoBoo,

I'm a mere male, so probably shouldn't be here, but your post popped up on my google alerts. Having lived on Pleasant Road opposite the flats you're talking about (Berkley House etc), I reckon I'm in a reasonably good position to respond.

On the whole, the flats are fine - as alwayslurkin said, they are mainly older people. They're not known for antisocial behaviour (although there was an ASBO on the road in 2004/2005!). They also contribute to this area having the highest levels of poverty in South Glos. If you're on Victoria Street, you're a reasonable distance from them in any case. I'll happily walk past/through them at night without feeling threatened.

My bigger concern with Victoria Street would be the noise and pollution. The junction of the road with Staple Hill is a pollution hotspot, and there are frequently traffic queues up Victoria Street. I imagine parking will be a git too - although if you don't drive, the public transport is pretty good (nothing near London standards though).

Visit on a Fri night, but also visit on a Saturday. Staple Hill has a good community spirit, but there's a lot going on, given it's a suburb of a big city. New library, loads of shops, pretty much buy anything there. Page Park is an excellent amenity, the cycle track drops you into Bristol or Bath easily ... it's a great place to live. I might be a bit biased though.

evilkitten.

Many thanks evil kitten. In the end I went with your advice as I think all my doubts were clouded with this fab house and to be honest I had dismissed the pollution part too which was very silly of me. We have had an offer accepted on a house now in fishponds. In a road behind the cross hands pub. It's more expensive but a lovely house and great vibrant area, and I also understand that we are still in the catchment for Christchurch school and staple hill primary which is great. Thanks again for your post, it certainly made me see things realistically.