Somewhere like Crouch End....but in Bristol??

[Deirds]

As many others on this post, we're going to be making the move from London to Bristol this summer. Is there anywhere in Bristol which is like Crouch End...sorry for being so narrow minded.

Have seen other people use the word 'bohemian' to describe Bristol, what does that mean? Hippyish? Liberal? Ideally want to live somewhere with a good vibe, great for kids, not too snobby, but at the same time with ok schools (need to apply this winter).

Also, after commuting on the tube for 15 years, am slightly concerned about commuting by car or on buses! Not that I have a job there yet to worry about....but if you have any recommendations on suburbs vs just outside by train too that would be great.

Have great so many great things about Bristol, am v excited!

It may be a help if you say what you like about Crouch End first. I know a bit about various areas of Bristol but nothing about Crouch End. Are you looking for primary or secondary schools (or both) ? What is your budget like - housing in Bristol can be expensive but so is commuting ?

montpelier/stoke's croft
totterdown/southville

I used to live in Crouch End (before it became chic, mind) and now live outside Bristol. One thing confuses me: commuting from Crouch End on the tube?? The one reason my flatmate and I lived in CE was because we could afford it as it wasn't on the tube!

Sorry, I can't help much with Bristol itself, city life does not appeal to me anymore. But by Crouch End, I assume you mean chic, middle class though not conservative, lively, with a good range of alternative shops? Something like that? As I say, I don't really know Bristol that well, but I am thinking areas around the Gloucester Road maybe?

Hey there, I moved from crouch end to bristol in August!! I find Southville v similar (although thats now where I live, I kinda wish I did).
Still getting my head round Bristol myself so no expert on areas, Totterdown probably a good choice too, and another vote for Gloucester Rd.
I have to say, public transport has been a shock - its pretty crappy here, so far Ive found it slow and expensive. People seem to drive alot more in Bristol. After years of moaning about the W7, I actually realise it was pretty quick and good!
Anyway, good luck with the dreaded move!

Montpelier is very boho, I've no idea what CE is like so I don't know if that's what you're looking for.

Public transport in Bristol is appalling. Absolutely dreadful. And expensive too. A lot of people bike it but plenty others drive everywhere so the traffic is awful.

Thanks for replies!

Sorry I should have explained what it is we are looking for, rather than assuming that everyone would know what I meant by Crouch End! Plus, when I explained to my other half what I said I was looking for, this prompted us to have a discussion about what it is we actually want! So here goes: we want somewhere with young families and lots for kids to do (we have a 2 year old), near nice parks and green spaces (we have a dog and go walking on ally pally most weekends with great views of London), houses with character ie not all new build, has a nice community feel to it....bohemian if you can call it that, probably not 'chic'...although a few nice shops wouldn't go amiss! We are planning a weekend trawl at the end of the month, so will start with some of the places recommended above, thanks.

Dumbledoresgirl - CE is still not on the tube, but used to get the overland from Hornsey and then tube from Finsbury Park. Live in Bounds green now :)

What's your budget?

We'll probably rent initially, as we are here, paying £1800 a month before bills. Although as I'm giving up work initially when we move there, we may need to downsize. When we do come to buy, we can probably pay c.£400k?

Just musing a bit...

Montpelier is absolutely lovely, lots of georgian properties, some victorian and a few newer flats/houses. It doesn't have much green space (v small playpark, not great for dogwalking) and it can be a little noisy at night as there are pubs and parties. It has quite a transient population of young people and hippy types drifting around but this gives it it's boho feel. A lot of creative types buy houses there (at least two of massive attack live there and many bbc types. It's quite pricey, a five bed georgian terrace would set you back around 400-500K if not more if it's very nicely done inside.

St Werburghs is cheaper and only just down the hill. Most houses are 2/3bed victorian terraces. Quite a lot of character but not particularly roomy. The area is nice, lots of young families - a state nursery is there. A few really nice pubs and the cafe culture is growing. Dog walking would be on <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=narroways+st+werburghs&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1254&bih=630&tbm=isch&tbnid=g23OTBie_vuqRM:&imgrefurl=www.metalgnu.com/news.htm&docid=D4ujZJFCB2Y7yM&imgurl=www.metalgnu.com/img/bench.jpg&w=360&h=288&ei=z7wJT_CVOsKJ4gT7iMDIDg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=424&sig=113442931618746913197&page=1&tbnh=150&tbnw=188&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0&tx=92&ty=31" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Narroways or <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=purdown&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1254&bih=630&tbm=isch&tbnid=RiEAETSEOglJvM:&imgrefurl=irational.org/heath/rope_swing/&docid=SRNxuDCJ_T_0HM&imgurl=irational.org/heath/rope_swing/tree_rope_swing_james_kennard_purdown_stoke_park_bristol051.jpg&w=2272&h=1704&ei=Cb0JT8HGLZP98QPu_NnLAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=103&vpy=149&dur=132&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=158&ty=109&sig=113442931618746913197&page=1&tbnh=133&tbnw=185&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Purdown. A two bed victorian in st werburghs goes for around 200K nowadays.

Bishopston is less boho but still on the liberal side of things. Larger victorian terraces (4/5 beds) around the 3-400K mark.

Ashley Down is slightly less posh than Bishopston but still very respectable, 3/4 bed victorian terraces around the 250-300K mark,

Schools are VERY tricky. Primaries are generally oversubscribed and if you have a preference then you'll have to make sure that you're well within their catchment area to ensure a place as the competition is tough and boundaries change yearly depending on the amount of kids wanting places.

you might want to look at kingsdown. close to shops, but neighborhood feel

Bishopston dog walking is usually in <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=st+andrews+park+bristol&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1254&bih=630&tbm=isch&tbnid=6dqyZIv8_n8vPM:&imgrefurl=www.yourlocalweb.co.uk/city-of-bristol/ashley-down/pictures/&docid=W-7VM7RkkOmrUM&imgurl=www.yourlocalweb.co.uk/images/pictures/19/80/open-air-swimming-pool-in-st-andrews-park-195308.jpg&w=600&h=450&ei=mr4JT-jfDYnrOcvwpLQB&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=121&vpy=155&dur=464&hovh=136&hovw=209&tx=180&ty=115&sig=113442931618746913197&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=204&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">St Andrews Park - that's a picture of the children's paddling pool, not a dog bath . Many many MANY dogs are walked here but you'd still be able to reach both Narroways and Purdown easily.

Thanks v much for your musing! I'll definitely add these to the list of places we visit. My partner used to live in Cottom years ago so vaguely knows these areas. He said there was a pub called The Farm which used to be nice/area round there was nice. BUT that was 14 years ago when he was a young & single chap!

Bit disappointed about the schools issue, thought we were leaving all that competitiveness behind when we left London, but clearly not!

Cotham is vair naice Pricey mind, and don't expect to be able to park anywhere near your house.

The Farm is in St. Werburghs.

I think from what you've said you want St. Andrews - nice park, old houses, lots of families, middle class/boho feel, independent shops, bars and restaurants on Gloucester Road. Just be very careful about schools - there's a big shortage of reception places and you often need to be within 2-300 metres of a school to get a place.

The Farm is still there! In fact I think there are some larger houses at that end of St Werburghs (3/4 bed victorian) if you can stand the smell of pig poo on a hot summer's day

I like to sing the praises of St Werburghs (lived there myself for a few years when the kids were very small) but the schooling issue is tricky. There is a newish build primary but it's not hugely popular with many of the locals and from St Werburghs you'd be highly unlikely to get into Sefton Park (very well thought of) or Ashley Down Primary (only ever heard good things about it). Lots of parents in St Werburghs & Montpelier use St Michael's on the Mount which is actually in the middle of Bristol near the University. Or there's Colston's Primary in Cotham if you end up over that way which I've heard good things about too.

On the South side of the river you may wish to consider Southville mostly Victorian-style housing. Very close to the city centre - you can walk so no need for a long commute. Lots of independent shops on North Street and a sunday market at the old Tobacco factory, which is now a theatre/Arts complex. This area is close to the Harbourside and also several parks and open spaces. Other areas that border this are Totterdown - more multicultural with brightly coloured houses with good views and Windmill Hill / Victoria Park. Totterdown is within walking distance of Temple Mead railway station. There is a City Farm in Windmill hill too which runs lots of activities for families particularly those with pre-school children.
These areas are becoming more popular with families and there is increasing pressure on school places, but it is slightly less of a problem here than in the Gloucester Road area of the City.

Mmmm the schools issue, really dreading it. Have been reading a couple of the threads on here about Bristol, with some people having to home school as they couldn't get a place! If it's a case of not getting into first choice then fair enough, but not getting a place altogether! Hope this doesn't cloud our move to our 'new life' !

Any horror schools to avoid?

Lawks - plenty that I would avoid but for probably snobbish reasons St Barnabus for one. Anything in St Pauls or Easton.

I know nothing about the south side of the city so i'm glad someone has come along with that info. I've lived in N Bristol for over 20years but could barely find my way around anywhere south of the river

or come East! St George area is full of young families and quite affordable. Greenbank is a nice community close to Easton which is a thriving multi cultural area with a vegetarian restaurant (Cafe Maitreya) and a Thali, not to mention Bristol Sweetmart, and Tovey's fish market.

Close to the cycle path that is an artery into the city center.

One thing to keep in mind isn't where places are, but travel time.

Dog places: Oldbury Court/Snuff Mills. River Frome runs through it and both my golden retrievers get a good swim every day!

One other question, north vs south Bristol, is there a difference? If we were talking about London then there would be a huge rant!

I think traditionally cities are 'posher' in the NW, it's something to do with pollution and prevailing winds but like I said I know practically nothing about S Bristol. I am N and very slightly East Bristol.

I think you're supposed to support one team over the other (city vs rovers) depending on whether you're N or S. I can never remember which way it is though

yeah, there is, 'right side' and 'wrong side' of the river, although the city center seems to belong to everyone

City is South; Rovers are North.

I don't think East Bristol is going to be the kind of place that suits the OP Not if she's looking for £400k houses.

Schools - people tend to be snobby about schools where there are too many non-white or working class children. So St. Barnabas is a very ethnically diverse school with a Good Ofsted rating but is looked down on by some, whereas Colston's (much whiter/more middle class) is very oversubscribed.

You'll find a lot of useful stuff about schools on www.bristol.gov.uk. Download the report that shows you how close you have to live to get in, the catchment areas get smaller every year and sibling places take a huge chunk out. I heard that this year, St Werburghs reception was crazy with something like 28 of the 30 places going to siblings. My daughter is at Ashley Down and we're less than 300m which is about the limit. Don't even start thinking about the disaster that is secondary schools.

Ha, yes, secondary schools

We've had one disaster after another in that respect. Both of mine started at Fairfield. They are neither of them still there.