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!

Great stuff.

Re: public transport, how long would it take to get in from somewhere Like Ashley Down or St W's into town in rush hour?

I'm in Portishead which is about 20mins from Bristol.
We really like it here, the people are friendly (if a little conservative) but nice area, open spaces (lake ground is very pretty and excellent schools (We had a choice of 1 outstanding and 2 good schools, all within walking distance)

But public transport from here is dreadful.

St W's - 15mins? Ashley Down - 20-30mins. Depends on the traffic of course. There are bus lanes but idiots park in them a lot of the time.

There has been talk of creating a light railway system for local transport but to be perfectly honest they've been talking about it since I moved here. In 1989

You wouldn't want to drive tbh. Anywhere off Glos Road has good bus routes so I would say 30 minutes, but seriously consider cycling or walking.

St Werburghs is not great for public transport but not as busy. Where would you be working?

Clownstatue: Can I ask what you have against St Barnabas? My kids go there, and we're very happy with it. Academically, it's comparable to many of the 'desirable' schools, and it's a very happy little community.

Deirds, we live on the edge of St Werburghs, Montpelier and St Pauls. It's a really diverse area, with lots of families, but also a fair few young professionals and students, as well as any other demographic you can think of.

There's handy local shops and an organic supermarket, near enough parks and pubs and takeaways.

Also, we're looking at a relocation (for work not because we don't like the area) and will need to rent our house out. Would you like it?

Whimsical, it's probably historical more than anything. My dh did teacher training classroom experience there and some of the stories he came home with made my hair curl, but this was a long time ago now. The stories weren't to do with achievement within the school but the behaviour of some of the parents.

Interesting! I get very defensive about the school, because I think it's very undervalued. As I say, we're very happy with it. It's not perfect, but I don't think any school is likely to be. There are some difficult families, but as far as I can tell, the school deals with them as well as can be expected.

I think it's natural to be defensive of the choice of school you made for your children I know I did a while back when someone on here dissed the school my kids went to at the time.

That's very kind of you, but we're probably not going to make the move until at least August. When were you thinking of relocating? I like the idea of living somewhere quite diverse, would be strange not to after living in London all these years (there she goes banging on about London again!), although not too near students!

I haven't started looking into work yet, hoping to be able to freelance but need to be close enough to the city in case that doesn't work out and I need to get an office based job (or I go mad/get lonely being at home all day!). My DH is going be setting an office up outside of the city centre, so commute in not so much of a worry for him.

I'm going to have a look at the different school reports but someone also said it's worth going for open days to really get a feel for the different types of schools out there. Just another thing to add to the list of things to do this new year!

Deirds, probably going end of July / August. I'd like the boys to see out the school year here.

Our area is handy for M32 to get out of Bristol, as well as getting into town. We cycle to work on the ring road (takes about 25 min). I used to work in town, and had the ride down to 9 minutes.

I really do mean it about the house! PM me if you'd like any more info about it (I don't want to get the message pulled for advertising). We only started discussing this last week, but I'll see what help I can be.

Yes there are threads from families who had been allocated none of their preferred schools but many of these are from people who omitted one of their nearest schools and chose very oversubscribed schools a long way away.
One of the schools that a parent was very unhappy about being allocated is actually one of the most improved schools in the country despite being in a deprived area. The good news is that schools in Bristol are improving and this is likely to continue.

ok, point taken about the OP spending £400,000 thus excluding East bristol, however Ashley Down has loads of students and has just received planning permission to turn part of the cricket ground into flats for students.

Hi,I used to live in Crouch End and then moved to Kingsdown(next to Cotham) 6 years ago.
With your budget and need for good primaries. I would suggest Bishopston or Cotham.
Bishopston has the nearest Bristol gets to a London park!!!St Andrews Park. A cute portable cafe with bunting, a small Lido and a lovely play area (God i miss Clissold Park in stokey...anyway) It also has the friendly and wonderfully busy Gloucester Road, very child friendly cafes/shops. Lovely atmosphere
Cotham and Kingsdown are close by,I love Kingsdown - the location is fabulous, (now with residentsparkingpermits you CAN park) but if you don't drive and Hate bristol buses! You can walk to town (5min), Gloucester road (15min) and close to Stokes Croft (10min) even Clifton Village (v posh, nice restaurants!!) is (20 min walk). I also live near St Matthews church which has THE best playgroup (if you don't need full time childcare yet i would seriously consider giving them a call asap). Primaries are Colstons (very small catchment, very popular), st peter and paul catholic (brilliant) St Michael on the Mount (Very diverse, v london, mixed reviews) oooh and a soon to be opened school The Dolphin School (on cheltenham road part of the Colston Girls School) Catchment areas need to be checked!
I would also love to suggest Montpelier because it has the most gorgeous houses (full of ex londoners!!!and Massive attack true! My daughter used to play with Daddy G's gorgeous youngest boy) It has the Boho feel you talked about. York Road and Richmond Road are my favs. Primary schools are not good though. (the new school opening up does cover parts of montpelier, again can check on colston girls schoolwebsite)
All of these areas mentioned are near Stokes Croft which has the run down, edgy but cool feel that I miss about London! New pubs, bars, cafes, shops open up all the time. Lots of local artists display their work inside or OUT (it is bristol afterall) Banksy central....its an exciting place but still kiddy friendly.
Finally! For dog walking you have Clifton Downs nearby, then bridge over to Leigh Woods (we go alot) and Ashton Court Estate (balloon fiesta place).
Finally finally - You will love Bristol, the people are ridiculously friendly!!!(apart from the bus drivers.........haha )
good luck with the move

Disaster is quite strong - Cotham has Cotham School -outstanding, fab place.
Redland now has Redland Green - brilliant results. Cathedral School in town,also great.
Deirds luckily has the means to move to an area that has good primaries and secondaries too.
Bristol schools on the whole are a disaster (i know i went to one of the worst) but don't put her off!!!!

I'm a mum and childminder living in Southville (BS3 although this covers Bedminster, Ashton & some of Victoria Park) I have to say I can't think of anywhere more perfect in a city environment for families than Southville. There are loads of childrens' groups- playgroups, French singing classes, dance, performance etc, a lovely Park (Greville Smyth) and the stunning Ashton Court which you can walk to in 15 minutes and then ramble about the estate as if you were in the middle of the countryside! I've been there this morning with my daughter and one of my minded children collecting leaves and cones (don't ask!). You can walk into the centre in 25 minutes along the river or through the harbour past the SS Great Britain and the new M Shed museum. It'd gorgeous. Most of the houses are Victorian, and many of the streets have a real community feel, with regular street parties and 'playing out' road closures for the children. Lime Road, Exeter Road, Greville Road, Gathorne Road and Vicarage Road are a few to look at, although I live opposite the park. We shouldn't forget that you'll want a social life too, so you've got the famous Tobacco Factory bar & theatre, the Lounge (great casual food), Souk kitchen, Sazz does a great brunch, as does the Terrace and the Hen & Chicken has the Comedy Box comedy club upstairs. Schools are great here, lots of demand but the council are addressing that issue for 2012 intake. What more could you want? But then perhaps I'm biased ;-)

You might find Montpelier & Bishopston a bit too studenty maybe and St Werburgh's is a bit to close to St Paul's for my liking. And personally speaking I find St. Andrews a bit too dull. Your best bet is to come down and spend a weekend. Good luck!

Op I would really really recommend that you thoroughly research the schools and target those areas with access to good schools. Anecdotally Bristol is said to be 4th from bottom nationally in the school league tables (don't know if this is factually correct - look up the league tables they are available on bbc website - however fact remains Bristol performs poorly) - with a very high % of children attending independent schools.

Access to schools is an issue in many areas of the city and whilst the council have taken some steps for 2012 these are often involving temporary classrooms, often not on the school premises but over the road etc.

Don't know how old your DCs are but this doc is for primary admissions 2012 and shows you how near people had to live to get into the various schools last year

www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/children_and_young_people/schools/school_admissions/primary_admissions/Primary%20Admissions%20Guide%20REVISED%20DEC%202012_1.pdf

I would suggest that you speak to council re school admissions whatever your age of children or you may find you have all the hassle and expense of moving only to find you cannot get access to any local schools. Don't listen to estate agents who say 'the children living in this house all attend x school so yours will be able to get in there no probs' - the distances have shrunk in recent years so just because vendors children attend a particular school doesn't mean you will be able to get in.

Really recommend that you make this your number 1 priority - Bristol is not a massive city you can access the town centre easily from wherever you are, bars, restaurants, nightlife etc but access to schools way more tricky

good luck - let us know what you decide!

lucyhome07 -
which are the schools you are referring to in BS3 that are great? I know of a few that are good, many satisfactory and a couple in special measures but none that are recognised as great e.g outstanding by ofsted standards or achieve excellent results significantly above national average? Schools in BS3 seem pretty average?

Grrr I'm so fed up of this "I'm moving from London where are the best schools" thing.
I want to go on some long rant now about the inequalities of our school system. Or the snobbery that is going on in this thread. Or... oh my god I just read the "bit too close to St Pauls for my liking" now I really have to turn the computer off before I vomit.

ninjacat!
mumsnet is full of snobbery and varying opinions. So what? Stop dissing everyone on this thread.
The fact is we do have an unfair school system and that is awful BUT the point here is this London lady has a choice.
Lots of people don't have a choice I know , I grew up without one. Fortunately my children and this ladies children have got one. Its not snobbery to want the best education for your children! If you had 400,000 to spend on a home would YOU move to St Pauls ?
I'm guessing you wouldn't.

If I had £400k to spend on a house I'd move to Montpelier.

montpelier certainly divides opinion! its like marmite.

I used to live in St.Pauls, but the main problem there is it's mostly flats and few houses.

That's the thing isn't it, we all have different ideas of a good area. If I had £400k I certainly wouldn't move to St Andrews or Bishopston, too white, smug and middle class for me. Schools do matter but the evidence consistently shows that educational outcomes are more influenced by class and parental involvement than the actual school.

For 400k you could get a gorgeous house just outside Bristol, somewhere like South Gloucestershire.

ninjacat You speak such sense. Time and time again I try not to get sucked in to these threads. Time and time again I fall for it.