Portishead/ Clevedon?

[shopaholic85]

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone could help me?

DH and I are re-locating from London to the Bristol area, and after 4 months have not been able to find anything suitable, so we are extending our search towards the coast to Portishead and Clevedon. Our max budget is £300k, but would feel more comfortable in the £270k region. There seems to be more in the way of period properties in Clevedon, but quite like the idea of an apartment overlooking the marina in Portishead.

I have three main questions really:

1. What is the commute likely to be like from Portishead or Clevedon towards the other side of Bristol, i.e. Longwell Green? My DH leaves for work at 6:30am. Could he do it in 35mins?

1. We don't mind somewhere that is quiet, but would like a range of good local restaurants and shops, so we don't have to use the car all the time. Would either Clevedon or Portishead suit us?

1. I know that these towns are not ethnically diverse, so will be a huge change from London. My husband is white but I am not. Will I stick out like a sore thumb?

Thank you!

You will get more for your money in Clevedon as opposed to central Bristol. I really like Clevedon, it is very separate from Bristol although lots of people do the commute. However your hubby will struggle to do the commute from Clevedon to Longwell Green in half an hour. The only real way to do that will be on the motorway and then the ring road, but even with a clear run I would allow more than 30 mins for that journey. And in the mornings even if the motorway is clear the ring road is always busy which will slow him down too. Going through the centre of Bristol isn't an option, the traffic would mean that way would easily take over an hour at least. Which is a shame because Clevedon is a great place for walking around, everything is so close together, and by contrast to Bristol a very easy place to drive around. There aren't loads but there are several restaurants and bars, and there is the Curzon cinema (very old!). You are right Clevedon isn't ethnically diverse, but in my experience it isn't racist. I wouldn't let that put you off. The biggest problem will be the drive to Longwell Green. Have you looked at places like Almondsbury or Thornbury if you prefer 'older' more period housing? Traffic in Bristol really is a problem so it really does make sense to live nearer to where work is. Over the next year the traffic is going to be a nightmare because they are putting in a metrobus which is causing massive delays all over town. Once this is up and running maybe the traffic will be better (hopefully!?)

Hi, I actually grew up in Clevedon so know both towns quite well. The commute to Longwell green would take longer than 35 mins. At 6.30 the traffic wouldn't be as bad, but the ring road is a nightmare most of the time. Personally I prefer Clevedon to Portishead as Portishead has so many new builds it feels a bit soulless. The old houses in Clevedon are beautiful but most are very expensive.
Both Clevedon and Portishead have several shops and restaurants and the towns are walkable. It would definitely be a culture shock coming from London.

Have you looked at areas within a few miles of Longwell Green? Hanham has some old houses and is quite cheap, Brislington is up and coming and you can still get houses under £300. Staple Hill has a lovely victorian park and lots of affordable victorian terraces.

Thank you both for taking the time to reply.

DH went to both Clevedon and Portishead today. He hated Portishead and completely agreed with you Tilly that it lacked soul. However, he fell in love with Clevedon, and he is very hard to please. I can usually see past negatives about a place, but he goes completely on first impressions. And he didn't even seemed to be fazed by the longer commute to work!

So looks like we might be moving to Clevedon! There is an apartment on Hill Road that is at the top of our budget that I can really see us buying. However, there is nothing suitable to rent in Clevedon with our budget, so looking to rent in nearby Yatton, while we house hunt.

Frustatingly, I can't get down to Clevedon for another 2 weeks, but hoping to love it too.

I love clevedon especially hill road. Less of a fan of all the housing estates on the edges and the grotty town centre. If you can buy a beautiful period property with a view and don't mind the commute and the very small town feel then it may be a nice option. We looked at a house there, the people living there were renting having relocated from London and they found it too quiet and were moving to bath.

Yatton to Longwell Green?! I wouldn't fancy that commute. Also not much for you in Yatton, especially without a car. Could you rent in Portishead whilst looking to buy in Clevedon?

Thank we both for taking the time to reply. My DH has tested the commute and says he couldn't do that everyday! So we have decided against Clevedon altogether. It's a shame because I think we could have been happy there.

We are now looking to rent near Bath while we work our where we want to settle.

It's the right decision op.
You can still visit clevedon and enjoy the town without being stuck in traffic. We ended up ruling out clevedon for similar reasons. But we go there plenty and enjoy it as visitors. If you don't drive though it would take you an hour on the bus to get to Bristol,and that may drive you mad.