moving to Bristol from SE London with 4 and 2 yr old - no idea where to begin!

[Southtosouthcoast]

Hi - we are looking at moving to Bristol for work reasons - and looking for a better quality of life. I have lived in S London all my life and am terrified of leaving behind friends of decades - but London is getting us down ...

I want a creative/ play focused primary for my son - he is in Reception just started now - are there any under subscribed schools where we would be likely to get a place -

also - I want to move to an area with views + good parks - I would sacrifice view for a really good park but would prefer to be high up - where would be good?

And is Bristol as good people say?!

Whilst it's acknowledged that there is a lack of secondary schools in totterdown at the moment, a new secondary school is due to be built just outside temple meads station (should be opening in 2019) and a decision should be made next month as to whether a new academy (covering age 4-16) to be built in Knowle/totterdown area will be given the go-ahead.

With the cuts in education and spaces in many Bristol schools I would advise against buying a house in an area on the grounds that a new school would be built. I would buy in an area where there is existing effective school provision. Bristol is well known for building plans being scrapped or put on hold for donkeys years. Secondary ed may well seem a long way off for you now op but it's a big issue in Bristol for many parents and it isn't going away. So if you are moving here, do consider that as part of the equation.

Thanks all. We'll be moving before we apply for schools, so will hopefully be within the catchment area. I've still got to do the checks. Thanks for the advice.

Hello, I've recently written a family area guide to Bristol over on my site, The Bristol Parent. This is part one: thebristolparent.com/2017/03/moving-to-bristol-family-areas-part-1/

Feel free to give me a shout via the site if you need any more help.

hi, just to bump this again - I've now had a lovely day out (with no kids which made it easier!) walking across a lot of Bristol - loved it so much, from south to north - I really, really like Montpelier - I like the fact that it is walkable to St Werburghs which seems a great place, lovely pub and farm etc - but how green does Montpelier feel? Is there a good secondary school nearby?

My kids will be 5/ 3 when we move but I'd rather think ahead to secondary than worry too much about primary...am going to presume most primaries are okay....

Does montepellier feel noisy/ party-town like?

On my absolute must-have list is a view...I really loved southville/ bedminster and the views there but it felt quite quiet. I"m moving from what I feel is a BORINg part of south london so I need life/ creativity!

Hi, did you do it?? Would love an update as I am thinking of moving to Bristol and I have never lived outside of London

hi - so funny that someone bumped this as I came on to have a look at the talk board - we had to put the plans on hold and have just decided to go for it - it will be moving probably a year from now so would have to make sure of area/ schools etc over the coming months....then move sometime in the school year.

I've also never lived outside London but I feel it's now or never - spent a lot of time considering the south coast (hence my name) but I feel like I'm a city dweller by heart and would love to explore and get to know Bristol...

Please note that the new school planned for the Temple Meads area is behind schedule and unlikely to be ready for 2019.
The proposal for a new 4-16 school was rejected by the council.