Knowle....OK place to live?

[M1nstrel]

We're moving from London to Bristol and have been looking South, e.g. Totterdown, Southville but see that we can get more for our money in Knowle. We've found a house we like but have heard mixed things about the area. It's near The Knowle pub. What's it really like there? We have a two year old son so thinking about primary school, nurseries, making friends (we know no one!), etc. Thanks.

We're looking around the Sandy Park Road area. Seems like there are good schools, commute is OK, more for your money. Maybe not the most lively area but we can't seem to afford what we want further west e.g. Totterdown, Southville

Commuting from sandy Park is handy plus there are quite a few things to do there. Arnos Vale Park is close by as well as the paintworks etc.

Do keep us posted on whether you do move to Bristol as it would be nice to keep in touch.

Southville is pricey but the other side of North St. (from Bedminster into Ashton Vale) aren't quite as much. Victoria Park is nice too.

Thanks, it would be nice to have a new friend!

Brislington is good value for money, perhaps a bit down at heel in parts and not the liveliest but certainly not a bad area. Secondary schools still big issue though unless you plan on fee paying schools

I was brought up in Brislington and though fairly uninspiring in my youth, I believe it has much more going for it now-Arnos Cemetry and its great caff a real draw in itself. We moved to Yatton to bring up our boys, a small town south of Bristol which has good schools, both primary and secondary(Backwell), 3 large parks, a train station with regular services to Temple Meads in 15mins. Sure you'll find nice friends wherever you decide to settle.

Have you considered Keynsham? (small town at the edge of Brislington) Good value for money on houses, really good schools, friendly community and doesn't tend to have the city feel about it.

We've lived here for 7 years now and while it's quiet at times, Bristol centre is less than half an hour away and the are some great community events like the music festival and the cricket clubs cider festival.

Just putting that out there, don't know how close you want to be to Bristol centre.

Hi! I live in Knowle and really love it! I'm not 'from round here' and I am probably considered to have a posh accent... it's great for kids if you get involved which I have found really easy (I have a 2 year old). Loads of street parties, Arnos vale is amazing, wander round Perrets Park too, it's lovely. Craftisan on wells rd has loads of activities for kids, The Eating room has been voted best cafe in Bristol - definitely try it! It's within walking distance to Temple Meads and house prices seem to be rising steadily! When we looked round mainly Londoners looking. There is an entrenched north/ south snobbery in Bristol which is based on old experiences. It's great (I'm not an estate agent by the way 😳) good luck!

You could consider Redfield/St.George too. Great for families, a lovely park, can walk or cycle path to centre.

I've heard really conflicting things about that area, e.g. Upper East on. Some saying it's a no go and others saying it's really trendy/up and coming. What's the story? We lost out on the house in Knowle, heading to Bristol this weekend for some serious house hunting!

OP - sorry to hear that you missed out on a house in Knowle. Keeping fingers crossed that house hunting goes well this weekend.

Am afraid I don't know the redfield/St George area at all so can't really pass any comment.

Redfield is up and coming. We've got a deli and a new trendy bakery. There's the Old Stillage pub (Google it) and the dark horse pub. The area is a real mix of people but very family orientated. Local primary schools are good. Easy walking distance to loads of other areas. We've had no probs re Easton. Go swimming there each week and feel perfectly safe. Think people make comments based on historical views - cinw and visit!!

COME and visit that should say!

I am not a native Bristolian either and I guess some might say I speak with a 'posh' accent but the road that I live in in Knowle/edge of Totterdown is I would say half Bristolian and half 'out of towners' like me. It's probably the friendliest most social place I have ever lived, a real sense of community. Like most places you get back what you put in, but there is absolutely no sense of mistrust of strangers and people are generally welcomed with open arms. I love living here, so many amazing people, and definitely an improving area in terms of nice places to eat and shop

We've found a lovely house in Brislington! Thanks for all your advice everyone. Very excited about our Bristol move.

Congratulations OP - keeping fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and you get to move to Bristol very soon.

I would say, where an area is a bit more diverse (in terms of ethnic minorities and 'transplants'), you will find it much easier to fit in. You would fit into areas like St Andrews and Bishopston near the Gloucester Road, Totterdown and Southville, Easton and Greenbank without a care in the world. Half the people in those areas are from London! Greenbank is lovely these days and has an incredible primary school (Whitehall Primary), although I know it is terribly oversubscribed.