Considering leaving London for Bristol...

[clacketyclack]

So, as the title suggests, we are considering leaving London and moving to Bristol with our 1 year old DD. The main reason is to move closer to family and friends with babies (both me and DP are from the West Country originally).
I do love London though, and it is a tough decision. So I'd like some advice, which would be the best areas to make the transition, i.e. family friendly, lots going on, shops and cafes and parks etc. But not too expensive (Clifton definitely out!). Is there anywhere that fits the bill that will mean I don't have massive London withdrawel symptoms?
Also, any advice on ways to meet other people (I'll prob be at home for a while until I get a part time job). Worried about being lonely in the day, an area with lots of playgroups/activities would be great.
Thanks in advance x

It's possible that they did scrap the areas of prime responsibility though, as it was a real anomaly that some schools had them, some didn't, and it didn't really make much difference to getting in, as the circles tended to be well inside the borders of the defined area anyway.

Are you Catholic? Great catholic schools...

No not Catholic. I can see I'm going to have to do some proper research on schools when we do move.
Anyone have any thoughts on Knowle?

NO not Knowle too close to Knowle West which is dreadful.Gloucester Rd area is fab and Southville and Ashton are lively with lot's of young family's.Also second Henleaze and Westbury on on Trym.

No idea where DH will be working, we've only just started looking into it, so will all depend on him finding a job. However it is likely to be central as he works in the media so would be for an advertising agency or suchlike.
I'm liking the look of Southville a lot, just had a wander round on google street and seems a quick walk to the docks, and Greyville Smythe park and North Street seem lovely. Dh's brother also lives in Arnos Vale, and whilst we don't want to be in that area, being fairly close would be a bonus.
Just need to get cracking on the job hunting now, I've a feeling it may take a while.

Bristol's a small city compared to London, so almost anywhere you live will be a short commute from the centre.

Look at Hotwells as well - the school there is good, and it is a nice walk into town along the docks.

Used to live in Totterdown which was fab!

quickly chipping in to big up Knowle, yes it's near knowle west (not so good) but it's a lovely part of bristol with lots of playgroups, church groups, young mums and activities etc. Totterdown nearby also lovely...
I would say though that I reckon Bishopston/Redland/WoT would be my bet here, schools aside

If I were going to live in South Bristol, I would go more Totterdown way that Southville way. The gardens are generally bigger and you border with less "rough" areas, parking is a nightmare in both but Totterdown has more bus options across Bristol although that also means busier roads.

That house I linked to earlier has a bus stop about 5 mins away running the 54 service which is one of Bristol's bests bus routes apparently.

Bristol public transport is a farce; be warned! If your partner is in that sort of work I'd say you're going to be looking at jobs in the centre/whiteladies Rd way, possibly even out past Temple Meads by the Paintworks as they have studios and the BBC (or ITV?) out that way.

izziebear, you're not set up to receive email at the moment, you can message me though. We are not at the stage you are at yet, but would be good to talk to someone going through the same thing!

Just wanted to chip in because DH and I are in the process of relocating from London to Bristol and really excited about it. After a fair bit of research we've come to the conclusion that the Gloucester Road area (Horfield, Bishopston, St Andrews) or St Werburghs will suit us best. We're looking to buy somewhere with a similar budget and have found there's so much on the market at the moment, which is really good news for us buyers.

Here's a couple of estate agents we've registered with on Gloucester Road:
www.kendallharper.com/
www.andrewsonline.co.uk/branch-locator/branches.aspx?ID=10&ReturnUrl=%2fbranch-locator%2findex.aspx

Good luck and hope to see you in lovely Brizzle!