Am considering....

[gosouthwest]

Moving to Bristol with my three kids. Two are at Junior school and one will be going to secondary school this september. I want to rent at first but will need four bedrooms and need to live somewhere with reasonable schools and nice but not too too expensive as I wont have vast amounts of money. I could probably afford up to £1000 per month rent.

Does anyone have any bright ideas?

I am from Bristol and I have to say the village where I live has a good secondary school but is on outskirts of Bristol (10 mins to Clifton):

www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/109/109317.pdf

It is nice here as a villagey location but all the amenities of the city on the doorstep so to speak.

We used to live within Bristol itself and if we had stayed within the city boundary when we moved we would have stayed fairly local to John Cabot CTC and kept our fingers crossed our kids got in there for secondary school and we would have sent the kids to the nearest primary school to where we lived as they are all pretty OK.

www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/109/109384.pdf

Do you know Bristol at all? What areas do you like?

THanks WestCountrylass. I dont know Bristol at all and am from far away but cant really say where as I have changed my name and am making this move to escape and be nearer to friends who live wihtin half an hour of Bristol or in Bath.

That is why I have put this post on as I have no idea where to live or what areas are good or bad.

Hi GSW -I lived in Bristol for six years as a student and have a good idea of what most of the areas are like if that helps

Generally speaking in the north of the city are more exspensive - lots and lots of enormous victorian houses - very often divided into flats for students etc

I found that the areas of Bristol were all quite distinctive in character. Really depends on how much you can afford - I have no idea of current market valus and whether you want studenty hip and funky with corner shops - or more family orientated

Stark broad sweeping contrast

If you name some areas you have already found property you can afford i might be able to tell you what the area is like!

HTH

If your friends live in Bristol and Bath, then maybe Keynsham would be a good choice as it is half way between the two and it does have a really good secondary school, reknowned in the area:

www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/109/109311.pdf

To be honest, Kingswood, Hanham, Warmley, Longwell Green, Barrs Court, Oldland Common, Bitton, Willsbridge and Keynsham would all be good locations for Bristol and Bath and all have good secondary schools (John Cabot CTC, Sir Bernard Lovell and the Wellsway).

Thanks a lot guys I am looking at all of this now. You have given me lots to think about! I do quite want to be very near to transport and amenities though and able to get to cinemas, theatres and restaurants pretty easily. I currently live on the outskirts of a town adn drive everywhere. I may want to look at jobs at the uni as well so dont want to be to far from stuff like that but as I said schools are a priority and am worrying as am too late for intakes this year.

Well the places I mentioned in last post are all near a leisure park that has a cinema, the Vue at Aspects Lesire Park

Also, both Bath and Bristol city centre wouldn't take long to get to of an evening for theatres etc (15 mins or so) and are on direct bus routes.

If you wanted good schools, easy access to Uni and Bristol city centre I would really recommend Ham Green/Pill/Easton in Gordano as good schools, nice location and easy access to all these things - but a bit further to travel to Bath as on opposite side of the city.

Good luck searching, there is loads of choice down here

Well the places I mentioned in last post are all near a leisure park that has a cinema, the Vue at Aspects Lesire Park

Also, both Bath and Bristol city centre wouldn't take long to get to of an evening for theatres etc (15 mins or so) and are on direct bus routes.

If you wanted good schools, easy access to Uni and Bristol city centre I would really recommend Ham Green/Pill/Easton in Gordano as good schools, nice location and easy access to all these things - but a bit further to travel to Bath as on opposite side of the city.

Good luck searching, there is loads of choice down here

Thanks Westcountrylass you have been really helpful I will satrt to look there. Am worrying about schools because I think I have missed the application intake for next september at the secondary schools!

There must be some sort of allowance for that as people get relocated and move a fair bit. Have you had a look on the Ofsted site for more info or rang the LEA?

Have phoned two Education authorities today and they both say I cna make a late application but for one of them I have to do it through my current lea and the other I have to have an address in the area. All of the schools I like are of course over subscribed on first preference in any case. I am worried about putting all of my eggs in one basket but feel this is for the best.

Hi GSW, try CATing wickedwaterwitch because she moved to Bristol not all that long ago (in Mumsnet History terms anyway!) and might have some helpful hints

Would one of your friends let you use their address??

Not sure that would work though as they live near or in bath and am considering one of your options wcl.

Will cat www what a good idea.

Am feeling very positive about it all now and want to start working on it but need to clear up a few things where I currently live. Thanks for all your help will let you know how I get on.