Bristol - does anyone know it? Advice on where to live appreciated

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We are thinking of moving back to Bristol from the country. I have lived there before but not for a long time (12 years) and it was before children. Can anyone give me any help with which areas we might consider? We will be renting to start with but I have no idea where we could look in terms of OK houses, schools (state schools!) etc. I have lived in various parts of Bristol but have no idea what different areas are like now. Can anyone help or point me in the direction of somewhere that can? Is Southville/Bedminster still cheap-ish in renting terms? Any idea what we'd have to pay to rent a 3/4 bed house? We will probably visit in the next couple of weeks to look around some more but I thought I'd ask here first in case there are any Bristol mumsnetters! Also, does anyone fancy volunteering to send me the property section of the Evening Post so I can get an idea of prices and letting agents? If so, please email me at [email protected] Thanks in advance to anyone who can help, all and any advice welcome.

I liked living in Windmill Hill - I really miss the walks across the park. I miss the nice Asda choose-your-own-topping pizzas too! And I know of at least one hb in the area.

WWW - my little sis lives in Ashley Down area. Email me if you want and I'll put you in touch - you never know, she might know of someone who wants to rent their house out!

wow, you are going to be busy www. A complete change all round. Hope lots of doors open for you all.

good luck www!!! Only found out about your plans today, I live in Bristol (not NW Bristol which seems to be where everybody has to be!) I hope you find somewhere nice to rent, let us know if you need a bit of help!

Ah, thanks everyone, really nice to get some good wishes - seeing some houses on Friday so fingers crossed we'll have moved by the end of this month. Ds got a bit upset today when we talked about leaving his school but I'm sure he'll be fine Willow, will email you, thanks.

Ooh missed this, good luck with it all www !

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We are currently living in Salisbury and are moving to Hotwells next summer when the Kids breakup from School, both my wife and I have no clue about the schools, or what would be in our catchment area, please could anyone help we are a young family in need of your help, the Bristol council were very unhelpful, but we expected that,

Hotwells school is excellent. Very small - only 1 class entry I think, but has a very good reputation. Where in Hotwells are you going to be? I think you do need to be quite close to the school to get in. Other good schools are Sefton park in St Andrews, Bishop Road, Henleaze, Horfield, Westbury Park, Westbury on Trym. Hth!

Hi Robnorthern, (how odd, I went to school in Salisbury and Bristol and am now back in Bristol!) my step sister's children go to Hotwells, which is indeed a lovely school, albeit oversubscribed. But if you're living in the area you have a good chance of getting in. I also looked at St George School on Brandon Hill, which is a really sweet small school and doesn't have a catchment area as it's so near the centre. I only didn't go for it because of where we decided to live in Bristol and the drive would have been a pain but I liked it. It's here It would be near enough for you in Hotwells too. Anyway, you could go and see it and see what you think. The head is slightly odd but nice. Sefton Park school is lovely but you really wouldn't fancy that drive in the morning from Hotwells. I love it here and am very glad we moved.

The Secondary Schools are all pretty shite. IMO Some of the best secondarys in the area are:

Sir Bernard Lovell in Oldland Common
www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/109/109300.pdf

The Wellsway in Keynsham
www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/109/109311.pdf

Castle School in Thornbury
www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/109/109297.pdf

John Cabot Technical College in Kingswood
www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/109/109384.pdf

But besides the CTC, they are all on the outskirts of the city. Also, the children who apply for the CTC have to take an exam to get in.

St George, Kingswood, Fishponds etc are all pretty cheap in renting/buying terms. I've been looking at renting a 3/4 bed and you can pay anywhere between £650 - £850 for an average family home.

Hi there, apparently we are getting near the deadlines for the Secondary Schools in Bristol, my Daughter who is 10 has sat the Eleven plus in Salisbury to go to South Wilts Grammar School,
my wife is particularly concerend about her as it is an imporant time for her, we have also Two boys Dan and Louie who are at primary age, from the feeedback there does not seem to be much of a problem, I think for us as a family settling into Hotwells is going to be a real challenge....

Oooh, I went to South Wilts RobNorthern. All of those school are going to be a PITA to physically get to from Hotwells. Have you considerd St Mary Redcliffe Secondary school? I know a teacher who sends her daughter there and is very happy with it. It's here but is quite hard to get into apparently. The drive would be do-able from Hotwells though.

If I lived in Hotwells i'd be applying for St Mary Redcliffe, Cotham and the CTC

St mary Redcliffe is the best secondary school in Bristol City by miles. If you're in Hotwells, you may well be able to get into Backwell or Nailsea, both of which are really good, and you're on the right side of town.

Why are you moving to Bristol btw?

Backwell and Nailsea are in North Somerset LEA so it is doubtfull if you are living in City of Bristol LEA catchment that you will get offered a place tbh.

I think people from Hotwells do though.

Well ithere's no harm in applying! I have friends who have tried to get their kids into schools in different LEAs to the ones that they live and none have been successful.

Where are you Tortoiseshell?

Henleaze

Oh, it's nice there, my friends boyfriend lives in the round house with the thatch on the main road

I love that house! Always get DS to look out for 'the lovely house' when we drive past!