Nice bits of Bristol?

[extracrunchy]

DH and I are hoping to buy a house in the next year or so. We've been in London long term and did want to stay here, but now expecting DC2 and can't afford a bigger place.
We have some family in the Bristol area and like the city - just wondering if anyone can point us in the direction of nice, family friendly areas with good access to the centre, green spaces, stuff to do for little ones and reasonable schools...
Any thoughts?

Southville is a bit tricky for schools. I would definitely look at Totterdown, Knowle round Wells Road and Windmill Hill. Very family friendly, Victoria Park and Redcatch parks are lovely, there's Windmill Hill City farm and it's pretty down to earth (and there is an Iceland and indie butchers and greengrocers in Broadwalk shopping centre!).

It's also good for schools and not ridiculously oversubscribed - eg. you only have to live 700 meters from a good school to get in rather than 250m as in many bits of North Bristol.

Lovely Victorian terraces from about £200k in Totterdown/Windmill Hill to £300k in Knowle - the Knowle houses tend to be much bigger though.

Plus, walking distance to Temple Meads and close to town.

That area of South Bristol is also a bit more family orientated imo, Redland, Horfield, St Andrews are very studenty (and lots of rah students, even worse!).

Henleaze is lovely we are moving there soon. Would have loved to have loved in st Andrews,Redlands or cotham but too pricey for us so guess depends on your budget. Bishopston is nice but very crowded with narrow streets IMO.

I would also avoid Easton and would not recommend fishponds. we are moving from there. Is it slowly up and coming but too slow for me, still dirty,busy,lots on unsavoury characters hanging around. Police there regularly and bouncers outside pubs kind of place. It is family orientated to an extent but also quite student like and lots of very young mums hanging around all day, plus schools not good. But on the plus side, several good parks and every shop you could want.

The biggest issue for families in Bristol is school places so I would focus on some schools you have a chance of getting a place at (or an area that has a few realistic school options) and work backwards. The council has a page for primary allocation details on their website which shows all the furthest distances a place was offered for oversubscribed schools.

I would choose something like this in Windmill Hill www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-27307653.html - choice of two good schools, Victoria Park and St Mary Redcliffe
or this in Knowle
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-42189455.html - another two good school, Knowle Park and Hillcrest

Rike thanks for being so generous with your time

Looking at property porn at RightMove is always a pleasure, never a chore

I'm looking at the moment. Can't believe how much more you can get for your money...
DH is now stressing about jobs - he's doing well with his company in London and doesn't mind commuting shortish term, but doesn't think he'd find anything comparable outside London. He's in publishing. Any thoughts?! I have no idea.
I mean I know the job market in London is always going to be favourable, but anyone know what the publishing industry's looking like in Bristol/Bath?!

I thought St Mary Ratcliffe was in special measures , the school that is. IMO I would avoid bedminster, it's like fishponds, not nice high street. southville is very up and coming and quite alternative but impossible parking.

St Mary Redcliffe was in special measures a few years ago but it is rated Good now.

I live in Horfield and am entertained by the descriptions here. For £300k you would get three beds and a garden, plus if you plan it right be in the catchment for Ashley Down which is the second most over-subscribed school in Bristol.

Horfield is on the Gloucester Road and just up from Bishopston and St Andrews. It depends, as others have said, what you want in terms of services and the sort of people you want to live around. I find Bishopston, Redland, Clifton etc. a bit too middle class professional for my tastes. It's a bit friendlier and more flexible around here.

There is still some publishing in Bristol and Bath (Future are based there), but it's much reduced from five, ten years ago and salaries are much lower. Commuting to London IMO is not a realistic option.

Ex-Laahhnderner here

I wouldn't discount the less trendy East Bristol and the S Glos borders. St George, despite the comment above is absolutely fine with a beautiful park and great amenities and Hanham has incredible value for money family houses and good schools with no massive bunfights to get in. Much easier access to Bath, too.

After experimenting with Clifton / Montpellier / Southville etc I decided that Bristol is small enough that you can live in a less fashionable area for the comfort, schools and space but have easy access to all the best bits of the city.

Your budget gets you a lot of space out here and you could still be in either Bristol or Bath in 30 mins

For creative industry jobs in Bristol - keep an eye on Bristol Media

Does anyone know Thornbury well? At the moment we live in Gloucestershire about a 25 min drive from Bristol but Dh is beginning to look at jobs in Bristol and we could consider a move to Thornbury as its a bit closer and would make his commute easier.
I think there is some great advice on here, I have some friends who live in Bristol and they would pretty much say the same thing.

Thornbury is smart with smart shops and pubs etc. it's quite a small place though with just one strip of road which is the high street but easy access to other areas. school s are good too I,think.

Thornbury is lovely. Very community spirited. Good schools. Close to m4 and m5. No train station tho, and the bus service isn't great. The high street has a nice selection of shops, and it's not far to The Mall at Cribbs, or Bristol itself if ou want a proper shop!

I live in North Bristol so biased, I live by the mall at Cribbs Causeway.
Out in the sticks, in one of the villages.
Good schools and great community for small children.
Easy travel but public transport is shite.
I have lived in Clifton and Redland but the lack of parking space drove me mad!