Bath or Bristol?

[Courgetteflower1]

Trying to find the perfect place to move to. I’m currently in London with young children and debating staying in London but moving to a leafier area, or moving out all together.

Went to visit Bath and Bristol and really like both.

We’re looking for somewhere liberal, maybe a bit arty, great community, and great for kids. Also want good schools and access to lots of green and somewhere safe that is also a fun place to grow up (not boring for teenagers). DH and I both work from home maybe 80% of the time, and the back into London for a day a week.

With that criteria, which would you go for?

[Newwayofthinking]

Why not one of the villages just outside bath.

[OverTheRainbow88]

I’m team Bristol! Love it here! Look carefully at school catchment- some schoolers here are amazing and others are shockers! Maybe worth looking at Bishopston or st Andrews.

[bronzedgodesswannabe]

Misty.. it's mind blowing

I actually think I'd sell one of my children to live in Redland hahaha

[happinessischocolate]

Is look for houses in both areas and see what comes up, it might help make the decision for you 🤷‍♀️

[Arrowcat]

We live in a market town with a train station near Bath. It's cheaper than Bath and seen as a little more down-market. Buuutt ... The people are great, it got every amenity you could need and we love it. We are 10 mins walk to the centre, 15 mins walk to the open countryside and have a great standard of living. The state schools are v good but lots of kids commute to the private schools in bath.
The only negatives are not a great choice of restaurants and not as much choice with things like baby classes, Pilates, zumba etc.
Unfortunately we are moving north for work but otherwise we'd stay.
I'd recommend looking at: Bradford on Avon, devizes, Marshfield, Chippenham, Corsham and box, Marlborough, and immediately surrounding bath, bathampton etc.
Avoid Trowbridge and calne.

[PeachPotato]

I think Bath is great for teenagers as it is happening enough for them but not tooooo happening for their parents!

[PeachPotato]

Beautiful house on one of my favourite roads! Horseshoe Walk, Bath, Somerset, BA2
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-96018317.html

[Pamelaaaaa]

Based on what you've said definitely Bristol. I wouldn't choose to live there but we don't sound very similar.
Your budget will do you absolutely fine even in the best parts of Bristol and you'd probably have change. My friend recently bought a detached, albeit smallish 3 bed with small garden in Westbury on trym for just under 500k. I'd look mostly at Redland if I was you.

[Arrowcat]

Just seen all the Bristol posts!! We actively chose not to live in Bristol - never enjoyed it. I found it very on top of each other and claustrophic. But I commuted there fine for years and DH to London. But the music scene is definitely very good. Bath is better for theatre and dance overall except the old Vic. (Hippodrome is the most expensive uncomfortable theatre I have ever been in.)
Bear in mind the last train leaving Bristol to London is 10pm and the opposite way 12.30am. Loads and loads for kids around here. Less for teenagers.
Good luck. You'll love living out this way!! X

[Bassettgirl]

I am from nearby and preferred Bristol as a yoof but I would probably choose Bath now. On the other hand, with your budget you could live somewhere very nice in Bristol like Redland, Hotwells, Clifton. Though I like Long Ashton on the outskirts.

I drove across Bristol twice at rush hour last week and the traffic was nothing compared with what it usually is like. I don't know about schools anymore but if you lived in, say, Newbridge your kids could go to Wellsway on the bus which is an outstanding secondary. It's also on a bus route to Bristol and there are night buses. I quite like Weston as it seems villagey.

[Bassettgirl]

Newbridge and Weston in Bath, that should have said.

[KatherineParr4]

@Arrowcat

We live in a market town with a train station near Bath. It's cheaper than Bath and seen as a little more down-market. Buuutt ... The people are great, it got every amenity you could need and we love it. We are 10 mins walk to the centre, 15 mins walk to the open countryside and have a great standard of living. The state schools are v good but lots of kids commute to the private schools in bath.
The only negatives are not a great choice of restaurants and not as much choice with things like baby classes, Pilates, zumba etc.
Unfortunately we are moving north for work but otherwise we'd stay.
I'd recommend looking at: Bradford on Avon, devizes, Marshfield, Chippenham, Corsham and box, Marlborough, and immediately surrounding bath, bathampton etc.
Avoid Trowbridge and calne.

Do you mind me asking which market town?

[Bassettgirl]

Just noticed your kids are young and thought I'd say that Bath park is amazing. We can spend a whole day there and there is a nice-ish cafe and other cafes nearby. If I moved within walking distance of that with young kids I'd be pretty happy.

[Misty9]

@Bassettgirl

Just noticed your kids are young and thought I'd say that Bath park is amazing. We can spend a whole day there and there is a nice-ish cafe and other cafes nearby. If I moved within walking distance of that with young kids I'd be pretty happy.

One of the things I really like about Bristol is how many parks there are dotted about. St Andrews Park is lovely (now - not quite the same as when I was a teenager!) and places like blaise are brilliant for a day out.

[Gloriousgardener11]

@Misty9

I'd definitely pick Bristol with your criteria. I grew up there and it ticks nearly all your boxes now, especially the great place to bring up a family. I've still got family there and whenever I visit I always think it's lovely. If you have money - which you do! With that budget you're laughing too.

The only downside is the schools, secondary especially can be difficult. My brother is currently facing this issue and may have to move house to get a decent one.

But definitely Bristol over Bath.

Totally agree with you !

[MrsMoastyToasty]

I'd pick Bristol over Bath any time. I was born in Bristol and have worked there and in Bath ever since. I now have the best of both worlds and live between the two in Keynsham.

[applespearsbears]

Bath.
Culture, history, all the amenities and entertainment, fantastic state and independent schools and you can walk to each area from the city centre really easily. You can see and access countryside really quickly by foot, a small city feeling. Have lived here for 30 years and have never got bored of it but then I'm not a big city person and only go to Bristol now and then to shop but couldn't live there

[applespearsbears]

Plus the thread about it being weird and spooky was complete tosh!

[ThickFast]

Bristol. It’s a great city. Lots going on (pre covid) lots of families, parks, river.

[MNnicknameforCVthreads]

I’d personally move to a leafier area in/near London. I think the nice parts of Bristol and Bath are both a bit “up themselves” and quite keeping up with the Joneses-ish. Not very diverse for bringing up children. But that’s just my opinion based on people I know who live in the areas mentioned and from visiting their neighbourhoods.

[QueenCoral]

Bristol is a great place to bring up kids and 900k budget will get you a lovely place. But school places can be a nightmare and you have to live very near to the good schools to get in.

[ChickenDipper28]

Outskirts of Bath definitely 😬 There are some really lovely places that match your description! I grew up in Bristol, but now currently live near Bath 😊

[Misty9]

@MNnicknameforCVthreads

I’d personally move to a leafier area in/near London. I think the nice parts of Bristol and Bath are both a bit “up themselves” and quite keeping up with the Joneses-ish. Not very diverse for bringing up children. But that’s just my opinion based on people I know who live in the areas mentioned and from visiting their neighbourhoods.

I would personally agree with this and it's one of the reasons I have not really considered returning permanently. You either have or you don't in Bristol, and increasingly the latter are pushed out by rising house prices, so it's definitely not very diverse in the expensive areas.

But I'd still pick it over Bath

[800msprint]

@MNnicknameforCVthreads but wouldn't that be the same for a leafier part of London too perhaps?
We are talking about these two cities as well but me thinks I'll always be a Londoner at heart.

[Courgetteflower1]

Reading these with a lot of interest. And love hearing about the neighbourhoods - gives me a Rightmove focus

The leafier part of London we’re looking at would mean we’d need to spend more than I’d like (and it’s “posher” than me!). I am a little cautious about that because I don’t want my children to grow up in a bubble - I didn’t and I’m glad. But also, where we are now is high crime and urban and I equally don’t want that. It’s a very tough decision.

Interesting that you’re talking of moving to one of these two cities from London as well, 800msprint! Which are you leaning towards?