Cheltenham v's Reading v's Bristol

[Alexis26]

Hola! Can anyone advice which of these places would offer a good life for a youngish 30s person looking for a bit of 'buzz'?

I have a budget of 350k for a decent sized modern 3-bed house, although admit I'm struggling to find much in Reading! I've spent a couple of days in Bristol but my initial impression was that it seemed a little run down, although I wasn't there long enough to get a proper feel for it.

Cheltenham appeals, although im mot sure if there are many 'bars' as opposed to pubs in the way of nightlife? It's nice to get your heels on and have a dance at the weekend!

Work wise, I work as a contractor in IT so will be looking for project management type roles.

Any info would be vert much appreciated !!

Try GCHQ for project manager roles. Everyone I know who works there is a project manager (although sometimes I wonder if this is just code for spy).

Cheltenham sounds like the best fit. It has upmarket bars, restaurants and shops. Bristol is probably buzzier though. Quite a lot of people commute between the various towns and cities in the area - Swindon, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham for example - so there are quite wide job options but it will definitely involve a lot of driving. If you don’t drive, find a job before you choose an area because public transport can be very limited.

Bristol is the buzziest.

Cheltenham likes to think it’s a bit posh. Nice place. Not sure it’s particularly buzzy though.

Depends if you have budget for going out in London, in that case I’d choose Reading.

@CustardyCreams

Depends if you have budget for going out in London, in that case I’d choose Reading.

I'm not a big fan of London, a little too expensive and too far to travel for a night out... I heard Reading was a good night out though?

@SherryPalmer

Cheltenham sounds like the best fit. It has upmarket bars, restaurants and shops. Bristol is probably buzzier though. Quite a lot of people commute between the various towns and cities in the area - Swindon, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham for example - so there are quite wide job options but it will definitely involve a lot of driving. If you don’t drive, find a job before you choose an area because public transport can be very limited.

Thanks, I'm s contractor so can never say where I'll be based, so I try to live near business parks or towns where there are lot of head quarters or commercial businesses - does Cheltenham have that?

Reading is an average night out. There are the same chain bars you get all over. My 1 bed house just outside the centre of town is worth 260k so you'd be looking at a 2 bed for your budget realistically.

They are building the Cyber security hub in Cheltenham- will attract loads of jobs 😊

@Dazedandconfused10

Reading is an average night out. There are the same chain bars you get all over. My 1 bed house just outside the centre of town is worth 260k so you'd be looking at a 2 bed for your budget realistically.

It might be your central location, I've seen lots of 3 beds, just nothing quite right. Is wincanton road ok or a bit rough?

Wincanton Road is Whitley, which is one of the rougher bits of Reading. Its also not particularly close to town for nights out, you'd be relying on buses/taxis.

I'd go with Bristol. Cheltenham doesn't have the buzz you want, and you will struggle to get what you want house-wise in a nice area of reading for your budget.

Personally I wouldn't live in Whitley or down the Oxford Road or parts of Tilehurst

@Dinosauraddict

I'd go with Bristol. Cheltenham doesn't have the buzz you want, and you will struggle to get what you want house-wise in a nice area of reading for your budget.

Thanks I'll meed to take a road trip. It's about 100 miles from Crawley but sounds like an upgrade! I was considering Milton Keynes but seems a bit rough?

I would maybe take short term lets for a few months in each to see what suits before committing financially ….. but IMHO Bristol would have the most sophisticated, varied and younger / cooler night life of the three.

Bristol is the best for what you want out of Bristol and Cheltenham is posher but there's less to do. The bars and pubs etc are more student based and aimed at students rather than for a more sophisticated crowd. Some areas of Bristol are run down but some are lovely and pretty trendy. There is much more to do with a wide variety of music events, outside events, bars, pubs and clubs.

I don't know reading.

I live in Bristol, I think there’s definitely more going on here than in Cheltenham. Cheltenham is prettier though and more upmarket. Bristol is a big place and really varies by area, some areas are a bit rough and ready, some lovely, and everything in between. You could definitely get a 3 bed semi for your budget but you’ll probably need to compromise on area and choose somewhere suburban a bit further out, or somewhere closer to the city centre that’s a bit shabbier.

I know all of them and I'd go for Bristol in your position. It's a lovely, diverse, vibrant city which is really well located to get all over the country.

I can't believe how much prices have shot up in Reading. I loved living there but wouldn't go back now. There are some great areas but plenty to avoid.

@Mansplainee

I live in Bristol, I think there’s definitely more going on here than in Cheltenham. Cheltenham is prettier though and more upmarket. Bristol is a big place and really varies by area, some areas are a bit rough and ready, some lovely, and everything in between. You could definitely get a 3 bed semi for your budget but you’ll probably need to compromise on area and choose somewhere suburban a bit further out, or somewhere closer to the city centre that’s a bit shabbier.

Thank you. People seem to think I'm a bit posh, probably my accent- do u think I'd fit in?

I went there once for work, at an office in Kings Orchard, Queen Street. I stayed in the travel lodge on Anchor Road - it was a bit grim. I arrived by train at Bristol Temple Meads. We had dinner in a lovely Italian restaurant somewhere nearby. I have to admit the parts I saw weren't great but it was a fleeting visit?!

@carlywurly

I know all of them and I'd go for Bristol in your position. It's a lovely, diverse, vibrant city which is really well located to get all over the country.

I can't believe how much prices have shot up in Reading. I loved living there but wouldn't go back now. There are some great areas but plenty to avoid.

Really, what puts u off Reading now, is it just the Houss prices? I'd never considered Bristol before but I am now. Does everyone speak with a Bristolian accent or is it more cosmopolitan like London?

The average age in Cheltenham is waaaayyy over 60
Buzzy it is absolutely not!!
It’s pretty and very very middle class but it’s tiny and full of retirement age folk or families with young kids and good schools
There is tiny street called Montpellier that has about 4 bars and a couple of restaurants that’s it.

@Alexis26 Bristol is really diverse and accepting, I think most people can fit in here.

You should probably explore a few different areas to see where you like. The city centre can be a bit rough. You might prefer Clifton/Whiteladies road for a night out, it’s a bit more upmarket. Or somewhere like Southville/Gloucester Rd if you like a bit more character.

In view of your age and career I would go for Cheltenham. You are 30s not 20s. Yes there are good wine bars / cocktail bars as well as night clubs in Cheltenham. Plenty of restaurants cafes and activities going on too. Good job opportunities, GCHQ, the new Cyber park being built, business parks, and local Government roles (ds is a project manager for them). Lots of young professionals there. With your budget you will get a decent modern 3 bedroom in Cheltenham.
Bristol is just a bit “studenty” but then some people do love that vibe.

Is Bath an option OP? Might be another place worth considering. Decent enough nightlife, nice bars and restaurants, and a beautiful city. A bit more sophisticated than Bristol. Not sure how far your budget would go though.

@MissyB1 because no one over 29 lives in Bristol? 😂😂

Bristol City Centre has some pretty grim bits, a lit of the best places to go out are in different areas of City eg Southville, Gloucester Road, clifton etc.
Bristolians are being pushed out and it's a City lots of people move to - I have colleagues from all over the country. Lots of job opportunities.
House prices are flipping mental. With your budget you'd be looking at the less trendy parts of the city - they're perfectly nice places to live but if you thought Anchor Road was a bit grim, you might not like it.