Page 2 | Cheltenham v's Reading v's Bristol

MissyB1 · 23/07/2021 22:07

[quote GreenestValley]@MissyB1 because no one over 29 lives in Bristol? 😂😂[/quote]
Well of course they do but they would need a bigger budget than OP has (bearing in mind what she wants) to live in a decent area.

Original poster

Alexis26 · 23/07/2021 22:17

@MissyB1

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.

Thanks. I'm definitely not the student vibe type - Brighton is the same and really not my cup of tea! I'm also looking to meet a partner and would prefer to meet a smart professional than an artsy student type.

OP posts:

Alarae · 23/07/2021 22:29

I've had a few good nights out in Reading but it's definitely got a student vibe in certain places when university is on, so avoid Spoons/Q Club at all costs. Purple Turtle is a fab place but extremely popular now, plays a lot of indie/rock music which you don't hear often.

You do also have cocktail bars, then the standard chains on Riverside like Slug and Lettuce, Giraffe etc.

Reading is not a place for artisan or independent places, it's very much populated by chains. Nearby Caversham is a smidge better but I've only been for food, not drinks so can't comment on that.

I wouldn't live near Oxford Road nor Whitley, although with the latter my partner lived in Whitley Wood for a year or so and it was quiet. Heard quite a few stories of stabbings on Northumberland Avenue though and saw a forensic van at one of the houses though.

Shinfield/University area can be noisy in the evenings as students head to campus/town at night. You'll learn to know when Union is on!

Original poster

Alexis26 · 23/07/2021 22:48

@Noname99

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.

Gosh there's some very wide ranging views on Cheltenham here. I guess I'll have to visit but nothing sure how I'll figure out the average age lol! Takes a while to get to know a place!

OP posts:

spotcheck · 24/07/2021 00:42

@Noname99

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.

Really?

MissyB1 · 24/07/2021 07:53

Ha ha someone clearly visited Cheltenham and thought Montpellier was the whole town 🤣

cleocleo16 · 24/07/2021 11:15

@MissyB1

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.

Totally the opposite in my view. Have you lived in either city? I have lived in both.

Cheltenham is much smaller and it doesn't have a student vibe as such, except most of the bars and clubs are aimed at the students I would say or the older age range not much in between. the age range is much older or young families, not much for 20s/30s I was a student there and lived there after and that is why in my experience many of the students do not stay there after qualifying. Personally for me Cheltenham is the kind of place I would retire to. I know a few people in their 30/40s who live there and they don't seem to do a lot.

Bristol definitely has a student vibe in certain places but also there are areas geared towards young families and professionals. Personally I think it's got a good mix for everyone in the different parts. You're right though some parts are run down and gritty, even some of the parts that used to be very upmarket seem to have deteriorated. With your budget you would probably be able to buy in a more diverse and trendy part such as Bishopston or horfield, st Andrews- but that might be a push, rather than a smarter part such as Henleaze, Redland or Clifton. I would check out those areas and get a feel for them. It has much more to offer career wise and entertainment wise than Cheltenham but I guess it depends if you want a quieter life or not and what you like.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 24/07/2021 11:26

There’s a lot more to Cheltenham than Montpelier 🤣

There’s loads of bars and restaurants! The alchemist and the botanist are recent additions.

Saltyslug · 24/07/2021 11:27

It sounds like your version of buzzy is grown up well heeled fun with other professional types rather then with creative progressive leftie types. So Cheltenham it is. Alternatively look at Bath, leamington Spa or York.

Saltyslug · 24/07/2021 11:32

This?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110007020#/?channel=RES_BUY

Saltyslug · 24/07/2021 11:34

This www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/79884564#/?channel=RES_BUY

cleocleo16 · 24/07/2021 11:35

Haha- I am absolutely loving the stereotyping of Bristol on here, it's hilarious. Having lived in Bristol as a young professional myself I can safely say it is not all left wing, arty types. There are alternative areas that's for sure but it's an area not the whole place.

Saltyslug · 24/07/2021 11:36

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110662691#/?channel=RES_BUY

Slightly further from town centre

Noname99 · 24/07/2021 12:14

MissyB1 Nope .... I live here. Have done for over 10 years.

Op - Cheltenham is a nice place for a family or to retire to as they keep building retirement complexes here - there at at least five on the go at the moment including two right in the town centre (Bayshill Road & one opposite library) so that tells you what sort of things you’ll find in town.

There are music, jazz, literature, science festivals every non-covid year ..... the music festival is dreadful but the others are ok although the literature festival has gone down the z list celeb & TV chef route a bit recently.

The town centre is absolutely tiny, mostly empty now )and that started before the pandemic) and if Cavendish House (house of Fraser) leaves as they are widely reported to be doing then there really will be nothing left apart from a half empty shopping arcade (Regents) and a very odd John Lewis that has a tiny clothes section.

Bars and restaurants are mainly in a tiny street called Montpellier that likes to think it’s Clifton but really isn’t. I can’t think of more than 5 restaurants that aren’t chains in the whole town. The superdry fashion chain owner is from cheltenham and he owns a chain of bars & restaurants called lucky onion and their ‘flagship’ is here called 1-3-1. The food is terrible and drinks massively overpriced but they have a DJ on Sunday so everyone thinks it is cool.

It’s not buzzy! Bristol is .... IMO Bristol is great ... but I guess that’s the point ... we all like something different.

The good thing about cheltenham is that it’s 30 mins by train from Bristol & Birmingham and 2 hours from London. I escape most weekends now to get my fix of ‘buzz’

Original poster

Alexis26 · 24/07/2021 15:27

@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 !!

Do the majority of people in Bristol speak with a Bristolian accent? I don't mean to sound narrow-minded or like a snob but I will be treated like a novelty as people think I speak posh English.. and all the assumptions that come with that :). Also I worked with a guy from Bristol in my last job and I can't imagine everyone sounding like that for the next 10 years 😂✌️

OP posts:

oohmama · 24/07/2021 16:03

Bristol 😍
We moved out a few years ago (because we were sick of it and I agree it's abit run down) BUT we miss the buzz so much we are moving back 🙈

Also you sound like my kind of person! I'd be happy to chat about Bristol as I'm born and bread so know a lot 😂

Send me a message if you like :) xx

Saltyslug · 24/07/2021 17:10

Look up leamington spa op

MrsSchrute · 24/07/2021 17:19

Do the majority of people in Bristol speak with a Bristolian accent? I don't mean to sound narrow-minded or like a snob but I will be treated like a novelty as people think I speak posh English.. and all the assumptions that come with that :). Also I worked with a guy from Bristol in my last job and I can't imagine everyone sounding like that for the next 10 years 😂✌️

No!!
Bristol had two huge uni's, which means that a lot of the 30-40's here are graduates who moved to the city and so don't have Bristolian accents.
I've lived in Bristol for 15 years and the vast majority of my friends don't have a Bristol accent.

I absolutely love it here, such a great city!

MrsSchrute · 24/07/2021 17:20

Tho having said that, some areas will have a greater concentration of born and bred Bristolians than others. It's such a great city!

Mansplainee · 24/07/2021 19:16

Do the majority of people in Bristol speak with a Bristolian accent?

I mean, yes the majority of people in any city speak with the accent from that area. Bristol is a really diverse city though with people from all over the world, you having a ‘posh’ accent is really not going to blow people’s minds I promise you. I think you probably ought to spend some proper time here before you make your decision.

RavenclawsRoar · 24/07/2021 19:35

Well, having lived in both Cheltenham and Bristol, I think Bristol is a lot more vibrant and diverse, with loads of good bars and fancier areas if you like the posher vibe. Honestly the last time I went to Cheltenham it felt a lot more tired and rundown than when I lived there- I really wasn't impressed. So I'd pick Bristol in your shoes.

RavenclawsRoar · 24/07/2021 19:37

Oh, I also was always told I had a "posh" accent at school and uni - not one single person has remarked on it in Bristol. Of course there are those with the strong bristolian accent but I have to say most people where I work sound like me.

senua · 24/07/2021 20:24

I'm also looking to meet a partner and would prefer to meet a smart professional
This is a bit Jane Austen.

cleocleo16 · 24/07/2021 20:55

@Noname99

MissyB1 Nope .... I live here. Have done for over 10 years.

Op - Cheltenham is a nice place for a family or to retire to as they keep building retirement complexes here - there at at least five on the go at the moment including two right in the town centre (Bayshill Road & one opposite library) so that tells you what sort of things you’ll find in town.

There are music, jazz, literature, science festivals every non-covid year ..... the music festival is dreadful but the others are ok although the literature festival has gone down the z list celeb & TV chef route a bit recently.

The town centre is absolutely tiny, mostly empty now )and that started before the pandemic) and if Cavendish House (house of Fraser) leaves as they are widely reported to be doing then there really will be nothing left apart from a half empty shopping arcade (Regents) and a very odd John Lewis that has a tiny clothes section.

Bars and restaurants are mainly in a tiny street called Montpellier that likes to think it’s Clifton but really isn’t. I can’t think of more than 5 restaurants that aren’t chains in the whole town. The superdry fashion chain owner is from cheltenham and he owns a chain of bars & restaurants called lucky onion and their ‘flagship’ is here called 1-3-1. The food is terrible and drinks massively overpriced but they have a DJ on Sunday so everyone thinks it is cool.

It’s not buzzy! Bristol is .... IMO Bristol is great ... but I guess that’s the point ... we all like something different.

The good thing about cheltenham is that it’s 30 mins by train from Bristol & Birmingham and 2 hours from London. I escape most weekends now to get my fix of ‘buzz’

Someone who is actually talking from Experience of actually having lived in both places rather than just stereotyping. Totally agree with you on all points.

MissyB1 · 24/07/2021 21:51

I also live in Cheltenham- since 2007. There are other restaurants / bars / cafes / shops other than Montpellier, and it’s an area not a street. Do you ever go round the Suffolk’s? Lovely area, fab pubs and restaurants. I don’t go to 131 it’s definitely not my scene but I know people who love it. There’s plenty more to Cheltenham. The festivals are brilliant especially the literature and science ones. The theatre is good, I’ve got two tickets for plays over the summer. The food and drink festival is always good too. Yes lots of older folk - same in every town because our population is ageing, so more retirement homes needed everywhere. Loads of great walks, parks, and close to fabulous countryside and Cotswold pubs.
It depends on your perspective, I was mid thirties when I moved here and loved it. High streets everywhere are suffering, but the Brewery area is ok. Yes Cheltenham isn’t as great as it used to be but most towns and Cities have suffered.
I personally don’t like Bristol, too sprawling, too many rough areas, nice areas even more expensive than Cheltenham. But each to their own.
My main bug bear here is the cost of living, but as I say Bristol isn’t cheap!