Young families in Bristol

[GuffalosChild]

Hi I’d love some advice from parents about life in Bristol. We’re a couple late 30s and DD is 2. We’ve visited Clifton, Redland and Hotwells and they seem great, with loads of amenities within walking distance and the countryside and Downs nearby. What is there for younger kids - play areas, nurseries, schools? And what is there for parents, we like to go dancing, a nice restaurant and some culture. There seem to be lots of older residents especially in Clifton, and lots of students. Are these good areas for young families? Thank you future neighbours!!

Bristol is amazing for young families. Personally I would recommend Henleaze and Westbury on Trym over Clifton/Redland - as you have noticed, there’s loads of students and flat shares. Henleaze and WoT are much more family areas. It’s very expensive to buy a family sized house anywhere that’s not quite a bad area so you will need a decent budget!

Primary schools in north Bristol are brilliant and the current low birth rate means the catchments are larger than they used to be. Secondaries have historically been bad but a lot can change in a short time so if your kids are young I wouldn’t worry too much. People have been paying ridiculous premiums for the catchment of Redland Green but if the school situation shifts they may regret that.

Overall it’s a completely fab place to have babies/toddlers/primary kids and I’d definitely recommend it!

Lots of families live a bit further out - St Andrews, Bishopston, Horfield.

Less competition for housing from students than in Clifton, Redland and Hotwells.

Hotwells is lovely. Clifton is packed with students, I'd avoid if poss. Redland is pretty studenty too - though there are more families the nearer to Gloucester Road you get. If you have a clifton budget, and you are looking for more family type neighbourhood's, I would look at Bishopston, St Andrew's, Southville, Henleaze, Westbury Park, Westbury on Trym. Loads and loads of great primary schools, plus local pubs etc. Bristol is pretty small so super easy to get into the centre from any of those areas, plus easy to get out into the country. Bristol is lush, you'll love it!

Schools in Henleaze are great. In fact everything about it is great for a young family. Apart from the cost of housing!

We live in BS3 (Southville / Windmill Hill / Victoria Park / Totterdown). It's just south of the river and pretty expensive but not as expensive as Clifton / Redland and it is full of families and hardly any students are here (at the moment). It's a 10 min walk from my house to Temple Meads and it's a 20-25 minute walk to town / waterfront. There are lovely parks and decent shops (lots of independent shops). Primary schools are good. I wouldn't live in any other postcode in Bristol. Nice community feel and we love living here. DH grew up in Clifton / Redland area and I have lived all over Bristol (student and 20-somethings).

We live near north street which is well known for good bars / restaurants and cafes. There's also lots going on at the tobacco factory - look it up! Lots of good nurseries for 2 year olds but very difficult to get into with long waiting lists.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, so useful to get the inside scoop. Sounds so lovely and perfect for the DC. Is the northern parts of Clifton/Redland above the train station less studenty? I quite like a mix but am worried about things to do for families and too many loud house parties! For those areas further out and north of the river how suburban are they? One of the things we like so far is that so much is walkable and I’ve heard that public transport is bad! BS3 is it a pain having football and rugby crowds all the time?

@GuffalosChild I think if you live in Ashton (right next to stadium) then it can be loud at certain times but most areas in BS3 Southville / Victoria Park / Windmill Hill / Totterdown are not affected by it at all. I have no idea when the matches are on and am never affected by it.
If you live in Redland and Clifton you will be affected by noisy students. My in laws are in a constant battle with students.

I think it depends where in Clifton or Redland you are as to student noise. It's not something we have had an issue with (Clifton) but obviously I know it can be! We moved when our children were little, they are now older teens. Loads of things in Clifton and Bristol more broadly, fir children of all ages to do. It's a fabulous city to grow up in (and for teenagers which I know seems ages off but it comes around more quickly than you think!). My immediate neighbours both have primary school aged children. There are lots of families in Clifton but there is a real mix of every age group, including students and older people, but a very good mix of all. It's one of the aspects I love about living here!

Thanks @Alamindah. Do you think there are certain parts or roads to avoid or is it just pot luck?!

@GuffalosChild I think it's pot luck really. You can tell when viewing somewhere if there's a student house or HMO next door. One neighbouring house is divided into flats with a series of 'young people' living there over the years and (touch wood!) we have only been kept awake by a party twice. Neighbours are always a gamble, not all students are a nightmare and some teenagers are very noisy too so 'family areas' can develop into noisy neighbours once the children get older! Happy to have a chat if you want more specific information!

Hi! Just jumping in to add voice to the chorus saying Bristol is amazing for young children.. and adults! If you want city life with amazing food on doorstep, lots of green space easily accessible and very decent culture for a mid-sized city, then it's your place! We live on Redland/Clifton border and it's a brilliant area. Lots of great nurseries and primary schools- genuinely spoilt for choice. Playgrounds, clubs, bougie soft play.. really anything you'd want. Lots of (wealthy) families with young children around. Many are moving from london - perhaps that's you! Noise/student-wise, you can normally tell a house that's next door to a longterm big student property as it's weirdly cheap! Avoid roads around Chandos Rd for sure. Main downside in this area is price of property, I'd say. You're generally looking at over a million for a 4 bed really. Any other qs let me know!