Move away from home counties - Manchester or Bristol?

[Dreambee]

We would consider ourselves Londoners that have been living in the Home counties for a while. Definitely ready to return to city living for many reasons including more (cultural and community) activities and diversity, access to decent public transport, and a more interesting vibe for the whole family.

Have visited both Manchester and Bristol before (the latter a few years back). Manchester was good in a number of ways and would offer so many amenities (sports, culture, and shopping) but there was just something missing for me. I guess it felt a little like London used to be when most areas were a bit more rough around the edges. It is also in reality a long drive/expensive train from family. Also we have found that property is not as cheap as I thought.
DH liked Bristol a lot. It definitely has more of the history/ quirky culture that I like and it's more architecturally aesthetically pleasing than Manchester. I also like the idea of being close to Bath which is one my top cities alongside London, Oxford, Cambridge and Winchester. We love the vibrancy and variety in London, I am also drawn to equally vibrant but smaller cities with rivers/canals, lots of historic buildings AND lots of green space. Bristol is also much closer to family and the south coast where we like to holiday.

We have 4 children ranging from 7 - 12 years and we are ftb looking at a budget of around £400k but would (reluctantly) continue to rent at first as we know the property market is mad at the moment.

Please so share your thoughts if you know both cities. For those that know Bristol well, please share views of areas south of the river but fairly close to the city centre - I've been researching Brislington, Southville, Bedminster, Knowle.

If you can afford Bristol then go for it based on the weather alone. Just be mindful of traffic build up in certain areas if you need to rely on a car.

Manchester is fun, has a lot going for it but the centre lacks green space and the suburbs are dominated by major A roads. I'd recommend looking a bit further out in commuter towns/villages with good train connections - Altrincham, Sale, Poynton, Macclesfield, Worsley, Buxton, Lymm...

Stopstartstop WTF?
You may struggle at 400k in Bristol.

You’re going to struggle with that budget in Bristol. Housing market here is crazy and that will get you a tiny two bedroom terrace. Great place to live though.

I second the view that parts of East Bristol are great. I wouldn’t rule out Fishponds, Greenbank, Whitehall, Eastville, parts of St Paul’s that edge Ashley Hill and Montpelier. Also East, Staple Hill, Stapleton or Downend if you want more of a suburban feel. People on Mumsnet seem terrified of Easton/Greenbank - I lived their for years and I know lots of people who have raised their families there. It is a bit gritty/ rough round the edges, plus it’s pretty hippy/lefty but it’s an area that works well for a lot of people.

Having said that, I left Briz before having my children due to the atrocious secondary school at that time. I think they have improved though.

I live in Keynsham. Its well served by trains, buses and the shuttle service to the airport. Its a growing town though. We have had a number of schools built or extended to allow for "bulge years" when the number of school age children in the local area outstrips places available. With secondary schools a lot of children come in from Brislington, St Anne's Park, Hanham and Whitchurch (all of which fall under City of Bristol Council or South Gloucestershire Council), whereas we are in Bath and North East Somerset (known as BANES).
We may not have a cinema but we are only 10 minutes away from one . We have a bustling high street with all the day to day shops.
BANES Council has offices in the town as does Pukka Herbs.

Do you think you might be open to other cities OP? Sheffield is a fab city and offers, in my mind, everything that Manchester anId Bristol have to offer? But with better prices? Look at south Sheffield. I always feel Sheffield is a bit overlooked in these kinds of discussions. Maybe I'm just biased. I don't currently live there but would move back there in a flash if I could!

I heart Sheffield

BTW I have lived in London and S Wales (communted in Bristol) so I do have an understanding of what you are after and what Bristol can offer.

I think you are going to struggle for areas you have mentioned in Bristol. Market may have slowed down but I am involved in the sale of a house near North Street that is a 2 bed with a small room that could be a study and needs work. Went on in May at 450k. Needs somewhere in the region of 30 to 50k work. 10 viewings in 2 hours and family member accepted offer of 480k.

Sadly one of the owners died so it will be going back on again after probate granted and will see if same happens or if market has slowed. Agent said out of houses are going to first time buyers. The prices that are on RM are a fair bit under what has been accepted recently.

Yeah I think you might need to look at other cities honestly - you could get a 5 bed house within your budget in Liverpool, Leeds or Newcastle for example.

This is a great suggestion. I have family in Sheffield and also a friend relocated from London and is so happy there. Depends on your work situation though, as there are less job opps, could work with remote working?

I’ve lived in Sheffield too. it’s a better bet than Manchester imo but still not a patch on Bristol IF you can figure out housing costs.

I have to admit I'm partial to the North so I'd go for Manchester.

But if I was in your position where I can move anywhere, I'd be looking at either Northumberland or somewhere in Scotland.