We made the move last year from a very pleasant and expensive south coast market town where we had spent 20 years. We had briefly lived in Weston many years ago when my DC was a baby and hated it at the time. Decided to come back as wanted to be nearer Bristol after family bereavement to support relative. Originally we were looking at one of the surrounding villages, Uphill, Lympsham, Brent Knoll but a house came up which we loved and are moving into next week having been in temporary accommodation since we moved.
It is very different to 20 plus years ago as so many people have moved in. I’m from Bristol originally (just off the Downs) and one of my school friends is here as is my Dad’s neighbours’s sister. Guy working on our house lived in same road as my Brother in Bristol. Our local WhatsApp group has 11 people who have lived in London, some from Bristol and Bath. Good community spirit.
Yes it is rough around the edges but as you say so are some part of Bristol. My neighbour has lived in Sydney, Mombassa, Bonn and the Canary Islands and said she isn’t going to leave here. My other neighbour is Swiss and her DH is Welsh. The town centre isn’t great over all but the Stables Games cafe is good as is Loves vegan cafe and they have another in Grove Park which is nice. Some other nice restaurants around too.
In the summer there is free yoga, Pilates and mindfulness in Ellenborough Park which is surrounded by a lovely crescent (see George Clark Old House New Home for a renovation of one). Loads of other groups and lots going on. There’s a FB page that was set up at start of year by a lady who had moved in and wanted to meet new people and it really has taken off. There was a climate festival the other week and there a website superculture.org.uk Takes me just over 10 mins to be sat at friend’s table in middle of countryside and as builder said, so refreshing to be able to get to shops quickly without traffic jams as in Bristol. Nothing would induce me to get into the water it must be said. Beautiful sunsets, nice parks, a feeling of space and easy rail and road links which was important to us.
I’ve found people very welcoming and friendly. If you look at the local FB pages there are some people who are negative about it but lots are positive. I’m quite happy if people think it’s a shit hole as I have an amazing house at a great price. 5 bed, 4 reception rooms, parking for 2 cars, garage, 80 foot garden for 20k less than a family members 2.5 bed terraced house that needed same level of work in BS3 that sold the same time we bought.
My DC are grown up now though so I don’t know about schools and life with children. Also there are some bits I wouldn’t live in. I would live by Ellenborough Park, Clarence Park and Hillside. My preferred area is the golf course end near Uphill which is a lovely and a very good option I think if you have children to consider. You will need parking in my opinion. I did think we might regret the move but I absolutely don’t and am very happy here.
Bit of an essay but hope it helps. Happy to answer any questions you have by PM.