Where to live within an hour, hour and a half of Bristol (Clifton)

[whereonearth]

We really, really need to move!

DH works in Bristol but doesn't need to be every day; flexibility on timing of travel so traffic not a major concern. I work from home.

We have two children (6 and 3) and maybe a third one on the way...

Really struggling to find even a 'town' to start from because we're not currently local to the South West. We have explored Frome as an option before but the housing stock isn't quite what we are looking for and schools difficult to navigate.

We need a bigger house because we both work from home; so probably 5 beds. Preferably detached. But I'd like not to be so rural that our school run is taking place on a single track dirt road.

Our budget could stretch to up to a million. Please kind experts of Mumsnet, where do you think we should live? What lovely towns in the South West am I missing?

Keynsham, Saltford?

I’m from Bristol and I moved to South Wales a year ago. House prices are massively cheaper, Bristol is ridiculous!

@SquashPenguin where in South Wales are you? (if you don't mind saying)

5 bed detached in Keynsham

Another 5 bed in Keynsham

Cheaper this time and Keynsham is between Bristol and Bath so easy access to either.

@ShellySarah thank you, I have just seen a lovely house in Saltford...!

Of course you can live in Bristol with a million to spend... Now the bypass exists, the small towns and villages south west of town are a decent bet - Nailsea or the Chew Valley lakes area maybe.

Frenchay and Pucklechurch are quite green and not too far out. Some lovely old houses there.

If I had your budget I'd be looking at Chew Valley! Wells is an hour from Bristol and has good primary schools (and a good private school) and is a beautiful safe town to raise small children in.

Bath side is good as it means you can easily get into bath and Bristol- saltford is boring but has 2 superb farm shops close and is 10 minutes drive into Bath and on a good bus route too. Keynsham isa bit run down but does have some shops and cafes, good schools and on train to bath and Bristol - 10 minutes to either

@chillipopcorn1 I like that too- just depends if they want handy public transport- as there is none -

Yate, Thornbury, Frampton Coterill

@whereonearth you can afford Bath at that level too , just depends if you need to get to Bristol 'a lot ' and at peak time and where in Bristol too is important- it's a real pain in the arse city (Bristol) to get around in a timely way if you drive - we moved to Bath from Bristol- much prefer it

Yes in theory we could probably afford in Bristol or Bath, but I really want a bit of 'space' and not a town house or similar.

Chepstow, Usk, Abergavenny, Monmouth.

I live in Abergavenny, it's a lovely town and just under an hour to Clifton.

A million would get you a massive detached house with plenty of land.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86350509

Catchment for excellent primary, walking distance into town, train station, cinema, theatre etc.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138713165

Over budget but been on a while

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85908915

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135738527

Central Chepstow.

I'll stop spamming now but honestly worth a trip over this side of the bridge to see what takes your fancy

If you want to go to Clifton, I'd be looking in Long Ashton/ clevedon/ portishead/ Tickenham/Nailsea. Basically all the villages and towns along the B3130 out of Bristol.

Long Ashton is lovely, just the outside Bristol but has a lovely country vibe. You could easily bike to Clifton from there.

Ooh or Thornbury is nice and better VFM.

A few options but it depends on exactly how long a commute is feasible and how much you want around you in the way of amenities.

Saltford/Keynsham - decent sized houses, schools and public transport but wrong side of Bristol for Clifton. Decent access for Bath as well.

The area to the SW of Bristol and into Chew Valley is lovely, there is effectively no public transport and it can take ages to get into Bristol if there is a traffic snarl up. Parking can also be a problem unless you use a Park and Ride. You will end up driving everywhere and you’re on the airport flight path as a bonus.

Your budget could cover something nice in Portishead or Clevedon but again the commute would likely end up being via car.

Within Bristol itself, Westbury has a village feel with some bigger houses and is commutable to Clifton by bike/public transport.

I wouldn't recommend Chepstow. I live there and the traffic is absolutely horrendous. One tiny accident and the whole area is completely gridlocked for hours. (This happens frequently by the way).

Traffic in general is very bad. The commute to Bristol takes ages due to this.

This - plus the frequency with which the bridge can be closed especially in winter, and the horror that is the M4/M5/M48 set of junctions.

Take a look at Portishead and Clevedon. With your budget that's where I'd be looking and I say that as someone who has lived in both. Happy house hunting!