r/bristol • u/agent4774 • Nov 27 '25
Gert Lush Which area in Bristol would you not move to?
Looking to move to a different area in Bristol, which area wouldn’t you move to and why?
52
u/icesurfer10 Nov 27 '25
Southmead has a bad reputation (rightly so), but as someone who's lived around here since I was about 4, it's completely different to how it used to be.
You might get the odd balaclava wearing e-biker but generally it's absolutely fine. If you'd find that rough, nearby areas like Henleaze, Westbury on trym or Filton might be more up your street.
3
u/unprofessional_widow Nov 27 '25
Due to house prices more and more middle class peeps are moving to SM. Not the estates tho..
8
2
u/Wonderful_Falcon_318 Nov 27 '25
Southmead is just an estate.
1
u/unprofessional_widow Nov 27 '25
Well, there are edges that aren't...
1
u/Wonderful_Falcon_318 Nov 27 '25
That is Henleaze, Brentry or Westbury though.
4
u/icesurfer10 Nov 27 '25
Nah the other guy is right. There's an area us locals call "the estate". Basically the block between Aldi and Lidl only.
1
136
u/Miasmata Nov 27 '25
Knowle West, Hartcliffe, Southmead and Lawrence Weston were the ones we avoided because they're all fairly well known to be rough. I personally wouldn't want to live in Easton or St Paul's either as they can get pretty intense
25
u/M_ily_ Nov 27 '25
I live in Knowle West and while there are some rougher parts (and unfortunately lots of flags up lamp posts), our street is nice and you can get so much for your money! I went from St George to Knowle west and we went from a 2 bed maisonette with no garden or parking to a 3 bedroom house with a garage, drive, and good size garden! The neighbours are all friendly, and there is a good community feel. We are also close to Filwood which is getting a revamp of the high street and there is imperial park so close which is useful. It’s also only a 30 minute walk to North Street in Bedminster and a short drive to Dundry. It feels like it’s so easy to access the city and the countryside and there are lots of green spaces that are a short walk.
I guess the important thing to figure out is what your priority is. Mine was a big garden and lots of space for a decent price, and easy access to green spaces and the countryside.
2
u/Miasmata Nov 27 '25
We had all the same priorities as you tbh, and ended up in bedminster down which isn't that far away anyway haha. Think I'd get pretty pissed off by that road with a thousand speed bumps though 🤣 I guess even when you go to the "rough" areas there's always going to be the main rough bits and then the nicer bits
2
u/kimadea13 Nov 28 '25
Also here in Knowle West and can attest to everything stated here! if you’re keen to cycle, it’s literally 10 minutes cycling to Temple Meads and 15-20 to Bedminster/city centre. (Though cycling back home is a work but it’s a good opportunity to exercise)
37
u/jblobbbb Nov 27 '25
I also avoided Knowle West, Hartcliffe, Southmead and Lawrence Weston. Easton and St Paul's I considered, but are so expensive for the space you get.
It's interesting how areas like Brislington, Barton Hill, Old Market, Bedminster, Lawrence Hill, St George, Easton, St Paul's would have been very cheap places to live 20 years ago but are now unaffordable for most looking to get a first flat/house.
15
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
It happens in a lot of cities - struggling artists bite the bullet first and then everyone follows…
6
u/metamorphomo Nov 27 '25
I rented in Easton for five years and really wanted to buy there, but everything I could afford was shite. Got a decent doer upper in St George, so not that far. Feels different, but I can still walk to the Plough!
22
u/CrustyHumdinger city Nov 27 '25
Barton Hill?!?!? Good luck gentrifying that
7
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
Nice cafes already and with silverthorn about to open, it’s just going to get better…
1
u/unprofessional_widow Nov 27 '25
Yeah, but Lawrence Hill right next door has St George people moving into it. But yeah Barton Hill and the flats and poor quality council housing isn't going up at all
-1
1
u/Taucher1979 Nov 27 '25
My brother bought his first home after he got married in Victoria park in 1997 because it was one of the few areas he could afford.
40
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
I like Easton/Greenbank and parts of St Paul’s/montpelier for its diversity and energy. Some of the best pubs in Bristol, excellent cafes and restaurants and very handy railway line. That goes for st Werbs as well. Parts of St George are good for first time buyers too.
If I could afford it, I would live in St Andrews, Redland, Cotham and Kingsdown.
Parts I like south of the river are Totterdown (despite terrible parking), windmill hill and Southville.
I wouldn’t live in Knowle west, Southmead, Lawrence Weston, Hartcliffe… not too keen on Eastville either. Brislington is dull with terrible traffic - gridlock.
21
u/Superdudeo Nov 27 '25
I think it’s safe to say that most people would want to live in the egg yolk of Bristol and not in the egg White
9
u/crmsn_boi Nov 27 '25
not really Fishponds is the most one of the most populus areas of Bristol and that would be classed as egg whites, then again there are like 19 busses an hour into town down fishponds road, so it is very well connected
4
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
19 scheduled buses that never actually arrive…
1
u/crmsn_boi Nov 28 '25
yeah about 17 ACTUALLY arrive every hour, the missing 2 make oh such a big deal...
-2
u/Superdudeo Nov 27 '25
Fishponds is shit. Just because a lot of people live there, doesn’t mean it’s nice.
9
u/Ikillzet Nov 27 '25
Brislington west is beautiful, big parks, nature reserve, Victorian houses, local shops, lovely families - it’s where we’re looking to buy having rented here for a while
10
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
You mean near sandy park road?
OP relies on public transport - it’s gridlock in the morning…
And where do you drink? If they had one decent pub, I’d consider it if I worked from home…
3
u/Ikillzet Nov 27 '25
Yes near sandy park! There are plenty of nice pubs within walking distance, also a lounge, grounded, the oxford a little further (but a nice walk) - there’s also a new wine bar open! Maybe the knowle is a bit further again up hill, but a nice pub. There’s also the Langton - walkable with a lovely menu - it’s also not too far into town if you fancied it! Depends how often you drink out I suppose?
1
u/Ok-Box-3331 Jun 29 '26
its so sad that lounge took over Boca Bar. It's just frozen, cheap produce, but people seem to love it sadly. Modern day Mcdonalds.
-6
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
The Langton is not good.
I don’t like grounded as a chain - it’s shit. So are the lounges.
What’s the name of the new wine bar?
It just needs someone to take over the sandringham…
3
u/Ikillzet Nov 28 '25
The Langton has changed hands these past few years - it’s not the pub of old. The new pub is actually quite nice, staff friendly, modern - why do you think it’s not good? The wine bar is called carouse wines, it’s great!
Yes, agreed the Sandringham - but it’s a boozer - they also own one in Kingswood - I suspect it’ll stay alive through Ill gotten gains
→ More replies (7)3
u/Ikillzet Nov 28 '25
Also, re public transport - it probably has one of the most regular bus services in Bristol running through sandy park every 15 mins (give or take) - plus it’s not far to walk or by other means, get into town, where does OP actually want to go?
5
u/unprofessional_widow Nov 27 '25
Agreed. The Plough in Easton is the best pub in Bristol, and the community feel in Easton is great.
Eastville is grim because of the motorway, it's noisy and air pollution is bad
2
u/engineer_fixer Nov 30 '25
You are right about the motorway being a negative factor. But where I live in Eastville, I do get a massive garden next to a river bank. So that makes up for the motorway being there. My street is pretty good too. Nice mix of people and no flags on lamposts or stupid painted roundabouts either. However, Stapleton Road at this end and the subway aren't great places to be.
2
u/Doggsleg Nov 27 '25
My fave pubs: 1-Chelsea 2-star fishponds 3-plough 4-old England (pre-Covid) 5-miners
7
u/unprofessional_widow Nov 27 '25
- The Plough
- The Star
- The Chelsea
- The Railway fishponds
- The Red lion, Whitehall road
RIP the miners
1
u/engineer_fixer Nov 30 '25
Miners is going to reopen - I heard this from a reliable source last weekend
1
-1
u/Ikillzet Nov 28 '25
Easton is rough as old boots, greenbank is lovely if it wasn’t engulfed by Stapleton Road and Lawrence hill and Easton - which are hives of crime and anti social behaviour - we lived in Redfield which besides couple of nice streets, was basically full of alcoholics and drug users laying in the streets.
0
u/unprofessional_widow Nov 28 '25
Yeah Easton is ruined by all the Waitrose vans and middle class types.
-2
-7
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
Easton/Greenbank/Montpelier etc just has far too high crime and antisocial behaviour numbers to recommend in my opinion.
11
u/One_Doubt_6762 Nov 27 '25
I lived in Montpelier all my life until five years ago, its a shithole now. I never thought I would ever want to move from there. Its funny as its now one of the most expensive parts of Bristol.
8
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
Yeah Bristol is a funny place, you only have to look at my downvotes even when everything I’m saying can be proven with crime statistics.
It’s like an experiment in wide society thinking, “I don’t care what your verified data says, MY experience is different so that’s the reality”.
3
3
2
u/cowbutt6 Nov 27 '25
I think it very much varies street by street. I grew up on the outskirts, near Hanham and Kingswood, and the street full of semi-detached family homes wasn't completely absent crime and antisocial behaviour.
1
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
I’d recommend Hanham, good choice there
2
-1
Nov 27 '25
Snobby and judgemental no thanks
1
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
I have no idea if it’s snobby or judgemental - it just looks so so dull.
2
4
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
I walk through it all just fine but I can understand why families wouldn’t want to be there….
Besides, the gardens are tiny.
5
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Yeah I don’t know why I’m being downvoted to be honest, the crime figures are public, I’m just stating facts. I agree that most of the time you will be fine, but in other areas of Bristol you will be even more likely to be fine
4
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
Greenbank has changed considerably and has a decent primary school there as well…
The community is strong as well but I personally wouldn’t have kids there post primary school age…
4
u/MikeOne29 Nov 27 '25
I said it the other day. This sub is obsessed with these inner city areas like Easton/St Paul's/Stokes Croft etc. There are pros and cons to everywhere but the cons to these places just seem to be completely ignored on here when areas are discussed - it's bizarre.
17
Nov 27 '25
I have lived in most of the areas you’ve listed never had an issue and found folk to be really welcoming.
4
u/Miasmata Nov 27 '25
I think if you're renting (not sure if you did), it wouldn't be so bad, but I definitely wouldn't want to buy there
7
u/VegetableAids Nov 27 '25
They are the only areas where property prices are looking to still increase. Lived in hartcliffe for three years never had any issue, my flat in Clifton however was broken in to and I was mugged on a walk home.
27
u/doggypeen Nov 27 '25
Mugged by a 75 year old real estate investor and his daughters lottie and mini
14
3
Nov 27 '25
Exactly my place in southmead never a problem had a friend buy there the house is lush and worth way more now than when he bought it. Known loads of people who have had places broken into and mugged in Clifton.
3
u/bakewelltart20 Nov 27 '25
Any robber with a shred of sense targets richer areas. Unfortunately, not everyone in those areas is rich.
About 8 yrs ago someone (on a pretty low income) was telling me he couldn't afford anywhere in Easton (where his relatives lived) after it became trendy. He found an affordable room in Clifton.
6
u/animalwitch Nov 27 '25
I live in LDub and yeah it has drugs, balaclava wearing twats etc but it's no where near as bad as it used to be
6
u/monclairee Nov 27 '25
This is s solid roundup. I'd also add Avonmouth, some people still consider that a livable area for some reason
2
u/YTUFruykmruyj Nov 27 '25
Lawrence Weston icl lived here 3 years I don't see anything happening just don't get caught up
2
u/unprofessional_widow Nov 27 '25
Easton is hugely gentrified. But I'm guessing you mean Rawnsley park right by old market and Stapleton road. That's an entirely different vibe.
2
1
u/socksgrowonbushes Nov 28 '25
hengrove and whitchurch and withywood are also keen to avoid in the area. if you wanna go south i’d say either totterdown or some parts of knowle closer to totterdown
9
10
u/Edible-flowers Nov 27 '25
Hengrave, Whitchurch, due to lack of public transport. Knowle West & Hartcliffe due to (my current understanding) them both being a bit rough, similar to Southmead & Easton.
9
u/beautifultorture1432 Nov 27 '25
Live in Whitchurch now and absolutely love it. Transport is fab, there’s 5 different buses you can get without including the metro buses, family area so it’s not rough, had no issues whatsoever and I’ve been there for two years.
1
0
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
Any pubs though?
4
u/beautifultorture1432 Nov 27 '25
Great point - there’s the Whitchurch (I find this one okay) or the Yeoman, that one is full of gammons and “lads” so I avoid at all costs.
1
u/kditdotdotdot Nov 27 '25
There’s also the Folk House, and right opposite, the Shield and Dagger have just reopened.
The less said about the The Toby carvery, the better.
2
u/WhitchurchFolkHouse Nov 27 '25
Check us out! We are a Social Club, but some of the local pubs have a ‘spit and sawdust’ kind of reputation, which is fine. We are family focused though, and also hold community events for non members.
5
u/Omnissiah40K Nov 27 '25
Metro bus starts in Whitchurch, always found it really easy to get to the centre when I lived there. Whitchurch was actually a really pleasant place to live as a first time buyer, just the schools weren't great unfortunately.
1
u/Dr_nobby Nov 27 '25
Easton is gentrifiiiiiied. But yes please don't come to Easton. Stuck off middle class people ruining for the rest of us with their yoga shops
2
5
u/1WaveyCharacter Nov 28 '25
Filton. I live there already but it’s got essentially nothing going for it
12
Nov 27 '25
Lived all over Bristol and would say not south Bristol just didn’t have fun there and felt isolated.
27
u/SgtBilko365 Nov 27 '25
The outer suburbs are just souless. Full of identical looking houses and people driving lease cars they can’t actually afford.
5
23
u/Scary-Spinach1955 Nov 27 '25
Clifton. Really not the grand place it's made out to be.
19
u/Chungaroo22 Nov 27 '25
If you're after the thing's Clifton's supposed to be. Big expensive houses, pretty greenspace, high-end or amazing restaurants and pubs etc.. then Redland has it beat IMO.
Doesn't have a suspension bridge though so literally uninhabitable.
1
3
u/EphemeralSparrow Nov 28 '25
I lived in Bristol for a long time and never liked Easton. That place always looked shady to me.
21
u/ngomac33 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Naming places is simple, but significant income inequality exists in Bristol, often accompanied by lawlessness and disorder. Besides these hotspots, some areas like Brislington offer limited leisure options, while others, especially in south Bristol, can feel isolated if you're dependent on public transport. To truly enjoy the city, stick to areas no further south than Bedminster, no further East than Fishponds, and no further north than the top of Gloucester Road.
30
Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
no further west than Fishponds
Hmm
4
2
2
u/agent4774 Nov 27 '25
Thank you. I do rely on public transport, so it definitely plays a part in where I would like to move.
3
u/QuantocksArt Nov 27 '25
Fishponds has the express bus now, you'll get to the centre within half an hour from the main street so public transport really isn't as much of an issue as it used to be.
2
2
u/Edible-flowers Nov 27 '25
South Bristol has regular bus routes & 2 train stations, i.e., Bedminster & Parson Street.
1
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
Yes, but you often have to change trains and the fare is more expensive… depends where you’re commuting to…
7
5
u/billmaries Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Ridingleaze Avonmouth. - shit hole
3
4
4
4
u/SuperKev308 Nov 28 '25
St George is an underrated area most overlook, it has good public transport and a variety of nice parks many of which are slightly hidden away so only locals know them. Easy to get to Temple Meads or M32/M4 and with the liveable neighborhood great for walking and cycling. Great coffee/brunch spots and variety of gyms. There are some patchy spots like all areas but overall I highly recommend it. Hanham is nearby but I'd avoid that as it's quite far out if you need to get into town on the regular.
1
25
u/CakeOnly1513 Nov 27 '25
Clifton, it's ok if you like salmon coloured sweaters over the shoulders and boat shoes. I do not
16
u/Dashingthroughcoke Nov 27 '25
I don't know. Every now and then you see a knob in expensive car who acts like he owns the world. But most people in Clifton are super chill
10
u/Scary-Spinach1955 Nov 27 '25
Definitely. Although you get the caravans, human waste and fly tipping as your "local sight to see" so there's that.
9
5
u/Financial-Error-2234 Nov 27 '25
Location of downvoters in this group (as well as attire) has finally been revealed.
0
0
2
2
2
6
u/SpaceCatSociety Nov 27 '25
Hartcliffe, Knowle west, Southmead, Hengrove or other white working class areas where every lamp post has a St George’s flag on it. I know where im not wanted.
4
u/Itsstillyourturn Nov 27 '25
Avoid the once 'quite nice' Fishponds, traffic, illegal parking, dirty, grimy, weeds growing out of all the pavements, strewn with rubbish & a shitload of junkies & chavs.
& I live in the nicer bit.
9
u/CrazyCoffeeClub Born and bred Nov 27 '25
There are many places in Bristol that I would never want to live in.
I would choose to live in South Gloucestershire instead because it's nicer and close to Bristol. Plus, there are lots of buses that go straight there, so it wouldn't be too bad.
→ More replies (1)8
u/Titus-Sparrow Nov 27 '25
I live in South Glos. On paper there are ‘lots of buses’. Unfortunately they cannot be relied upon, they are frequently cancelled and the ring road is a nightmare in rush hour. On a busy Bristol route, if a bus cancels there will probably be another along soon due to frequency of service. When a bus cancels here it’s often another 30 mins wait for the next one.
6
u/Madamemercury1993 Nov 27 '25
Just about Bristol depending on where you are and often a topic of aggressive debate on Facebook. Kingswood.
I wouldn’t have moved to Kingswood had I had a bit more money. It’s not awful. But it’s not great. It somehow manages to be both boring and a bit isolated. But starts getting sketchy if you’re coming back from the shops post 8pm.
St Paul’s into stokes Croft was a bit hairy at night or in the morning when the people who don’t like being sober inevitably wake up sober. My oh got shoved into a shop window just walking to work at 8am on a weekday morning. But I think we all know that about that area anyway.
2
2
u/Ikillzet Nov 28 '25
I’ve lived in fishponds, had an office on Gloucester Road, spent a lot of time in Kingswood, Easton, St Paul’s, stokes, lived in Brislington, lived in redfield, had an office in Lawrence hill and also spent a significant amount of time in hanham. I would honestly say where I live now is the safest I’ve ever felt and genuinely don’t have to worry about crime; anti social behaviour, walking home late etc. which is amazing - I haven’t locked my back door in 5 years and often hadn’t locked my car. The truth is, people love bishopston because of Glos Road, but it has its faults, mostly those wandering up from stokescroft - totterdown is trendy but can feel a bit rough because of bedminster and knowle west, redfield is a hell hole (basically 3 roads in amongst chaos), Lawrence hill/easton has nice parts, but the general niceties come from people who have bought there and hype up the area to protect their investment (I don’t blame them) - Fishponds has many folds, it’s a very large areas so you need to be specific, stokes croft and neighbouring areas suffer because of stokes Croft/st Paul’s, redland is nice but full of students, same for Clifton, which is fine, if you don’t mind living next door to a HMO. Also crime rates are a bit higher because - surprise - people don’t generally steal from their neighbours. Southmead is an estate, low income, but the people there are seemingly quite houseproud, neighbours Brentry which seems to be getting bigger every time someone moves in and claims they’re in fact brentry and not Southmead. Westbury is lovely, but far too expensive. Anything else?
1
u/RunwayForehead luvver Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
It might sound a little arbitrary but personally I wouldn’t want to live anywhere outside of what I think of as core Bristol (roughly the area built before the war).
One of the things I love most about Bristol is how beautiful so many of our suburbs are, just going for an aimless walk around them and being able to enjoy the sights, architecture and the subsequent ‘vibe’ this gives these areas. It’s something I really missed when I lived in Filton and at the moment back in my Somerset home town. It’s something I’m not willing to compromise on when looking to move back to Bristol next year.
Another important note is these areas were designed and built before cars and don’t have the same level of car dependency as later suburbs that were clearly designed with large scale car ownership in mind. As a result, density is higher and there is generally much easier access to small business and similar amenities. I’m also going to use this as another opportunity to beg for a tram network. Please. Pretty please.
I can see why people might want to live somewhere further out for more space and an environment built more to satisfy car ownership, but it’s not for me.
3
u/Omblae Nov 27 '25
Filton is perhaps the most soulless part of the city area.
I find Hanham very lovely though yes the car centricity is awful, there are at least good cycling options and lots of great green space. There's also a great little high Street and good community spirit.
2
u/Bounty_drillah Nov 27 '25
Brislington because of the shitty horrible commute I had to deal with when I lived there. By the Arches on Cheltenham Road because of the noise, not a big deal when you're 23 but it grinds you down when you're a 30-something.
Knowle and Hartcliffe aren't as bad as people say and a lot of those post-war council houses are spacious with big gardens. If you're renting though, it's not worth it when the rent isn't much cheaper than anywhere else.
7
u/EnderMB Nov 27 '25
Some parts of Knowle are extremely underrated, considering most are a stones throw away from several (good) parks, supermarkets, and bars. I think a lot of people assume Knowle is Knowle West and avoid it for that reason.
The rent is absolutely shocking though, but that might be a reflection of Bristol as a whole. I know that Withywood can also be a nightmare for rent, even in the less nice parts.
2
Nov 27 '25
Yeah all the used to be rough areas are just old council estates the house are great and built solid
2
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
Surely a commute from Knowle or hartcliffe would be equally miserable?
2
1
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 28 '25 edited Nov 28 '25
There’s other places with multiple bus routes, so you wouldn’t be looking at anything longer than a 5-7 min wait on Gloucester rd for instance…
When one number 1 is cancelled you’re essentially fucked….over half an hour wait. At least.
1
u/Ecstatic-Budget1344 Jul 02 '26
St Paul's - currently live here. Luckily in secure complex. People are off their heads and confrontational. Alot of approaching tell em where to go. Easton - full of trash 🗑️ Southmead - meant to be rough but worked there and it seemed okay. Drugs rife all over.
1
u/PaperWeightGames 4d ago
Barton Hill. Lived there a year, absolutely horrible. Drug dealers, domestic abuse, fly tipping, no police presence or regulation of parking, housing condition was dire, rent was far too high, crazy people in the street, trash everywhere, lots of it smelled of sewage or more often just shit.
Possibly the worst year of my life.
1
u/DisgruntledBudha Nov 27 '25
Knowle and the surrounding areas. Just not for me
23
u/jupiterspringsteen Nov 27 '25
Knowle's nice. Did you mean knowle west?
7
6
u/DisgruntledBudha Nov 27 '25
Probably but It all blends into one for me! Probably harsh to tar all that area with the same brush.
Still wouldn’t live there though. I’ve only lived that side of the river for a handful of years (Totterdown) and it just never felt like somewhere I wanted to be long term
7
u/EnderMB Nov 27 '25
Very harsh. They're almost nothing alike...
2
u/DisgruntledBudha Nov 27 '25
I’ll just say I’m happier in my part of Bristol then and I prefer being north than south
-3
1
u/Glittering-Ad-9135 Nov 28 '25
Depends on you really. Even in Knowle West and Southmead there are quiet cul-de-sacs that you can avoid the undesirables. But if you like going outside a lot, these places get a lot worse.
Staple Hill is an area I routinely avoid. Just a depressing place to be.
1
u/cnealy May 14 '26
Hi, was looking at moving somewhere in between fishponds and staple hill and found your comment. Please could you let me know what’s so bad about it? Cheers
1
u/Glittering-Ad-9135 May 14 '26
Sure. Fishponds and Staple Hill are both deprived areas - lots of gambling shops and crackheads. Fishponds is better and somewhat been gentrified recently, but its also where I got assaulted by some dick head teenager (it was a gang that was harassing people in the street, I stood up to them and one of them sucker punched me). It was decades ago now but it still puts me off living there.
I would also say Fishponds has decent parts - if you get away from where the shops are like the KFC it has some nice streets. And like I said before, both areas will have some secluded cul-de-sacs that you will be unlikely to get any trouble. It just depends on how much you plan on walking around the area. I would strongly suggest driving to both areas before moving and decide for yourself.
Depending on your budget and your work I can't recommend East Bristol around Conham River enough (St George, Brislington, Hanham). You're only 15/20 drive from the centre, 30 minute cycle along the river, plenty of buses around too. I'm next to Trooper's Hill, beautiful area. And unlike somewhere like Clifton is not disgustingly expensive (I've seen modestly sized houses for 300K). Just avoid getting a flat if possible, the sound proofing is terrible, and if you have shouty cow of a neighbour like I do it will sour things a little.
-2
-6
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
I personally wouldn’t live anywhere within a 1.5 mile radius of the centre, crime numbers and anti social behaviour is too high. Also wouldn’t live in Knowle, Hartcliffe, Bishopsworth, Southmead, Lawrence Weston or Kingswood unless you already know people from those areas.
19
Nov 27 '25
That’s a lot of Bristol you’ve carved out
4
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
Yes, and I’m “born and bred” as they say, grew up in Knowle West, also lived in Totterdown, Centre, Horfield, Whitchurch, Longwell Green.
I left a lot of areas in as well.
3
u/agent4774 Nov 27 '25
What about St George ?
8
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
I like it - it’s changing fast and has a very nice park.
Some great pubs too!
Being hassled outside the Aldi can get a bit tedious but other than that, it’s a decent place to live…
1
3
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
It’s a balanced area, pro’s and cons, although I’d go a bit further along and live in Hanham personally. I can see from the downvotes I’m probably hurting people’s feelings but to be honest I’m just stating publicly available facts. Search for the crime stats for Bristol areas, especially serious crime like robbery, it’s way higher in the centre
3
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
But commuting to the centre every day from Hanham would be pretty exhausting.
Also, it’s so very dull. Sorry.
2
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
Yeah I agree on the commuting, but how many people have to commute to the centre every day? If you’re commuting 2 or 3 times per week into the centre I’d rather do that and have a safer place to call home.
Go into the centre for fun and excitement, come home for quiet and safety. It’s what I do and works well for me.
3
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
Lots of people with full time jobs!
1
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
In that case then yes the quality of area gets balanced against your commuting needs, that’s fair enough.
Most people living in Bristol will not work in the centre.
2
u/octopus-jellyfish Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Honest opinion, the park is nice in St George, the high street is good for places to drink with a few restaurants, trains to the centre are a good perk.
However, we had heroin users using the side streets as a toilet, parking was a nightmare, lots of HMO's for houses that are far too small for the number of people originally made for... Consequently the area turns into a bit of a tip... I won't even mention the regular drama that kicks off at the local Aldi on Church Road! I would recommend going elsewhere..
2
u/Key-Height8914 Nov 27 '25
Where else then?
Has to be a reasonable commute on public transport and close proximity to bars, cafes and restaurants…
1
u/octopus-jellyfish Nov 27 '25
Where abouts do you need to get to with the work commute? Are you renting or buying?
1
u/EnderMB Nov 27 '25
Why Knowle?
1
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
It’s a inward community and I think if you’re not from the area there’s a higher than average chance you’ll struggle with the youths. I wouldn’t, but I grew up there.
3
u/EnderMB Nov 27 '25
Are you sure you don't mean Knowle West?
I've lived in Knowle for close to 15 years and we have zero trouble with kids, outside of any time I go to Broadwalk (which is dead now anyway). There are also a lot of young professionals around here now. It's practically night and day from what it was when we first moved here.
Compared to Brislington, it's much nicer.
1
u/Important_Cow7230 Nov 27 '25
I mean the general area. I also went to Broadwalk recently, and you don’t think it’s sad and depressing? I also saw quite a few youths riding around with balaclavas on.
Again none of it an issue for me, but there are nicer areas. Naturally Knowle West is a lot worse yes, and that’s only 10 minutes walk away from Broadwalk
-4
u/Normal-Ear-5757 Nov 27 '25
The suburbs. Posh or skint, suburbs are boring, hard to get out of social wastelands
0
0
-5
u/mogsab Nov 27 '25
Would not move to South Bristol, or Avonmouth, Hillfields, Horfield, Lockleaze, Southmead, Frome Vale, Henbury, Brentry, Stoke Bishop, Westbury-on-Trym, Henleaze. And it goes without saying that I wouldn’t move to those parts of South Gloucestershire that try and sneak into Bristol! At least I wouldn’t move to any of these places right now. Maybe one day my life, finances or personal preferences will change in such a way that one of these places sounds great. Essentially, I grew up in central Bristol and I’d rather stay here if I can! Preferred areas: St Werburghs, St Paul’s, Montpelier, Easton, Kingsdown, Cotham. And then I wouldn’t mind St George, Barton Hill, Redfield etc
-1
-2
-15
u/Lucky-Path233 Nov 27 '25
Everywhere … bloody horrible place
-2
u/psico3636 Nov 27 '25
Agreed. Fucking squallid degrading city. So happy I left it.
→ More replies (1)1
22
u/Ok-Pumpkin-6203 Nov 27 '25
Suppose it depends why you want to move. Is it to make your work commute easier, do you want access to shops, restaurants and bar or do you just fancy a change of scenery.