Relocating to Bristol
A city guide to BristolOverview
One look at the cityscape provides some immediate clues to Bristol's success. The city's changing face and dramactically improved environment, coupled with a genuine sense of confidence, have succeeded in attracting and retaining many business giants.
High levels of investment have established Bristol as a commercial and financial centre. Lloyds TSB, AXA Sun Life, Orange and Hewlett Packard are a few who have invested heavily in the region. Manufacturing still plays a part with Rolls Royce and British Aerospace all having a presence.
With a population of over 400,000, Bristol is the eighth largest city in the UK and the largest city in the South of England outside of London. Nominated for the European Capital of Culture, Bristol is a lively and cosmopolitan city. Founded on the wealth of sea merchants, it has been described as a modern city within a historic setting. Recently designated a 'Science City' and with a university consistently ranked as one of the top 10 in the country, the city is rapidly gaining an enviable reputation for its technology centre.
Fact! - Bristol city region has the largest single concentration of successful hi-tech businesses in the South, South West and Wales.
Made in Bristol
Ten things that have put Bristol on the map:
Fact! - Bristol is the highest-performing UK city in the European Innovation Index. Ranked fifth overall, it outperforms even Barcelona & Milan.
Legal Areas
Recent trends have seen an exodus of some businesses from the city centre, who have moved to modern business parks on the city outskirts, however, some of the largest law firms remain in this central location.
Temple Quay: located very near to Temple Meads, is an area which has been recently developed into a prime real estate area.
The Bristol Law Society - www.bristollawsociety.com
Transport Links
The city benefits from comprehensive transport links, with the M32, M4 and M5 motorways making it easily accessible. London is 120 miles East and Birmingham is 90 miles North.
Bristol Temple Meads is the main train station providing links across the country, including trains to London Paddington and Waterloo every 30 minutes. Bristol Parkway station is outside the city centre, but also has trains running to London and across the country.
Bristol International Airport is 8 miles south of the city and is the fastest growing regional airport in the UK, serving all major destinations including daily direct flights to New York and Easyjet links to Europe. The opening of the new terminal and £43 million investment has further increased the capability of this airport.
Other transport links include a network of bus routes serving Bristol and the surrounding areas (commuter belt), it is also possible to take the ferry into the centre from locations such as Hotwells and Bedminster.
Bristol City Centre
Bristol's new quarter will feature:
City Living
For many, the ease of living within walking distance of the city centre is one of the main attractions of relocating to Bristol and is something which is hard to rival in other cities. Popular areas include:
Clifton is one of the best known areas of the city and includes Clifton village and Whiteladies Road. Most of the buildings in Clifton are Georgian and Regency town houses and there is a good selection of restaurants, bars and shopping facilities. Redland is within walking distance of Whiteladies Road. Whilst Bristol University students tend to populate these areas, they remain some of the most expensive parts of Bristol, with town houses in the area in excess of £1million. To walk to the city centre from this area will take approximately 30 minutes.
Like many other cities in the UK, Bristol has seen regeneration of its waterfront areas including The Point, Baltic Wharf and Custom House. Particularly popular with young professionals, the residential properties feature new-builds and conversions. Prices again feature at the top end of the Bristol market, with a two bedroom apartment costing in the £200,000+ range. This is also within a 30 minute walk of the city centre.
St Andrews and Bishopston in North Bristol are particularly attractive to young professionals and families. The North/South Bristol divide has meant that for many, South Bristol has been slower to develop and has not featured on the map. However, Bristol's latest period of growth and development has focused south, with a new 10,500 capacity arena being planned in Temple Quay. Therefore areas such as Southville, Windmill Hill, Victoria Park, Totterdown and Brislington have begun to increase in popularity as property prices increase in North Bristol.
Commutable
Bristol also has access to beautiful countryside and historical cities such as Bath and Cheltenham are close by. The Cotswolds, Mendips, Quantocks and beaches in Devon and Cornwall are all reachable within a two hour drive. It is also possible to live in South Wales, with Chepstow and Cardiff both featuring as popular options. Other options include Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Fact! - Bristol is described as 'the coolest city in the south west' in the Lonely Planet guide.
House Prices
As with other parts of the UK, Bristol has seen some rapid price increases over the last five years. The average cost of a detached house in August 2005 was just over £313,000, with the average flat costing just over £160,000.
Fact! - 95% of all new homes in Bristol are built on previously developed, Brownfield sites.
Estate Agents:
There are numerous estate agents in Bristol to pick from, but here a few with offices throughout the Bristol area to get you started:
www.andrewsonline.co.uk
www.ocean-estate.co.uk
www.rightmove.co.uk
Letting Agents:
Why not try before you buy and rent in Bristol first, here are two well known letting agents in the area:
www.hydes.co.uk
www.sarahkenny.co.uk
www.kingsleythomas.co.uk
Schools
Bristol offers a good range of schools both within the state and private sector: Independent schools include Bristol Grammar School, Clifton College and Redland High School for Girls.
See League Tables, taken from the BBC Website.
Fact! - Bristol city region has the greatest proportion of highly qualified workers of any English city outside London.
Other useful links
Hotels:
www.hotelduvin.com
www.fullershotels.com
www.cityinn.com
Bristol Tourist Information:
www.visitbristol.co.uk
www.bristol-city.gov.uk
www.venue.co.uk
www.harboursidebristol.co.uk
www.businesswest.co.uk
