Moving to Bristol: A Stashbee Moving Guide

Bristol is becoming a popular city to call home. With easy access to London, and a rich history, this vibrant city boasts a great economy with an interesting art and entertainment scene. It is popular with students and young professionals for its great nightlife and opportunities.

With Bristol becoming such an attractive place to relocate to, it is no wonder people want to find out as much as they can about moving here. If you find yourself moving to, or considering moving to Bristol, we have you covered with our handy moving guide. 
 

Key Facts about Bristol

• Population: 701,000
• Average salary: £35,000 per year
• Average house price: £381,068
• Average monthly rent: £1,091.90 (based on a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre)
• Main train station(s): Bristol Temple Meads
• Closest Airport: Bristol Airport
• Air pollution levels: Moderate
• Average price for a pint of milk: £1.08
• Average price of a pint of beer: £5.00

What you Need to Know about Moving to Bristol 

Located in the South West of England, Bristol is only an hour away from London by train - so if you are moving from London to Bristol, its not far to travel back to see your friend! There are a variety of neighbourhoods in Bristol that all have a different sense of identity. The most well-known areas include Clifton, Redcliffe, and Stokes Croft. Bristol is a fairly wealthy city, but like all areas has differing cultures.

Fun fact, Bristol is home to the BBC!

The Cost of Living in Bristol

Unsurprisingly, given its close proximity to London, Bristol is one of the most expensive cities you can live in, in England. Because of this, the salaries do tend to be higher than in other areas. However, it is a really safe place, and in a great location, if you do have a well-paying job. 

Living costs in Bristol aren’t that much less than in London, however the cost of food, shopping and eating out isn’t dissimilar to the rest of the UK. 

As with many UK cities and towns, the cost of housing is rising but with so many benefits to living in this city, it is no surprise it is still an incredibly popular place to call home.

There are different ways to save on housing costs, if that is a concern. You can always share a flat or a house, which is popular with students and young professionals. There are a variety of ways to search for a housemate - including on SpareRoom and Gumtree. Plus, like any city, there are different areas that may be cheaper!

Working in Bristol

Given its close proximity to London, there are various opportunities for work in Bristol! As we said, it is home to the BBC and it has various other companies based there across industries such as media, electronics and finance. 

As we have said, the cost of living might be slightly higher in Bristol so salary is going to be a key. So, make sure to do your research if you haven’t already secured a new job before moving to Bristol. 

Housing in Bristol

Obviously, moving to Bristol you will need a place to live! As it is such a popular place, it can be quite competitive to find a house. House prices do vary quite a lot depending on the area you’re looking at but depending on your budget there are a range of different housing options.

If you’re looking to rent, again it can be quite competitive so as we’ve said previously a house share could be a good option. Alternatively, if money is no issue, there are a range of flats in the city centre that could make the perfect base for a young professional!

Culture in Bristol

When moving to a new area, you of course want to know what the culture is like! Like the economy, in Bristol the culture is really diverse. There are a range of different nationalities living in the city, which makes it fantastic for a diverse and interesting culture!

Bristol thoroughly embraces the arts, which makes it a fantastic, and fun place to live. This will come as no surprise, as Bristol is home to many artists and creatives - even Banksy called Bristol home! It is also home to fashion designers such as Paul Smith! 

If art isn’t your thing, not to worry as there is also a great deal of history and nature to be explored in Bristol, with plenty of parks and green spaces. The city is committed to maintaining these spaces too, and has a big focus on sustainability and green initiatives, check this view of the Clifton suspension bridge:

Weather in Bristol 

When moving to a new city, you of course want to know what the weather has in store for you! Well, like any place in the UK is it of course not predictable - one moment it could be glorious sunshine and the next it could be raining! Make sure to be prepared for all weathers, especially rain!

However, being in the south of England you will definitely experience some brighter days! Still, it is best to pack an umbrella and be prepared for some cold spells, especially in the winter months.

Entertainment in Bristol

As such an eclectic city, Bristol really does have something for everyone when it comes to entertainment. So, if you consider yourself an art buff - there are plenty of art galleries to explore, or similarly if you like to spend your nights partying there are a range of nightclubs to spend time in! 

As we mentioned, Bristol is committed to maintaining green spaces so you will find plenty of parks and outdoor spaces for you to walk around, explore and spend time relaxing or playing in. 

Bristol has a pretty interesting music scene, too. With various music festivals taking place in the city or in nearby areas. 

One thing you don’t have to worry about when moving to Bristol is finding things to do! There are plenty of art galleries, museums and bars and restaurants for you to spend your evenings and weekends in!

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know if you’re considering a move to Bristol! The most important thing is to do your research, especially around finding a job and a place to live - but, other than that it is a fantastic place to call home and you will find plenty of things to fill your time.

If you find yourself with spare space to rent in Bristol, head to Stashbee to see how you can make money from your space!