A couple of years ago, Bristol was named as the best city to live in in the UK when it comes to wealth and happiness, and it has recently experienced an influx of residents moving there from London.
In fact, this article from the Bristol Post claimed that buyers could afford two houses in Bristol for the price of one in the capital!
There’s no doubt that Bristol is a city on the up, it’s the home of the world famous street artist Banksy, and 2018 will see the opening of the brand new 12,000 capacity Bristol Arena, so where are the best places to buy?
Totterdown
One of the more affordable areas of the city is Totterdown, which is known for its brightly coloured painted home.
It was recently named the fifth hippest place to live in the UK by the Times and it is definitely more popular with younger buyers who work in the city centre, with lots of local pubs to enjoy.
The area is also known for its very narrow and steep streets, and in fact Vale Street is thought to be the steepest residential street in the UK.
Totterdown is located just south-east of Temple Meads station, and with the electrification of the Great Western Main Line on the way, this area will be fantastically positioned in terms of transport links.
Southville
Just next door to Totterdown you’ll find Southville and although you might find house prices are slightly higher than its colourful neighbour, it’s still a relatively affordable location for first time buyers.
Southville has been described as the ‘Notting Hill of Bristol’ as it seemingly went under the radar for many years and is now experiencing a period of boom.
Much of the area’s fortunes have revolved around the old Wills’s Imperial tobacco factory which it was built around in the 19th century.
The area then went into decline when the factor closed, but has experienced a resurgence since it was transformed into a theatre and arts space in the 90s.
Southville is also prized for its proximity to the harbour area and an influx of trendy cafés and bars.
St George
St George and the rest of the BS5 postcode area have exploded in popularity over the last few years, with Church Road in particular proving popular.
The area has undergone major refurbishment over the last couple of years, with places such as the Grounded Café and Southville Deli attracting more buyers to the area.
For those with young families, there are a number of good schools, which is course is a huge factor when it comes to buying a property.
Brislington
Brislington is one of the larger areas of the city, and offers great value for money for a first time buyer, and is a good alternative to the likes of Bedminster which used to be popular but have become increasingly expensive.
The area is also close to the centre of town with good transport links to get you from A to B, with Temple Meads and the city centre within walking distance if you don’t mind stretching your legs a little bit.
As for education, the area is home to three primary schools, a secondary school and a sixth form college.
These are just some of the places that are thriving at the moment in the city, but generally speaking, you’ll find cheaper properties in the south of the city, with pricier ones to the north.
If you do have a little more budget to work with, the likes of Clifton, Bedminster and the harbour side may be worth checking out.
If you are thinking of purchasing a home in Bristol, why not call our Bristol mortgage brokers on 01179 595555?