The Complete Guide to Moving to Bristol

Why Bristol is a Top Relocation Destination

Bristol's popularity keeps growing, making it one of the UK's most sought-after cities. Over the past decade, the population has increased by 8.4% to around 465,000 people, showing that more people from across the UK and abroad are choosing to settle here.

Best Neighbourhoods When Moving to Bristol

Bristol has a wide range of neighbourhoods that showcase its mix of history, maritime roots, and creative spirit. Whether you're moving with family, starting a new job, or buying your first home, there's an area in Bristol that will fit your lifestyle and budget. Here's a straightforward guide to some of the city's most popular districts:

For Families

• Clifton - An upmarket area known for its beautiful Georgian architecture, excellent schools, and the famous Suspension Bridge. Homes here are generally priced around £550,000. The area offers a high-quality lifestyle with plenty of green spaces, independent shops, and a village-like feel.
• Redland - A leafy neighbourhood popular with families thanks to its good schools, period homes, and strong sense of community. It sits between Clifton and Gloucester Road, providing a good mix of city conveniences and quiet streets.
• Westbury-on-Trym - This suburb feels like a small village, with excellent schools, a traditional high street, and lots of green space. It's well suited to families who want a peaceful environment but still want easy access to the city.
• Henleaze - Henleaze is a well-established area with tree-lined streets and good schools. It has a friendly community and is popular with families looking for spacious homes close to the city.

For Young Professionals

• Southville - Once a working-class area, Southville has become one of Bristol's liveliest neighbourhoods. With its independent shops and cafés on North Street, easy access to the Harbourside, and reasonably priced housing, it's popular with young professionals who want a neighbourhood with character.
• Montpelier - Montpelier is often called Bristol's bohemian quarter. It's known for its colourful houses, independent cafés, and creative community. Its central location and unique vibe attract many young professionals.
• Bedminster - Bedminster, located south of the river, is growing quickly. It offers good value housing, great transport links, and lots of independent businesses. The annual Upfest street art festival shows the area's creative energy.
• Harbourside - If you're after modern living by the water, Harbourside has new apartments with plenty of amenities. With restaurants, bars, and cultural spots nearby, it's perfect for professionals who want an urban lifestyle.

More Budget-Friendly Areas

• Easton - Easton is a diverse, multicultural neighbourhood known for its strong community spirit. It offers some of Bristol's more affordable homes. The area centres around St Marks Road, which has independent shops and cafés.
• Fishponds - With good transport links, green spaces including Eastville Park, and a mix of housing options, Fishponds offers excellent value for money while still being well-connected to the city centre.
• Horfield - Horfield is home to Bristol Rovers' stadium and has affordable housing and good local amenities. It's well connected to the city and popular with first-time buyers thanks to good bus routes and proximity to employers.
• St George - St George offers affordable housing with access to great parks, including St George Park, which has a lake and Victorian features. It's easy to commute from here, thanks to good transport links.

Bristol Property Guide: What Movers Should Know

The Bristol property market is competitive, with demand often outstripping supply. However, with careful research and local knowledge, you can find a home that meets both your lifestyle needs and budget constraints.

Whether you're looking for a Georgian townhouse in Clifton or a modern apartment in the Harbourside, Bristol has a great variety of homes in neighbourhoods to suit most budgets. Check current Bristol prices | Current rental prices

Once you've found your perfect Bristol home, make sure you understand the local market dynamics. Properties in popular areas often sell quickly and can go for above asking price, so be prepared to move decisively when you find the right place.

Career Opportunities After Relocating to Bristol

Bristol has a strong and diverse economy with job opportunities across many sectors:

Aerospace and Engineering

Bristol has a long history in aerospace and engineering, with big employers like Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and BAE Systems. The aerospace hub around Filton supports thousands of skilled jobs in design, manufacturing, and research.

Creative and Digital Media

The city is home to well-known names like the BBC Natural History Unit and Aardman Animations, plus many production companies. Bristol's creative scene is lively, especially in animation, visual effects, gaming, and digital content.

Technology and Innovation

Bristol's tech industry is growing fast, with strengths in robotics, AI, and clean technology. Places like the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and innovation centres such as Engine Shed support startups and tech professionals.

Financial and Professional Services

Major financial firms like Hargreaves Lansdown, Lloyds Banking Group, and Nationwide have a big presence here. Bristol also hosts offices of top accounting and legal companies, offering plenty of roles in professional services.

Sustainable Industries

Bristol's commitment to green living is reflected in a growing sector focused on sustainability, renewable energy, and ethical business. This includes green tech startups and environmental consultancies, providing innovative career options.

Healthcare and Life Sciences

With hospitals like Southmead and Bristol Royal Infirmary, plus research links to the University of Bristol and UWE, the healthcare sector offers a wide range of jobs from clinical roles to research.

Bristol's unemployment rate is consistently lower than the national average, showing the city's economic strength. With a mix of established industries and new growth areas, Bristol offers great opportunities for career development across many fields.

Essential Information for Your Bristol Move

Public Transport

Getting around Bristol is easy thanks to a well-connected public transport system:

• Buses: First Bus runs the main network covering the whole city. Services are frequent on major routes, with more routes now operating 24 hours. The Bristol Rider app offers real-time updates and lets you buy tickets on your phone.
• Trains: Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway stations provide excellent links across the UK, including regular trains to London (about 90 minutes), Cardiff (50 minutes), and other destinations.
• Cycling: Bristol is one of the UK's top cycling cities, with plenty of dedicated lanes, traffic-calmed streets, and the popular Bristol to Bath Railway Path. The city also has a bike-sharing scheme for easy access to bikes in central areas.
• Ferries: The Bristol Ferry Boats run water bus services around the Harbourside and to Temple Meads, offering a scenic alternative to road travel on some routes.

For planning journeys and checking live updates across all transport options, visit the TravelWest website.

Parking and Permits

Bristol has controlled parking zones throughout much of the city centre and nearby residential areas:

• Central Zones: Annual resident permits cost around £60 for the first vehicle, with prices varying depending on vehicle emissions. Availability is limited, so it's best to apply early via Bristol City Council. Apply for parking permits
• Residents' Parking Schemes: Many residential areas, including Clifton, Redland, and Southville, have permit schemes. Costs vary but typically range from £50 to £100 a year for the first vehicle.
• Visitor Permits: Residents can buy visitor permits for guests, usually costing about £1 per day. Some zones also offer annual visitor permits.
• Temporary Parking Suspensions: If you need to suspend parking restrictions on moving day, you can apply through Bristol City Council. The cost is around £60 for the first day, plus £20 per parking space. Applications must be made at least 10 working days before your move. Apply for parking suspensions
• Clean Air Zone: Bristol has a Clean Air Zone covering the city centre. Charges apply 24 hours a day, every day. Make sure your vehicle complies with the rules before driving in restricted areas to avoid fines.

Clean Air Zone Charges:

• £9 per day for non-compliant cars, taxis, and light goods vehicles
• £100 per day for HGVs, buses, and coaches

These charges apply 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can pay the charge up to six days before or after entering the zone. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in a Penalty Charge Notice of £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

To check if your vehicle is compliant or to pay the charge, visit the Bristol City Council's Clean Air Zone page.

Education and Schools

If you're moving with school-aged children, there are additional considerations to keep in mind.

Bristol offers strong educational options at every level. To apply for a school place, contact Bristol City Council's School Admissions team. Applications follow the national timetable, but you can apply at any time for in-year places. It's best to apply early, especially for popular schools where spaces fill up quickly. Bristol School Admissions

Healthcare

Registering with a GP should be one of your first priorities when moving to Bristol. NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB oversees healthcare services in the region, with numerous GP practices across the city. The main hospitals are Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Infirmary, with specialist centres including Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Bristol Heart Institute.

Bristol Moving Checklist: Planning Your Relocation

Ready to make Bristol your new home? Here's a comprehensive Bristol moving checklist to help plan your relocation:

1. Set your moving timeline - Choose your ideal moving day and build a detailed checklist to work back from it. Be sure to book your Bristol removals service early, especially if you're moving during peak times like summer months or at the start of the university term.
2. Research Bristol neighbourhoods - Once you've narrowed down where you want to live, explore the area in more detail - look at local shops, schools, parks and transport links. A bit of research (and a visit or two) now makes settling in much easier later on.
3. Calculate Bristol moving costs - Get a quote and don't forget to factor in deposits, storage (if needed), and any short-term accommodation. A clear moving budget helps you avoid surprises down the line.
4. Declutter before packing - Take time to go through your belongings and donate, sell or recycle anything you no longer use. The less you move, the less you'll pay - and it'll make unpacking in Bristol much easier.
5. Arrange utilities and address changes - Get your internet, energy and water set up for your new home ahead of time. Let your bank, GP, DVLA and any subscription services know about your new Bristol address, register for council tax and transfer your TV licence too.
6. Organise Bristol parking permits - If you're moving to a Bristol area with controlled parking, apply for any permits or visitor passes you'll need. You might also need to arrange a temporary suspension so your removals van can park on moving day.
7. Pack smart and stay organised for your Bristol move - Label each box with both the contents and the room it's heading to. Keep a separate box of essentials handy for your first night, and consider taking photos or making an inventory of valuables before the move.
8. Notify important contacts about your Bristol relocation - Update your address with the electoral register, healthcare providers, insurance companies, family and other important contacts, so they know you're moving. Set up Royal Mail redirection to catch anything you might miss.
9. Prepare for moving day in Bristol - Confirm arrangements with your removal company, ensure all boxes are packed and labelled, and take final meter readings at your old property.

Remember that the key to a stress-free Bristol relocation is preparation. By starting early and breaking the process down into manageable steps, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new Bristol home.

Find the Best Removal Company for Your Bristol Relocation

Find My Man and Van has helped thousands of people relocate to Bristol with less stress and more confidence, offering affordable and hassle-free solutions for your Bristol move, even for long-distance relocations. Whether you're moving to bustling Clifton, creative Southville, or any other Bristol neighbourhood, our experienced team and local partners have you covered.

With Find My Man and Van, you get:

• Transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees or surprise extras
• Flexible booking options tailored to fit your schedule
• 5-star rated and backed by over 10 years of experience
• Local movers with deep knowledge of Bristol and the surrounding areas
• Direct customer support - real people, no automated messages, no runaround
• Full Goods in transit insurance to protect your belongings
• Reliable, consistent service you can trust for a smooth move

No matter where your journey begins, we make moving simple, so you can focus on settling into your new home. Get your free Bristol moving quote and book online today!