Bristol life
Bristol has a unique character combining the best of city living with a quality of life that is hard to beat. With a gross domestic product per head higher than any English city except London, Bristol was recently rated as 'the UK's most economically successful regional capital' (Financial Times). A cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city, Bristol is home to a diverse population and is renowned for its vibrant cultural and entertainment scenes. Throughout the year, the city is home to a variety of festivals and regattas, including the Balloon Fiesta, the Ashton Court Festival, St Paul's Carnival, the Harbour Festival and the Organic Food Festival.
Whether you want a quiet drink with friends, an evening at the theatre, or a big night out, Bristol really does offer something for everyone. During the summer, the redeveloped Harbourside is perfect for alfresco drinking and dining. Alternatively, you can head up the hill to Clifton where you will find a fantastic selection of independent bars and restaurants. Bristol is also home to the Old Vic (the oldest working theatre in the country) and the Hippodrome which regularly features West End musicals in its line-up.
Shopping in Bristol is similarly varied and you will find all the big names you would expect from a major regional capital, as well as exquisite boutiques, trendy clothes shops, galleries and music shops. The recently completed Cabot Circus shopping centre has revitalised the centre of Bristol with a wide range of new shops and restaurants.
Combined with all this bustling activity, Bristol offers breathtaking scenery. The city is full of magnificent architecture, from Bristol Cathedral, the prestigious University and the Brunel Suspension Bridge to the more modern developments along the waterfront and business areas. There are plenty of open spaces, such as the Ashton Court Estate and the glorious Clifton Downs with views over the Avon Gorge and Suspension Bridge. Venture slightly further afield and you will find that some of the UK's most stunning landscapes and coastlines are right on your doorstep.
For sport enthusiasts, first class rugby, football, horseracing, mountain biking, cricket, sailing and surfing are all within easy reach, as well as a variety of more adventurous activities that may take your fancy. Bristol has also recently been named England's first 'cycling city' and will receive government funding to improve facilities and increase the number of cyclists in the city.
Housing options in Bristol are attractive and affordable and most residential areas are within a 20 minute walk from the city centre. You might choose to live in one of the modern waterside developments and catch the ferry to work, or stroll in from the more traditional Georgian terraces and Victorian areas surrounding the centre. Alternatively the surrounding areas offer some beautiful town, village and rural housing options.