An Expat's Guide to Living in Bristol

Social Life in Bristol

I met my future best friend on my second day in Bristol and her first. She arrived in the same hostel room as me and we started chatting and haven’t stopped yet. 

Bristol is such a multicultural city, lots of people move here for various reasons, so trust me, you won’t be alone! Bristolians (this is how people from Bristol call themselves!) are very social people, open minded and definitely won’t say no to a night out.

Go on a pub crawl on the famous King Street, go clubbing in the city centre, listen to live music every night at the iconic The canteen, chill at the Clifton meadows and enjoy the view from the Suspension bridge. Whatever you like, Bristol has got you covered.

Not to mention the food scene! Where should I start? Japanese, Michelin stars, burgers, the classic Sunday roast, Spanish tapas, Italian, Greek… and the list goes on! Bristol has very good restaurants and cafes (I’m a real foodie, trust me!). I like to say that you could go out every night for one year and still find new places to try.

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Your 1st Step When Moving to Bristol

A hostel is the way.

I strongly believe, as I mentioned before, that staying at a hostel for your first few weeks in a new city is the best option. Why? 

First, because it is affordable; second, you can make friends!

I chose the Rock n Bowl hostel following my friend's recommendation and I would recommend it myself, not for the hostel itself but for the social part of it. There is a big common room with a kitchen and tables where it is nice to hang, a cinema room, and a pub with pool tables next door.

Plus it’s right in the city centre, which makes it easy to wander around with your CVs to hand.

I know that things look a little different than from when I first moved to the UK pre-Brexit but bear with me and I'll dig into visa options farther below.

Interested in moving to the UK but not sold on Bristol? Also consider:

• London
• Leeds
• Sussex
• Brighton
• Manchester
• Glasgow

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In a Rush to Get a Job?

Here’s a few tips:

The hospitality scene in Bristol is huge, as I already mentioned. So, if you’re in a rush to get a job try this sector. From coffee shops, to restaurants and bars it’s not going to take you too long to find your first job in Bristol.

Other positions in need for workers:

• Teachers: I have friends who work in schools and they keep saying how much they need staff of all sorts. If you like the idea of working with children, consider giving it a go! You won’t need any degree to work as an assistant teacher or in nurseries, just GSCEs (secondary school degree).
• The NHS (National Health System) is also a sector that is in constant growth and therefore hiring. You will need specific degrees to apply.
• Carers: Another easy to find, no specific-degree needed job. There are many fields for carers like retirement homes, vulnerable people or animals.

You can apply for jobs on the website “Indeed”, on gov.uk/careers, or through local communities.

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Visa Options to Move to the UK

Unfortunately, from 2020 to live and work in Bristol (as for the rest of the UK) as a non-resident, you will need a visa. This makes everything harder I know (trust me I do!), but don’t let some paperwork stop you!

Here’s some quick information for you, but find more details on the UK Government page.

You will need to meet some requirements such as: salary level and English knowledge, as well as looots of documents that will change depending on what type of visa you will apply for.

Visas you can apply only with a job offer:

• Health and Care Worker visa
• Skilled Worker visa

Visas you can apply without a job offer:

• Graduate visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme
• Global talent visa
• UK Ancestry visa

You can also apply for a type of Temporary Work visa (there are a few), if you would like to move to Bristol as a volunteer.

Where to Live in Bristol

Bristol is one of the most colourful cities I have seen in terms of neighbourhoods! Located in the south west of the country, you'll enjoy both the coast and charming villages nearby. I’m sure you can find what will suit you best in this city.

Here’s my top list for neighbourhoods to live in Bristol:

Southville & Bedminster

Perfect for young and professional, the best in my opinion!

Next to the city centre and harbour area, close to shops and all sorts of entertainment and services. Home to the famous Victoria Park and North Street, a beautiful street art-packed road with lots of independent spots for lunch, dinner and shopping.

Redland, Kingsdown & Cotham

Great choices for food and drinks lovers.

These three neighbourhoods are a very good compromise and are all in more residential areas. Maybe not walking distance to the centre but definitely only a bike or bus ride away.

Temple Meads

Ideal for those that need to be near the train station to commute to work.

It takes its name from the main Bristol train station that is located here. A more residential area, with less entertainment and more office buildings. If you are a professional or you will commute this is the neighbourhood for you.

Clifton

Best for a family-friendly area.

Tucked away from the chaos and traffic of the city, Clifton has its own tiny centre and community. It’s a lovely neighbourhood. It's definitely family-friendly with great choices of school and close to universities too. Perfect for shopping dates and lazy strolls.

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Cost of Living in Bristol

I’m not going to lie… Bristol is not a cheap city to live in. It’s not even close to as expensive as the nearby capital London but in the last five years, there has been an increase in prices.

Here are some examples to give you a better idea.

Rent Prices

Rent prices can vary a lot depending on the area you choose within Bristol but this is a general average from what I've seen:

• A single room in a shared house: 500-700£
• Studio flat: 700-800£
• One bedroom house: 1000-1300£

Insider tip: Flat sharing is a common practice so look for a spare room! You will have to adapt a little, but you could also find friends! Useful platforms are: SpareRoom, Rightmove, and specific Facebook groups.

Food Prices

Although eating at home is a lot more affordable, eating out is a great way to get to know the city and spend time with new friends.

In general, you can expect prices around:

• For an average meal consider at least 30-35£.
• A pint of beer (English’ measurement stick for price increase!) is 6-7£.
• A cup of coffee costs between 3 to 5£.

Transportation Costs

Unfortunately public transport in Bristol is not the most convenient way to move around.

A bus ride will cost you 2,50£ and trust me, it is not worth it. Bristol is small and traffic is horrendous. There is no metro or tram.

The best way to cover long distances inside the city is probably by train! There are many stops, you can go almost anywhere, it’s faster and cheaper than the bus! You can buy tickets online on Trainline or directly at the train station.

Insider tip: check out Great Western Railway’s railcards. These are valid one-year and will give you various discounts depending on your age and personal situation.

But if you really want to blend in, you need to get a bike! Bristol became the first “cycling city” in the UK in 2008, and was voted as the European green capital in 2015! Bikes are the favourite means of transport for Bristolians! There are cycle paths everywhere, it’s convenient and safe. There is a strong cycling education both on cyclists and drivers too. 

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How to Make Friends

Let me start by reminding you that we are in England, and English people always love a pint. After work, ask your colleagues to join you for a beer, they won’t say no!

We are led to think by stereotypes that English people are shy, cold, and clicky. Well, I disagree. On my first night out in Bristol I met many people and had a wonderful time!

You just have to put yourself out here, leave your insecurities at home and start talking to someone. English people are masters of small talk, just through some sentences about the weather and they will lead the conversation from there on.

Although I must add, that as open and friendly as they can be on a night out, the friendship might die there. To make real friends, I would recommend you to join clubs, exhibitions, festivals and so on: Bristol is great for events of all sorts and most of them are free! Just check out Visit Bristol - What’s On for updates.

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Last but Not Least

I hope your dream of moving to Bristol is now stronger than ever!

But I want to share a few final tips as someone who has been living here a few years:

• Bureaucracy and paper work is simple. People are extremely helpful, don’t hesitate in asking for help.
• The NHS (national health system) is completely free, you can register to your local GP online.
• If you are worried about food (maybe just Italians do! FYI I am Italian) stop now. Yes, English food might not be the best, but you will find plenty of options.
• Bristolians party hard! Get ready to have some real fun!
• Like in all the UK, the weather is rather unpredictable. It’s best to get a rain coat with a hood to be ready for all sorts of weather.
• Winters are not too cold, summers are not too hot. Temperatures vary from 0 to 25 C°.

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Will You Move to Bristol?

In conclusion, I think Bristol is a great city to live in, with plenty of options and possibilities for every single person. You just need to take the first step…

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