What Is Living In Bristol Like? A Guide To Bristol
Last Updated November 2022
Not only has Bristol been named as one of the most inspiring and best places to live in the UK, it has also been ranked top 10 cities in the world to visit in the past. Although it is rich with historical landmarks and places to visit, it is very modern with lots of trendy shopping centres, different bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Is Bristol a Nice Place to Live?
Bristol is a great place to live in due to its many outdoor areas and public places that are loved by all ages which form a huge part of the city. Bristol is a very culturally mixed city, which reflects the city’s vibes. That being said, it is one of the most expensive cities in the UK.
Bristol has a very good employment rate. The financial sector in Bristol is the 3rd largest compared to all UK cities. Some of Bristol’s well known industries are vehicles, petroleum products, and timber.
What Is the Population of Bristol?
As of 2022 the population of Bristol is estimated as 472,400. This is a growth rate of 10.3% since the 2011 census.
Is Bristol a Safe City?
Bristol is average when it comes to the safety of the city. It’s overall crime rate in 2021 was 94 crimes per 1,000 people. The crime recorded over the year has been consistent and steady.
What Schools are in Bristol?
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School and Whitehall Primary School are very popular with “Outstanding” Ofsted ratings. Cathedral Primary School and Wansdyke Primary School are also very popular with “Good” Ofsted ratings. Montpelier High School and Redland Green School have an “Outstanding” Ofsted rating whereas Oasis Academy John Williams and St Bede’s Catholic College have a “Good” Ofsted rating and are amongst the well-known Secondary Schools in Bristol.
In fact, Bristol is well known for being a student city due to its two main big universities shaping a huge part of it.
University of Bristol
Ranked in the top 10 UK universities and consistently in the world’s top 100 universities, the University of Bristol attracts many students each year. The schools and faculties in the university are Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Law.
University of West England Bristol (UWE)
UWE has ranked 21st in the Guardian League Table, with various study options offered, including professional development and degree apprenticeships apart from all undergraduate, postgraduate, and international courses/studies.
Why is Bristol so popular?
What makes Bristol very popular is that it is very varied and there are lots of activates you can do for fun here. From its architecture to its historical landmarks and involvement in arts and sciences, Bristol is popular for unique activities that you can’t get anywhere else, such as the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Shopping in Bristol
Bristol is very popular with shopping centres and popular brand names and retailers. Bristol Shopping Quarter is very popular, followed by Cabot Circus, which is everyone’s favourite due to its facilities, including shops, big brand names, offices, cinema, hotel, and apartments. The Mall at Cribbs Causeway is also popular with large department stores and its food halls with restaurants. The Clifton Arcade is a further option for jewellery shops and art pop ups.
What are the Best Hotels in Bristol
Premier Inn Bristol City Centre – very reasonable prices and many facilities provided; very unique for its location if you are visiting the city for pleasure as it is located in the heart of the city.
Ibis Bristol Centre – located very close to the Harbourside area, which is one of Bristol’s landmarks; suitable for both pleasure and business purpose travels.
Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel – popular with its beautiful scenery views, the hotel is 10 minutes walking from the Bristol Temple Meads train station, which is a perfect option if you are travelling by transportation.
Top places to visit in Bristol
- Brunel’s SS Great Britain
- Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Cabot Tower
- We The Curious
- M Shed
- Bristol Ferry Boats
- Bristol Museum Art & Gallery
- Bristol Zoo Gardens
- Bristol City Docks
- Ashton Court Estate
Top places to eat in Bristol
- The Chefs Table
- Pipal Tree Restaurant
- Coronation Curry House
- Curry House
- Turtle Bay – Bristol Cheltenham Road
- Veeno Bristol
- Pasture
- Palomar Fish House & Bar
- Mugshot Restaurants
- Brewers Fayre
Where is the hospital in Bristol?
The Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital is the main private hospital in Bristol. A wide range of services is offered, including private GP appointments and Women and Men’s Health Clinics.
Southmead Hospital is the main government hospital in Bristol, offering an emergency department that is operating 24 hours for any emergencies.
What is the closest airport to Bristol?
Bristol has its own airport, Bristol Airport (BRS); the second closest airport to Bristol is Birmingham (BHX).
Where Else Can I Live in Somerset?
If you feel like Bristol is not the place for you, then take a look at other places to live in Somerset, such as Bath, Bridgwater or Taunton?
Need a Locksmith in Bristol?
We at Keytek® Locksmiths Bristol provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!
There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in, consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!
View our Keytek® Locksmiths Bristol page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 0117 992 7924!
Jessica Davies
Jessica brings over six years of specialised expertise to Keytek's comprehensive UK location guides, combining meticulous research with genuine local insight. As the architect behind Keytek’s area profiles, she delivers essential intelligence on house prices, crime statistics, schools, and community character—everything you need to know about the city or town. Armed with a photography degree from the University of Brighton and an exhibited portfolio, Jessica approaches each location asking, "What would it be like to live here?" This perspective transforms dry statistics into lived experience, revealing not just what places cost, but what they truly offer. Since 2019, Jessica has partnered with Keytek®'s security professionals, weaving real-world safety expertise into every guide. Her work addresses practical realities: Is this neighbourhood genuinely safe? What security considerations matter? How does local infrastructure support daily life? From bustling cities to quiet villages, Jessica's field research uncovers authentic local character. Her commitment to accuracy and on-the-ground investigation has established her as a trusted voice—helping people navigate different locations across the UK and home security with complete confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristol a Nice Place to Live?
Bristol is a great place to live in due to its many outdoor areas and public places that are loved by all ages which form a huge part of the city. Bristol is a very culturally mixed city, which reflects the city’s vibes. That being said, it is one of the most expensive cities in the UK.
Bristol has a very good employment rate. The financial sector in Bristol is the 3rd largest compared to all UK cities. Some of Bristol’s well known industries are vehicles, petroleum products, and timber.
What Is the Population of Bristol?
As of 2022 the population of Bristol is estimated as 472,400. This is a growth rate of 10.3% since the 2011 census.
Is Bristol a Safe City?
Bristol is average when it comes to the safety of the city. Its overall crime rate in 2021 was 94 crimes per 1,000 people. The crime recorded over the year has been consistent and steady.
Why is Bristol so popular?
What makes Bristol very popular is that it is very varied and there are lots of activities you can do for fun here. From its architecture to its historical landmarks and involvement in arts and sciences, Bristol is popular for unique activities that you can’t get anywhere else, such as the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.