Pls tell me about Bristol
 

Hi - searching for information on travel and living in Bristol. Online is not very helpful - I'd like to hear some personal opinions. I'm interested in: restaurants - we're vegan and not into chain food at all. Is Bristol family friendly?, are there good museums, festivals? We may actually end up staying for work....Also can't seem to find a link for looking into apartment rentals except by the day or week.
Thanks -

We don't call them apartments - we call them flats and a quick google provides:

http://www.letsbristol.co.uk/

but put "flats to rent bristol" and you'll get loads of hits.

Excellent! Thanks!

yep - you need some of the lingo

flat = apartment
estate agent = Real estate company
let = rent

This should make your googling a bit more productive.

You will need work permits if you intend to work in Bristol
Why Bristol????

hu, redhedgurrl,

Bristol is a great and historic city with a thriving business community which attracts a lot of well-off people. Hence the house prices are not low, to buy or rent.

there is loads to see - museums, the zoo, avon gorge, - the tourist board web-site would be a good place to start.

good luck,

regards, ann

There are lots of museums, galleries and other venues of interest in Bristol, and it is easy to get to Bath and other sites in the west of England and Wales. Each summer there free events like the Balloon Festival and the Harbour Festival. For things to do for children, go to www.childrensbristol.co.uk/.

For information about vegan food, go to www.veganbristol.makessense.co.uk. A particular restaurant is Cafe Maitreya in Easton, Bristol, which serves only vegan and vegeterian food. (www.cafemaitreya.co.uk/)I managed to break a tooth on some guacamole there, but I guess I was just unlucky.

There is a good organic food festival each year, the next one being on 1st and 2nd September. Details are at www.organicfoodfairs.co.uk/.

I lived in Bristol for 4 years (was at university there) and loved it. It's a really vibrant, interesting city.

Pleasant districts to live in include Clifton (university area) and nearby Redland and Cotham. Quite studenty but plenty going on, lots of lovely houses/flats around these areas, plus good pubs and restaurants. Can't give specific restaurant recs as I lived there quite a while ago, but I can't imagine being vegan would be too much of a problem. I had a few vegan friends when I lived there who seemed to manage OK!!

Thank you all for this info - it's great! Another question - how is the mass transit system there?

Hi Redhed - Public transport in Bristol relies on the bus network. There is no underground.

Journey times during the rush-hour can be slow - Bristol has considerable rush-hour traffic problems.

Steve

Steve

It's quite a walkable city if you don't mind hills! I got very fit living there...

Bristol's rail link to London is close to excellent.

Once upon a time, many people in the Bristol conurbation relied on the railway system to get into the city - not least because traffic congestion is a real problem. Under the current franchise owner (who, I repeat, continues to do a reasonable job with the trains it operates to London), Bristol's suburban railway system has become a national disgrace, to a point where it's sparked off fare boycotts, worstgreatwestern web sites and all the rest.

It's been a good ten years or more since I've been to Bristol but I still remember how beautiful the cathedral is. Well worth your time to explore.

http://www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk/