Oh, Bristol

December 11, 2006 7:42 AM

I might be moving to Bristol, England. What I should I really know before I get there?

I have been offered a job with an interfaith dialogue group in Bristol, England. Among my responsibilities will be to help foster real, equitable religious dialogue between ethnic and sectarian groups in the city of Bristol and county of Somerset.

But I do not really know a damn thing about Bristol. Besides the weather and the architecture (which is all I ever hear about) what should I know before I go, so I can consider more fully the job?

posted by parmanparman to society & culture (18 comments total)

You're kidding right? Two hours ago this guy, who lives an hour and a half from bristol, posted a question about moving to the US.

I'd ask him.
posted by jourman2 at 7:52 AM on December 11, 2006

I loved Bristol when I lived there three years ago.

The city is smallish (compared to Washington D.C.), with many different areas to explore and many many things to do.

There is a flourishing arts, music, and cultural scene. And a vibrant nightlife, although my friends have said its become quite posh in the past few years.

Shoot me an email if you have more specific questions.
posted by stratastar at 7:59 AM on December 11, 2006

There is a flourishing arts, music, and cultural scene. And a vibrant nightlife, although my friends have said its become quite posh in the past few years.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You're joking, right?
No, actually, Bristol has become a lot more cool in the last decade, but the nightlife is - for the most part - all about the binge drinking townies. Check outVenue for any What's On information.
More importantly, it's got great rail links, (hour and a half to London from Bristol Parkway) and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. About 15 minutes drive and you're in prime rambling territory.
I've grown up living just outside Bristol and I think it's a nice enough place - like every city, it has its posh areas (Clifton) and its skanky, unpleasant areas (umm, St Paul's?). All the best with your decision.
posted by RokkitNite at 8:11 AM on December 11, 2006

More than 3 pints of proper cider and you'll fall over. Or go blind. Or something.

My friends in Bristol (pron. "Brizzle") are big flickr types, there's quite an active Bristol group: here.

The bus drivers really will call you "Lover". Even if they aren't gay.
posted by handee at 8:17 AM on December 11, 2006

Knowhere guide to Bristol.
posted by oxala at 8:18 AM on December 11, 2006

Thanks jourman2! I've been to bristol about twice in my (relatively short) life, so I'm by no means the most qualified to talk about it, but:

It's a port town, and as such has a chequered racial history (see here), and parts of the city as such are very run down and a bit ghetto-ised. Parts have been modernised and are now very desirable, but it all looks much the same as any other UK city.

It's very hilly. Very hilly. So your calf muscles will get a good work out. Also because of its long and cheqered history you may find the streets a bit disorganised: everything's been added and built in no coherent fashion.

On the plus side, its got a very long history, a fairly youtful town (due to its university and large student population), and excellent shops. You've probably come accross these links too.

If you want some extra curricular information about it, maybe see if you can get hold of a DVD or download of the UK Channel 4 series "Teachers" which is set in Bristol, and the opening sequence of the first two series often features Andrew Lincoln racing through the streets of Bristol on his bike on his way to work. You get a feel for the place: typical, suburban middle class UK, concrete streets and terraced houses.

Hope that helps, a bit, I'm sure someone who knows a bit more than me will be along shortly!
posted by philsi at 8:20 AM on December 11, 2006

Ok I grant binge drinking townies, but where the hell in England do you not have those?!
posted by stratastar at 8:22 AM on December 11, 2006

Good point stratastar! Very very true. The number of chavs (as you will inevitably learn to call them) seem to be multiplying rapidly. Learn about these delights of british sub-culture here, here and here.
posted by philsi at 8:28 AM on December 11, 2006

Do you want to know about interfaith work and working with religious communities in the UK as well? I do some of that in my job, so I'm happy to answer questions. Although I don't know much about Bristol in particular.

If so, feel free to email me, it's in my profile, or ask here...
posted by Helga-woo at 8:56 AM on December 11, 2006

The only experience I have of Bristol is on my to and from Glastonbury Festival. Never, ever eat in the chippy at the bus stop! that's my words of wisdom!
posted by twistedonion at 9:03 AM on December 11, 2006

What I would be doing is laying the groundwork for a Muslim-Jewish radio station in Bristol.
posted by parmanparman at 9:11 AM on December 11, 2006

I have a friend who runs a multicutural children's centre in Bristol and is heavily involved in social/cultural initiatives in the city. If you're interested post here and I can put you in touch.
posted by einekleine at 9:34 AM on December 11, 2006

What others have said. Small city, hilly, former port, lots of IT work around. Rents are expensive, can be nearly as much as London. I'd say it's a good place to live, and considered moving there. You've got most of the advantages of the city and the country there: lots of pubs, a couple of art galleries and art-house cinemas, but there's little pollution and it's easy to get away. You might think of it as a pocket-sized San Francisco.

While like every city it has poor areas, I wouldn't say it's particularly deprived, compared with the poorer parts of the North.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 10:53 AM on December 11, 2006

Some random stuff in no particular order:

- Two big universities, so thousands upon thousands of students. Lots of student accommodation in (from memory) Redland and Clifton, but probably other parts.

- Lots of wide green, open spaces towards the north/north west in the form of Clifton Down, which meets Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

- Big out of town shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway. The city centre (Broadmead) is also currently being redeveloped.

- good transport links; road, rail, airport (great for cheap short haul trips to Ireland or Western Europe).

- Cider, as has been pointed out already.

- Two football teams - City and Rovers - neither very good. Gloucestershire cricket club.

(Univ. of Bristol, 1998-2001)
posted by saintsguy at 12:36 PM on December 11, 2006

I just moved to Leeds, and while that isnt bristol per se a couple of general tidbits from moving USA to UK.

The US dollar is really crappy now. Be sure to bring over twice the amount of money you think you would need in the states to live.

In the same vein everything is really expensive over here if you factor in the exchange rate. A meal out even at a fast food place like subway would be 8$ easy (only 4 pounds) so be prepared to cook for yourself a lot.

Also I didnt think that the whole driving on the other side of the road would be as big of a deal as it was because everything is different. They walk on the other side of the sidewalk and hallways and you have a long time ingrained into your head to look one way before walking and it isn't going to be the correct way over here.

-Koolkat
posted by koolkat at 1:40 PM on December 11, 2006

Bristolian born and bred here! Here's my advice:

Never get on the 75 bus to go south after the city centre. It is the inner circle of hell, especially on an afternoon and late at night.

You can go see bands perform on/in a boat.

Black ghetto: St Paul's. White ghetto: Knowle-West.

There's a crapload of redevelopment going on everywhere, but it's exposing a lot of the older face of the city. Quite fascinating really.

If you're into average-person art, we have a massive street art scene, lots of little galleries for legal art, writing groups, coffee shops.

Some nice family-oriented places like At Bristol and Bristol Zoo to visit on a Saturday.

There are literally hundreds of different churches/religious buildings in quite a small radius of the city, all of them markedly fascinating to spend time in.

Best. Theatre. Ever.

handee said: "My friends in Bristol (pron. "Brizzle") are big flickr types, there's quite an active Bristol group"

Funny you should mention that. I'm active in that Flickr group, they have monthly meetups (as well as more impromptu ones for actual photography), and are thoroughly lovely people - we actually had a meetup last night relating to an exhibition we're trying to organise.

So if you're into photography parmanparman, you've got an almost immediate social group right there.

"The bus drivers really will call you "Lover". Even if they aren't gay."

Oi handee, get it right. It's "my luvver". :P It's pretty customary to thank the driver when you get off at your stop too.

Ashton Court, and it's annual festival is always worth a peep, especially if you're interested in community relations.

Need any more? Drop me an email. An American friend of mine moved over recently to study and she's loving the city, if that's any point of reference for you.
posted by saturnine at 3:38 PM on December 11, 2006

A bristol flickrite eh? Say hi to Knautia from me.
posted by handee at 4:34 AM on December 12, 2006

My 2pence.

Bristol has an airport which means you could do some weekend European breaks - people from the US and Australia get terribly excited about being able to do that I've noticed. You're also well situated to get out into some really nice countryside if that appeals.

The local newspaper is obsessed with the city recycling programme and takes every opportunity to complain about it.

Traffic in Bristol can be terrible, trains expensive and buses bad but thats probably true of most major cities in the UK.

Good luck.
posted by Ness at 8:22 AM on December 12, 2006