What are the nicest- and roughest- areas of Bristol to live in?

Hi- I've been offered a job in the City Centre which would mean moving to Bristol. I'm a young man with no contacts there, but to be honest remaining anonymous kind of appeals to me. The money I'd be on is OK but not great, although if I should need to my cousin's ex-husband lives in a flat in Clifton and she has said he'll let me stay there until I get myself sorted (bearing in mind I've never met the guy).

I have heard that Clifton is the nicest part of Bristol and that it has a good 'village' atmosphere- would you agree? What are the other nice parts of Bristol I could llok at?

Conversely, which are the roughest parts? I'm not actually ruling this out as it'll be cheap for a single, first-job-after -college guy, but it'd be nice to be aware! I've heard St Pauls, anywhere else?

All advice welcome!

hi im a bristolian , clifton is a beautiful place but does also attract crime for the obvious reasons. Like with any area you have good and bad , living in clifton will be pricey are you going to house share ?

Bedminster would be a cool place for you to live not as expensive and easy bus route you may even be able to walk it !

Rachel :)

I don't live in Bristol but I know it well. Clifton Village is very nice and also expensive. Southmead Greystroke avenue is only nice the 400 hundreds yards from the point nearest the Motorway.

Keynsham is nice, filton bit of both.

Probably the best place and still be close to the City Centre - good village atmosphere, great walks if that's your scene, history in The Suspension Bridge.
You don't even really need a car if you enjoy walking to get to Park Street and down the hill to the Docks area where the night life is. Expensive.
(My daughter was born in a Nursing Home just behind the church).
Next places which are pretty good within the City boundaries are Redland and Cotham. Bishopston and Horfield possibly still reasonable price wise without going too far out.
Avoid Knowle (other side of the Avon), Southmead (N.Bristol)
St. Pauls, Jamaica Street.
Cheers, Vronicul Aleesul!

Clifton is by far the smartest place in Bristol. The city has seen a lot of change and now an old industrial area called Hotwells or 'South Clifton' is popular with young professionals in much the same way that that the former working class areas of inner London have become popular.

The cheapest area is probably Bedminster which is walking distance of the centre. St Paul's is black and has the stereotypical problems associated with black areas. Montpellier is a bit grungey but has a bit of a buzz to it.

The roughest parts of Bristol to be avoided at all costs are St Pauls, Hartcliffe and Southmead.

Clifton and Redland are the poshest and most expensive areas of the city.

Bedminster and Redcliffe are really nice areas to live in. Both are within easy walking distance of the City Centre, so you can take advantage of most of the nightlife the city has to offer.