What makes for a happy place to live? Good pubs, bars and restaurants nearby. Lots of lovely, unique shops. Green spaces galore. Nice enough neighbours. And a community spirit that cannot be downtrodden. That’s top of my list. Yours might be different. But the official happiest neighbourhoods in Bristol are now set in stone.
A new survey from online store Furniturebox, which asked 5,000 people, with panels in each big city and county, including Bristol, has named the five happiest places to live in Bristol. Locations were ranked on things like green spaces, good schools and affordable housing, as well as quality pubs, restaurants, independent shops and cultural attractions.
While much-loved areas like the historic Clifton and up-and-coming Bedminster made the list, surprisingly, Bishopston was crowned the happiest place to live in Bristol. The top five happiest places in Bristol are completed by Redland and Southville—meaning there’s no room for the likes of Easton, St Pauls, or Fishponds.
Described as “a family-oriented area with many three-, four- and five-bedroom Victorian homes,” Bishopston is highlighted for its “highly regarded primary schools” (Cary Grant even went to Bishop Road School) and proximity to parks like St Andrews and Redland Green. Pubs name-checked by Furniturebox include the Joiners Arms and the Valley.
But, if you ask me, Bishopston’s biggest attraction is that it has Gloucester Road running through the middle of it—said to be the UK’s longest stretch of independent businesses. From art galleries and vintage stores to a Spanish deli and Japanese listening cafe, if you can think of it, you’ll probably find it here…
“Bishopston is the happiest place to live in Bristol,” a Furniturebox spokesperson said. “Most of the locations in the top 75 are not the most affluent in their localities and have access to some affordable housing, including Bishopston, which is very popular with families.”
The five happiest places to live in Bristol:
- Bishopston
- Redland
- Clifton
- Bedminster
- Southville
To find out Furniturebox’s full list of the UK’s 75 happiest places to live, head here.