Bristol or Basildon dilemma please help

A question about : Bristol or Basildon dilemma please help

hello!

I have been offered two identical jobs, one in Bristol and the other in Basildon, for which latter I have a slight preference.

I want to settle there for many years and raise a family

I have been told (and witnessed unfortunately) that Basildon is to be a shthole

Many chavs, crime, lack of stores/conveniences/amenities. (especially in Laindon where will work)

Basildon seems a very troubled area and definatelly not an area to raise children.

If I rent outside Basildon and commute, let's say from East London, I will pay increased rent, I will pay increased fuel, and I won't live in a much better area (as East London is also problematic).

At the other hand, I know nothing about Briston, Filton to be specific.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Best answers:

• Some parts of Bristol are sh1teholes... but easily avoided - and at a fraction of the price of being near London.
  Bristol's got trains, the M4, close to Wales for nice holidays/days out, or the south west coast for days out.
• Bristol is great! I know nothing about Basildon, but I can't imagine it is anywhere near as nice as Bristol.
  This weekend we have the International Balloon Fiesta, a Muslim Cultural Fair, and a Vintage Bus Rally. There are events almost every weekend and always something to do.
  Filton is a couple of miles north of the city centre but very easy to get to by bus or train.
• I live quite near to Basildon, about 30 mns drive. It is a good shopping area and often go their as do a lot of people I know. But I wouldn't want to live there. Although there are some really lovely places in Basildon.
  What about a place further out. There are some lovely villages, small towns very nearby and very easy to get to Basildon. I live in a very lovely coastal town and as I've said only 30 mns away at most.
  I'm sure you would find a place to live that would suit you if you looked around.
• P.S I have friends that live in Basildon as did my aunt and cousin and they all loved it there. I don't think it's any worse than any other town.
  I've been going there since I was about 11 yrs old, I'm now nearly 65 and I have never been attacked or seen any one attacked. Though I did see a young boy being caught for shoplifting once in toys r us. Nothing too exciting. Lol
• BRISTOL - BRISTOL - BRISTOL - BRISTOL - BRISTOL!!!!!
  I live in North Bristol (3 miles from Filton) Its a brilliant city - check out this weekend in Bristol (Balloon Fiesta) is just one example of what we get up to over the summer. Others - the harbour festival and kite festival - so much going on for all ages.
  If you're into cycling we are a 'cycling city' Bristol to Bath railway path is very popular in the summer.
  I moved here in 1986 and have raised my kids here - both have done well.
  I'll shut up now!
  Good Luck
  PS and the shopping is good!! Now I will shut up !!!!
• Bristol is a great place with loads going for it. Don't know how old you are but my 27 year old son and his girlfriend moved there from Glasgow just over a year ago and aren't in a hurry to come back. They just love Bristol.
• I'm from Essex, I would pick Bristol over Bas-Vegas any day of the week
• What about places like old Maldon town and pretty Burnham on Crouch and all the outlying pretty villages. All a short drive from Basildon?
  I can't talk about Bristol I've never been there. Although I understand most parts of it has a lot going on their. Good luck whatever you decide.
• I used to know both places slightly, and I would definitely choose Bristol.
  But why don't you get a cheap coach or bus ticket and look it over for yourself?
  You could also check out their online local newspapers to get a flavour of each:
  https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/ and
  https://www.basildonrecorder.co.uk/
  Good luck, whichever you choose, and well done for getting two job offers!
• Bristol always - from an Essex girl!
• Ok I give in. Only trying to tell the good things about Essex. It's not all chavs etc. wishing you all the best whatever you decide. And of course.....well done you.
• We moved out to the south-west from the south-east a few years ago and I'd personally say Bristol over Basildon. You get more for your money (ok, not in Clifton but the outskirts of Bristol and other places on the M4 corridor offer a good standard of living for a lot less money than London and the surrounding areas) and there are some really nice places not far away.
• I'm up the road from Basildon. It isn't the Bronx.
  There are plenty of areas around as well. Many people work in one place and live in another.
  Wages wise, unless you get london waiting then Bristol makes sense from a financial POV.
  I know people from the Bristol area and none of them have a good word to say about it.
  *waves to fiftyeighter+
• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...n-9210931.html
• Another happy Bristolian here. A beautiful city that I'd recommend to anyone.
• There are good and bad parts and people in every area don't forget. People tend to concentrate on the negatives and overlook the positives. Why don't you spend a few days in both areas and see for yourself?
  I know Basildon reasonably well and its a bit mixed as are lots of places - yes a few dodgy estates in some parts (some being knocked down to build new housing) but far nicer places outside of those and particularly on the outskirts. Just need to do your homework! Surprisingly lots of green places, easy to get to countryside, woods, country parks, coast, London etc and relatively cheap to live. Plenty of shops and markets, huge range of supermarkets and Lakeside short drive away. Lots of amenities - several sports centres, swimming pools (big new sports centre there), golf course, bowling, big cinema etc and lots for children of all ages to do. Most people are decent and very friendly and areas I have been to have a good community spirit. (know several different people in/around the area)
  I have only been to the posher bits of Bristol - very nice but know of friends who lived there and again some areas very different (according to them)
  BTW I wouldn't recommend you calling anywhere a XXXXhole - every area is "home" to many people and they won't thank you for what you have said in your post. Make the most of wherever you live and you won't go far wrong.
• I don't really know Bristol so can't comment on it but I don't live that far from Basildon and, although not the nicest place in the world, it is not as bad you as seem to think.
  It does have some good shops and there are some nice areas. I have a couple of friends who live there and they have never had any problems. One lives in Laindon (she has children) and says she is quite happy living there.
  You mention commuting to Basildon but why from East London? East London is not that great, most of it certainly no nicer than Basildon. Why not commute from somewhere else in Essex? As others have said there are some lovely villages not far away or, if you don't want a village, what about Chelmsford, Colchester, Billericay, Brentwood? House prices are not cheap in any of those areas though.