Bristol is a large city by UK standards and boasts a population well in excess of 400,000. When its total Urban Zone population is taken into account, this population exceeds the one million mark, making Bristol one of the most important economic areas in the UK. For more than 500 years, Bristol was seen as one of top four UK cities along with London, York and Norwich. Once the Industrial Revolution came in the 18th century, Bristol was overtaken by Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool in terms of prominence. The city overlooks the sea and has depended on its status as a port for most of its prosperity. There are more than 30 populated areas in the world which are also called Bristol and it is likely that they took the name from the UK original.

Prices

In terms of food and accommodation certainly, Bristol seems to be one of the more expensive cities in the UK. You are extremely likely to find a meal in a reasonable standard restaurant for less than £10 with the average three course meal for two in Bristol likely to set you back £40. Even fast food in Bristol seems to be 10-20% more expensive than in cities like Nottingham. In terms of accommodation, expect to pay in excess of £800 per month for a one bedroom apartment in the city centre. Even outside the city centre, one bedroom apartments are an average of £600 a month. Three bedroom apartments in Bristol city centre will set you back around £1,400 a month on average.

Transport

Rush hour in Bristol is certainly less than a pleasant experience, especially with the infuriating one-way system that is in place. Thankfully, there have been a host of improvements in the M32 which is the main road that takes traffic into the city centre. However, you may be better off leaving your car in the garage and attempting to use the Bristol public transport system. Parkway and Temple Meads are the main train stations though neither of them are located directly in the centre of the city. Parkway in particular is a better bet if you are living just outside the city centre as many of its routes involve suburban areas of Bristol. The NightFlyer service is available on Friday and Saturday nights and serves eight locations. Incidentally, Bristol is geared towards cyclists with dozens of routes located throughout the city which are dedicated to cyclists.

Amenities

One of the best things about living in the city of Bristol is the fact that you are never more than walking distance away from a great bar or restaurant. Choose between cafés that serve the archetypal 'slap up' meal or exclusive restaurants that serve exotic and unique dishes. If you’re living in Bristol, remember that you’re sharing the city with 30,000 students who know how to party. So, if the night life is not for you, get indoors before the students take over. However, if you like to work hard then play hard, Bristol is certain to accommodate you. Corn Street and King Street along with Whiteladies Road are the prime nightlife spots.

In terms of shopping, you need to make your way to Cabot Circus, a huge shopping centre that hosts more than 120 shops. All the main designer stores are here including House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols with stalwarts such as M&S also residing within the centre. Cabot Circus itself is an extraordinary piece of architecture and has only been open for the last three years.

St Nicholas Market is the place to be if you’re looking for a bargain. Stalls in the market contain the usual array of cut price books, DVD’s and jewellery. If you aren’t into looking for discounts and would rather look at high-end merchandise, Clifton Village is where you should take your hard-earned money. Here, you will find some of the most expensive cafés and restaurants in the city.

Although Bristol is no longer one of the most prominent cities in the UK, it still has so much to offer for those who decide to live there. With a large student population and more shopping centres and entertainment facilities than you’re ever likely to use, it’s clear that Bristol is one of the UK’s premier cities to live in.