Located in the southwest of England, Bristol is a popular city known for its diverse population and independent spirit. The city is a regular fixture in lists ranking the best places to live in the UK, with residents and visitors alike falling for its thriving creative scene and superb nightlife. Verified residents of Bristol have provided reviews of their experience of living in some of the city’s newest developments, and from their reviews, we can bring you this list of the best apartments to rent in Bristol.
Apartments to rent in Bristol: best developments rated by tenants
Bristol’s rental market is experiencing a boom, with a growing list of options for flats to rent in the city. The private rental sector provides a wealth of options. Numerous new rental-only developments are also appearing, offering studios, one, two and three-bedroom flats. Popular areas across the city include Harbourside, Temple Meads and Finzels Reach. Stylish new developments feature heavily in these areas and across the city centre.
Verified residents of some of Bristol’s newest rental developments have reviewed their buildings on HomeViews. They provide their views on every aspect of living in the development, so we can bring you this list of the best apartments to rent in Bristol. Take a look at the list to see what it’s like to live in some of the city’s most sought-after developments.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Should I rent in Bristol?
Bristol is a great city to rent in. There are numerous new rental-only developments emerging and some fantastic city-centre locations to choose from. The city is small enough to navigate with ease. Many of the newest rental developments are close to the city’s great selection of central restaurants, bars and independent retailers.
Bristol regularly features in top 10 lists for the best cities to live in the UK, owing to its great quality of life and popular location with excellent transport connections. The cost of living in Bristol is higher than some UK cities, but it’s still cheaper than London. 2024 data suggests that living in Bristol is around 22% cheaper than London overall. Rental costs are among the most significant savings for Bristol residents. Rent in the city is around 46% lower on average than in London.
What’s different about Build to Rent?
Build to rent offers a different option to buying and to the traditional rental sector. It can be an ideal option if you’re looking for an apartment to rent in Bristol. Build to rent developments tend to be modern, with stylish décor and various high-end features. Developers design and construct the properties solely for renting, rather than for sales. As such, they have the specific needs of tenants in mind.
Build to rent developments tend to offer various extras and services not traditionally available to private rental tenants. These can include on-site management teams, cleaning services and inclusive utility bills. The buildings often come with communal working and socialising spaces, including gardens and terraces. Some developments also feature attractive extras like health clubs, spa facilities and 24-hour concierge services.
Build to rent properties can cater for both the short-term and long-term tenant. Some developments are set up specifically for shorter stays, offering an alternative to hotels for transient residents and visitors. Other developments offer longer tenancies, sometimes up to five years. The cost of rent may work out slightly more expensive than the traditional rental sector. However, with the numerous perks and services included, build to rent packages can be an attractive and competitive option.
What’s it like to live in Bristol?
Bristol is a hugely popular city with people of all ages and backgrounds. The city regularly features in lists of the best places to live in the UK. In 2023, Country Living rated Bristol as the third happiest places to live and work in the UK. The city centre is a vibrant, buzzing area with plenty of green space. It also has well-maintained streets and a wealth of smart blocks of flats, independent retailers, cafés and restaurants.
Despite being a busy city of almost half a million people, stunning scenery and rolling countryside are just a short-distance away. The National Trust’s Leigh Woods nature reserve sits beside the meandering River Avon, a mile from the city centre. The charming villages of The Cotswolds are easily accessible. Additionally, the breathtaking Devon coastline and the wide open spaces of the Mendip Hills are within easy reach.
Bristol is an extremely well-connected city, with the M32 leading right to the city centre. The M4 and M5 are also nearby and the city has a regular, reliable train service from Temple Meads station. Trains from Bristol take just over an hour and a half to reach London Paddington.
After reading about the best apartments to rent in Bristol, do you want to find out more about the city? If you’re interested in moving to Bristol, read our dedicated area guide by clicking the link below. The guide provides a comprehensive overview of the city. There’s also a listing of the great rental opportunities Bristol has to offer.
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
