Why Bristol?
Bristol is a vibrant, historic city located in the heart of England's southwest. Throughout the course of this video, we'll explore why Bristol stands out as an exceptional place to live, study, and invest.
From its prestigious university to its thriving economy and ambitious sustainability goals, there's much to discover about why Bristol is a city on the rise.
Bristol University
The University of Bristol is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK currently ranking 9th best and home to 30,000 students, 28% of which are international, it offers world-class education and research opportunities. The university attracts a diverse student body and talented faculty from around the globe, contributing significantly to the city's vibrant cultural and intellectual life.
Housing Market
Despite its charm, Bristol faces a significant housing challenge. The city has a shortfall of 25,000 planned homes, according to Bristol City Council. This undersupply has driven house prices up by 8% since the 2021 peak, as reported by Rightmove. For property investors, this represents a unique opportunity in a high-demand market.
Rental Market Growth
The rental market in Bristol is also experiencing remarkable growth. Rental prices have increased by 12.9% year-on-year. With such strong rental demand and limited supply, Bristol's rental market offers promising returns for investors.
Office rents & economic growth
Furthermore, Bristol is a thriving economic hub. Office rents are rising as businesses flock to the city, attracted by its dynamic economy. Currently valued over £15bn, Bristol’s economy is already sizeable, and a report from Avison Young shows that this is just the start. Data outlines the city’s economy is projected to grow 8.9% over the next five years, far outpacing the rest of the UK.
Job growth
Following on from this, job opportunities in Bristol are also on the rise. Research from Oxford Economics predicts a 5.7% job growth over the next five years, particularly in the professional, scientific, and technical fields. This makes Bristol a magnet for talent and a prime location for businesses looking to expand and relocate, perfect examples of this would be Rolls Royce, Boeing, Amazon, KPMG and Hargreaves Lansdown who have offices in the city.
Regeneration Projects
Bristol is set to transform dramatically due to its ongoing and planned regeneration schemes. A perfect example of this would be the Temple Quarter project which is one of the biggest regeneration masterplans in Europe and will create 10,000 new homes and thousands of jobs, generating over £1.6 billion annually for the local economy.
Similarly, the Temple Island development, with its new office blocks, hotel, and conference centre, will bring an additional 2,000 jobs to the city centre. The Frome Gateway project also aims to create a sustainable, inclusive neighbourhood, further enhancing Bristol's community.
Combining this with Bristol UWE’s £300m capital investment programme which will further improve its facilities & infrastructure for current and future students.
Population growth
With such strong economic growth taking place, Bristol's population is growing rapidly, increasing by 10.3% in the last Census. Looking ahead, the city is expected to reach a population of 525,000 by 2040. It is estimated that an additional 60,000 new homes will need to be built in order to support Bristol’s housing needs and with the city council planning for just 35,000 new homes by 2040 it means there is a 25,000-unit shortfall - clearly highlighting there is a major undersupply of housing in the city. Investors will hugely benefit from this.
Sustainability Targets
Lastly, Bristol is committed to sustainability like no other city in the UK. The city has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and promote green living.
Over the next five years, the Bristol City Leap project will inject nearly £500 million into the city’s low carbon energy infrastructure. This investment will fund the development of solar and wind power, heat networks, heat pumps, and a range of energy efficiency measures.
Bristol’s comprehensive approach to sustainability and its significant financial commitment to green infrastructure make it a prime target for investment.
With its excellent educational institutions, booming economy, growing population, rising house prices and commitment to sustainability, Bristol is a city full of opportunities. Whether you're looking to invest, study, or simply enjoy a vibrant urban life, Bristol has something to offer everyone.