5 Questions to Ask Before Moving to Bath
Are you dreaming of becoming a Bathonian but need a bit more info before you commit to the move? We have all the answers to your most burning questions, with the insider knowledge you need to make the decision on whether or not this stunning historic city is the right home for you.
What Is There to Do?
If you’ve considered moving to Bath, you’ve probably already got a good grasp of all the unique and wonderful attractions to visit, places to eat, and stunning scenes of nature that the Somerset city has to offer. Eating, drinking, and shopping in Bath is one of the reasons the city is such a popular tourist destination all year round.
The most famous attractions include the historic Roman Baths, a preserved Roman bathing complex, the Bath Abbey, a mediaeval Gothic church, and the Royal Crescent, a crescent curve of Georgian architecture sat in front of a lush green field. There are also countless museums and galleries to explore such as the Jane Austen Centre, the Fashion Museum, and the Victoria Art Gallery, which all delve into the rich cultural history of the city.
Bath is also famous for its wide range of delicious places to eat and drink, with restaurants spanning a plethora of global cuisines. The Ivy, the Pump Room, and the Circus are just a few of the city’s most well-known establishments, while the Canary Gin Bar and and the Bell Inn are favoured by locals and visitors alike for enjoying a cocktail or two in the evening.
Where Are the Main Residential Areas?
City Centre
Perhaps the most popular spot in the city, Bath’s historic city centre features narrow pedestrianised streets lined with the iconic Georgian architecture and countless restaurants, bars, and shops to stroll between, as well as the most famous landmarks and attractions right in the heart of the centre.
Residential areas within the centre are mostly kept to the outskirts, but there are several flats that sit on top of shops and cafes, high above the bustle of the streets below.
Oldfield Park
Just to the southwest of the city centre, Oldfield Park is an extremely popular place for students and young people, with stunning Victorian terraced houses and its own thriving high street, Moorland Road, which contains several quirky cafes and independent shops. The area also sits extremely close to the stunning Victoria Park.
Widcombe
Situated on the southern side of the River Avon, Widcombe is favoured for its beautiful period properties, and is within handy walking distance to both the Bath Spa railway station and the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Bathwick
A thriving residential area with elegant Victorian and Georgian houses, Bathwick sits on the eastern bank of the River Avon within close proximity to the bustling city centre, offering stunning panoramic views of the city.
Lansdown
Towards the northern outskirts of Bath sits Lansdown, favoured by residents for its spacious properties and breathtaking sights of the city below. This area is home to the Bath Racecourse, a thoroughbred horse-racing venue which hosts up to 20 flat races each year among other popular events.
Combe Down
The tranquil suburban area of Combe Down sits just to the south of Bath, with stone-built buildings and a peaceful atmosphere tucked away from the bustle of the centre. Combe Down is home to the Combe Down Tunnel and Prior Park Landscape Garden.
Lyncombe
The historical district of Lyncombe sits on the western part of the Lyncombe Vale valley, and extends to the popular neighbourhood of Bear Flat just south of the city centre.
Larkhall
A charming residential area located just north of the city centre, Larkhall was cited by the Sunday Times as a ‘trendy urban village’ during 2015, with plenty of quirky independent shops and lush stretches of nature for locals to enjoy.
Twerton
Situated just to the west of the city centre, Twerton is primarily made up of residential areas with a very affordable housing market, and is popular with families and young professionals. Among the local amenities, the district’s own Twerton Park is home to the stadium of Bath City Football Club, which hosts regular matches.
How Is Bath’s Job Market?
With around 8,500 businesses employing roughly 92,000 people, Bath has a thriving economy that benefits largely from its booming tourist industry. According to a study from the Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath also has a relatively low unemployment rate at 3.1%, compared to 3.4% in the West of England and 4.9% nationally.
The most popular industries in Bath’s job sector are:
Tourism & Hospitality
As a thriving tourist destination, the hospitality and entertainment industry in Bath means guaranteed work for any budding chefs, mixologists, or performers out there. With the large number of shops and attractions, there is also a consistently high demand for retail and customer service roles in the city.
The Creative Industries
At its core, Bath is a uniquely creative city, with a sea of creatives spanning sectors from architecture, to literature, publishing, and art. There are dozens of agencies and studios to get involved with if you’re a creative type.
Technology and Digital Industries
Bath is well known nationwide for its involvement in the tech industry, with a strong presence in software development, e-commerce, digital marketing, and cybersecurity.
What Are the Transport Links Like?
Bath has an extremely handy public transport network which can take you anywhere you need to go. The local bus service covers the entirety of the city as well as the surrounding areas, such as Bristol. The two railway stations, Bath Spa and Temple Meads, also provide speedy connections to other areas across the UK, with regular transport links to Bath available from most major cities.
Is It Easy to Get Around?
Good news – getting around in Bath is incredibly easy, thanks to the city’s compact streets and pedestrian-friendly layout. Compared to other major cities, Bath is relatively small, meaning everything you need is often directly on your doorstep – which is always great news if you’re moving to Bath from London, or another major city. You’ll never have to trek far to pick up milk or enjoy a meal out, and depending how close to the centre you are, most of the major attractions will even be within walking distance, such as the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent, and Bath Abbey.
Bath is also an extremely bike-friendly city, with dedicated cycling routes and bikes available to hire and rent as you please. If you fancy a challenge, the Bristol and Bath Railway Path is an extremely popular route for cyclists and walkers to venture down, offering stunning views of the stretch of countryside that sits between the two cities.
If you do ever find yourself needing to drive somewhere, taxis and rideshares such as Uber and Bolt are also available in Bath, as well as the local bus services.
There’s a lot to take in when thinking about a potential move, but Bath is easily one of the most stunning places you could consider relocating to. Where the bustle of the city meets the tranquillity of the countryside, living in Bath means you’ll be spoilt for choice of dinner spots, you won’t ever have to trek too far to get anywhere, and you’ll never have felt safer than you do when strolling through the honey-coloured streets.
If you’re thinking of moving to the historic city of Bath, feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly team today to find out about how we can help you.
