The seaside commuter town Bristolians are moving to where homes are much cheaper

Like many Victorian seaside resorts, Weston-super-Mare has a mixed reputation. Some view the town as grotty and overrun with tourists in the summer, but others say it is up-and-coming with new developments and events making the area attractive to reside and visit.

And it appears the latter opinion might just be winning with new figures revealing hundreds of families from Bristol are coming to live in the seaside resort. Data from Compare My Move, has revealed 71% of moves to Weston were households that were leaving Bristol in 2022.

So why are these people choosing to swap city life for the Weston region (which includes the growing developments of West Wick and Worle)?. One reason could be the price of homes with the average property price in Weston being £127,379 cheaper than in Bristol over the past 12 months.

The data shows the average house price in Bristol was £393,733 - compared to £266,354 in Weston.

Compare My Move director, Dave Sayce, said: “Because of its transport links to London, Bristol has seen an influx of movers over the last year, this will likely lead to a boom in population and overcrowding, so there’s never been a better time to cash in, and Weston-super-Mare is a fantastic place to do so.

“28 minutes away on the train and 40 minutes in the car, you’ll still be in commuting distance of Bristol, but having that extra bit of profit from selling your house could make the world of difference.”

Here’s four reasons Compare My Move say people are moving from Bristol to Weston:

Property prices

Yes, Weston has its expensive areas like Kewstoke and Grove Park, but there are bargains elsewhere in the town’s region. A modern three-bedroom home in Locking Castle is listed at £250,000, while a detached three-bedroom property in St Georges is also listed for under from £300,000.

By selling up a Bristol home and moving to Weston, Compare My Move says families can really cash in on relocating down the M5.

Proximity to Bristol

Although 25 miles away, Weston is still less than half an hour away on the train from Bristol - a time many workers in the city centre could see as acceptable for a commute, especially if they are spending a similar amount of time already getting to and from work from inside the city.

Living on the beach

Ok, Weston does have a beach, but the water isn’t safe to go in. But what it does offer is an amazing location to spend with the family on long summer days. There are also plenty of events happening along the seafront to keep you entertained.

Better for drivers

Since the introduction of the Clean Air Zone in Bristol, Compare My Move say it has become increasingly harder, and more expensive, to travel in the city in a car. The group says Weston has better driving links to the M5 and the surrounding areas, without the implementation of extra charges.

Have you made the move from Bristol to Weston-super-Mare? Tell us your story by emailing [email protected]