Recognised worldwide for marching to its own beat, Bristol is the UK’s only European Green Capital, it’s been voted the best place to live outside of London if you are under 26, it’s consistently listed in The Times Best Places to Live in the UK, was the UK’s first cycling city and one of the best cities in the world for a beautiful bike ride.

When it comes to the seaside, some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK are within two hours of Bristol. But you don’t even need to leave the city to make the most of life on the water! The floating harbour is the beating heart of the city. It’s also a city of education, with students from all walks of life and from over 130 different countries, encouraging a diverse and creative community.

Bristol is affordable city when it comes to rent, due to the fact that the salaries are high, while the rent is not. When compared to other major cities in the country, Bristol is among the least expensive ones in terms of housing prices and a frequent choice of newcomers. Commuting is part of daily life and getting around in Bristol can get expensive, as owning a car in Britain is actually is pricey. Cycling in this city is ideal option to save on transportation, but if your work place is away from your home, taking a bus or a tram instead of driving would be of great benefit to your budget.

Budgeting how much expenses will cost in Bristol will vary greatly, depending on your family situation and social-life needs. Someone living alone in a studio flat who goes out for a nice meal once a week will have different needs compared to a family of four in a two bedroom flat and primarily prepares home-cooked meals. Everyone’s situation is unique, but we can look at some estimates and compare.

The website Numbeo.com estimates that the average single person living in Bristol will have an expected cost of living of £788.3 per month, whereas a family of four in Bristol should expect a cost of living of £2,650.6 per month. Both these estimates do not include the cost of rent, and only take into account everyday expenses, such as food, shopping, education, transportation, and some entertainment. Notice that healthcare is not among these expenses, because all residents of the UK are eligible for free healthcare from the publicly funded National Health System (NHS).

Sources: Wise.com – Cost of living in the UK: Your 2022 Guide
Numbeo.com – Cost of living in Bristol

It is everybody’s dream to own their own home, and with hard work, budgeting and savings, it can be achievable. But for new international nurses and midwives arriving from overseas, this is usually a dream that will take a few years of planning and preparation. So, we will focus on renting, as that is the most common situation for NEU candidates.

While you are preparing for your OSCE, you will receive free or discounted accommodation provided by your Trust. The duration of the accommodation varies by Trust from 1 month to 12 months. Many of our NHS Trusts have onboarding departments who will help you initially settle, and during this time these departments will help you look for rental properties that are a reasonable commuting distance to the Trust and within your budget. If your Trust does not have a department with these services, or you wish to search on your own accommodations, there are many online resources, such as RightMove.co.uk, which help make finding a flat easier than it has ever been before.

Sources: Wise.com – Cost of living in the UK: Your 2022 Guide
Numbeo.com – Cost of living in Bristol

There are still many considerations when making the decision whether or not Bristol is right for you. This guide is designed to give you a general overview of your many options to consider.

If you are a single person starting as a Band 5 nurse in Bristol, and your 1 bedroom flat is outside the city centre, so you commute to work every day, then living in Bristol should be very affordable. Some nurses become roommates with nursing colleagues to split the cost of a 2 bedroom flat, making both their accommodations even more affordable.

If you are a four person family with two incomes coming from nurses working Bristol, and you live in a 3 bedroom flat that is outside the city centre, so you both commute into work, you may be able afford Bristol depending on your other expenses, such as childcare.

Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. With the help of this guide, you can start to consider your options.

If you need more information or have questions about your specific situation, please consider emailing your application to apply@neuprofessionals.com or submitting your application. You will be teamed up with a dedicated recruitment consultant who will discuss with you your family situation and get to know your needs and wants, so they can find a Trust where you can grow professionally in a location where you can be happy and succeed.

If you think Cambridge might be right for you, we encourage you to review the job postings currently available. If you find a job vacancy that fits your skills and experience, apply today! Cambridge awaits, are you ready to answer the call?