Chic and charming

Why invest in the UK city of Bristol? Bristol is fast becoming a property hot-spot for thousands of professionals tempted by high-quality-living outside the country's capital.

Although property prices in the city have quadrupled in the past 10 years, surprisingly property in this scenic, historic city is still affordable.

Flats are an ideal investment opportunity especially in the cosmopolitan and vibrantly green area of Clifton, which is known as 'the Mayfair of Bristol.'

Home to elegant Georgian crescents, graceful city parks, a world-famous suspension bridge and ubiquitous little blue plaques that commemorate the lives of its famous residents, Clifton, is steeped in history.

Clifton first took off as a place to reside during the building boom of the 1780's when many of the Georgian terraces were built. The following century Clifton's most famous landmark, Brunel's suspension bridge was built in 1864, and the area continued to grow and flourish.

Originally home to wealthy Bristol merchants, the area has diversified and now houses an eclectic mix of old Clifton families, academics, professionals and students.

Today it is filled with restaurants, galleries, boutiques and bars and once had its own much-loved newspaper, The Clifton Chronicle.

Depending on which direction you look, from Clifton you can see as far as the surrounding countryside and over the city. A 15-minute stroll can find you either in rolling green countryside or the city centre where the arts flourish. Opera, film, ballet, museums, galleries and music of every kind can be found. You can visit the Bristol Old Vic, the country's oldest working theatre, which will be up and running at the end of 2008 after some refurbishment.

As for sports enthusiasts, Bristol has two main football teams (City and Rovers), two rugby teams (Bristol and Clifton) and is also home to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club's ground.

Bristol is also very accessible. It is just two hours by car to central London and one and a half hours by train.

Despite all this it is a surprising reality that you can still buy a two bedroom flat for an affordable price. You can purchase an elegant balcony apartment, well situated in a leafy location between Clifton Village - a stylish place to shop, feast and experience the finer things in life - and the glittering Whiteladies Road which is home to the area's nightlife for £350,000 (BD260,000).

This spacious apartment, located on the first floor of a prestigious period building (which is in the final stages of complete external maintenance), has an abundance of period features.

The flat is made up of a large entrance hall, with entry phone, radiator and cupboard, a spacious reception room and three bedrooms.

The sitting room has an elegant cast iron fireplace with marble surround and hearth, a period ceiling rose and cornicing and a large sash window that leads to the private stone balcony.

There is a large L-shaped kitchen with pleasant views, a range of custom built wall and base units, and space for an oven and washing machine and other top home appliances.

The two double bedrooms are bright and well proportioned and there is a well fitted bathroom.

There is also a smaller room that would be ideal as a study or third bedroom. The building is well maintained and is in the final stages of complete external maintenance and decoration.

Close to this charming property is 8 West Mall, home to another alluring apartment with a reasonable price tag of £250,000 (BD185,000).

This second floor flat offers stylish accommodation. The flat is well maintained with stairs to upper floors and a private door to the hall. The sitting room has two sash windows, recessed spotlights and opens to the kitchen at the rear.

It also has sliding glazed panelled divider to the dining room and spacious bedrooms. The kitchen is airy and equipped with state of the art appliances.

The bathroom has an elegant three piece bathroom suite and the bedrooms are spacious and have lovely views of the surrounding area.

So why invest in Bristol? Our response...why not? After all it is one of England's core cities and the most populous city in South West England. Chic, cosmopolitan and charming these properties are definitely worth considering.