"Whoa, whoa they start spinnin' every Friday night / They dance the greatest and they do it right / Well, it's the latest it's the greatest sight to see / The kids in Bristol are sharp as a pistol / (Whoa, oh, oh) / When they do the Bristol Stomp / (Whoa, oh, oh) / Really somethin' when they join in jumpin' / (Ah-ah-ah, whoa) / When they do the Bristol Stomp" -- The Dovells
Even if you didn't know the term, "borough" seems to fit Bristol perfectly. It's too big to be a town and to small to be a city. Its narrow streets make walking the perfect way to admire the historic buildings. And the blue Delaware River balances the abundant green foliage quite nicely. Major highways criss-cross the area, making for quick commuting to major burghs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Moving to Bristol by car means using U
"Whoa, whoa they start spinnin' every Friday night / They dance the greatest and they do it right / Well, it's the latest it's the greatest sight to see / The kids in Bristol are sharp as a pistol / (Whoa, oh, oh) / When they do the Bristol Stomp / (Whoa, oh, oh) / Really somethin' when they join in jumpin' / (Ah-ah-ah, whoa) / When they do the Bristol Stomp" -- The Dovells
Even if you didn't know the term, "borough" seems to fit Bristol perfectly. It's too big to be a town and to small to be a city. Its narrow streets make walking the perfect way to admire the historic buildings. And the blue Delaware River balances the abundant green foliage quite nicely. Major highways criss-cross the area, making for quick commuting to major burghs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Moving to Town
Moving to Bristol by car means using U.S. Route 13, which eventually hooks up with Interstate 276 and its connecting thoroughfares to other cities on the east coast. Train travelers can go to and from Philadelphia and Trenton through the borough's only station.
In the area's four-season climate, the best time of the year to move is summer when the weather is fairer and the daylight hours or long. During the spring, each day brings better weather while in the fall, with generally similar conditions, each day brings worse weather. Winter is not the time to settle in the borough -- you may need to contend with heavy snow. During a severe winter day, if you leave your vehicle on a street that's designated as a "snow emergency route," you may lose it to a towing company.
Get to Know the Neighborhoods
Because your apartment search in Bristol can involve any neighborhood, first decide where you want to live from this list and then choose an apartment for rent.
Newportville / Fergusonville: Military buffs and Army reservists like this community for its proximity to a Reserve Center and USAR heliport. Renters are in good company because over 60 percent of residences consist of rental apartments.
Bath Addition / Margo Gardens: Enjoy the great outdoors at Silver Lake County Park, Silver Lake, and Magnolia Lake, which dominate the center of this neighborhood. A bit of the community borders the Delaware River. Quick commutes are possible through I-275 and the Bristol Pike.
Farragut Avenue / Pond Street: If you enjoy townhouse living, over half of the homes here fit that requirement. Many were built before 1939. The southeastern border lines the Delaware River with Spurline Park providing public access. However, only the private Anchor Yacht Club has a dock for your watercraft.
Borough Center: Whether you like retro or vintage, you'll find almost an even split between homes built from 1940 to 1969, and before 1939. This neighborhood includes historic districts such as Mill Street, home to boutiques and restaurants.
Bristol Pike / Beaver Street Bristol Station: This area offers commutes to Trenton, New Jersey via the Trenton Regional Rail Line, while those who prefer their private cars can hop on the Bristol Pike. Chain shoppers get their fix at the Bristol Commerce Park Shopping Center in the northwestern corner, which is anchored by Wal-Mart. The most affordable property rentals are in this neighborhood.
Belardy / Rockdale: Except for a few unoccupied groves of trees and a few businesses on New Rodgers Road, this neighborhood is primarily residential, with mostly single-family homes and some apartments. Connections to I-95 and the Veteran Highway make car travel convenient.
Living In the City
The Historic District proper includes 300 mostly-residential buildings, with some going back to the early 1700s. The Industrial Historic District contains nine manufacturing facilities including the Keystone Mill and the Wilson and Fenimore Wallpaper Factory, both dating from the late 1800s.
Want to know what living in the past was all about? Check out the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum, an 1884 home furnished in the style of the period. If you prefer outdoor diversion, try the Spurline Trail, which offers a walk across an old railroad line through the waterfront. You'll find more trails at the Silver Lake Nature Center, which houses over 160 species of muskrats, deer, birds, and other animals, but also includes a recreation area for people.
