Relocating to Swindon

[Brightandsunny]

Hi All,

My husband has a new job in Old a Town, and we are just waiting for our house sale to go through in Brighton before we can move to Swindon with him.

We've visited a few times to get a feel for the area but I'm full of self doubt about where to move to. I was hoping you could help!

I love the idea of having a new build, like in North Swindon, but is there much to do there? Where we live now I can walk into town, to cafes, restaurants, shops, library and most importantly baby and toddler groups. Would somewhere like Old Town be better? I hear such mixed reviews!

I have a 3 year old going to school next year, so primary schools are also very important.

Please help! Thank you :)

[Idefix]

Have you looked at surrounding towns, villages?
Marlborough is 10 miles away and has all the things you are asking for.
Hopefully someone will have some more helpful info about areas for Swindon itself (I cant warm to the place unfortunately, although you should get more for your money in Swindon)

[Iseesheep]

I know Swindon has a horrible reputation (usually with people who've never actually lived there!) but I love it! I've lived all over the world over the past 25 years and have finally decided to settle in Old Town. I've lived in the 'desirable' village areas for quite a while and I still chose to move closer to the town centre.

I think Old Town has just about everything to tick all my boxes. Good large Victorian houses, lots of great restaurants and bars, Wood Street has great butcher, fishmonger, deli, wine merchant. There's no real reason to roll down the hill into the new town unless you want to jump onto the train to Bath (30 mins) or London (1 hour). Although the new town is getting better all the time so is Old Town. There are loads of groups to join, the Arts Centre and the old Corn Exchange is being renovated which will include bars and restaurants and also an independent cinema.

There are loads of little parks close by too. Town Gardens is fab with a cafe and a Victorian bandstand which still has bands playing at the weekend in the summer. The houses around Town Gardens are lovely and very sought after.

I thought long and hard about where to settle in the UK (and I've lived in lots of places so have lots to compare Swindon with!) and I think I've made the right choice for us and I can't wait!!

[WordGetsAround]

Old Town sounds like it'd be a great fit for you, and you could save having 2 cars!