Leaving London for a market town?

[Hippogator]

We have decided to sell up and leave London. We could go for a village or a market town. I'm leaning more toward the market town but most people we know keep saying we're nuts as the market town we've chosen and market towns in general have a lot of hidden deprivation and antisocial behaviour in comparison to the villages. Anyone with an opinion or who has done the same?

We visit Wantage quite often when visiting family nearby, I thought it looked quite nice?

St Albans really really isn't a market town.

I honestly think holidaying anywhere you intend to move to is the best approach.

My brother (far from a rich incomer...) lives in Witney. It's a lovely little place, good schools etc, and if you get bored Oxford is a short hop away.

He lives on a small council estate, quiet, no trouble, my nieces are very happy and doing well at school there. If that's an example of the hidden deprivation of Witney it's nothing to worry about. My own home town (seaside resort) is FAR worse.

Choose a large one which has facilities like a leisure centre, cinema, bus station and train station. Think ahead and buy a house which is within walking distance to the town centre as well as good secondary school options. You will pat yourself on the back when your DC turn into teenagers.