Moving to Reading

[Tiamaria1976]

Hi
I’m toying with a move to Reading, just me & my teenager. Neither of us drive, nor do we want to. How feasible is it to live & work in Reading minus a car? We’re so very used to London with buses and trains galore.
We’re looking close to the uni Plus Tilehurst way. Open to other suggestions too. Huge thanks

There are loads of buses into Reading from both Tilehurst and the university and lots of connections from the train stations.

Thanks for your reply. May I ask is traffic ok or we talking slow crawls? X

I’ve lived in reading both with and without a car; it was no problem to get around on the buses and even when I had a car I only really used it for shopping and to go places outside of reading as it was easier to get buses into the town and cheaper than paying for parking. I’ve lived in both tilehurst and the uni side and I’d say the tilehurst way is better. If you worked on the outskirts then buses might be trickier depending where you lived but as long as you check bus routes before moving you’ll be fine

I live in West Reading without a car. Transport is great. All night bus from Tilehurst into town and back. Bus to IKEA. Trains to almost all points cross country and west.

I love it here despite living in the "wild" west just off the Oxford Road. Think of a nationality and we have a supermarket. cafe or restaurant with that cuisine. Very cosmpolitan and friendly - I ave neighbours who have lived in my street for over 50 years so something must be right

Reading is really alright to live in. The no 17 bus goes across town- from reading college to the bear up in Tilehurst
plenty of night busses Loads of diverse food places and supermarkets
You’ll be fine without a car

Definitely anywhere along the 17 bus route is ideal if you don't have a car. The East to West buses are frequent and round the clock. Routes heading to other parts of the town are much less reliable.

There are also plenty of new flats going up in the town centre close to the station. Or central Caversham might be an option. It's only a 15 minute walk to the station.

Can't say I would recommend Tilehurst. Lower Earley and Caversham have always been good from what my friends say.

Schools are generally good, loads to do.

Why reading?

I live in Reading, and love it, it actually sold me on relocating here - Blast you Reading! We live in Caversham, and there can be a bit of a traffic issue with the Bridge, and all, but buses are good, and you can be back in London in half an hour by train.

We use the state schooling system, and have found it to be very good. I have a 15 and 17 year old.

Thank you all

To the person who asked why Reading... links into London if I decide to commute, new train line due. Proximity to Bristol also.
Keeping an open mind though. Early days... research focused at mo xx