Areas like Didcot...

[Hannibalism]

Currently living in London but considering moving out, ideally somewhere a bit cheaper.

Didcot ticks a lot of our boxes and feels almost perfect, but can anyone recommend any similar areas we should check out?

The must haves:

• Good public transport connections (we don't have a car) ideally within 60-90mins of London by rail
• Generally walkable - shops, gp, vet (schools aren't a concern - no children)
• Safe, fairly quiet (what others might call 'boring' is fine by us!)

Thame? Tring?

Didcot is the main route into London by rail around there (fast, 33 mins) but it's an expensive line.

you have other villages such as Kidlington etc that run into the oxford parkway line, but it's a much slower service (1hr 20)

other towns such as witney etc use the charlborough line but that's slow, unreliable and again takes a while to get into Paddington.

if you don't have a car then Didcot seems like a really good bet, busy high street with all the shops etc. It's not the prettiest or most charming town - but it's got tick boxes for everything you need.

Newbury? Lovely high St, Cinema, train to London, canal, nice walks, pretty areas.

Is this hypothetical @Hannibalism & have you visited Didcot?

Have you ruled out other’prettier’ towns due to cost?

Thanks for these suggestions!

It started as a hypothetical 'what if we moved' but over time we're realising more and more that it actually would be the best thing for us to do. The prettier towns don't seem as well connected which puts Didcot back above them I think. We haven't visited anywhere yet but time off later this month when we'll head over to Didcot and/or others that seem like they might work.

Moreton in Marsh?

Yes I thought it might be an on paper exercise so far! Didcot is ok, but there are many many places people prefer to live & socialise in across the commuter belt. House prices are probably the best indicator of how desirable an area is to live in.

Bicester

Wantage is a nice town to live in and a 20 minute drive to Didcot.

How about Chippenham, Wiltshire? Just over an hour to Paddington. Cheap houses, and quiet.

I live a 20 minute drive from Didcot. The train service to London is indeed good - adequate parking. The GWR Steam museum is lovely (I used to volunteer there). The Cornerstone Arts Centre has some terrific evening classes. But...

Don't move there if you have a choice.

What makes it so bad? 😬
Beyond being on the lower end of the 'looks' scale?

The area of London we're in is flytipping central, smashed glass from car windows and bottles all over the streets, mattresses chucked out of front gardens...'ugly' isn't necessarily a problem as long as it's generally safe!

Maidenhead. It’s not my cup of tea, but it’s a lot closer to London than Didcot, and sounds similar.

It's just a very boring nothingy sort of place.

There must be nicer places to consider! Maybe Newbury as PP suggested or Maidenhead (not as nice as Newbury but better train links to London). Twyford's another option - very nice and on the Elizabeth Line to London. More expensive than Newbury or Maidenhead though.

I had a relative who lived there. It was OK, dull, high st full of estate agents and charity shops. They moved to Wantage, as everyone looks down on Didcot.
If that doesn't bother you, it's a sensible option.

The Wokingham area, so Wokingham, Twyford. Twyford is on the Elizabeth Line. Close to Reading.

Or you could look at Ascot.

How about Amersham?

Anywhere on the Lizzie Line. (was thinking Twyford)
Somewhere near to Didcot
Swindon
Wokingham is fine but check the trains.
Maidenhead is fine, bur parts are quite a long walk to the station. Parts are really nice.
Reading - urban sprawl but some nice areas.
Windsor, but parts are quite far from the station
Slough (Burnham or Taplow)

Maybe have a look at south Abingdon.

Abingdon is very pretty, and from the south side 10 minutes in the car, half an hour by bus or bicycle to Didcot Station. Lots to do, a couple of theatres, lots of pubs and coffee shops, the river, a great cycling club and in Kennington one of the best bakeries I've ever experienced with Proof.

Didcot is a bit souless and doesn't seem to have a huge community spirit.

Forgot Marlow, Bourne End and Henley

I'd second this, on the same rail line as Didcot and really well connected. Lots of new builds going up, generally pretty safe and family friendly.

Didcot is not particularly nice. Abingdon is much nicer!

I forgot there's a train station at Radley, north Abingdon side too.

@Hannibalism if you are going that far I would go to Chippenham - very well priced housing- centre is a bit 'meh' but so is Didcot-and then you have Bath12 minutes on train at weekends or evenings- we are in Bath and people are too and from from Chippenham all the time. Chippenham is 71 minutes from
Paddington

Another vote for Newbury here. Good London train service. Cinema, theatres (2 of them Watermill and Corn Exchange), lots of local events, decent shops and restaurants (2 with Michelin stars). Canal and large parks in town and open country walkable from the town centre.