What's wrong with High Wycombe?

[NatEdwards76]

Hi There, we currently live in Hillingdon and are looking to relocate slightly further up the M40. We've been looking at Flackwell Heath, Wooburn Green, Farnham Common, Hazlemere, Chesham and High Wycombe. We want a house with a nice view in a nice friendly neighbourhood and within reasonable reach of St Michael's Catholic School in South High Wycombe - which we hear would be a good school choice for our 8 year old boy. I work in Uxbridge and my hubby works in Wembley Park so the commute needs to be easy. We've been into the centre of High Wycombe today and it all seems quite nice. We've driven around a few streets, very hilly - but all quite civilized! Why does it get such a bad reputation? I didn't see anything to be concerned about - are we missing something? The house prices seem reasonable - can someone please tell me if there are areas to avoid (and why?) Would be so grateful for any helpful advice!
Many thanks indeed! :-)

what's so popular with Downley or these surrounding feeder towns may I ask? If you live there, you will always have to drive to the train station, and pay for parking, which makes your commute to London so much longer. Why don't people just live in the surrounding areas near to the station? I'm a bit perplexed (and non biased)

Please help me guys.. We planning to buy house in HW but reading this discussion now I am confused. We got children 8 and 2 years old please advise me which area is best to live with kids with outstanding schools around London not huge bughet only 300,000

Hi Mandy. What areas of High Wycombe are you looking at? I'm happy to look at areas and let you know schools etc. What are your requirements?

Hi there. I know this thread has been going on for some time now but for newbies joining I'd just like to say that High Wycombe itself is a lovely place to live.

There's a great selection of private and state schools. Quick access to London (my husband commutes in to central London every day and says it's easier than when we lived in zone 3 of south London). Plus you benefit from being on the cusp of the countryside (beautiful views, clean air, birds, friendly people). The houses on the whole are very pretty and there are plenty of proof properties. The town centre is quite pretty too. It's surrounded by forrests, national parks and walking trails.

Plus it's very up and coming. I've lived here for 3 years now and this place is changing so quickly. Every month it seems some new cafe or independent shop is opening. I've noticed lots of young professionals and young families moving in. People are calling High Wycombe the next St Albans (I think because it's a commuter belt area that's taking off). The villages are obviously lovely but if the weather is bad you can be a bit stuck; if you need to get into London I'd say High Wycombe itself is pretty great. I'm so much happier here than when we lived in London. I read some bad things about high Wycombe when I was searching but I think a lot of it must be out of date because it's a really nice place to live.

I'm glad you are happy in Wycombe. I think the main thing to be careful of are the catchment areas of schools. There are some very much not outstanding schools around the area. I've never minded Wycombe centre itself but there are some really really rough areas around the town. Areas where you wouldn't want to walk alone at night.

The Rye is a fabulous resource and commuting is excellent. Do you have children?