Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Local

Find conversations happening in your area in our local chat rooms.

Original poster

Bracknell v's Basingstoke v's Newbury

26 replies

Samara26 · 17/09/2021 12:14

Can anyone tell me which of these areas is best for amenities, bars, things to do and feeling safe?

I'm planning a move to the Reading area but unable to get a rental so looking at other nearby areas.

I'm just nervous about moving somewhere I don't know, that's got nothing there or is a bit rough.

PS I live in crawley, near Gatwick so I guess that's what I'm pitching it against.

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 17/09/2021 12:18

What is your budget, for what type of property? Do you need schools? Access to trains/roads for commuting?

Original poster
Samara26 · 17/09/2021 12:56

@Sprig1

What is your budget, for what type of property? Do you need schools? Access to trains/roads for commuting?
At the moment it's just a rental and my budget is £900pcm. I don't need schools, not planning any kids, and I work from home and I literally dont know anyone in these areas, apart from a Uni friend in Swindon.

Crawley has really gone downhill and I want to move somewhere more vibrant / buzzy. Also I work in IT contracting so if I ever did need to go in an office again it helps that there's loads of IT companies around.

OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 17/09/2021 12:58

@Sprig1

What is your budget, for what type of property? Do you need schools? Access to trains/roads for commuting?
Oh im just going to rent a flat for 6 months and then buy a 3 bed semi or end of terrace in the region of 350k. I was thinking Reading but it has a lot of mixed reviews so unsure now. It's very difficult to find a rental in Reading atm so I'm branching out.
OP posts:
OneMillionSteps · 17/09/2021 13:38

OP it might be best to ask this in a more general section like Chat so more posters will see it

Original poster
Samara26 · 17/09/2021 14:07

@OneMillionSteps

OP it might be best to ask this in a more general section like Chat so more posters will see it
Thanks- do u know what topic to select as I'm never sure?
OP posts:
Sprig1 · 17/09/2021 14:26

Newbury is the nicest of those, then Basingstoke and then Bracknell. Basingstoke has most going on, I would say. They are all expensive though because of their easy access to London. It's probably best ask about particular areas if you see a property you like. I am not sure of your budget will mean you are pushed in to less desirable parts of town.

Beautifulday345 · 17/09/2021 14:30

@Sprig1 ooh difference of opinion there, I think Bracknell is much better than Basingstoke. however I don’t think any of those areas particularly have much going on, if you can afford Wokingham that’s probably better as it’s close to reading but not close enough to be grim. Budget wise Basingstoke is probably the place you’d get most for your money.

Original poster
Samara26 · 20/09/2021 05:35

[quote Beautifulday345]@Sprig1 ooh difference of opinion there, I think Bracknell is much better than Basingstoke. however I don’t think any of those areas particularly have much going on, if you can afford Wokingham that’s probably better as it’s close to reading but not close enough to be grim. Budget wise Basingstoke is probably the place you’d get most for your money.[/quote]
Do u know Reading at all? I found a rental in lower Caversham on Amersham Road but it's street parking and I'm worried my car my get vandalised. Normally I wouldn't even think of it, but I bought an sporty audi and it seems to attract a lot of attention Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 20/09/2021 05:44

@Sprig1

Newbury is the nicest of those, then Basingstoke and then Bracknell. Basingstoke has most going on, I would say. They are all expensive though because of their easy access to London. It's probably best ask about particular areas if you see a property you like. I am not sure of your budget will mean you are pushed in to less desirable parts of town.
Thanks for the info. Would u say Reading is good - say Calcot, Tadley or Fleet? I think Bracknell may be even closer than some of these. Where would u say is more reasonably priced that's still an ok area? I'd like to be near somewhere with a bit of buzz
OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 20/09/2021 05:45

[quote Beautifulday345]@Sprig1 ooh difference of opinion there, I think Bracknell is much better than Basingstoke. however I don’t think any of those areas particularly have much going on, if you can afford Wokingham that’s probably better as it’s close to reading but not close enough to be grim. Budget wise Basingstoke is probably the place you’d get most for your money.[/quote]
Do u know Beggars Wood, or is that a bit far out?

OP posts:
Beautifulday345 · 20/09/2021 17:09

I don’t know reading well enough to say, but I did work there, and from that alone I personally wouldn’t live there AT all. That’s just me though you may like it 🤷‍♀️

Beautifulday345 · 20/09/2021 17:11

I would personally look at Wokingham, it’s only a few stops on the train line but much nicer.

ImNotWhoYouThinkIam · 20/09/2021 17:16

I'm biased as I'm Reading born and bred, and I love it here.

Amersham Road is a bit shit though. I grew up very near to there and its never had a good reputation. Mind you it didn't exist when my parents bought our house. Saying that I live at Cemetery Junction now which people always say on here to avoid. And I've never lived somewhere I loved more than here.

Calcot is part of Reading. Tadley and Fleet are not.

What do you mean by "a bit of a buzz"? Nightlife? Cafés? Coffee shops? Community groups?

RustyBear · 20/09/2021 17:23

For those saying Wokingham, you'd be very lucky to get a decent 3-bed house for £350k, and you'd be unlikely to get more than a 1-bed flat for £900 pm

Mysterian · 20/09/2021 17:28

Can anyone tell me which of these areas is best for amenities, bars, things to do and feeling safe?- Using those criteria probably Basingstoke. Bit more to do in the centre. Newbury has better countryside around it.

Festival2021 · 20/09/2021 17:31

Hi OP. I'm in Reading. If you need any help just ask Smile

Beautifulday345 · 20/09/2021 17:32

@RustyBear wow not even a 1 bed for 900? Times haves certainly changed since I lived there, that’s a shame. Hopefully those who live in reading can be more help

RustyBear · 20/09/2021 19:24

@Beautifulday345 - Yes, you can get a 1-bed, but not more. As for buying a house DD and her husband are in the process of buying a 3-bed semi in Emmbrook for £450k!

Em4815 · 20/09/2021 21:57

I'm in Bracknell and we love it here. Definitely has improved in recent years with the regeneration of the town centre. Happy to answer any questions!

Original poster
Samara26 · 21/09/2021 01:07

@Festival2021

Hi OP. I'm in Reading. If you need any help just ask Smile
Thanks. I haven't worked out how to DM on here?
OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 21/09/2021 01:11

@ImNotWhoYouThinkIam

I'm biased as I'm Reading born and bred, and I love it here.

Amersham Road is a bit shit though. I grew up very near to there and its never had a good reputation. Mind you it didn't exist when my parents bought our house. Saying that I live at Cemetery Junction now which people always say on here to avoid. And I've never lived somewhere I loved more than here.

Calcot is part of Reading. Tadley and Fleet are not.

What do you mean by "a bit of a buzz"? Nightlife? Cafés? Coffee shops? Community groups?

I mean bars I guess really, too old for clubs ha! Not bars full of chavs though, a mixed crowd, Nice places to go and eat, not run down, bit of glamour. I've lived in Preston, and despite the rep, that had buzz on a night out! You could do a different bar crawl every night of the week! Not that I'm after that, but it's nice to have options Smile
OP posts:
Festival2021 · 21/09/2021 07:26

I'm not sure if you can DM on the app actually?! I'll send a message on the web version Smile

Lessthanaballpark · 21/09/2021 07:32

Both Bracknell and Reading have had makeovers and are great places to live.

If you’re into arts and crafts there’s a fabulous centre called South hill park in Bracknell.

megletthesecond · 21/09/2021 07:32

Beggarwood is a new part of Basingstoke. As in 10 years but it's new to me. Loads more houses going up, next to the motorway and near a large sainsburys. Nice park. But you'd need a car.

Lessthanaballpark · 21/09/2021 07:34

For pubs go to Wokingham but for nightlife to Reading.