Working in Swindon, living where??

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Hi All

Sorry to revisit a topic that's been covered relatively recently - I've searched, found a few threads but they're a bit out of date and don't quite answer my questions - so am hoping Wiltshire/Gloucs/Berkshire even Hampshire mums might be able to help.

My husband is due to have an interview for a job in the next couple of weeks in Swindon having recently been made redundant from his job in London. We currently live in Amersham in Bucks but I'd be prepared to relocate as the job (if he gets it) sounds as if it would be worth relocating for and would potentially spare him a long commute. I'm currently a SAHM to a 19-month old little girl and set to be that way for a while yet, as we have another on the way at the end of November.

I know round there a bit, having had a few very nice stays in pubs in the area (pre-children, needless to say!) but have no idea what it would be like to live there and what schools etc would be like. The place we live now has good primary and secondary school and a decent centre 20 mins walk away and absolutely loads for preschoolers - which is obviously going to be pretty important not least as a way of getting to know people. Can anyone suggest somewhere similar within an hour's drive of Swindon? We're probably looking for large village/small market town really - being able to walk to places quite important to me as I grew up in the middle of nowhere and would like not to have to drive absolutely everywhere (although some always inevitable).

Thanks in advance!

Cirencester ? I don't know the schools though.

Which side of Swindon would he be working ?

Marlborough?

Burford?

It really does depend whereabouts in Swindon your husband would be based, as the traffic can be terrible around there.

Good luck to your DH too

Thanks for the replies so far - think it's the south west side, so not far from the M4 - which, from a look at the map, makes it nearer to places such as Chippenham. So if anyone knows anything about there/anywhere near there, that would be great - I'm really looking to find out what it's like to live there - for example, I know Burford but also know it's VERY touristy which would make me a bit hesitant (and on wrong side anyway) - so any insiders' views much appreciated.

Thanks again!

I would say Marlborough, Cirencester, Burford or Malmesbury.

You would have a culture shock if you chose to live in Swindon after being in Amersham.

Malmesbury would be the most practical for you if you want to be close to junction 16.

Thanks for the suggestions, forever (and to you others) - can you give me any idea why you're suggesting them though - I'm really trying to find out what they're like to live in with small children, what there is to do, and what the schools etc are like - basically any insider knowledge that would be hard to find otherwise.

The places suggested are nice market towns with a similar feel to Amersham, very family friendly and you can walk to activities etc. Swindon is a bigger version of Hemel, although I actually prefer Swindon to Hemel.

There are lots of lovely villages / market towns around the swindon area. Larger towns with good schools in the area are: Newbury, Chippenham, Marlborough and Cirencester. All of those (except Ciren) are close to the M4. All of those have got lots of good facilities for children and plenty to do. If you want to have decent public transport - I'd stick to a larger market town. HTH

Sorry, larger market towns

Perfect! Thank you all so much - much easier to focus research on three or four places - and see if we need to.

Thanks again, ladies - enjoy the sunshine!