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Original poster

Possible move. Where would you live if you had to commute to Reading?

57 replies

dizzyday07 · 15/05/2012 17:20

There is a chance that DH's job will be relocated to Reading (on Uni campus I think).

We don't know the area at all as the farthest south we've lived in Chinnor, Oxon. so have no idea where to look for a house!

We have a DD who will be Yr 3 in Sept. and DH is willing to travel up to 45mins to work.

We could stretch up to 500k for the right property, and a new build is an option as we could PX our current property.

Where would you live?

OP posts:
valkilly · 15/05/2012 21:46

Wokingham. Lovely area, good schools and good transport links to Reading, London Waterloo and Gatwick.

Grockle · 15/05/2012 21:49

I second Wokingham

mumblechum1 · 15/05/2012 21:50

Henley? It's only about 25 mins from Reading.

I work in Wokingham and whilst it's fine, it doesn't have much of a theme, iykwim, I find it a bit samey with a million other middle sized towns.

keepmoving · 15/05/2012 21:54

Henley, Caversham, Sonning Common, Peppard etc. Lovely area, schools but easy commute to Reading...

Pendulum · 15/05/2012 21:55

Are you set against living in Reading itself? I would live in the University area itself, or perhaps across the bridge in Caversham.

I am a fan of not travelling any further to work than necessary, and also of being able to walk/ cycle into town.

joanofarchitrave · 15/05/2012 21:56

I would have a look at Goring on Thames. Approx 20 mins on train plus 20 min cycle to uni campus or 15 min bus ride. not sure what it's like to live in but it's a lovely place with at least one really nice pub...

exoticfruits · 15/05/2012 21:56

Wokingham.

herhonesty · 15/05/2012 22:02

Hartley wintney

irregularegular · 15/05/2012 22:02

Give us a clue. What kind of place do you want to live in?

I'd either live very near the University - I think it's quite a nice part of the city. Or Caversham is the nicest part of Reading, but further from the University. Or if you prefer a village then Goring is indeed a great place to live with a young family, but I think I'm going to have to stop mentioning it as the school is getting too full (bulge class this Reception) and the houses are too expensive.

Not sure why you'd live in one town and commute into Reading, personally.

Southsearocks · 15/05/2012 22:07

Hartley Wintney - it's a lovely village with a lot going on. Or Wokingham, which is a town but also a very nice place to live. It's pretty expensive though wherever you go in that area!

Lilymaid · 15/05/2012 22:08

Another vote for Goring - but it isn't ideally situated for the university. It has a great community atmosphere and the surroundings are beautiful. Perhaps, though, somewhere due south of Reading would be more convenient to get to the campus??

joanofarchitrave · 15/05/2012 22:09

I was going to say live in Reading too, but mainly because the traffic is so Godawful that your life would be less stressful if you live there. Also some of the schools are pretty good by all accounts (careful, they vary). The reason I didn't say that is that I do find Reading a bit deadly as towns go.

mumblechum1 · 15/05/2012 22:27

Reading is pretty rough imo. I only really know the bit from Wokingham into Reading City Centre which is quite run down, there may be nice bits that I don't know about.

fuckbucket · 15/05/2012 22:30

Reading has a reputation round these parts as being the thin end of the wedge that is London.
We've got a reasonable number of Silicon Valley commuters here, fast train to Paddington via Reading - NE Wilts.

Original poster
dizzyday07 · 15/05/2012 22:47

I think our aversion to living in Reading is that we've never lived in a large urban connurbation. Our preference would be a village location which has a pub, shop, school etc. (not just 1 man and his dog!)

In answer to your "why commute" question irregularegular, it's just that he has in the past with a lot of his jobs, and especially when he worked at Kew and we lived in South Oxon!

We will have a google of any suggested locations, so thank you.

OP posts:
exoticfruits · 16/05/2012 06:53

You could try Twyford.

FridayOLeary · 16/05/2012 07:01

University area. Earley and Woodley are easy to cycle from. The problem with villages (Shinfield/Aldermaston/Aborfield) will be that there are a lot of new houses so bits can be quite estate-y. And the traffic is shit. Hence recommending cycling or living on a bus route.

jeanjeannie · 16/05/2012 20:30

Another vote for Henley and also Twyford. My SIL and BIL both work in Reading and live in the two places I've mentioned. They've researched the schools and live the commute and are both really happy.

Rollmops · 16/05/2012 21:07

Reading is a pit. Whitchurch on Thames is perfect 10min by train or 5 by car, Goring-Streatly very nice, Henley on Thames, nice.

mumblechum1 · 16/05/2012 21:43

Oh yes, Whitchurch/Pangbourne both nice.

Lizcat · 16/05/2012 22:44

West most west berks / wilts border also very nice. Well I like it here.

aliportico · 16/05/2012 22:56

I live in Reading - it's not a place that anyone ever dreams of moving to, lol, but there's a fair bit going on here, plus two of the best state secondary schools in the country, so it's not the worst place to be.

I really like the university area, but if you don't want to live in the town, then I'd probably go to Twyford - about 7 minutes on the train (Henley doesn't have a direct train and traffic is pretty bad at rush hours), and has a good secondary school, if you are thinking if still being here then (sounds like you've moved a fair bit!).

BertieBotts · 16/05/2012 22:59

I live in Leamington Spa which is 1 hour away on the train, if that's any use. Schools are nice here :)

lucysnowe · 17/05/2012 13:34

Henley etc is fine but you have to go over the river in the morning, which is not easy. I think Earley/Wokingham/Woodley could be okay.

NarcolepsyQueen · 17/05/2012 16:37

Marlow. You would also be in the catchment for grammar schools there.