We live in Goring and I think it's absolutely perfect for young families. Fantastic community, with absolutely loads going on given the size of the place. For example, we had some of the biggest Jubilee celebrations outside London with 4000 people taking part in a (soggy) Jubilee lunch. There are only about 4000 people in Goring and Streatley! Then there's the regatta, Xmas eve procession, 10K, Music events...The proportion of people who get involved in helping with things like the PTA, guides/scouts, football club and so on is amazing - very different from what I see on here. On the other hand, if that sort of stuff makes you cringe, I'd recommend staying away. It can be a bit much.
On the other hand, you do pay a premium for the station. If you don't need it, then other villages nearby might make more sense (e.g., Woodcote, Sonning Common, Peppard, Moulsford, South Stoke).
Wallingford is a small town rather than a village. Henley is a little bigger again, and grander. It depends what you want really. Do you want a Waitrose and cinema? Or do you want a village feel? Doesn't suit everyone. If you want even bigger, then there is always Oxford.
Goring Primary School is very nice and at the heart of the community, but oversubscribed. The local state school is Langtree in Woodcote. It used to have a bad reputation a generation ago, but now it has an Outstanding Ofsted, exam results that are as good as any comp locally, and I like the fact that it is small (four form entry).
We spent a year looked at about a dozen different locations around Oxford and have always been very glad we chose Goring.