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Original poster

Funky town to live within about an hour from Reading

138 replies

hannahbarbera · 20/05/2013 09:22

Hello mums
We are moving back to the UK from a lovely place where kids are idolised, food is fresh and strangers are friendly and open minded. Is it an impossible dream to find something similar within about an hour's (probably train) commute from Reading, where DH will be working? We would probably like lots of organic food, a community minded place where different lifestyle choices are accepted, low crime and kid friendly. If it could be arty and with good schools too, so much the better. So far I have come up with Stroud. Am I right about Stroud? Is there anywhere else in any direction from Reading? We have a budget of around 400-550k for a 3-4 bedroom house, preferably nearer 400!
Thank you so much!

OP posts:

Pendulum · 20/05/2013 16:07

Where in London will your DH be working? I have commuted from Newbury to zone 1 and it took over 2 hours each way including tube and walk each side. The fastest train is 45 mins but delays are the norm rather than the exception. Having said that, it is a very nice town, although I wouldn't say it is the equivalent of what you have in Spain (I would never call it alternative or wacky, but then maybe I don't get out enough!) TBH I think those sorts of communities tend to be found in more rural areas in the UK.

Pendulum · 20/05/2013 16:08

Ah sorry just reread your OP- he will be working in Reading. Newbury is v close then- might well be worth a look for you.

Original poster

hannahbarbera · 20/05/2013 16:08

Hi Pendulum
He'll be working in Reading

OP posts:

Original poster

hannahbarbera · 20/05/2013 16:10

Ha, you got there before me. Yep, think you might be right. I wonder if Bath has a friendly, open, relaxed vibe? Everyone says that about Stroud, which makes it attractive for me. I know you can get it in bigger places. I once went to Sheffield and, as a Londoner, couldn't get over how friendly people were to complete strangers. Nice.

OP posts:

mumblechum1 · 20/05/2013 16:18

Henley looks nice and I don't mind a bit of posh but is there a healthy wackiness to the place at all?

We live half way between Henley and Marlow. I really don't like Henley at all, it's full of Annabels and Ruperts in 4x4s. Marlow is nicer but still quite posh. Both are very expensive. Henley is quite reachable from Reading (about half an hour if you live on the Reading side of it).

I wouldn't describe either of them as wacky! Also Henley is the only place my dh has been exposed to overt racism.

CinnabarRed · 20/05/2013 16:22

Actually, if you don't mind saying, roughly where in Reading will your DH be based? It will make quite a difference to the length of some of the commutes mentioned above.

Bramshott · 20/05/2013 16:29

Berkshire is not a county renowned for it's 'wackiness'

formicadinosaur · 20/05/2013 16:31

What's Oxfords Summertown like?

Sticklebug · 20/05/2013 16:34

Guildford is about 30 minutes on the train. Very kid friendly and lots of nice area where you could get a 4 bed for less than £500k

Mintyy · 20/05/2013 16:36

Sadly, hannah, I think healthy wackiness is very hard to find in the home counties. You need a big city with wacky enclaves, which is why I suggested London. But quite understand if you don't want to live there.

mummytime · 20/05/2013 16:39

Summer town is quite expensive, and you'd have to ride a Bike or similar to get to the station to get to Reading.

PareyMortas · 20/05/2013 17:37

Guildford! The antithesis of the OP's brief, as is most of Surrey and Berkshire.

LittleMilla · 20/05/2013 19:29

I live in the part of Bristol mentioned up thread and think it fits the bill perfectly. Plus all three main primary schools are rated outstanding by ofsted.

We're ex Londoners and haven't struggled to settle. I'm prob more centre right than most around here, but still be welcomed .

Look at trains from parkway not temple meads. Closer and quicker trains.

Megsdaughter · 20/05/2013 19:33

Newbury has Farm Organic Researchright on its doorstep

Megsdaughter · 20/05/2013 19:33

Elm Farm sorry cant type today

gillywillywoo · 20/05/2013 20:11

Windsor

thegraduand · 20/05/2013 20:19

It makes a big difference where in Reading your DH will be working, if he is driving you need to be on the right side of town, Reading traffic is a nightmare in rush hour. I would suggest Caversham, you'll get a house for your money, but the schools are very oversubscribed.

Newbury is also nice, family vibe, town is dominated by Vodafone, lots of people work for them.

I would say places like Bath/ Bristol/ Stroud would be too far, commuting is dead time and expensive (speaking as someone who commuted for many years)

staverton · 20/05/2013 20:20

Look at wolvercote in Oxford- excellent state primary, farmers market, leftie, closeish to centre- cycle to train station, on edge of portmeadow. Cheaper than nearby Summertown.
Otherwise ares of Bristol.

Dededum · 20/05/2013 20:21

Another no no for Guildford, very expensive, very aspirational and full of yummy mummies. Very good countryside, good transport connections, university, two theatres but think Agatha Christie not progressive theatre.

SizzleSazz · 20/05/2013 20:25

We moved from Brighton to a village near Stroud. We love it here, but i'm not sure I would actually live IN Stroud. I used to work in Bristol and have to say I'm not a fan and schools (from what I understand) can be problematic. Gloucestershire is still under the Grammar school system.

We can drive to Reading in c.1hr and the trains are ok, but not very frequent as Stroud is on a branch line. If I go to London (through Reading) I tend to drive to Swindon and get the train from there.

Happy to answer more specific Q's if you want to PM me

Original poster

hannahbarbera · 21/05/2013 05:53

Hi again everyone and thanks so much. To those of you who are asking, DH's job will be walkable from Reading station and he'd like to use the commuting time to catch up on work, so train is preferable (and if he's not standing up the whole way with his face pressed into someone's armpit, that would be useful!). I'm going to look at Wolvercote, thanks. Sizzle, could you tell me why you wouldn't actually live in Stroud itself, or shall I PM you that? I'm just thinking it might be useful info for anyone else who might be interested?!
Still also looking at Bristol, Newbury and Bath. I can't really find an area of London that ticks all our boxes for budget, schools and travel time, but open to any suggestions!

OP posts:

Original poster

hannahbarbera · 21/05/2013 05:57

PS also someone kindly PMed me suggesting Salisbury or elsewhere in Wiltshire. Salisbury seems to be an hour and a quarter, which is doable at a push. Any opinions on this area for us?

OP posts:

georgedawes · 21/05/2013 09:09

Newbury

formicadinosaur · 21/05/2013 09:18

Hiya, the centre of Stroud isn't well to do like Tetbury centre, it's a mixed bag and down at the heels in parts. The people I know live in the outskirts of the town (Rodborough etc) or in the villages/rural areas surrounding. All very community orientated and active.

2margarinesonthego · 21/05/2013 09:46

Take it from me, Salisbury meets hardly any of your requirements! Low crime and distance yes, but the others NOOO.

It's not friendly, open-minded or particularly kid friendly. I wouldn't describe it as arty either. There is also a weird grammar school system in place.

I'd strike Salisbury off your list post haste.

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