Where to live in hampshire / Berks??

[Oddjob555]

We may be moving back to the UK from Germany after 5 years away. My partner will work in Newbury and we need to find somewhere to live that is commutable but maybe between Newbury and the coast /rural areas. Commute no more than an hour.

Need good schools, primary and secondary (more important), fun but relaxed place to live with all amenities (cant wait for these to be in English!) shops, pub, things for kids to do etc, in walking distance if possible. A market town or lively village and nice people. probably asking a lot, all with house within budget!

We will be renting first but need to rent near the school as dont want to move the kids around again.

My kids have never been to a British school so advice on finding a good school also welcome!

Saw a similar previous thread from a few years ago and wondered if comments still relevant.

Thanks so much in advance!

Thanks for all the comments everyone. Ploughing through the school thing gradually. Now I need adivce on Primary schools in the Newbury area Please!
have been looking at Falkland, John Rankin but the village schools seem to have better results. Although I know I need to visit the schools to get a feel for them.

Anyone have any thoughts on Ramsbury, Overton, Whitchurch, Woolton Hill schools? And the Newbury ones/
thanks
jo

Whitchurch is lovely, but I've had 2 very different sets of friends move there and they have found it very difficult to make friends and integrate - most people seem to be born & bred locals. 5 odd yrs ago the schools werent great either, I know both sets of friends applied for nearby Longparish primary instead.

thanks you Sunnyshores

Whitchurch is a fantastic place to live. It's a great place to bring up children, as it feels very safe, so able give them plenty of freedom. I've not had any problems integrating or meeting new friends.

Both schools in walking distance. Testbourne (secondary) is a great school with an excellent reputation in pastoral care and is currently rated oustanding and the primary is also excellent with a lot of outdoor space (chickens, rabbits, geese, green houses, veg patches etc). Overton is also a great place to live with an excellent primary school too. Both locations have easy access to Winchester, Southampton, Basingstoke, Newbury, new forest & coast etc near M3, M4. However, housing is not cheap and demand for houses are high.

the european school is up the A34 in abingdon www.esculham.co.uk/index.php/general/admissions/