Slough - is it that terrible?

[GeekLove]

I am currently looking for employment and Slough is an area where there is a potential vacancy.
We currently have a 3-bed mid terrace with a decent garden and separate garage, current market value ~140K, with just over half the mortgage paid off.

What's the price range of something similar within the vicinity of Slough? We would have a combined income of ~75K per year.
We also have two DCs of primary school age.

I just don't want to live in a gardenless rabbit hutch surrounded by concrete.

[Buckslocal]

There's the Everyman cinema at Gerrards Cross, that's a good one.

[CheerfullyIndifferent]

(Happy to report there's now a Sunday service )

[CheerfullyIndifferent]

If you are reliant on public transport, I would look at places within walking distance to a train station, as the train is generally cheaper than the bus and a lot faster (and more reliable too). Buses changed recently and I'm not sure how it's like as I now drive everywhere but before the changes the last bus to my 'village' was something daft like 7pm and there was no Sunday service, so you might want to check that.

We mostly go to the pub for food these days, but my local is very family friendly. I assume if there's ever any trouble, it's beyond the hours we would be there so I've never encountered any animosity.

I have to say I hardly ever shop in the town centre, even before I could drive, mostly because Windsor is only 5 minutes down the line on the train or included on the bus day ticket that would have to get anyway if I'm getting a return ticket to town or because I felt safer cycling there as it's mostly off road - and there's a bigger variety of shops in Windsor. I do go a few times a year for specific shops. Used to go more often when there was a Portuguese café

The only thing I would say I hate about Slough is the cinema, it breaks my heart to see the state it's in, hopefully they will fix it someday. There are plenty of alternatives though if that's your cup of tea. We used to go to Maidenhead but now use the Showcase in Winnersh. Will miss it when we move

[dollyollymolly]

Lots of work thanks to the industrial estate (largest in Europe I think) but it is a grey concrete jungle. Without meaning to offend, you'll be lucky to hear an English voice in the High Street nowadays.

Surrounding areas are pretty good; Burnham, Stoke Poges, Eton, Eton Wick, Datchet, Windsor, etc. If you go further out, you will find even nicer places. Be warned though, the traffic (especially onto the industrial estate) is a headache.

[CheerfullyIndifferent]

WhatIfWhatIf

[Buckslocal]

Well TBF i've never gone out in Slough for an evening, so can't comment.

Although I've been to some pubs in Langley, Burnham, Wexham, Stoke Poges, George Green, Farnham common, Taplow, Iver, found them all fine. Some nicer then others.

I'd say if you do seriously look at moving to slough or nearby area, then definitely talk to
LuxuryWoman2017 I don't live in Slough just visit it now and then.

[LuxuryWoman2017]

I've never ever felt on high alert in any pub here, besides which there are hardly any pubs left.
transport here is one thing that I can tell you is very good.

[GeekLove]

I'm not too bothered about it being urban or multicultural - I'm in Coventry now! I'm more concerned about ease of access, public transport, cost of living and at the risk of being a bit handwavy - atmosphere. As in I can go to the pub and not feel I have to be on high alert say.

[Lindy2]

My mum used to shop in Slough but hasn't for quite a while now. Her reasons were, bad traffic and its all a bit run down and dingy. There also used to be a tendency for large groups of people to loiter around the town centre. As a lady in her 70s she found the large groups staring at her as she walked by intimidating. That might not have been their intention but it didn't create a good atmosphere and she felt vulnerable. She now shops in Uxbridge which she finds modern, light and airy and with a much nicer atmosphere. She feels comfortable there. Both places are very multicultural so that isn't the issue.

[Buckslocal]

Slough is not as bad as it's reputation.

The main high street is like many other towns, nothing special a little run down in areas. I've never found the 'atmosphere' intimidating or anything else. There are parks in Slough, there are nice areas to live aswell as God awful ones.

Eton and Windsor is very close by and you can step over the county boarder and enjoy all that south bucks has to offer easily,

There are a lot big companies working out of slough too.

[LuxuryWoman2017]

Slough has 254 hectares of parkland, there are beautiful green spaces, and Black Park nearby on the way to Stoke Poges is stunning as is Langley Park, it's not all grey here.
The industrial estate has had a lot of money spent on it and more to come, the 'rest areas' with shops and trees and cafes will be very swish when finished.
The town centre is grim though, as are many high streets, full of pound shops and phone shops.

It is very diverse and that is one of the reasons I like it. There are some very pretty 'pockets' in Slough - The flats in Upton Park are very sought after. Houses around the town centre are nice Victorian terraces and town houses. It's pretty much like any outer London suburb.

[minijoeyjojo]

I live near Slough and it's a really useful place for DIY shops but I wouldn't want to live there. It doesn't seem to have any nice areas, no green space, everything looks a bit tired and its a whole lot of industrial estates (which are very useful!) However all of the surrounding villages are nice so you could live in one of those and commute into Slough easily. I love the area, I have the best of the countryside on my doorstep, yet it's only a 35 min drive to Westfield and London for shopping :)

[UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter]

It is very culturally diverse with a large Asian population, however so are many areas of reading so it's never bothered me.

[UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter]

It's just not pretty! It's very 70's type concrete town. Lots of grey concrete buildings.

It's very busy on the main road through.

It has a huge industrial estate. I attended uni (trained to be a midwife so no choice over uni as they covered both hospitals in my area) and it wasn't the nicest of atmosphere when you walked through the town centre (they had a fab Chinese buffet don't know if it's still there)

I think it has the same stigma as reading. Just a very grey uninspiring town. But the outskirts I'm sure are lovely as are readings.

It's easily commutable from reading to Slough. Especially if on the cemetery junction up to woodley and sonning side as straight down the a4 or onto the a329 and then the m4.

Outside of rush hour I can get to Slough from junction 10 on the m4 in 20 minutes.

The downside is it is the commuter belt so the m4 and. A4 are always jammed with London commuters.

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Sorry, pressed send too soon.

If that's the reason that people do not like it, then it's OK, I can live in a multi culturally diverse town :)

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Everyone is saying that it's awful without any real reasons why.

I wonder whether it's because that people do not like the ethnic mix but are too scared to say this?

[SorrelForbes]

It's really is awful. I was born in Slough, but luckily lived in Windsor! Two rather nicer areas to look at are Burnham and Stoke Poges.

[WhatIfWhatIf]

'Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough! It isn't fit for humans now...' - there you go, just for you, CheerfullyIndifferent!

Unhelpful though, sorry...

[GeekLove]

For me it would be the eye-watering cost of living and what you get in terms of housing for a huge amount of money.

[peteneras]

Yes, what's wrong with Slough . . . somebody please enlighten me.

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Why is it so bad? What's wrong with Slough?

[ladygrinnings0ul]

My aunt & uncle live in Burnham ( one stop on the train from Slough) but it's sort of classed as Slough it has a cute little high street nice village vibe and just by the huge trading estate.Slough itself sadly is awful and they never go in unless absolutely unavoidable they shop in Reading or Windsor.

[LuxuryWoman2017]

I have mixed feelings as a resident, it's great for transport links, very good schools, close to Windsor and some areas are really nice. There is beautiful parkland and lots of things for families. Plus you are close to Legoland if you have kids.
I believe there is a lot of potential here, a great deal of money is to be invested in town and there are a lot of people coming in from London to buy as they can't afford the London prices but with Crossrail it soon will be part of London basically.
House prices continue to rise here and there is a lot of building going on and it is smartening up a bit.
It's also a very friendly town. There are a lot of major companies here, it's a fairly rich town with dodgy areas you would never need to visit, it's big.

I know this area inside out so if you see a potential house I can tell you about the area.

[TheNaze73]

The nice bit of Slough is Windsor....

I have to go there for work sometimes & I wouldn't choose to live in Slough.

Stoke Poges was nice though & not that far away

[GeekLove]

hmmm. It seems that my pessimism is based in fact.
On a tangent it seems that everybody else is more optimistic about my jobseeking than I am. They are not those who are seeking jobs.