St Johns Street Reading Berkshire

[AlexanderKatie]

We are looking to buy a house in St Johns Street Reading but don't know the area. We currently live overseas. St Johns Street is in the centre of Reading in a conservation area - really beautiful house and renovation project. Does anyone know of this street / area? We have a 3 year old that will need schooling in catchment area and from what I can see some very good state schools close. Is this correct? Would appreciate any feedback. Thank you Katie

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/compare-schools?for=primary

www.police.uk/thames-valley/N464/performance/compare-your-area/

I don't know the area personally. However, from the government websites above, you can see that:

1. There are 2 selective grammar schools that are amazing but the comp is average. Not a single primary is in line with the national average or above.
2. Crime rates are in line with 'similar areas' but actually high - considerably above the national average.

Traffic in that part of Reading is horrendous for large parts of the day and you are close to the RBH where parking is a premium and this toppled over into the local streets.
It is a very patchy area you rapidly switch from nice a leafy to a bit seedy as you head to Palmer park and then back into leafy again.
Do you actually want to be in Reading for a particular reason?

The Retreat is great But parking is crap. I have a friend who lives there and loves it, it's right near town and all that it offers. Childless and carless though.

You couldn't pay me to live there. You're between the A4 and Queens road, both of which are stationary for at least 2 hours a day. You're in between student halls and town centre. You're a decent walk to any parks for your child.... Not for me. Kendrick is a ballache to get in to as well if that's the school you had in mind

Yep, nightmare location unless you're young, carless and want to be that close to town.

Sorry - I wouldn't fancy it either. Traffic pretty horrendous and there's some really grim areas in Reading. What about places nearby - Earley, Sonning, Caversham, Twyford?!

Caversham is lovely. A village/small town feel, gorgeous walks by the river and it's a quick, easy and pretty walk or cycle ride to the station. Moved here from London 10 years ago and I can see myself being here for a long, long time.

Oh, and lots from Caversham go to Kendrick, but the local comp (Highdown) is good.

Caversham also has loads of great primary options.