Places to live around Swindon

[mumtosanda]

Hi, I am new here. I have a question about living in or around Swindon. DH has got a good opportunity to work in great western hospital Swindon. He wants to move, but we are really not sure as the google search is giving us very different opinions about the place, some being calling it a shithole to live and some saying not that bad of a place, we're really confused. Can someone help please.
I would add a little background and wishlist here; we have 2 children. DD is in year 8 and DS in year 3, both go to independent school in Cardiff. We currently live in a 5 bed detached house at a great location in Cardiff. Both children are into sports and music as well as very good in academics and aspire to have the best careers, in their respective fields. We would love to live in or around 30 min drive (any direction whatsoever) of great western hospital as DH has no problems in driving to work. However great schools and a lovely house is a priority. Somewhere where we can have an easy access to library (still a bit old school here) gym or recreational centre, and good supermarket and other shopping areas etc. We are more of a city lovers and are not very fond of living in a countryside but a shortl commute should be fine. Budget for house is about over half a million (preffarbly 5 bed detached) but can expand if kids can get into great state schools. Requirement for school is not necessarily an 1 ofsted rating due to good results but an overall feel of school with great environment and good mix of children is also crucial. Please suggest areas so we can explore it throughly. We are open to any other ideas.
I hope to get some answers soon. Thank you.

Marlborough. Although although you might need to stretch your budget for a 5 bed detached. St. John’s is very highly regarded. Has a library, Waitrose, small Tesco. The leisure centre is a bit shit but offers the basics. It’s not exactly vibrant but is very popular with people moving for a “country life”. Traffic / parking is legendarily awful.

Swindon’s not so bad. The town centre is awful but parts aren’t completely devoid of character or charm. Look at old town or the new developments in the north

For a school. Theres the mentioned one in Marlborough, Cricklade has prior Park prepand there's Rencombe college outside Cirencester.

I'm not sure there's anywhere within a sensible commute that will give you city living - Bath/Bristol doable but 1hr 30 ish depending on where I think.

Marlborough is nice, as is Cirencester - both big towns, think Marlborough slightly bigger though. I know Cirencester better, decent high street/town centre, schools all fine I think and nearby private schools if you don't want state. Has a library and several gyms and a small shopping area but Swindon/Cheltenham/Bristol not far for weekends..:

Royal Wootton Bassett is nice, with an excellent school and a nice small town community feel.
Marlborough and Cirencester also nice but more expensive.

As others have said, Swindon town centre hasn't got much going for it, but there are lovely places to live in and around the town, and everywhere is close to the M4 so Bristol, Bath, London, Cardiff, Oxford etc are all easy to get to.

I'm from S Wales too. The thing I miss most is being with 30 mins drive from the sea.