Why the snootiness about Staines-upon-Thames?

[FortunesFavour]

Hi All

I’m considering moving to Staines upon Thames - moving out of small London flat, desperate for a garden etc.

I’m a bit baffled by most people’s response -generally along the lines of “ew no, not Staines”.

I don’t understand where this is coming from. To me it seems like a bustly town, good transport links, pretty river, modern shopping centre. I really like it. What am I missing?!!

Is it just the old Ali G association? I thought that was ironic, ie he and mejulie had naff all to do in a quiet town. Am I wrong, is it in fact choc full of wannabe gangsters hanging out by the town hall?!

Any experiences of living in Staines welcome, plus of course anyone who can shed light on Staines’ dirty little secret that causes people to sneer as they do? Personally I think it’s snobbishness and Ali G misunderstandings, but am ready to be corrected.

Thanking you!

I lived in Gresham road for 3 years! Also by Knowle Green for 5 years. Everything @MsLumley says is correct. Like any area it has its good and bad points. Be aware it's in a flood zone and got hit with the bad floods a few years back. Personally I loved living there.

I live near Staines (refuse to call it Staines upon Thames 😁). It's not a bad place to live, proper market two days a week, still got a busy high street, nice walks on the river and good train link to London. It's not remarkable or beautiful but there really isn't anything wrong with it.
Used to live in Slough - now that was a shit hole.

I think there are several places which people who have never visited or lived there, are dismissive of.

I lived in Staines for 10 years and really liked it. Decent enough shops and plenty of parking.

It does make me hoot that it's now called Staines-upon-Thames though. I don't think I could utter those words without laughing.

Visit it on a Sunday afternoon. Lots of door security on all cafes, eateries etc. Because the local community comes out in force.
The shopping centre like most is very run down.

Bollocks

Agree - I really don't recognise this description of Staines at all.

From the pictures it looks like Stoke on Trent

Thanks everyone for your comments. Since starting this thread I decided to give Staines a chance….. I really like it. It’s got a modern shopping centre, Saturday market, excellent travel links and a friendly vibe. I will keep an eye out for flooding risks when I look to buy though, thank you for the tip.

So my conclusion is that Staines snootiness is unwarranted as it’s a nice little place. Keep it to yourselves though or everyone will want to move here!

A happy ending!

Indeed. Big up the Staines massive!

OP

Take financial advantage of other people's snobbinshness by getting a good deal on a nice property that others are too squeamish to offer on because of a TV character in a yellow shellsuit.

Good luck

Local lad Iain Lee used to script write for Ali G, hence the Staines Massive, Langley Rec, the local Beefeater & Harvester pub references.....It was the safe, hard working, stable areas that got bigged up for gangster living.

We always thought on the rebrand they'd go for St Aines.

I think it's fine. I live next to it, and drive past on my way to work. Many of ds2's school friends live there. My lot go to Thorpe park all the time, especially for fright nights.

Isn't Iain Lee from Upton-cum-Chalvey?
Best thing about Staines is the Roni Hair salon. The man's a genius and can cut wavy and curly hair.
Egham used to be lovely, then all the little shops suffered because of Tesco, and yes, the Sam Beare bookshop is great.

and yes, the Sam Beare bookshop is great.
Couldn't agree more - brilliant shop.

i think the name doesn't help. even with upon thames added, it still sounds unpleasant.

@alexdgr8 , i think the name is from the old english for 'stones'.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats , I like going to Egham. I park at Waitrose, go to the bookshop and the other charity shops, then buy my groceries. I'm easily pleased.

Are we the same person? 🤣

I think so but I've only got one cat.

I live nearby and work even closer. I love shopping or eating out in Staines. The cinema is also good.

Saturday afternoons are a bit nightmarish to get in and out of the Two Rivers car park and whoever did the town planning for the centre and the A30 roundabout needs to rethink their job imho!

But, Lamas Park is nice also despite the parking not being free. My kids loved the spray park when they were younger.

I did suggest moving here a few years ago, but we didn't for 2 main reasons (1) the high flood risk and (2) the secondary schools. Would much rather shop here than overcrowded Kingston anyday though.

@KirstenBlest at my best imaginery show biz party me, Iain Lee, Jimmy Carr, Ricky Gervais's wife and Greg Davies go Alan Partridge Rogue and tear apart all the unpleasant tv execs from Eton.
I have beef and need local back up.

I consider Staines to be a shit hole

A friend of mine lives in a part of Staines quite close to the river and I've always really liked the vibe, almost like being in a rural village. On the flip side my ex worked in central Staines in the 90s and the centre didn't feel very 'atmospheric' then (may have changed since, dunno) but I guess it's like anywhere else, nice parts and less nice parts.