Aylesbury?

[fingerscrossed4this]

Hi,

We are considering moving to Aylesbury, specifically the Kingsbrook development. Mainly because of the access to good secondary and grammar schools and it being not as expensive as the rest of Buckinghamshire. Any comments on the area? I looked through old posts but couldn't see anything from the last couple of years. Thanks!

Anyone?

I went to school there about 15 yrs ago so not sure how valid my opinion is now. But it was a bit of a shit hole.

My ex lived in Aylesbury and I always thought it was a bit of a dump when I visited.

I have family who live near aylesbury. The schools aren't great at all if you don't get into a grammar school. It's a bit if a crap hole tbh.

Oh. Well that's that then! Sigh

Where are you moving from? Kingsbrook is quite nice and will be developing over the upcoming years with its own schools.

Whilst it’s not the greatest of places to live, it’s what surrounds it that is great. A few minutes and you’re in the countryside or Chiltern hills. If I could afford it I’d be inclined to look at a surrounding village of which there are plenty. As for Aylesbury itself, Broughton, Bierton Park (or Bierton itself), Cumberland Park, Kingsbrook, some of Watermead or some of Bedgrove would be my pick.

My favourite road is Northumberland Avenue though. Prices are very high there though and rarely come up.

I grew up in one of the villages outside Aylesbury and my DM still lives in the same village. I think I’d describe Aylesbury as “functional”. It’s not pretty or terribly exciting, and I agree with PPs that it’s a bit of a dump, but then so many UK market towns are. Where I live now (100 miles away from Aylesbury) is also a bit of a dump in places but we love living here.

I went to one of the grammar schools (albeit 25 years ago) and it was a superb school. All of the grammars had great reputations. The non grammars had pretty bad reputations. As far as I’m aware, things haven’t changed much. The John Colet in Wendover has always had a good reputation as a non grammar though.

The only secondary school I’ve heard good things about is the Catholic one St Michaels. Think it’s only been open about 3 years.
The town centre isn’t up to much but that’s the same for most town centres.
The countryside is lovely though.

@NewPapaGuinea I would be moving from Basingstoke(nowhere special). No great secondary schools here plus I no longer need to commute into central london that often. Ideally, I'd love to move the middle of nowhere with amazing views but unfortunately life doesn't work that way!

Thank you all for the responses. It's given me enough to consider.

@NewPapaGuinea you mentioned the nice surrounding villages. Could you name a few please?

I’ve lived in the Aylesbury area all my life. Bucks born and bred.

Aylesbury is relatively cheap when compared to villages and small towns. That’s why it’s expanding and popular. Money goes further. There are no desirable roads when you compare with Thame or Tring. The town does have a theatre and a Waitrose. Still got an M&S. The grammar schools are outstanding, the secondary moderns are frequently RI. Many primaries are good.

Better locations are: Winslow,(Freemantle sec) Wing (Cottesloe sec), Wendover (John Colet) Haddenham snd Thame (Lord Williams) Princes Risborough (secondary school iffy) and all the villages around!

For the best secondary modern (non grammar - just in case) look at Waddesdon and Quainton near Aylesbury because their secondary school is Waddesdon CofE. It’s exceptionally good and very highly rated by parents. Live in catchment though because it’s tiny! They mostly select by religion. Living in Aylesbury is no good!

Thame, Wendover, Tring or Waddesdon are top Picks for non grammar schools but I think all could possibly access Aylesbury grammars.

The best areas of Aylesbury are Bedgrove, Broughton, Elm Farm, or Turnfurlong. South Aylesbury is considered more desirable.

@fingerscrossed4this Aston Abbotts, Whitchurch, Hardwick, Wingrave, Haddenham, Weston Turville off the top of my head. Tring is defo worth looking at if your budget allows. Aldbury near Tring is also lovely, but very expensive.

Have a look at Buckingham too - slightly more expensive, but excellent access to M1/M40 and MK train station (Euston 35 mins) is 20 mins drive if you commute.

There's a new development there if you're looking for new (St Rumbolds) - plus still in 11plus area for grammar school (Royal Latin). And there's a Waitrose

Good advice here. Aylesbury itself isn’t lovely but has good amenities. Villages around are much nicer: waddesdon, Haddenham, long Crendon are all v nice (but more expensive)

Yes absolutely. Great advice. Thank you to all who have responded. I've spent all my free time the last few days on Rightmove and zoopla! 🙈

We moved from Aylesbury back to Norfolk 15 years ago. The 7 years I spent in Aylesbury was fine, Dd went to primary school there.
It was really handy for the countryside and if I wanted better shopping Milton Keynes was only 30mins away.
How often do you need to go to London?
Have a look at Diss and the surrounding villages it's only an hour and a half into Liverpool Street