Thame/Princess Risborough/Aylesbury

[HepLaurenceLB]

We are currently relocating. We have 3 small children so primary and secondary is very important to us. We would ideally like Grammars but think we have been priced out of many Grammar areas.
Of Thame/Princess Risborough or Aylesbury. Which would be the nicest place to live? We don’t need to commute anywhere but I don’t drive which is problematic.
Any help appreciated.

Thame is very nice and has long high street, so would cater for a non-driver. I have never been to Princes Risborough but would definitely choose Thame over Aylesbury. Aylesbury is quite busy and would present more challenges to access shops etc without a car. Thame feels like it would have a stronger community feel

Thame is lovely, great for kids. Nice town feel, local shops, community etc. Lord Bills secondary school is outstanding. Would definitely recommend over Aylesbury. Property is pricey accordingly though.

Not Aylesbury

Princes Risborough is lovely, I'd look around there. If you can stretch to Speen, that's worth a look too.

If you can afford it, Thame. You'll get more for your money in Aylesbury housewise but both Aylesbury and PR are in Bucks which is a full grammar/secondary modern county. Aylesbury is a big town with all the associated amenities but also the associated traffic, particularly at rush hour and school times. Thame and PR are smaller market towns with much more of a community feel.

Don't make the common mistake of thinking that secondary moderns are the same as comprehensives (which cater to all abilities). Essentially they are like comprehensives but with the most able 1/3 removed. Some deal with this better than others.

Thame is in Oxon which only has comprehensives and Lord Williams in Thame is a great school. Thame is also well within the distance criteria (currently) for out of catchment places for the Aylesbury grammars. Vast majority (90-95% ish) of Thame kids go to Lord Williams, the others to grammars in Aylesbury or private.

3 lovely primaries in Thame, you can't really go wrong with any of them. Lots going on for families, nice high street, plenty of countryside within walking distance, train station 5mins drive away in haddenham. PR is not dissimilar in terms of size, community feel and amenities but I think Thame wins on secondary schools and the high street.

Ah, I missed the bit about you not driving. If you're happy to rely on buses to get about Aylesbury, that's fine but it is pretty big, too far to walk from one side to the other. Or do your shopping and carry it home unless you live really near the centre.

Thame and PR everywhere is within walking distance. Thame has buses every 30 mins or so to Aylesbury (also stops at haddenham for the train) and Oxford and less frequently to Wycombe. PR had regular buses to Aylesbury and Wycombe, I'm not sure about other places.

If you don't drive, I would discount smaller surrounding villages.

In your position as a non driver I'd go for Thame, although even there you'll probably find it annoying not being able to drive to places. Also it's in Oxfordshire and so no grammars (a good thing in my view). In Buckinghamshire you really have to consider what you'd do if your dc fail the 11+.

Definitely Thame.

Non driver?
Aylesbury

Otherwise
Thame