Moving to Reading

[raspberry78]

Hi,
My family and o are looking at moving to Reading.
I have three young children aged 1, 6 and 9.
I would be grateful for any advice on family friendly areas near to good schools- I've been to Reading for shopping and IKEA but that's about the extent of my knowledge!
Ideally quite near a station as my husband commutes to London part of the week.
Thanks in advance for any advice

What's your budget? Makes a lot of difference!

And where in London does he commute to? Depending on where in Reading/surroundings you can get trains to Paddington or Waterloo, slower line but quicker door to door if based in the City

Period property or newish house? State or private schools?

The main Reading station can be accessed via bus/ cycle or 25mins walk from either Caversham to the North of town or Earley/the University area to the East of town. These would be the areas that I'd look at, depending on the budget.

Further afield, there is Earley or Winnersh stations (Waterloo line) to the East depending on how far out of town you want to be.

Tilehurst, Pangbourne or Goring & Streatley to the west, change at Reading for fast trains into Paddington.

Twyford is a few miles east of Central Reading, property may be cheaper but fewer secondary state school choices. Trains into Paddington.

Depends where he's commuting too in London really. I'd recommend Wokingham as it's really family friendly and great schools and about 15-20 minutes drive to Reading. Twyford is about 15 minutes drive north of Wokingham and on the crossrail line so great for Paddington/kings X and farringdon.

@MrsJamin

What's your budget? Makes a lot of difference!

Between £550-600k but could possibly push it for the right place depending on what we get for ours?

@Defiantly41

And where in London does he commute to? Depending on where in Reading/surroundings you can get trains to Paddington or Waterloo, slower line but quicker door to door if based in the City

Nearest train station would be Farringdon- thank you!

@TottiePlantagenet

Period property or newish house? State or private schools?

The main Reading station can be accessed via bus/ cycle or 25mins walk from either Caversham to the North of town or Earley/the University area to the East of town. These would be the areas that I'd look at, depending on the budget.

Further afield, there is Earley or Winnersh stations (Waterloo line) to the East depending on how far out of town you want to be.

Tilehurst, Pangbourne or Goring & Streatley to the west, change at Reading for fast trains into Paddington.

Twyford is a few miles east of Central Reading, property may be cheaper but fewer secondary state school choices. Trains into Paddington.

Not overly fussed about the style of the house as long as it's in a safe area. Schools I'm looking at state only. Thanks in advance!

Caversham is a good walk to the station, but to get decent parking you might need to go to a 20 -25 min walk. I’m ok with that though and there’s a station entrance with the London platforms being convenient.

As others have said the uni area is nice, the conservation area bit. Tilehurst has some nice areas too, especially quite close to the station.

I don’t know about schools I’m afraid!

If it's Farringdon then I would consider Wokingham then which is a short drive to Twyford and much cheaper than Reading into Paddington at the moment. Schools are good and has a family friendly feel compared to Reading. It might not be for you but worth a look based on your budget.

Thank you everyone, it's really helpful. So much to consider!

University area, walking distance to 4 primaries (within 20 mins, 3 good ones), walking distance to 2 state secondaries and within priority catchment for the grammar schools if that interests you. Easy walk into town, local shops and a park, university campus for walks and amenities. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118592096#/?channel=RES_BUY

University area again, but on a main road (different school catchments from that first property though), cheaper. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115017389#/?channel=RES_BUY

Closer to town centre, no idea about school catchments here. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116228474#/?channel=RES_BUY

I'd never live in the uni area again, smells of weed and has raucous students well into the night for the majority of the year.
I'd consider Tilehurst as your budget for a house for three children won't go that far in Caversham. E.g. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/119109167 or www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118807217 really near Tilehurst station
Or in a quieter bit of west Reading www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116881973

Worth looking at Wokingham as pp said.

Schools are good, both primary and secondary and choice of train to Waterloo or drive to Twyford to get train to Paddington.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116157026#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/82883283#/?channel=RES_BUY

Couple of examples

If you can stretch just over £600 there are lots of 4 bed detached on Rightmove

I'd definitely pick Wokingham over Reading. If you're near the station you can get to Reading for the shopping and facilities in no time, but with all the benefits of living in a very family friendly and quiet town. The schools are really good too.

or, curveball

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/82976559

10 minute walk to the station, 43 minutes to town

quicker than from Wokingham

this is quite a useful website though www.commutefrom.com/

[quote TottiePlantagenet]University area again, but on a main road (different school catchments from that first property though), cheaper. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115017389#/?channel=RES_BUY

Closer to town centre, no idea about school catchments here. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116228474#/?channel=RES_BUY[/quote]
Avoid the first one, those houses suffer with subsidence. The second one is my old house!!

I’d agree with the university area as we’ve always lived there and love it and I commute to London. You need to avoid the roads with lots of student properties on there though as it can be noisy.

Ladygrove in Didcot is really not a good option, or comparable to Woky or Reading! Also the train service isn't that good anymore

Didcot is bleak, no way I'd live there. Used to work nearby at Milton Park and that was bad enough.

Caversham without a doubt but houses are snapped up very quickly.

Love caversham. It's such a lovely place for families and depending on where you stay, you could walk to the station or bike to the station. I know few people who take the bus - but you have to time that right to be able to avoid the traffic.
Your budget will get you a good house in a nice area. Caversham heights is excellent- so leafy and spacious. The Heights is an outstanding state school and has just moved to a brand new building. For secondary school, you have High down which is rated good. But you will also be in the catchment for the two grammar schools which rate in the top 10 in the country- very competitive to get in though.

Thanks so much everyone, I appreciate it!