Potential move to Maidenhead from London

[LondonFoodie61]

Hi,

We are considering moving to Maidenhead from London to be closer to family.

We have an 18 month old, so being near a good school is a priority as well as having a quick commute to London as my partner and I are both working. So Maidenhead is ticking all the boxes.

Interested to know what Maidenhead is like to live in as an area? We are looking at the Boyn Hill area so we can walk to the station. Is there a community feel? Are people friendly?

I haven't read great reviews about Maidenhead so nervous to make the move!

When we visited we loved the area by the Coppa Club so we did get a good feel for what might be to come with the regeneration.

We are currently living near Crystal Palace where there is so much going on for young families, this is important to have in thr next place we live. Are there many baby classes and socials to go to with young children?

Thanks in advance!

I used to work in Maidenhead and tbh I thought it was a dump. Twyford is much nicer, or Wokingham.

We used to think the same as Twiglets1 about Maidenhead (we lived in Zone 2 London for many years), but we have moved here due to having the best of both worlds, proximity to London yet surrounded by rural life just around the corner.

Now we wish we should have moved here earlier! It's currently undergoing a transformation with extensive development which brings new restaurants, shops and facilities. It will take 6+ months for you to see the difference, but each month you see a new place in town. There's also numerous activities for babies and kids and to everyone's liking all close by. People are friendly and it feels like an extension of London (but with the benefit of buying a detached house with a medium-sized garden as opposed to a small terraced in Zone 2-3 London).

Some good private primary schools around the area include Lambrook, Dolphin and St Piran's. Have a look!

Appreciate this post is over a year old, but we're moving from Peckham to Maidenhead tomorrow, with a 2.5 year old (hence Googling) and I was interested to know @LondonFoodie61 if you made the move? Apprehensive about the move having lived in London for 22 years, but it's nearer family, our daughter is our sole child and we want her to have those bonds (we are older parents), so we're doing it!

@Summertime2025 would also love to hear any advice for a leaving Londoner!

Good decision and good luck with the move today! I hope all goes as smoothly as possible. We too have family which makes all the difference.
You are never far from London, so it may help with the transition- we still love going into central London and we found it just as quick as when we lived in Wimbledon.
Don't forget to get your Advantage card as soon as possible (I could have saved quite a bit!) including one for your daughter. This gives you free entry to Windsor Castle and other offers.
Sorry, I don't know much about fun toddler places, but you may like Ray Mill Island, Braywick Nature Reserve, Braywick Leisure Centre (Advantage card), Norden Farm, Stubbings Plant Nursery, Animal Rangers (family farm day in Holyport), Copas Farm and there's always Windsor not far. Good kid-friendly cafes/ restaurants in town include Bombay Story, Pizza Express, Coppa Club, Bakedd Artisan and there's also the best bakery, Big Dog, if you're near there. For special occasions, there's The Boathouse and restaurants in Cliveden and Monkey Island Estate. Also, we recently discovered Bishop Centre in Taplow which is handy for some shops. Best of luck!

Good luck @Brightside77! We moved to Maidenhead when our eldest DC was a toddler (from S London), and had a very happy 8 years there.
Lots to do with little people, good school communities, and all the things @Summertime2025 lists!

Hi. I know its an old post but wanted to ask...

We are putting our house on the market in London after Christmas and am starting search around relocating to Maidenhead.
DS is in specialist secondary near railway station, need to find mainstream secondary for DD with good pastoral care. Viewed Altwood and seems a caring and nurturing school. Also DH and myself need to commute into London so max 30 min walk to station. Also, budget is £650-700k for 3 bedroom. Altwood area has houses in that region. Would people prefer Furze Platt area? Would be good to find semi at least as DS is autistic and can be loud in the garden so will need understanding neighbours, but suppose this will come down to luck!
Thanks so much!