Where to live near Reading????

[Energetictriangle123]

I've recently found out that the job role I am taking is based in the centre of Reading. I'm currently Swindon-based and have no idea of the local area. I would like to live within approximately a 30-minute commute (walk/ cycle/ public transport/ drive) as I will be working shifts, including nights (I'm happy my commute to be a little longer for the right place). Do you have any suggestions, please?

If it helps, I'm not your typical 30-year-old - I need countryside and city-bustle in equal measure; I don't drink and enjoy cosy nights in playing board games/ watching films with friends; I enjoy countryside walking and running; I am happy to try new hobbies; and I'm an amateur musician. I need somewhere where I can make friends, as I only have few close friends (due to previous divorce) and they are dotted around the country. I'll be on approximately £26000/year, so my budget is small, but I'm happy to rent a room in a shared house to keep costs down.

Thank you in advance for your help! :)

Caversham or Sonning might fit the bill. Probably depends on where in Reading you are working.

Swindon should be commutable to Reading though (and cheaper!).

Bracknell is close to forest walks and the great park. Used to be relatively cheap for the area.

Maybe check out Earley and other areas around the university? Given the cost of train tickets I'd avoid another town so you can take a local bus or walk, otherwise Wokingham is nice although people say has become a lot more crowded and traffic is bad since I lived there

Quite a lot of young professionals live up the Oxford Road. It's not quiet and peaceful but would work for your commute and is easy to get out of town on the buses or just walk to the Thames and go from there.

I agree with Caversham in Reading, it’s close to lots of nice countryside in Oxfordshire but many roads also walkable to Reading train station.

Other nice areas close to Reading are Twyford & Wokingham.

Twyford, Caversham, Wokingham are good options. If you wanted a bit more of a rural feel, you could go further out to Pangbourne, Goring-on-Thames etc.

Sonning Common - not Sonning , might be a possibility. It is a quick drive or bus into Reading but is very much an Oxfordshire village.
I don't know about the rental market there but do have a look.

I think Twyford could suit you well.

I'm in Newbury and love it here, moved here when I was 30. It's 20-30 mins on the train to Reading. Town with plenty happening eg the Corn Exchange, community events, choirs, orchestras, churches, shops. But also lovely walks along the canal, in the countryside, up to Donnington Castle. I know it's not the cheapest area but it is lovely!

I was in the same position as you OP. We moved to Newbury. Never regretted it.

I hope they have plenty of money!

£26k a year won’t go very far in most of the areas being suggested. I’d look at living as close to your work as possible in central Reading and using the money you save on rent and transport to get out of Reading in your down time.

Ignore this. The Oxford Road is a shithole.

It's not a total shithole. But frankly, someone on a low salary wanting to walk into Reading hasn't a lot of choice. And lots of young professionals do live there.

From town to West Reading bridge is ok. From the bridge to Norcot Road roundabout is so depressing. I’m not denying young professionals live there, but there are less worse options.

Newbury? About 20/30 minutes on the train. I lived there in my early/mid-20s and it was a lovely town. Lots of culture, a bustling music scene and good shopping and countryside. Good transport links out by road as well. The A34 is right there, and the M4 is close by.
Like you, I'm a bit of a lone wolf, and was very happy with my single quiet life there!

Agree with this, swinley forest in Bracknell has lovely walks. Easy access to other towns but Bracknell town centre is also much improved vs recent years. It's much more reasonable than other towns.

Also some lovely friendly running clubs in Bracknell and cycle paths everywhere.

I come from South London which is pretty tough in parts but I wouldn't walk down the Oxford Road in Reading at night.

Some (nb "some") of the side roads are OK and there are some lovely period houses but I'd only go there as a last resort.

Yeah avoid Oxford road @Energetictriangle123 !

Newbury is also my suggestion. Market town which due to the canal has countryside walks right from the town centre. Great transport links to Reading and elsewhere.
Theatres, cinemas and shops. I rarely go to Reading or Basingstoke for leisure.

I rented a room off the Oxford Rd when I was young (that was mid nineties but even then had a reputation although may have got worse), never had any trouble. Tilehurst was always nicer but still quite cheap. I also rented around cemetery Junction which is easy to get into town from. Bought my first house in Calcot which has good buses and near big sainsburys/ikea. Later on owned a house in Earley for many years which I agree is expensive.

You could also look at Cemetery Junction/New town area and/or the University area in east Reading.

Both are quieter than Oxford Road and cheaper than Caversham and Twyford and surrounding areas.

Both are walkable to town centre. New town is close to lovely open area by Thames for walking. University area is close to University that has lovely grounds and a lake.

Cemetery Junction maybe. Not sure the OP's budget will get anything worth having near the University.

Thank you for all of your answers - they're super helpful! :)

Quick question: Is there lots to do in Reading? (i.e., different hobbies such as sports, music activities etc)