high wycombe relocation

[manitz]

hi can anyone let me know what is around brands hill avenue? schools, travel to london commute, and socially. anything about the area really. thanks

Greetings from High Wycombe!
I live nearish to Brands Hill - came here 4 years ago and now have 2 DC at pre-school age.

Commute to london is pretty good - popular town for that! Straight into Marylebone from the station in the town centre...about 40mins.

Are you looking at Primary or next stage? It's an 11+ county so it's a bit of a fight for primarys I'm afraid. Near you would be Widmer End primary or Great Kingshill C of E. You'd need to check with the school to see what the policy is as most of the church schools are strict on the whole 2yr attendance at designated churches etc etc...although the more rural ones are more lax. Best thing is to find out what the catchment school is first then look at the others.

If I'm honest - it's an 'odd' place! There are some lovely parts with amazing properties and you're in rural villages within no time...but the town itself suffers from some areas of extreme poverty and it has been described on here by other MNetters as a sh*t hole

It's got better since the Eden centre arrived...now at least there is a chance to eat something other than a burger from a Chicken Cottage!

Socially - well, apart from kiddie/mummy friends I've no idea! There is a good theatre (swan) and the town hall with a great comedy club. There are Cinemas and bowling and plenty for kids by way of clubs/theatre dance stuff etc etc.

If you want anymore specifics then let me know.

My mum lives in BHA - it is close to the Royal Grammar School - if your kids are secondary - very good school.

I should mention that there is planning permission to built ALOT of houses next to BHA and not sure the traffic will be able to cope - it can already be a bit jammed in the mornings as I drive up that way to work. Hopefully with the recession it might be put off a bit. It isnt far from Amersham Hill bus routes and a reasonable walk to the station if you don't mind hills.

Mum often pops up to Hazelmere for basic shopping/ curry meals etc - there is a nice parade with a co-op, toy shop, butchers.

My mum has been there 12 years and has been very happy.

Just occurred to me that you might actually be thinking of relocating to the new development I mention so sorry if put you off with my traffic comments :-)

hello, thank you both for your messages. i'm afraid I don't get on here much so have just caught up with them, am not ignoring your help!

We are in quite a quandry but I think we have written off hw, mainly because it means taking us further away from family plus adding time to both our commutes so less time with the kids without the back up so, despite the fact that the house i saw had a fantastic garden we wouldn't get to enjoy it

as it is, coming back to your comments has given me food for thought. it is a dream house so we may end up going round the circle.

thanks again.