Chippenham & Swindon Areas

loveandlight

Anyone know where the good areas are to live around Swindon and Chippenham? We're thinking about renting in either of those areas as the rents seem to be more affordable than further down the M4 towards Reading etc. I know Reading and Berkshire very well but not much about Swindon and Chippenham.

Thanks for any replies.

tbs624

Have a look at Calne if you are not totally reliant on public transport

Gingernutmeg

Old Town is considered to be the nicest part of Swindon and generally the rents are highest there. There are some lovely houses up around the Old Town gardens, although parking can be an issue as some streets are permit only. Old Town's handy too if you're likely to be needing the M4 regularly. In general, people say to avoid the P's in Swindon, and if you say that to letting/estate agents they generally know what you mean - it's areas like Park North, Park South, Pinehurst and Penhill.

North Swindon is quite nice but it's mainly new builds, but it's handy for the Orbital centre, Motorola and the A419 to Cirencester. West Swindon seems to be more 'older' new builds - not unpleasant but a bit bland.

If you want to be a bit more 'villagey' then there's places like Purton and Wroughton, both are nice and both are close to Swindon.

I don't know much about Chippenham but I've been there a few times and it seems very quiet and a little bit dead - if jobs and public transport are going to be important to you then I think Swindon might be a better option.

If you are looking to rent then the local paper (Swindon Star) comes out on a Thursday and has lots of private rents in the back. There are LOTS of letting agents in Swindon (over 40) but there are a few who aren't brilliant and who I certainly wouldn't recommend so do be careful.

simonts

Post above about not living anywhere beginning with a P in Swindon is correct, Also apply that to a half mile near a P for crime spread

If your going to let use an agent that is part of ARLA

lindsaygalaxy

I wouldnt recommend anywhere near the football ground!

lyndasharp

:hello:to all the other Swindon people!

Wroughton is expensive compared to the rest of Swindon - but nice. Agreed about the P areas, also avoid Toothill and The Holbeins area of Grange Park - though the rest of Grange Park is lovely. I've recently moved to Freshbrook and it's a fantastic and friendly community, easy M4 access, also rents are very reasonable round here, so I would certainly recommend it! I was told to steer clear of Purton, knew someone who lived there for a while and he said the locals were very much 'local', and weren't too friendly to strangers...

I think Wootton Basset is decent too, but have only driven through it!

Catti

I commute from Swindon to Berkshire - I selected a location quite close to Junction 16 so that I could access the M4 easily. Knew very little about the location when I moved here but absolutely love it!

loveandlight

Thanks for all your input guys. We have decided to live in Chippenham as the schools seem really good there and we liked the place a lot when we visited a couple of days ago. We also like the fact we can go to Swindon, Bath or Bristol for shopping etc. Thanks once again.

the_stan

Looks like I have arrived a bit late to advise you if you have made up your mind about Chippenham. I live there. If you are looking to rent....
Cepn Park North and Cepn Park South both have easy access to the motorway and ring road, though they look to be a bit bland and soulless to me. The Pewsham estate has a lot of places for rent all the time and looks quite nice, though local shops are quite limited and the traffic to the motorway at rush hour can be horrendous. I live on the west side where rents are affordable and it is quite peaceful. It is a lot closer to the motorway and there is quite a lot of choice as Chippenham is a buy-to-let paradise. I would avoid the Redlands area for living in, though there is a good nursery there if you have children of such an age. Access to secondary schools is easy too....anywhere off Hungerdown lane gives easy access to schools in walking distance. You have probably already seen the centre of town. It is reasonably small, though there are two shopping arcades and the usual collection of 'anytown' shops. Monkton park is quite nice for a walk in the summer and it is central. The town centre can be a bit rough at night.