Reading vs Surrey

brasso

lush_walrus wrote: »

Unless I am missing something, aren't all of your examples actually cities, rather than towns? 66 cities, then 21 towns, sorry but Reading is pretty small in comparison to quite a few places I can think of...Including all of your examples which far outstretch Readings size!

Anyway, this can really go on forever! But, try one of the other 20 towns above Reading, and I am pretty sure you will find they are not any better serviced than Reading. And given it's close proximity to London and it's large commuting population who make the most of London for their entertainment, I think Reading is doing fine....BUT, if you do live in Reading I am sure you have already heard about the fact that a new out of town theatre/venue is being planned, so you might just get more of what you are looking for.

Good news about the new venue, thanks -- I hadn't heard that.

Didn't quite follow the point about cities and towns. Reading is the 21st biggest place in the UK according to http://www.lovemytown.co.uk/Populations/TownsTable1.htm , regardless of town/city status. My point is that you would tend to think that the higher the population, the more happenings of one sort or another you'd expect. Reading has a bigger population than Brighton and Newcastle, as mentioned, and deserves more than one cinema. When we want to see something even vaguely offbeat we have to drive 20 miles to the arts centre in Bracknell. No wonder British films struggle so much, when they're almost impossible to see!

Anyway, let's not have an argument about it. I agree that there are arty things happening if you look hard enough. It's just something about the atmosphere of the place. I've never met anyone, resident or visitor, who's described Reading as a particularly interesting place to live or socialise.

daisykinn1

brasso wrote: »

I agree that Reading is a rather godawful town, thought here are some nice villages roundabout. Reading is OK as a place to go when you have to -- for a range of mobile phone shops for instance, or opticians, but otherwise it has little to commend it.

The thing I like least about it is the lack of culture. Just one multiplex cinema showing Hollywood blockbusters. No decent theatre or arts centre. It's a philistine's heaven.

Someone suggested South Oxfordshire. There are some lovely villages in that area, and it's only (I would guess) 5-8 miles from Reading. Newbury is OK too. Less sterile than Reading.

I think that's unfair. There are many theatres in Reading. Check out Reading Arts for details. They are scattered throughout the town.

However I'm thinking more and more about moving to village on the boarders. I'd like to be able to go for morning runs but I just don't feel safe as it's still dark. I'm heading Pangbourne way if things work out.

TBeckett100

goring is nice, cholsey can be a bit chav. Newtown in reading has drug problems (anywhere near the gas works), orts road a no no, earley isnt bad, south reading is a bit downmarket, caversham nicer, caversham heights v nice, if you have an area in mind PM me