Graduate moving to Milton Keynes - where to look/avoid?

Twillyson

I'm a student from Surrey, finishing my final year of University in Birmingham in the next few weeks. I've been offered a graduate job in Milton Keynes which I've accepted, and so I'm now starting to look for somewhere to rent in Milton Keynes.
I don't start until September so I have plenty of time, but having only ever been to MK for the first time for my interview I have no idea where I should begin to look and where I should automatically avoid.
I'll be moving there with my girlfriend, so we're looking to rent a one bedroom apartment rather than shared accommodation. I'll have a car so it doesn't need to be central MK, we'd rather somewhere a bit quieter with a friendly community, a few local pubs, restaurants and shops but still easy enough to get to central MK (when needed) and Blakelands (where I'll be working).
We'll be there for two years so I want to find somewhere we'll be comfortable, and so far I've heard pretty mixed reviews about the general Milton Keynes area but I'm sure like anywhere it will have some great places to live.
I don't have an accurate idea of budget at the moment, but it will be in the £500-750pcm range.
I'd really appreciate any thoughts! Thanks!

J_i_m

There are some real holes in MK, Fishermead, Bletchly etc.

You could consider surrounding towns/villages, Woburn, Hocklife etc.

RedfordML

Probably best to avoid the central areas.

Nice areas include the Shenleys, Kingsmead, Emerson Valley, Tattenhoe and Furtzon, all within 5-10 car drive from the centre.

Newly built Oxley might have more rental options, Westcroft which has a retail park is also nice.

I live this side of the city so know the above areas well.

I think for a 2/3 bed to rent about £650-£800 p/month in these areas

Loads going on - decent shopping centre,retail parks pubs etc! Like everywhere it has its slightly 'rough' areas but I have been here 5 years with zero issues!!

J_i_m

Yeah the shopping centre is really pretty good and that's coming from someone who hates shopping, if I have to choose between Luton and MK, MK wins every-time even though Luton is nearer to me.

There's also plenty to do in MK, regarding activities, cinema, rock climbing, ski slope etc, oh and they have a brilliant out doors go-karting track.

mk_78

I posted this on a similar subject recently...

My favourite areas are on the western flank but Blakelands is on the Eastern flank and while it's a 10 minute drive at non rush hour times trying to get across the 'city' at rush hour could take 30 mins if not longer depending on traffic so if I were you I'd look at places on the eastern side of MK.

mk_78 wrote: »

Here's my lists I did for a relative when they were looking to buy here...

Places in MK (western flank) I would live are:

Emerson Valley
Furzton
Shenley Church End
Shenley Brook End
Shenley Lodge
Westcroft
Tattenhoe
Kingsmead
Oxley Park
Medbourne
Grange Farm
Great Holm
Crownhill
Loughton
Two Mile Ash

There may be others non-western flank that I would consdider but here are some overall 'not if you paid me' estates

Fullers Slade
Lakes Estate
Fishermead
Oldbrook
Netherfield
Coffee Hall
Peartree bridge
Beanhill
Springfield
Eaglestone
Conniburrow
Greenleys
Bradville
Stacey Bushes

A-Z

* Bancroft YES

* Bancroft Park YES

* Beanhill NO

* Blakelands YES

* Blue Bridge YES

* Bolbeck Park YES

* Bradville NO

* Bradwell POSSIBLY

* Bradwell Abbey NO

* Bradwell Common NO

* Broughton and Atterbury NO

* Browns Wood YES

* Caldecotte YES

* Campbell Park NO

* Central BletchleyYES BUT DEPENDS ON WHERE IN BLETCHLEY

* Central Milton Keynes NO

* Coffee Hall NO

* Conniburrow NO

* Crownhill YES

* Downhead Park POSSIBLY

* Downs Barn NO

* Eaglestone NO

* Emerson Valley YES

* Far Bletchley YES BUT DEPENDS ON WHERE IN BLETCHLEY

* Fenny Stratford POSSIBLY

* Fishermead NO

* Fullers Slade NO

* Furzton YES

* Galley Hill NO

* Giffard Park YES

* Granby NO

* Grange Farm YES

* Great Holm YES

* Great Linford NO

* Greenleys NO

* Hazeley YES

* Heelands NO

* Hodge Lea NO

* Kents Hill YES

* Kingsmead YES

* Kingston YES

* Lakes Estate NO

* Leadenhall NO

* Loughton YES

* Loughton Lodge YES

* Medbourne YES

* Middleton YES

* Milton Keynes Village YES

* Monkston YES

* Monkston Park YES

* Neath Hill NO

* Netherfield NO

* New Bradwell NO

* Newport Pagnell YES

* Oakgrove YES

* Oakhill YES

* Old Farm Park POSSIBLY

* Old Wolverton YES DEPENDS ON LOCATION THOUGH

* Oldbrook NO

* Oxley Park YES

* Peartree Bridge NO

* Pennyland NO

* Shenley Brook End YES

* Shenley Church End YES

* Shenley Lodge YES

* Shenley Wood YES

* Springfield NO

* Stacey Bushes NO

* Stantonbury NO

* Stony Stratford YES

* Tattenhoe YES

* Tattenhoe Park YES

* Tinkers Bridge NO

* Two Mile Ash YES

* Walnut Tree YES

* Walton YES

* Walton Hall YES

* Walton Park YES

* Wavendon YES

* Wavendon Gate YES

* West Bletchley NO

* Westcroft YES

* Willen YES

* Willen Lake YES

* Willen Park YES

* Wolverton YES DEPENDS ON LOCATION THOUGH

* Wolverton Mill YES DEPENDS ON LOCATION THOUGH

* Wolverton Mill East and South YES DEPENDS ON LOCATION THOUGH

* Woolstone YES

* Woughton Park YES

* Woughton-on-the-Green YES

Dan-Dan

Strony Stratford - short drive from the city , and EXCELLENT for friendly pubs , live music , lovely place , and a 1 bed place should be doable for you!

ado

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Strony Stratford - short drive from the city , and EXCELLENT for friendly pubs , live music , lovely place , and a 1 bed place should be doable for you!

The term '!!!! and Bull' story allegedly comes from two pubs in Stony Stratford which kept trying to outdo the other with more outlandish stories of their facilities and hospitality. I hope you can guess the names of the pubs

Dan-Dan

lol , have drunk in both!

clarabelle41

My OH's cousin lives with her family in Newport Pagnell MK16, the Thomas Drive area. Both of them work in MK so commute must be quite straight forward.

getmore4less

Were is the OH going to work, do you know?

One option is to look for a place where you can walk/cycle to work.

there are a few nice areas over the motorway that are handy for Blakelands.

Central MK parking is a pain.

mandatory

I used to live in Milton Keynes, and whilst I was only there for school (8 years ago, and I can't comment on commuting, sorry!) I did enjoy walking in Woolstone - there are some nice pubs there and great scenery. I lived in Wavendon Gate and then Springfield (some parts are okay but I wouldn't live there again), school was in Walnut Tree which was overall quite pleasant. Wavendon is lovely, my mum used to take me and my sisters there for walks when we lived in Wavendon Gate.

More recently I've been visiting friends in MK again and one lives in Stony Stratford - having previously never been there I really liked it! Not a long drive into the city either.