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Agree - I just said the same about driving most places!Lived in MK for 6 years, 2007 -2013.
Lived on Emerson Valley, which was a lovely part of MK, possibly the slighly cheapest area too (on that west side of MK), with Tatttenhoe, but literally 5 min drive from Middleton, Oakgrove. (You may also want to look at Grange Farm and Oakhill - good secondary school, Hazeley!)
Personally, it has plenty of facilties, loads to do but everything you have to drive for. Having lived previously and again now, in a town, I like the idea of a central, walkable place, which you wont get if you live in the nicer MK parts. Has everything, but we just felt it lacked a community feel. Prices since 2013 have shot up too but what is suprising is the amount of green space - you expect it to all be built up. If I had only lived in cities, with slightly older children, it would be ideal. Our younger family felt a little lost, and had no family support either. good luck.0 -
We loved MK when we lived there and would gladly move back there from neighbouring Northampton if we could afford to. Nobody so far has mentioned the Redways which is a city-wide network of paths/cycle routes which means you can get to anywhere in the city form more or less anywhere in the city without going near a road. I've only been to Reading a couple of times so can't really compare.0
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Never been to Milton Keynes, but I've lived in/outskirts of Reading for the past seven years.
Have you thought about a move to Woodley? Lovely family friendly feel with its own precinct. Bus routes to Reading or a short cycle.
South Lake primary is outstanding and the secondary school is rated good. Other schools in the area are 'good as well.0 -
MK boom town lots of companys here,30 mins central London by Virgin 45mins on the rattler.
Try and get to the villages on the north side,Cosgrove, Hanslope, good local schools.
Standard of living is very good, theatre lots of good eating places and a great shopping centre, nominal rush hour traffic.0 -
I have quite a few friends in Milton Keynes, and am considering a move to the area myself.
The impression I get is that it is a place you come to love. On first sight it appears a soulless place but I think as you get to know people and get involved then it grows on you.
Most of the people in MK are "incomers" so it's easy to get to know people and make friends.
There is a lot of visible homelessness and rough sleeping, especially around the railway station area. Like any town (I refuse to call it a City even though everyone else does!) it has good areas and not so good areas. So picking the right area is key.
What MK doesn't have is a traditional town centre. There's the shopping centre (indoor mall) with all the chain stores you could ever want or dream of, and there's the Hub and Xscape complex with the usual selection of chain restaurants. What there isn't, is a highstreet with independent quirky shops and cafes to sit outside in the summer. Or traditional pubs to sit by a warm fire in the winter while taking a break from Christmas shopping
I can't really comment on schooling but I would suggest taking case as I hear from friends with kids that the good schools are over subscribed so living in the catchment area is no guarantee of a place.
My honest recommendation would be to book a long weekend in MK and see for yourself.
Thanks for the guidance - yes I have been a round many times. Of course living is another matter.0 -
AnotherJoe wrote: »It's easy to commute into Reading town centre and the train station from Earley, Winnersh and Wokingham and places in between, a few minutes on the Waterloo line. Not so much Lower Earley where you'd need to drive to one of the stations above whereas the others are more likely to be walkable.
What schools would you recommend in these areas - so I can have a look. I am aware of Aldryngton - any others would be greatly appreciated.0 -
If getting your child into Oakgrove is your primary consideration then you need to look at the catchment area. There was an article a few weeks ago which put the school in the top five in the country with regard to how small their catchment area is - it's miniscule and will make gaining a place extremely difficult and is likely having an inflationary effect on house prices.
I am confused which one is a better primary - Middleton or Oakgrove??
Middleton has been recently ranked at 90th place of 14000 schools - based on KS2.
Oakrgrove Primary is too new - but Secondary has a great reputation.0 -
Wicked_Lady wrote: »Reading and Milton Keynes are two very different places.
I live in one of the small towns that is part of the MK area so have the best of both worlds. There are some lovely houses and developments further away from the City Centre but some dreadful ones also so you would need to do your homework on this.
Have you ever visited MK?
Yes many times...visiting frineds etc - but lack a local's view point.0 -
I have limited experience with MK and a bit more with Reading although not lived there, friends do. Reading is red (labour) and has a university so there might be more of a mix of people. MK also has lots of cycle lanes I understand. Perceptions change as Slough is considered to be one of the best places to live and work, we live a stone throw away but perceptions change so badly that my partner doens't want to go ice skating with us as your car will be broken into in the car park..... We live a stonesthrow away but don't choose to go into it, funny not sure why. Not that High Wycombe is that great. I personally hate driving around in Reading it's very confusing and car-orientated, at least if MK is car and cycle/pedestrian orientated you would be better off there. Isnt't MK much further? How about Aylesbury, a lot of my friends live there. Or Slough maybe much closer to London. Just looked it up MK is no overall control. The political make-up is:
Conservatives !!!8211; 22
Labour - 22
Liberal Democrats - 13.
Almost jealous now, I live in South Bucks and it's tories all the way and always has been, pretty annoying if your previous town was Brighton & Hove. Reading is more labour and green. Labour: 31 seats, the Conservatives have 10 seats, the Greens have three and Liberal Democrats two. Gives you some idea. These might help:
Wow - thats beyond me. Sorry my political interest is rather low0 -
Never been to Milton Keynes, but I've lived in/outskirts of Reading for the past seven years.
Have you thought about a move to Woodley? Lovely family friendly feel with its own precinct. Bus routes to Reading or a short cycle.
South Lake primary is outstanding and the secondary school is rated good. Other schools in the area are 'good as well.
thanks for the pointer il have a look0
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