Berkshire, South Buckinghamshire or Bedforshire!! Which do I choose?

[TLC11]

I have two job offers, one in luton and one in slough, and I am agonising over which to choose.

I will be relocating from Scotland alone with my two children, I do not want to live in luton or slough as I dont fancy the city way of life. I would much rather live in a small affluent town or village setting with nice countryside and scenery, but within 20 minuits or so of luton or slough.

I also have to consider schools, my children are 9 and 5 and I am looking for a good school that will help enhance their education (both will be going on to grammar schools hopefully)

As I am not from the area, I am looking into good places for my family to live, taking into account housing, schools, recreational activities etc. I would appreciate as much advice as possible.

Thank you in advance.

[sherrardk]

Don't know much about Slough, but Luton is rough (I taught in Dunstable for a number of years). From a school point of view, try the Ofsted site for schools in the area - it can't give you a personally insight into the school but can give you a guide as to how 'good' the schools are. Good luck.

[cc1]

Harpenden's a very pleasant small town, quite handy for Luton and ome good local facilities, the downside is it's very expensive!

[curly~sue]

We're only 25 minutes from Luton here in Milton Keynes, TLC.

[rsvp]

best advice I can offer as I'm not in the same situation as you is to visit both areas - I proise you it will pay dividends - get out and around and get the feeling of each place - spend as long as you are able in the area, - the expense is nothing compared to the fact that you are committing to spend years there.

[Andyvon]

Hi TLC

My father lives in Luton and there is a great deal of crime there. I live in Aylesbury which is a Buckinghamshire town just 22 miles from Luton and we have none of the problems Luton has. I wouldn't advise going there at all.

"Come friendly bombs and drop on Slough" said Sir John Betjamen (sorry about the spelling if it's wrong). Perhaps Slough isn't that bad but it's still a bit doudy. However, it's well placed for areas like Windsor, Reading, Maidenhead, London etc. Amersham is a lovely market town in Bucks and Wendover and Princes Risborough are lovely too. Tring in Hertfordshire is very nice as is Berkhamsted. Don't bother with Aylesbury though. This town used to be a lovely English market town - I'll just say no more except that I don't even feel I belong now! It's so bad we don't even shop here anymore - we drive to Tring, P. Risborough or Amersham which are still quiet little English market towns.

There are many villages in the surrounding areas which are very attractive. I'm sure the prices are much higher than Scotland though. I used to live in Lincolnshire and the price gap with the south is huge. It depends what you are looking for and can afford. If you look in some of those smaller towns I mentioned I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Good luck.

[Maydup]

If you can afford it live in Windsor and work in Slough.

[tamborine]

Beaconsfield http://www.beaconsfield.co.uk/townguide/

and Gerrards Cross http://www.gerrardscross.gov.uk/gx/index.htm

The Chalfont villages http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalfont

Maidenhead http://www.maidenhead.net/

Slough http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farnham_Common

All have good schools, easy access to M4/M25/M40 & 20mins to London by train. 15mins to Heathrow, 1hour to Luton.

Best of all I live here :)

[heathfield]

After taking off from Heathrow at the start of our holiday, the pilot announced that ''Those of you sitting on the right side of the aircraft will get a good view of Slough.'' There was a pause, then he added, ''That is, if there is such a thing as a good view of Slough!'' How we laughed.

[TLC11]

Thank you everyone who has contributed, I will struggle to choose a best answer!

I think I have narrowed my search down to little chalfont, beaconsfield or windsor. I have looked at a new development in pitstone LU7 near luton? does anyone have any idea what that is like? or wokingham or milton keynes...these 3 places seem to have cheeper housing than my first three choices.

Also, is anyone aware of the best schools in the area to send my children to?

So much to consider :(

thank you all again! :)

[sherrardk]

If you are looking at good schools but don't know the area I would start with the OFSTED website. Also, they all have different systems - there are still grammar schools in Buckinghamshire (and some of the non-grammars aren't very good) and Bedfordshire used to have a middle school system when I worked there four years ago.

[mrsweasley]

Wokingham was great 20 years ago-had penpal there who often stayed with, but no idea what its like now-its where I'd choose for the option rsvp said,and look at journeys from there to Slough and Luton

[TLC11]

thank you 'sherrardk'. I have looked at ofstead, and South Bucks seems to have the best results, grammar school wise anyway, and has some nice primary schools. Equally West Berkshire has some good results. Luton appears to be appaling in terms of results, which would worry me. St Albans is better, and only 25 minuits drive from Luton, although I dont know the area.

I need to be within 20 minuits of work, as my shift starts at 7am and I dont want a long drive with two children at that time in morning. Therefore work, school, house and childcare would all have to be within a short drive of each other...this is proving to be really difficult!

[ubasses]

Bedfordshire is trying to change the school system at the moment. It still has lower, middle and upper but I do not know how much longer. Hitchin is a small market town near Luton roughly 25/30 mins. Luton itself does have some lovely countryside and villages surrounding it, but you would have to investigate the schools. Housing wise you will get a lot less for your money than in Scotland. Just had a relative move the other way and cannot believe how much better his property is, not just in size but garden and views.

[whiskeysheri]

I live in MK, TLC. :) There are a lot of London workers who commute living here with their families.

[sherrardk]

Hi - St Albans is lovely but it is very expensive to buy houses there.

[TLC11]

Thank you 'ubasses'....The property gap is huge. The cost of my lovely 2 bedroom home in a nice quiet area overlooking countryside here, would not even get me a one bedroom flat down south! The reason I am moving is due to work, I have many more opportunities in my field of work down south than I would ever have here, and the pay is better too. The downside is the cost of property, which is double or even treble the cost of living here. If I stay here though, I could end up jobless!

I have looked at the keyworker housing scheme which I believe I fall into, to try and buy property down south...I cant believe the cost of a three bedroom family home in a decent area :(