Let's talk about Maidenhead

I don't know Maidenhead but it's definitely surrounded by nice areas. Getting married in Cookham later this year, beautiful village and Marlow is quite close as well.

If Michelin star restaurants are your thing, you're considering the right area :D.
 
If you’re near Marlow and like a pint of good ale, seek out The Rebellion Brewery.
Best thing is you can sample a couple of free pints every visit.Twice a month they have an evening where they put on bbq and some times music.Non members pay about £13 and get 5 pints members can get in free and no beer limit.

Steer clear of maidenhead imo, marlow, bourne end, cookham etc are all very nice.
 
Driving to and from Reading or Twyford to Hammersmith and Chelsea every day would be a nightmare.

It will be bad enough from Maidenhead. The traffic is all at the London end. If you're moving out, you ideally need to use the train. Unless you are driving in really early. My mate drives from Caversham to Chiswick each morning, but starts at 6am.

I used to commute by car from Earls Court to Guildford, but it was against the traffic. Would never consider doing it the other way.

Elizabeth Line will be in operation soon. Reading to Ealing Broadway. OP's missus can get to Hammersmith, OP can get to South Kensington and walk.
 
Elizabeth Line will be in operation soon. Reading to Ealing Broadway. OP's missus can get to Hammersmith, OP can get to South Kensington and walk.
Reading to Ealing will be about 45 minutes on the Elizabeth line so probably a bit too far out for the commute. It would probably be quicker to use the existing fast non stopping train to Paddington, especially for Hammersmith.
 
Reading to Ealing will be about 45 minutes on the Elizabeth line so probably a bit too far out for the commute. It would probably be quicker to use the existing fast non stopping train to Paddington, especially for Hammersmith.

You’ll be lucky if it’s that quick. Paddington <> Hayes and Harlington was 20-25 minutes when I last used it in September and there’s about 10 more stations between Hayes and Reading.
 
Can't comment on what's it like to live there, but passing through wasnt inspiring and colleagues who have lived there cordially called it a crap version of Slough.

Well, has to be quoted...:D

Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
It isn’t fit for humans now,
There isn’t grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!

Come, bombs and blow to smithereens
Those air -conditioned, bright canteens,
Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans,
Tinned minds, tinned breath.

Mess up the mess they call a town-
A house for ninety-seven down
And once a week a half a crown
For twenty years.

And get that man with double chin
Who’ll always cheat and always win,
Who washes his repulsive skin
In women’s tears:

And smash his desk of polished oak
And smash his hands so used to stroke
And stop his boring dirty joke
And make him yell.

But spare the bald young clerks who add
The profits of the stinking cad;
It’s not their fault that they are mad,
They’ve tasted Hell.

It’s not their fault they do not know
The birdsong from the radio,
It’s not their fault they often go
To Maidenhead

And talk of sport and makes of cars
In various bogus-Tudor bars
And daren’t look up and see the stars
But belch instead.

In labour-saving homes, with care
Their wives frizz out peroxide hair
And dry it in synthetic air
And paint their nails.

Come, friendly bombs and fall on Slough
To get it ready for the plough.
The cabbages are coming now;
The earth exhales.

John Betjemen 1937

:D :cool:

As for Reading!

That is a complete cess-pit, really.

I wouldn't want to drive around there after dark even if I had a Landmaster
 
You’ll be lucky if it’s that quick. Paddington <> Hayes and Harlington was 20-25 minutes when I last used it in September and there’s about 10 more stations between Hayes and Reading.
I just checked and the Crossrail planner says 42 minutes between Reading and Ealing as it doesn't stop at all the current GWR stations. Still far too long though, considering you can get from Reading to Paddington in 25 minutes currently. Crossrail from Reading will be useful for those going further East, but not really to Hammersmith (there is a direct H&C line from Paddington) or Chelsea (direct Circle line from Paddington to Gloucester Road).
 
Can't comment on what's it like to live there, but passing through wasnt inspiring and colleagues who have lived there cordially called it a crap version of Slough.

Can you afford somewhere like St Alban's?


To be a crap version of slough it would have to be a smouldering crater filled with cat turds.

St Albans is very nice though.

Your main issue will be the commute. Chelsea and Hammersmith still have terrible transport links. Driving in a rush hour was awful a decade ago. I can’t even imagine what it’s like now.
 
Best area in Maidenhead (as it has not been mentioned) is around Boulters Lock, and then down too Cookham (it was mentioned). Holyport is also good. My Grandparents lived in both areas, and used to own the house on the Green, next to the George - in the 60's.
 
As most have said, Maidenhead is small and basic. Look to live elsewhere. Do not drive to London. Avoid the M4! Rail links are pretty good from Reading but also consider other places. I've worked in Maindenhead and lived within 10 miles for the past 20+ years. Some nice areas and some down right awful places too (read: Slough).

Windsor / Ascot - expensive, but have nice areas
Bracknell - typical new town. has some nice areas and some not so nice. Town centre has been rebuilt and is good if you like trendy clothes shopping.
Reading - good transport links with prices to match. most of it is awful. look to live outside of the town but be aware getting into and out of the train station area can be a struggle and take ages

If you have to live in this area don't live in the towns. If you can afford to, live in one of the villages but be prepared to pay through the nose.
 
I've never been to Maidenhead, but I remembered this thread while on the train to Bristol this morning and helpfully took a photo to help you decide.

DdWuvYe.jpg
 
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