Reading Area

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Does anybody here live in Reading/Wokingham/Winnersh/Bracknell area? I'm moving down there with my new job at the end of the month and im currently house hunting for a place to rent etc.

Anybody know of any areas to avoid? I've been told to avoid Woodley and West Reading and "Oxford Road" in Reading as apparently it is the red light district (although im not so sure thats a bad thing ;) )
 
Between central Reading and the Tesco Express on Oxford Road is meant to be rough, further out than that looks fairly nice and residential. The high street in Woodley is a bit boring , but there's nice residential areas around there. Bracknell probably has it's nice areas, but I'm generally not too familiar with it. Again I know Winnersh has it's nice looking residential spots but couldn't really comment further.

If you're looking for a house to rent then probably all these towns have their nice residential spots.
 
Hello!

Did the same thing back in April last year. Moved to Kennet Island opposite the Madejski Stadium, not a bad area, just lack of parking, fairly close to town.

Now live in a village closer to Wokingham, and looking to move there in the coming months.

Woodley, certainly avoid, and yes Oxford Road is painted Red ;)
 
Its a little further out but Farnham is nice, blumin expensive though.

I commute from Wycombe to Camberley everyday so no the are moderatly well. I hear Egham is nice.
 
I live and work in Bracknell

AVOID!!!!! unless of course you want to be inundated with slaggy teenage chav mothers, boi racers, or old senile folks :p

thankfully there are a few decent people around who don't drink special brew or white lightning ;)
 
Reading area? I thought that was the space between the front and back cover of a book?

I'll get my coat.
 
J.B said:
Its a little further out but Farnham is nice, blumin expensive though.

I commute from Wycombe to Camberley everyday so no the are moderatly well. I hear Egham is nice.
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Egham to Reading everyday would be a bit of a nightmare - M25 towards Heathrow then M4, you probably couldn't pick a worse journey. ;) The other way would be through Ascot/Bracknell but that was pretty bad even 15 years ago when I did a similar journey.
 
Agreed Wokingham is nicer - avoid Bracknell (twinned with hell). Martin's Heron is fast becoming just another bit of Bracknell and Ascot is basically a racecourse and that's it.

Oxford Road, London Road (the bit between the A329 and Reading centre) should be avoided. Lower Early is ok although mainly families.

I assume you're driving by car to work in Reading?

M4 into London will be a car park in the mornings (read from about 6 to 9:30am) with the tailback from London out past Reading and to Theale.

Sunningdale, Virginia Water are nice areas but are hideously expensive. Think large single design houses behind gates usually with a Merc and a proper chelsea tractor on the driveway.
 
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NickK said:
M4 into London will be a car park in the mornings (read from about 6 to 9:30am) with the tailback from London out past Reading and to Theale.
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Thats a bit of an exaggeration, it only gets that bad if there has been an accident which only happened once last year that I can remember. Although once you are past Slough at real peak time (8-9) it can be quite bad.

Having said that - I still wouldnt want to do it every day. Hate traffic. If you want to get into London then it is better to be close to a station.

Wokingham is on the 'slow' line to Waterloo - takes 1hour but you will be guaranteed a seat.
Reading is on the fast line to Paddington - Takes only 35 mins but is sardines all the way.

If you want to be in the thick of it though, get a flat in the centre of town maybe down by the canal - Plenty of nice new ones down there.
 
I was born and have lived in Wokingham for most of my life. My head office is based in Reading and Ive worked there for several years. I know the area like the back of my hand.
Woodley isnt bad, the airfield housing area is ok, cheaper housing and fairly close to Reading. Shinfield Park is just on the outskirts but only a short bus trip (or 10 min drive) into town. Lower Early is similar to Woodley and is alright. Like most big housing developments there are council and housing association properties, but on the whole LE and Woodley are alright.
If you want to live in the centre of Reading there are plenty of options to choose from, but be prepared to pay for it. A 2 bed flat to rent next to the Oracle will cost you from about £850 per month ex bills, thats on the low to mid end of the scale.

It really depends on how far you want to commute. Wokingham is the best place to live in the area, and one of the nicest places to live in Berkshire. Nice town centre, low(ish) crime rate, good range of facilities and ammenities (sp?) and youre on the M4/M3 corridor. Plus theres a lot of surrounding countryside, and Reading is only 15 mins in the car.
 
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I just finished working at 3M in Bracknell. A lot of people commute from Reading which is where I have lived my whole life. Oxford Road isn't great in parts but I've lived in worse areas at Uni. You could do better.

Wokingham is very nice. If your work is closer to Bracknell then consider Warfield. It's just outside Bracknell and is mainly nice small estates with predominantly families and pretty low crime. Lots of fields if you're into mountain biking.

Avoid Prospect Estate Agents in Bracknell, Reading & Wokingham - I didn't and I regret it deeply.
 
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NeoNemesis said:
Just accross the road from me!



Absolutely 100% agree. I also regret renting with them. Appauling service.
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Haarts aren't great either.

any idea when the 3M eyesore building is being flattened/fixed? i'd demolish it with a hammer given the opportunity ;)
 
Romans and Richard Worth I would recommend. Have dealt with both of them over the years and theyve been great. I agree with Prospects. Absolutely terrible.
 
I'm from Reading, yes, do NOT go down Oxford road unless you like being stabbied stabbied.

I live in central town and it's not as bad as people make it. I have never had any trouble. Everything is within 3 miles that you need so that would be my vote. If not, go for east Reading.

ags
 
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