Reading Town, What's it like?

Simon · 12 May 2006 at 13:21

Me and 2 friends are moving down to Reading In August/September. All 3 of us are on Graduate schemes in Reading ( 2 friends are both at Oracle), We are looking to initially rent.

Been looking at places and going down next weekend to have a look about and check the area out and also view some 3 + 4 bedroom places. We are looking at being right in the centre, walking distance of the shops and entertainment.

So what is Reading like? Any tips on where to live/go out/avoid etc?

Thanks in advance

Zefan · 12 May 2006 at 13:21

It's a City. Best to start with basics

phill · 12 May 2006 at 13:23

i live about 15 mins from Reading- its like any other town really.. Rago.

Simon · 12 May 2006 at 13:24

Zefan said:
It's a City. Best to start with basics

Shows how much I know about the place

. All the places for rent mention it is near the town centre rather than city.

Zefan · 12 May 2006 at 13:25

Simon said:
town centre rather than city.

I hate the way people call it that. Happens all the time in smaller cities.

Simmz · 12 May 2006 at 13:26

I live in Reading and it's starting to become a ****hole

lol

Na it's ok I suppose.

What type of music are you into ?

Student nights happen Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Id suggest going Brannigans on a Monday, Revolution on a Tuesday and Bar Risa on a Thursday.

As for Friday and Saturday where ever really.

Depends on the music you like? Fez club, purple turtle is more of a rock type place, where as the other's play cheesey crap and rnb and hip hop etc.

Shops are all the same as your usual town. There's a Sainsbury's on friar street which is a 2 minute walk from the station.

You've got loads of bars and a cinema on the waterfront bit of the Oracle.

Apart from that not much else to say really.

FULLY star your swearing.

Otacon

Simon · 12 May 2006 at 13:29

Simmz said:
Student nights happen Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Id suggest going Brannigans on a Monday, Revolution on a Tuesday and Bar Risa on a Thursday.

Cheers, That's the most important bit

Does Reading have a cathedral?

Simmz · 12 May 2006 at 13:31

Simon said:
Cheers, That's the most important bit

Does Reading have a cathedral?

Nope.

Simmz · 12 May 2006 at 13:32

Ahh yea two pubs

Hope tap and Monks retreat are both weatherspoons so real cheap

jpmonkey69 · 12 May 2006 at 13:46

I'm pretty sure we aren't a city... we keep losing out to other towns, although our buses DO say "City Centre" on them.

SiD the Turtle · 12 May 2006 at 13:46

I'll be moving back to Reading by the end of the year- I did my degree there.

Like all south eastern towns, they can be very nice but are also becoming infested with chav-kind.

Apart from that, avoid the student landlords like the plague, as you will be paying through the nose. Outside the town centre houses are cheap (for the south east), but watch out in the town centre. You could be spending a fortune as lots of the houses have 'a river view' as the Kennet runs through it pushing the prices up.

I don't know about what you are doing, but Oracle isn't exactly in the town centre (Thames Valley Business Park isf I remember correctly) so it may be cheaper to live further outside the centre. Buses are good, clean and frequent for nights out in the town centre and go on into the early hours. A taxi out into the suburbs usually costs about 6 -8 pounds if you miss the bus.

jpmonkey69 · 12 May 2006 at 13:46

Simmz said:
Ahh yea two pubs

Hope tap and Monks retreat are both weatherspoons so real cheap

So's the Back of Beyond and The Baron Caduggan, but best steer clear of them, or you may turn into an old man before your time! :eek:

SiD the Turtle · 12 May 2006 at 13:59

jpmonkey69 said:
So's the Back of Beyond and The Baron Caduggan, but best steer clear of them, or you may turn into an old man before your time!

Oooh Hobgoblin for a truly wierd old man's pub. Or the good old Purple Turtle for goths, emos, drug dealers etc. Surprisingly a nice place. Or the Fez, my favourite. Bar Med for a wierd combination of younguns and middle aged women

. Walkabout is nice but quite expensive.

There used to be a place called Squares or the Square or something which was very good for shots/cocktails but its now Ice Bar and is full of chillun.

Bar Risa and Revolution are overrated places where yes, you can get cheap drink, but will spend the night going. Yep. Uh huh. I'm bored and can't hear you.

Many years ago while in sixth form I went out with some mates into Reading for the very first time. Some of them split off and found this mystical place called TUCs. I say its mystical because to this day I have never found it, nor do any denizens of Reading seem to know anything about it.

jpmonkey69 · 12 May 2006 at 14:02

SiD the Turtle said:
Many years ago while in sixth form I went out with some mates into Reading for the very first time. Some of them split off and found this mystical place called TUCs. I say its mystical because to this day I have never found it, nor do any denizens of Reading seem to know anything about it.

That place is a dive, and has definatly been the underage drinking place in Reading for the last 12-15 years!

It's on Chatham street opposite the Boxing Club

Ekim · 12 May 2006 at 14:02

SiD the Turtle said:
Many years ago while in sixth form I went out with some mates into Reading for the very first time. Some of them split off and found this mystical place called TUCs. I say its mystical because to this day I have never found it, nor do any denizens of Reading seem to know anything about it.

I know where that is, its also known as the Afterdark. Its near Fun & Frolics, basically it looks like a little alleyway but when you walk down there you come to the door-way of the club. Its quite a fun place to go on a Friday.

jpmonkey69 · 12 May 2006 at 14:04

Ekim said:
I know where that is, its also known as the Afterdark. Its near Fun & Frolics, basically it looks like a little alleyway but when you walk down there you come to the door-way of the club. Its quite a fun place to go on a Friday.

No. The Afterdark has been the Afterdark for AAAAAGES it's in the place you're thinking of (London Street), but the TUC is a different place. (Chatham Street)

They are both dives though

SiD the Turtle · 12 May 2006 at 14:04

OMG its exists? Dive or no I have to go and find it, its like my destiny

Ekim · 12 May 2006 at 14:06

jpmonkey69 said:
No. The Afterdark has been the Afterdark for AAAAAGES it's in the place you're thinking of (London Street), but the TUC is a different place. (Chatham Street)

They are both dives though

Fair enough, I stand corrected. Although I do vaugely remember someone referring to the TUC a while back, must have got it mixed up in my mind.

Simon · 12 May 2006 at 14:15

SiD the Turtle said:
I'll be moving back to Reading by the end of the year- I did my degree there.

Like all south eastern towns, they can be very nice but are also becoming infested with chav-kind.

Apart from that, avoid the student landlords like the plague, as you will be paying through the nose. Outside the town centre houses are cheap (for the south east), but watch out in the town centre. You could be spending a fortune as lots of the houses have 'a river view' as the Kennet runs through it pushing the prices up.

I don't know about what you are doing, but Oracle isn't exactly in the town centre (Thames Valley Business Park isf I remember correctly) so it may be cheaper to live further outside the centre. Buses are good, clean and frequent for nights out in the town centre and go on into the early hours. A taxi out into the suburbs usually costs about 6 -8 pounds if you miss the bus.

Thanks for the info everyone

We fancy living in the centre for a bit, enjoy life and all that. Cashflow is pretty good so don't mind paying a bit for them. Been looking at places around £1500 pcm.

Simon · 12 May 2006 at 14:23

What's the traffic like?