Just Relocated Here from the States - Looking for Recommendations on Where to Live
Posted by PaperSad482@reddit | miltonkeynes | View on Reddit | 32 comments
I just relocated to the UK with my family from the States. We are looking at moving to Milton Keynes. Curious what everyone’s take is especially when it comes to raising a family and safety. Going to be there on Wednesday this week looking at properties. Any areas we should avoid there? Much appreciated and thank you.
Cainedbutable@reddit
I love that Bancroft, Bancroft Park, Blue Bridge, Bradwell area. There's so much parkland and sports facilities, some lovely pubs, lots of history with the Roman ruins and the abbey. Also walkable distance to CNK/Wolverton station.
Tall_Entertainer835@reddit
The universal rule of Milton Keynes (few exceptions) is look at the roads of an estate. If the roads are very square, run parallel to each other and look very grid-like, avoid the estate. If the roads are curly, bendy, don’t follow a set path, it’s likely safe and a nicer estate. Look at Loughton on a map vs coffee hall and you’ll see what I mean
Indiedoers@reddit
By that sense, Wolverton isn't nice?
Tall_Entertainer835@reddit
See “few exceptions”. Also, Wolverton isn’t THAT nice. It has some nice areas, but a lot of trash too. My personal opinion is it works in this instance, I wouldn’t live in Wolverton personally.
SerendipitousCrow@reddit
I see Wolverton mentioned here and there as somewhere to avoid. I'm on one of the straight roads near Stratford road. Been here 9 months and have had no issues. I've walked home from the station late at night and not felt unsafe whereas I've lived places I'd get a taxi if I was alone at night
chickbrownie@reddit
i am american and we live in Broughton & Brooklands area, we really like it. A lot of families and the schools are good. a much newer estate so be mindful a lot of the new builds may have typical new build issues
Big_Cut_7865@reddit
This very much depends on your budget and if you need to commute to London for work. Others have mentioned decent areas of MK - I live in Loughton and it’s great for easy access to the station and central MK, whilst having the secluded feel of an old English village.
If you have the budget and want to stay in London, there are many leafy areas with good facilities. Personally I prefer north London in this scenario and would look at Hampstead or West Hampstead. On the flip side, I used to live in NW London on the Willesden/Harlesden border and would definitely avoid that as it’s rough but my budget wouldn’t allow me to move to a better area.
MK is a generally safe area that’s great for families - I have a young child. But the commute can be a bit grating into London (again have personal experience of this) so it’s really down to the work life balance you’re looking for and your budget.
SerendipitousCrow@reddit
Plenty of threads on the sub if you search
Off the top of my head places I wouldn't live are Fishermead, Netherfield, Fullers Slade, Bean Hill, Tinkers Bridge, parts of Furzton and Oldbrook, most of the centre, parts of Bletchley. It's not an exhaustive list
I used to live in Newton Leys and it was fine. Bit boring and you need a car there. I'm in Wolverton now and love it
MrGunterson@reddit
Furzton? I've never heard of Furzton being a place to avoid.
SerendipitousCrow@reddit
Ah it just sticks in my mind because when I had friends move here, my friend who grew up here said there were bits of it he would avoid. Not sure which bit though so I might be wrong?
Paulcaterham@reddit
Basically, look at Google maps - straight roads bad - curvy roads, likely to be ok.
Successful_Repair393@reddit
I don’t understand why you’d move all the way from America and pick somewhere slap bang in the middle of the country that’s not even cheap to live in. Why not go for somewhere closer to the sea like Dorset? Is there a reason why you’ve picked that location?
PaperSad482@reddit (OP)
Well we first were looking at London and around it like Kingston, Kensington, Richmond. And just trying to explore all options. If you have recommendations, we will certainly consider them to look at.
GreyHairedDWGuy@reddit
My daughter and her husband moved to London from Canada and lived in the Putney area of greater London a few years ago. Was nice. Easy to get to central London and Richmond is close by.
I lived in MK myself and travelled to London every day was a bit of a grind M-F.
Good luck
GreyHairedDWGuy@reddit
I'm Canadian and lived in MK for a year about 10 years s ago. We settled nearly Willen lake/Middelton area. I commuted to London every day. We bought a car and I drove / parked near the station. I'n sure things have changed since the last time I visited there.
englishtotheirish@reddit
I moved to Milton Keynes about 3 months before my first daughter was born, after living in London for 21 years and then moving around places like Reading, Slough, Maidenhead, and Watford trying to find the “right” place to buy. I originally thought MK would just feel like another version of London, but I was wrong. Where I live now has a real community vibe our cul de sac looks out for each other without being overly involved in each other’s lives. Lots of different cultures too, all just wanting the estate to be a good place to live.
Comparing the antisocial behaviour I experienced in Greater London and surrounding the M25 to Milton Keynes is like chalk and cheese. In MK it feels far more avoidable unless someone is actively looking for trouble. The grid layout also makes everything feel close and accessible, which helps a lot.
I happily travel 120 miles back and forth to work everyday because I woudnt ever raise my daughter anywhere near London and I’m really enjoying the lifestyle, lakes, country walks and picturesque villages
Nate_St0rm@reddit
I was about to say... not MK lol
PaperSad482@reddit (OP)
Why not MK?
catetheway@reddit
DM me I’m from the states and have lived here for nearly a decade
PaperSad482@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Will do!
caristeej0@reddit
Towcester is a wonderful place to live, it's only about 20 mins from Milton Keynes if that would work for you. Very safe, I've often left my car unlocked overnight accidentally with no issues. Commuting is spot on too, everything is within reach.
Lopsided_Poetry807@reddit
Wolverton has a different vibe but some enjoy it. Stoney Stratford is nice, Newport Pagnall, Woburn too - these areas are proper towny
Woughton on the green, and Woolstone are v nice
For suburbs good family settings, all 3 Shenley areas, Loughton, Emerson Valley, are good. Middleton, Oakgrove, Monkston Park and Monkston
Good schools in all the above areas too
BattlelandoIII@reddit
Ashland is amazing!
alittlehalloween@reddit
I live in Oakgrove and I think it’s perfect for families. We’re about 5 mins drive into the city, but it’s soo green here. We have the river and willen lake to walk to easily. Theres a primary school and a high school in walking distance, along with a supermarket, dentist and vets. Kingston another 5 mins drive away with big Tesco, pharmacy, restaurants etc.
There’s play parks dotted about everywhere where the kids play, no busy roads and all the houses are nice. It’s abit more expensive than some estates but worth it in my opinion.
fuzzbook@reddit
Whitehouse is great for families imo
soaklord@reddit
Agreed but you definitely need a car. Whitehouse supermarket isn’t really either.
Longjumping_Let8597@reddit
There's a few posts like as. As a rule of thumb, the estates that run parallel to mk centre are less desirable.
So Fishermead and conniburrow should be avoided. Oldbrook and bradwell common have some nicer parts, but also sketchy parts.
Others id avoid:
Lakes Estate Coffee hall Peartree bridge Eaglestone Stantonbury Heelands Crown hill Fuller Slade Galley Hill Central Wolverton and Central Bletchley Bradville Stacey Bushes Grandby Fenny Stratford
That's not to say every road in these areas are bad. But in my experience they all have a higher ratio of dodgy areas.
All of Milton Keynes has been designed with a mix of housing, so you can have a £1m house 2 roads up from a block of flats full of challenging neighbours. Thames Valley police do have a website that allows you to track the reported crime in an area over the previous months, which you might find useful
catetheway@reddit
Fenny Stratford is a very nice established community
Longjumping_Let8597@reddit
Apologies, I'm not trying to cause offence. As I say I'm sure there are some lovely parts. I'm just more aware of the rougher parts than other areas of mk
oalfonso@reddit
It is a great place to live for a family. Everything will depend on your budget and life preferences. MK has very rural areas like parishes around Olney or Deanshanger, or apartment flats in the city centre.
My recommendation is to look at the Shenleys, Tattenhoe, Fairfields, Whitehouse or Monkston. For rural life I like Whaddon, Upper Wheald or Woburn.
There are bad places like everywhere but it is quite safe, this doesn't mean your catalytic can be stolen in your car or someone entering into your shed once in your life. Serious crime is focused on drug gangs feuds.
BillPayers@reddit
Depends on the age of your children and the catchment areas too. They don't paint a full picture, but check out OFSTED reports if you haven't already and as has been mentioned, search in this subreddit for more general advice on areas. OFSTED: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/search?level_2_types%5B%5D=1&level_2_types%5B%5D=2&local_authority%5B%5D=826&latest_report_date_start=&latest_report_date_end=&status%5B%5D=1&level_1_types=1
ExtraPersonality1066@reddit
It really depends on what you're looking for. Will you be commuting into London or working locally?
What's your budget? There's lots of nice areas.
England is pretty safe, especially compared to most of the USA. You still want to lock your doors, don't leave stuff visible in your car, etc.
Bonus tip: you have 12 months from the date you came into the UK where you're allowed to drive on your American license. You'll need "foreign driver" insurance, which is expensive, but it's helpful to be able to drive on your USA state license until you get your UK license.