[Seeking Advice] buying new home - Whitehouse vs Brooklands
Posted by z_bnf_i@reddit | miltonkeynes | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Hey
I'm looking to buy a place in/near MK and would be commuting to London a couple of times a week. We're a young couple with no kids at the moment but will start a family in the future. We've got friends in cities close to MK so it's strategically a good location for us.
We're struggling to decide between two areas and thus 2 potential properties. Could really use some advice from others. Here's some details
- both properties are new builds
Whitehouse
- It's about 8 minutes drive from the station, 15 minutes by bus.
- House ticks most boxes except the garden is on the smaller side.
Brooklands
- house is near Fen street
- about 10 min to station or 30 minutes on the bus (same with cycling)
- house ticks most boxes with garden being bigger - except it's much pricier than Whitehouse property.
This above is what I know and we're torn on what to decide. From research Brooklands seems like a nicer area than Whitehouse, which I've read doesn't really have alot of amneties (although everything is still a short drive away). So we're contemplating whether it's worth paying the higher price for the house in Brooklands over Whitehouse. On the other hand, Whitehouse is still a nice area from what we're aware, just the compromise on the garden and needing to drive a bit further out to get to things.
Would appreciate your advice and what you would do in our situation? Thanks
HotValue8564@reddit
I really wouldn’t bother with whitehouse park. I’ve lived her and there is still no shop. It is though, much closer to the centre and train station.
z_bnf_i@reddit (OP)
I already ended up buying in Whitehouse. Praying for the best. Don't mind no ships for now as I can drive, but just hoping it's a nice area, friendly people and easy to commute into London from
Yo_Addictive@reddit
HI, Can you tell me more on your experience moving from London?
also, hows Whitehouse?
Which development you bought into? and anything that could be of help.
fuzzbook@reddit
I don't know Brooklands but I live in Whitehouse and also commute to London.
Getting to the station is very easy. I cycle most days (13 minutes) and because of the Red Ways in MK it's really nice. You don't have to go on any actual roads and it goes around Lodge Lake. Driving also easy and parking is £7 a day if you park in the Quadrant car park near the station.
Regarding the area, I really like it, there are lots of young families and it has a great vibe. Kids happily playing in streets / parks etc.
The schools are also very good.
The amenities is a bit of an annoyance although they say they will be coming. There is a big Sainsbury's and a Coop within 3-4 min drive though.
Some parts of the estate do feel a bit abandoned by certain developers so make sure first that the area is being kept well.
Overall, I really like living in Whitehouse and do recommend it.
Brooklands might be as good too, I don't know the area.
z_bnf_i@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the insight - may I ask if you have any other advice for someone that's about to move from London / will need to commute into London?
fuzzbook@reddit
There's not much - it's very easy. If you can best to leave after 9. I normally get a train around 9 and it is dead. Earlier ones are busier but it's rare I don't get a seat still.
Learn the exact places the doors stop on the platform (it's usually the same every time). If you are using busy trains this is so valuable to get a seat.
Also for the return journey use https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/ this shows the platforms before the boards do so you can get to the train before the crowd and pick a good seat.
Also if you are on Avanti Trains don't worry if the seats say reserved and you don't have reserved seats. Most the time the people don't show up.
The worst thing about commuting is the 3/4 times a year when you get to Euston and all hell has broken loose. Normally overhead wire damage or a train has hit someone and everything is cancelled. That can be a real pain in the arse and takes hours to get home.
Other than that it's very easy, I wouldn't worry too much about the commute if it's only a couple times a week.
z_bnf_i@reddit (OP)
Thanks u/fuzzbook appreciate the insights. Ended up going with the house in Whitehouse. Area looks lovely
fuzzbook@reddit
Nice. Yeah I really like it here, sure you will too
nasted@reddit
Personally, I would choose Whitehouse over Brooklands. I wouldn’t want to be that close to the M1 and the traffic that’s associated with it. The west side of MK (anything west of the A5) is quieter, I would say. And the lack of grid system really does impact traffic.
Being in MK you sometimes have to rethink what “being close to amenities” looks like: we’re a low population density city so we’re spread out. That means a short drive and you’ve got everything you need (not necessarily anything walkable). But Whitehouse is well-placed for the shops in Shenley, and Stony Stratford for high street shopping plus the shops at Westcroft aren’t that far either (and avoids city centre traffic of course). Plus you are closer to centre, I think, if you need to get to the station etc
Having said that, Whitehouse is still being built so more amenities will pop up over the next few years and that might mean walkable distance. There is a GP surgery at Whitehouse so that’s a real plus, imo.
Critical-Box-1851@reddit
Both estates are poorly built new builds. Avoid. Plenty of other options in MK where the properties are built better
Jezleem23@reddit
I have lived in both but currently Brooklands. I felt isolated living in Whitehouse as I do not drive. I like to go for walks and get out and about on my bike when weather permits and Brooklands is definitely the better place for this. Only a short ride from Willen Lake, Woburn Sands, Newport Pagnell, etc. Another bonus is many many shops available whereas I don't think Whitehouse has any to this day! I believe East MK is generally safer than West MK but new build estates are looking a bit nicer in West. If you're into housing aesthetics go Whitehouse, if you're into function go Brooklands
Rectal_Scattergun@reddit
I'm not familiar with Brooklands but I live in Whitehouse.
It's alright. I work in CMK and the bus is about 10-15 minutes as you say but Arriva can be a bit wank and it just won't turn up sometimes. In the nicer months it's a nice 40-50 walk to the city through Great Holm and Loughton.
The traffic down the main road of the estate can be quite shocking during rush hour, but I suppose that can be said of anywhere.
People are regularly complaining about the shops/high street/community centre because they just keep getting delayed, but there's a medium Sainsbury's 1 estate over in SCE, only a 20 minute walk away, or a co-op, little Morrisons or one stop in neighbouring estates. no need to drive anywhere. I think they said a temporary shop should be open in June...though they also said it was going to be open by the end of last year so who knows.
There's a few issues with a lack of landscaping and unfinished roads but that comes down to disagreements between the council and the developer, I imagine it'll get sorted out eventually.
Community wise it's nice here. the community council put on events. Summer fun event, Christmas event, etc. people get on for the most part. there's community litter picks and whatnot
2 primary schools and a secondary school on the estate. I can't comment on them as my kid goes elsewhere.
Whitehouse Surgery is alright. I do see people complaining about them and it being difficult to get an appointment but I've never had that issue. Only thing i've had is a bit of a delay getting repeat prescriptions but other than that they're decent.
I like it here in Whitehouse.
EmptyRestaurant2410@reddit
I live over the road from Brooklands, in Broughton. The area has nice places to walk. I really like it here. It's probably more established than Whitehouse with shops, and less building works still to be done (I imagine). One of the downsides of living on a newer estate is the constantly muddy roads and the noise.
However, the doctors surgery is absolutely dire. Register at Newport Pagnell if you move here.
My advice is to join the residents pages on Facebook, if you're on Facebook.
pq345@reddit
I would choose Whitehouse I currently work on bellways and Ashberry developments they have good quality homes considering some of the other new builds in MK …your a roundabout away from the A5 from there you can get up and down the city easily plus you got easy access to the redways if you’re a push bike person and if you need a food shop there only a few roundabouts away aswell
DangerShart@reddit
Can't recommend Brooklands as they have abandoned the grid system there and the traffic can be a nightmare at peak times. It is handy for the M1 however if you use that regularly.
Whitehouse is a bit barren in terms of facilities though. They have yet to build any shops or anything but they are supposedly coming.
Big-Engine-3373@reddit
I second this whitehouse is a really nice area and west MK is definitely a lot better and quieter then east MK in terms of traffic so commuting will be easier this side to get to the station.
Tubec@reddit
Me personally I would chose whitehouse, I prefer west Milton Keynes as I think it's a lot nicer than east, never had any trouble since I moved here (2.5 years ago). I live in Medbourne but frequently go to whitehouse for work.
I only have good things to say about the whitehouse surgery as well, been many times and they're always helpful, getting you booked in for appointments n such.
The fields on the otherside are nice to walk round and stony is a great place to go if you want that older town vibe with some nice pubs.