Why is Milton Keynes considered a bad place to live?
Posted by JeM1n1@reddit | miltonkeynes | View on Reddit | 31 comments
Been here a few months now and the people are lovely, not seen any really bad areas (although I haven't gone looking) Everywhere is clean and modern and the parks are well maintained Public transport is a bit of a joke but that's not exclusive to MK anyway Why is there a comment on almost every post encouraging people to leave? 😅 What am I missing?
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
Milton Keynes is horrible for anyone who doesn’t have a family, whether it’s a dysfunctional one, or whether they don’t have children.
It’s made for people between the ages of 0 - 16, people who can still play in play parks and go to school. It’s made for people with children, mothers and fathers. It’s made for pensioners in a lot of retirement areas.
I know they’re building a new university, but right now and for a long time, it’s not for young people. It’s not for anyone the age of 18 - 21.
Anyone with disabilities, particularly mental health issues, cannot get a diagnosed as The Hub was only founded recently. Being mentally ill in Milton Keynes, particularly with an anxiety disorder, is one of the most stressful things I’ve had to deal with.
There is a huge wealth gap between rich and poor. If you find yourself as a working class person in a well-off area, you will be ostracised in many ways. Everyone else has the latest iPhone and you have a Samsung brick from 5 years ago kinda thing.
The fact you don’t know Milton Keynes has bad areas is a bit alarming. I’m not going to go through the list, but the horrible areas are ones such as Fullers Slade or Fishermead.
I can’t wait to leave. I’m embarrassed to live here, unfortunately too poor to leave.
I know the grass isn’t greener on the other side, but I know I’d have a chance at a decent life.
It might be good for those who can drive, but I have a seizure disorder.
Public transport is a nightmare.
CasioJay88@reddit
I agree with you that it isn't the ideal town to live in if you're a young adult, I moved away in my early twenties and enjoyed a proper night life. I'm back here now as a guy in his mid-thirties with a three year old and its top tier for raising a family. It's a safe, clean environment.
Your point on a huge wealth gap seems odd to me. I've live in affluent areas like Middleton, Wavendon and Stony and poorer areas like Bradville and Heelands. Never experienced what your claiming.
If you find MK an embarrassing place to live then for your own sanity and mental health, you should probably think about making plans to leave instead of just saying that you can't wait to leave.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
CasioJay88@reddit
You misread my point, I've lived in both poorer estates and affluent estates. I've never witnessed a wealth gap that you have described.
I go through Fuller's Slade and Greenleys on my daily run, I'm very familiar with both estates, I know how impoverished parts of the estates are.
I wish you well in leaving MK. I hope it's sooner rather than later.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
You didn’t illustrate your point well enough lmao, you only claimed you lived in affluent areas. You didn’t state that in your original point. You also jumped to accusing me of wanting to get out and not bothering to do it. You’re a 🔔🔚
CasioJay88@reddit
Read it again mate. I've lived areas like Middleton, Wavendon and Stony as well as Bradville and Heelands. Just read it more carefully next time, will save us both this embarrassment.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
All of those are decent or wealthy… bro…
CasioJay88@reddit
Bradville and Heelands? Are you crazy? I lived on Vauxhall in Bradville, look it up. You don't really know what you're talking about.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
Mate, my family are from Lakes and Bletchley, you were blessed to live in fucking Bradville! Hahaha!
CasioJay88@reddit
I never said Lakes and parts of Bletchley aren't the pits though have I? Especially Lakes. But you have for Heelands and Bradville which are also the pits.
Educational_Cow111@reddit
I know it’s years later but goodness, the person you’re replying to is extremely annoying.
CasioJay88@reddit
Haha, had a good time reliving that, he really was a bellend hey?
Educational_Cow111@reddit
He hates the place so much but is then starting a dick swinging contest over who lives in the roughest estate ðŸ˜
Singular-Cell-125@reddit
ikr
long live fishermead
Cool-Excuse5441@reddit
Is it better now? 2025 lol
diexters@reddit
Moved with the family of 4 to MK last year, after living in London for the previous 14 years. I was looking forward to the move and was a bit worried we weren't making the right move at the same time.
But quickly we became pleasantly surprised. for starters we were living in a 2 bedroom flat in North London, with 2 rows of cars parked in either side of the road, the streets were dirty and full of rubbish, covid was a real struggle on that little flat with no park nearby and shitty neighbours. wasn't great but I could be in Central London in 30 minutes and had access to everything London has to offer...
We moved to a 4 bedroom house with a garage, front parking space/garden and free on the road parking. We also have a park on our doorstep where you could walk for miles if you so desire (the house was cheaper than the 2 bedroom flat btw).
The neighbours we have at MK are friendly, we know all their names and some even gave presents to the kids birthday.
The red ways are really good of you want to get anywhere, can be a bit far to walk tho, so I reckon cycling or electric scooter would be most efficient. They do need some work in places but as a whole it is good.
Public transport Buses are crap for sure. But they do have a "mk connect" service that works a bit like uber though I've never tried it. Concept looks good and cheaper than uber I believe. Also you can rent electric scooters that seem pretty fun to be honest.
I wouldn't say it's mandatory but I would strongly recommend you know how to drive if you live in MK. The driving experience is so much better in MK than London though love me some roundabouts, not stuck at 20 or 30, worried about the speed cameras or yellow boxes, etc. Parking is a lot cheaper... went to Buckingham one day, parked in the center paid 50p, feels good.
For shops and services MK has a bit of everything that we need. Just look around at the selection.
To be honest, like most places there are good and bad areas. I did tons of research online, looked at crime statistics in the last 5 years, videos on YouTube, highlited all the residential states that had bad rep in red and didn't bother with those. Even if the houses were really nice and a bit cheaper.
To me, MK is a really good place to live and bring up a family.
Feeling_Ad_5925@reddit
Hey, may I ask which area of MK you live in/which areas are considered nice?
diexters@reddit
Moved into the Bancroft area. Was looking at Willen, Caldecotte, oakridge, oakgrove. Some other places too can’t remember . Come up here drive around the areas.
Ashamed-Artist6099@reddit
thank you. I am shifting to MK this year. Your inputs are very valuable
Qissaqasira@reddit
Can you recommend good ideas? Looking to move there too
PollutionOk2835@reddit
The cycle lanes are great you can go everywhere .
mgameing123@reddit
But the city is so spread out that they are useless.
Geomeridium@reddit
There is no place within Milton Keynes' city limits where biking "downtown" takes more than 15 minutes, and they even have bridges and underpasses for bikes to cross the arterials. Yeah, it's boring, but it's still a very practical and low-stress place for biking.
Bazrael1985@reddit
It's just one of those things that has become a bit of a clichéd joke. Sometimes by people who have only visited once or twice and hate driving here because of the roundabouts.
It's also still quite a new town, mostly built in the 70s and was supposed to be a new design that would work better. So also for the older generations that remember it being built and advertised it became a meme of sorts to call it a bad idea.
You'll also find the same thing in any place. Said by people who have lived there all their lives and will say it because "it's their town so they can" but would actually defend it to an outsider in reality.
Viazon@reddit
I've never understood the roundabout hate. If anything, I think the amount of roundabouts makes it easier to get around.
Big_Opposite1035@reddit
the reason there are so many roundabouts is because its a grid with each roundabout being a corner to a square.
Master_Shopping9652@reddit
Bc roundabouts can be annoying/stressful. They should have gone full American and built crossroads.
LeglessPotato@reddit
Agreed, something about the MK roundabouts is so confusing and stressful. The multiple lanes with no signage or road markings to indicate which lane goes where often results in drivers cutting each other off while we all fight to get into the correct lane at the last second. I've also seen a few roundabouts with blatantly incorrect signage, stating the left lane can be used to go left or straight, but once in it cuts completely to the left and you'll be side swiping traffic if you keep going straight. So infuriating to drive through.
IrishBA@reddit
Great for families, pretty boring I would imagine if you are looking for nightlife. The city centre does not have much character. It's basically a shopping centre.
Some of the land in the city centre should have been set aside for independent bars, cafes etc..needs a kind of "cultural quarter" - far too much of that activity is dominated by chain bars and restaurants. I'd love to see a covered food market with places to eat and drink.
There is no thought given to walking around the centre of milton keynes in the evening, no real "night time economy" or cafe culture. There is plenty of space but limited vision in terms of planning and perception of the value that creates.
I do like MK, but I after a few years here the lack of character is starting to grate. There are decent restaurants but they feel like they are sitting in a deserted north american style business district. That kind of zoning is fine, if you have some sort of zone assigned to evening entertainment!
Novel_Sprinkles6853@reddit
I'm from the US and have been in London for awhile. I just arrived in MK to do a week here for work. The description 'deserted North American style business district' is quite accurate. This is a nice respite from the city and it seems very clean, nice, and convenient — but it creepily corporate and sterile. I was surprised to see the market next to the mall, seems to have independent offerings from all over the world. Other than that, it very much feels like the communities built around tech or banking ops in the US. Not a bad thing, just comes down to preference. But found your description spot on.
Oh and what is this building that appears abandoned with a metal red pyramid scaffolding built around it?
MinazukiShiun@reddit
Calling is American is very accurate, except there is no tech or banking ops in MK to prop up the posh jewels that might otherwise have been. It is utilitarian, not my cup of tea, but to be fair I can see people enjoying this kind of life.