Advise on location to rent near Bracknell

Advise on location to rent near Bracknell

Author
Discussion

Buzz Lightyear

Original Poster:

73 posts

114 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi all,

So I've been offered a job based in Bracknell. I currently live in Worcestershire, and don't know that neck of the woods very well. Just looking for some pointers of where I should be looking to rent.

It is just for myself, no kids, no pets, no other half so only looking for a one bedroom flat/house. I currently live in a 1 bed end terrace which I prefer as has a small garden, own driveway, and is in a nice area. I get this for a very reasonable £500 a month. Looking on Zoopla, Berkshire is a lot more expensive so will struggle to get close to this.


I am not too fussed about living up to 20 miles away as don't mind commuting within reason. I was thinking area's such as Reading, Guildford, Basingstoke. Possibly High Wycombe but I've heard mixed reports on the area. Don't really want to go East at all as want to stay out of London. I'd prefer a similar situation to what I have currently. Is that possible on my budget in these area's, if not, what do you think this typically would set me back in this area?

The other alternative is looking to do a houseshare and find a flat mate. I'd prefer to do this rather than having a complete dump, but would ultimately still prefer to be on my own if possible.

Any suggestion or advise would be much appreciated.


HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

181 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
My brother in law is in the process of buying a house to rent a couple of rooms out near Bracknell. Can't remember where it actually is, but he works there.

Nice areas around there: Wokingham, Crowthorne, Finchampstead etc. but probably out of your price range.
Somewhere like Woodley might fit the bill, just down the other end of the A329M, and cheaper than the above.

MadDad

3,834 posts

260 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
I live in Binfield which is a few miles North of Bracknell but has very little in the way of flats etc - the odd one comes up from time to time but I have to be honest and admit I don't know how much they rent for.

Personally I would not go as far out as Guildford, Basingstoke etc - fine as places to live but the 20 mile commute in rush hour can easily take an hour!

I would suggest having a look at the following areas;

Warfield
Winkfield
Martins Heron (housing development on the outskirts of Bracknell)
The Warren (housing development on the outskirts of Bracknell)
Forest Park (housing development on the outskirts of Bracknell - not quite as nice as the ones above)
Twyford
Winnersh
Wokingham
Lower Early
Maidenhead
Windsor
Egham
Camberley

As with anywhere some of the above suggestions have their 'not so nice areas' so I would seek local opinion before signing a lease agreement. Ultimately anywhere in Berkshire close to the M4, M3 or train lines into London has an inflated price tag but you might get lucky, register with a few local estate agents and get them to do the leg work!

Personally I would not want to live in the middle of Reading, and the majority of places on the outskirts of the town are not that nice! Also, I would steer clear of Slough.

Good luck.....

Edited by MadDad on Monday 15th September 23:47

Challo

10,043 posts

154 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
MadDad said:
I live in Binfield which is a few miles North of Bracknell but has very little in the way of flats etc - the odd one comes up from time to time but I have to be honest and admit I don't know how much they rent for.

Personally I would not go as far out as Guildford, Basingstoke etc - fine as places to live but the 20 mile commute in rush hour can easily take an hour!

I would suggest having a look at the following areas;

Warfield
Winkfield
Martins Heron (housing development on the outskirts of Bracknell)
The Warren (housing development on the outskirts of Bracknell)
Forest Park (housing development on the outskirts of Bracknell - not quite as nice as the ones above)
Twyford
Winnersh
Wokingham
Lower Early
Maidenhead
Windsor
Egham
Camberley

As with anywhere some of the above suggestions have their 'not so nice areas' so I would seek local opinion before signing a lease agreement. Ultimately anywhere in Berkshire close to the M4, M3 or train lines into London has an inflated price tag but you might get lucky, register with a few local estate agents and get them to do the leg work!

Personally I would not want to live in the middle of Reading, and the majority of places on the outskirts of the town are not that nice! Also, I would steer clear of Slough.

Good luck.....

Edited by MadDad on Monday 15th September 23:47
Very good list above, also add Crowthorne, Finchampsted (as mentioned by another poster) Sandhurst, Yatley. Maybe go as further afield as Fleet, Farnham, Farnbrough.

As its been said the area is very inflated in terms of cost of renting. Most 1 flats will be around the £650+ but as you said renting a room might be a better option and give you plenty of choice. Easiest thing to do is go on Rightmove and set the search radius of 5miles from Bracknell and see what you can find and maybe let us know the area's or places you find and we can advise.

One thing to ask do you have a car or would you need public transport? Also are you looking just for a place to crash during the week or you wanting to move full-time and build a life in the area? Reason i ask is some places are better than others for a single person

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

181 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
If you want to be near Reading (and it has got decent nightlife compared to most of the other mentioned places, at least!) then I really would take a look at Woodley.

It's just a short spin up the A329M to Bracknell, and there's a decent cinema nearby, Woodley itself has a Waitrose and nice little shopping precint, and is only a 15 min drive to the Oracle, or park n ride from the Cinema.

It's possibly more of a "house" place than flats, but I reckon would be right on your budget.

daddy cool

3,996 posts

228 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
I live in Bracknell, in Birch Hill. Its south of the town, right on the edge of Swinley forest (0.8 miles from the start of the trails, so great if you are a biker or runner). A 5 minute walk in the other direction is South Hill park - a nice park to have a quick stroll around, with a couple of small lakes/big ponds. Theres also a well respected arts centre there in what was a big private house, with small independent cinema, theatre, and an excellent (but tiny) comedy club in the cellar (called: the Cellar Bar). Im also 2 mins away from an Aldi, and a mile away from a Sainsburys.
The area is heavily made up of flats (one of which is mine). Ive been here 8 years, and I like it! Let me know if you have any specific questions.

wiliferus

4,053 posts

197 months

Saturday 20th September 2014
quotequote all
Bracknell itself is probably the lower end of the price range of Berkshire. Most of a Bracknell is ok with the exception of only really Wildridings. Parts of a Great Hollands are still a bit ropey but on the whole it's much better than it used to be.
Generally speaking the roads/areas speak for themselves. If you drive in and it looks or feels a bit st, it probably is smile
I don't know how old you are OP, but the main draw back of Bracknell is there is bugger all nightlife if you're young. All the pubs are out of town in estates, and the town centre ones are terrible. If you want a decent night out you're looking at Wokingham which is a £15/20 cab, or Reading which is further. Having said that Bracknell station is on the Waterloo line which stops at both those places.

That said, Woodley is a bloody good shout. Nice area.

Revs_Addiction

2,090 posts

230 months

Saturday 20th September 2014
quotequote all
If you move to Bracknell, I'd stick to the east side. We used to live in Martins Heron, it has it's own station which is one stop into Ascot, or a £5 taxi ride. Quite a few bars/restaurants there.

We're now in Crowthorne. More of a village feel, a couple of pubs and restaurants but not a lot happening generally!

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

181 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Revs_Addiction said:
If you move to Bracknell, I'd stick to the east side. We used to live in Martins Heron, it has it's own station which is one stop into Ascot, or a £5 taxi ride. Quite a few bars/restaurants there.

We're now in Crowthorne. More of a village feel, a couple of pubs and restaurants but not a lot happening generally!
My Grandparents live there, and still refer to it as "The Village". Biggest village I've ever seen!