Thetownend.com

Hi guys,

I have a request to make.

The missus and I are relocating down to the swindon area in the next few weeks or so and was hoping someone from this site could give me a better insight into life in swindon.

I'm going to view some property in the next week or so and would love some input.

Which areas, closer to the town centres, would be nice enough for a young couple to live in?

Are there any complete no go areas? 

Or indeed any hidden gems?

Whats the general mood/feeling in Swindon. I've heard mixed reports, some suggesting its a relatively nice place, low crime rate, friendly people; and others suggesting the atmosphere is a bit tougher than that.

Are there any must-visit local amenities (cinema's and the like)

cheers in advance for any replies, it'll be much appreciated

generally speaking the rule of 'p' applies. If it begins with p look elsewhere :)

peatmoor?

haha,

well thanks, not much of a choice I'm afraid. I'm sure It'll be ok, if it was just me I would probably just wing it. But with the missus an all, I'd like to give ourselves a bit of a head start.

Cheers anyway mate

the exception to the rule maybe

I've not lived in Swindon for a few years, so I can't really say much about specific areas (although, having grown up in Old Town, I will say right now this is the best part of Swindon), what I would say is that as a place it doesn't wholly deserve the stick it sometimes get nationally.  It is in most ways almost exactly average for a town of its size in this country.  The populace are generally quite friendly, although the town centre is quite run down and in need of regeneration, and is chav-tastic on Friday and Saturday nights.

Oh, and they have a wonderful football team with a ground situated in the centre of town.  Go along.

Priory vale

Cheers mate.

I'm currently looking at accomodation in the town centre, well, I think south west of the centre primarily, any bad spots there?

Chav-tastic doesn't worry me a whole lot, generally more noise than proper crime (at least its the case in manchester, mostly) is it the same there?

I was planning on going to the football as much as I can. I'm a big football fan, so will be nice to go see a team when i relocate. Tickets arent too much are they?

Standard fair for a large town really, 2 cinemas (I prefer the one in Greenbridge), Ice Rink, Bowling Alley, Tennis courts, numerous gyms, the oasis leisure centre (best before 1985), shopping outlet centre, etc, etc. Oh and the magic roundabout.

Where to live? Old town seems to fit the bill,  but can a git for parking! Well maybe its better if you are a resident with a permit:) .

As said, Swindon town centre is a bit shabby and chavtastic at night. Don't worry, there was a plan to rebuild it. In fact they have had one for the last 20 years and will have it for the next 20.

Erm, did I mention the free wifi coming soon to everyone...

Town centre and south west of it are pretty good I would say (although again, pretty close to my old area, so I would say that!)

Ticket prices have come down a bit in the past couple of years - I think I payed about £15 quid when I travelled down for a game over Christmas.

I think it is mostly noise rather than nasty crime, but again you probably need the opinion of someone who still lives there.

TEF, Swindon branch - help the man out.

Town centre not too bad an area to live - mostly noise rather than trouble.

Old Town is probably the best area - and depending on how old you are can be the safest and least "chavvy" place to go out for a beer....

Stratton is also quite nice - good area to live.

We have the famous Oasis Leisure centre - good pool and slides etc...
Big Cinema at a place near Stratton called Greenbridge

Loads of Chinese and Curry places, a few good Italians, lots of places deliver which is a bonus !

Not the worst place to live - sometimes a little dull but I guess it's what you make it !!

And of course the saving grace - the County Ground :)

Thanks mate, I was originally looking in Old Town, however, I think I'm going to try somewhere a little cheeper til I find my feet really. I'm not sure how long-term it will be you see.

Is the "free wifi" a council scheme thats never taken off then?

£15 is not bad at all, its peanuts in comparison to what i pay currently. I go pretty regularly here, (though am not usually in the country long enough to warrent a season ticket) and for the last two games I've paid £42 each. Factor in travel, beer, obligitary balti pie and the missus and I'm shelling out well over £100 per visit!

Well it hasn't taken off yet, but its on schedule. The first install was planned and installed just before Christmas (in Highworth). They hoped to have the whole thing up by April. But being Swindon Borough Council that's optimistic.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1228506/WiFi-town-Swindon-offer-free-wireless-internet-access-all.html

(apologies for the Daily Mail link, it was Google's first hit).

Can't really help on the town centre accommodation front, I'm sure someone will sooner or later though

Thanks a lot mate, I was hoping someone would say something like that. I'm coming across as pretty feckin ball-less here, but i'd much rather be safe than sorry.

Judging by the people here I'm sure I'll enjoy the place (hopefully you guys are an accurate representation of the rest of the population!  ;D )

Bloody 'ell! that is one heck of a movement! I'm begining to like the place already!

The only thing my council is doing for me is refusing to plow roads!

and as an after thought: that roundabout terrifies me

if you provide street names it will be easier to advise if it's ok there or not.

ha ha we try :)

Maybe adding how much you've got to spend, apartment vs house, number of bed rooms etc.

Swindon isn't as bad as most people make out - they just slag it off as they're not from here and would prefer to be back home. The number of people living here that were actually born here must be pretty low, 10% to 20% maybe.

Season tickets are really cheap to matchday prices, I think mine works out about £12 a game.

Yeah good point guys,

was a bit weary of posting too personal details on a public forum.

Im looking to rent an apartment at between £300 - £500. This is very much on a short term basis as i don't know how long I'll be there for, and it may be temporary. If this is the case I want to spend as little as I can.

Also, i'd rather have somewhere cheap while I'm finding my feet.

1 Bedroom, or even studio would do fine at first.

I'm about to go view some places on Cambria Bridge Road, uhm, one on Euclid Street, and One in "The Sanctuary"

aroamin, if you don't mind me asking (I'm a nosy bastard) where are you moving from?

Euclid Street is close to town - slightly better area than Cambria Bridge I would say.

The Sanctuary looks like a re-developed office block - not a bad standard by the looks of it....

You are probably looking at closer to the £500 to get anything decent, we are pretty cheap here but not that cheap :)

If you are looking for letting, try www.swindonlet.com

The bloke that runs it is a little bastard though

Manchester mate, via abroad : )

Nice one mate. I've found a fair number of studio flats for around the £350 mark, and for now thats all we really need.

Its not so much the apartment that matters to me, its the area.

Cheers though, thanks for the input

With the emphasis on the little :)

haha, cheers mate, I'll look into it

damn straight

To be straight mate, if you're looking for an apartment it doesn't really matter where in the town centre or Old Town you go, it's all ok. Crime is not really a problem and people are friendly in the main.

If you want somewhere quiet, then the new blocks by the Outlet Village are good (Churchward) or any of the newish ones in Old Town.

Where are you going to work, in Swindon or commuting?

Cheers mate, good to know.

I'll be communting....heavily. But we're moving for the missus mostly.  :doh:

If youre looking for entertainment in the town may i suggest Manchester Road area

Where will you be working?  (Nosy bastard, remember).  I do a daily round trip of around 65 miles for work, you get used to the commute after a while. 

Of course, now you are going to tell me your commute is four times as big as mine, and I have nothing to complain about.

Hahaha, London area. Though my first commute is to Kent. check your pm's

 :no:

Haha, I'm guessing Manchester Road is something of an "acess all hours" type of place then.

Not really my scene, the missus would have my fookin neck!

London is ok on the train if you can walk to the station. Although having done it for six months, it's not really living. Two hours each way end to end (yeah, I know Fred has done for most of his life, but then he is a sucker).

Driving there as a commute is horrible. Don't do it. ever.

Yeah, well the direct train to paddington was one of the reasons we're hoping to move to swindon. Two hours isn't so bad really, though I may find myself driving somewhat due to anti-social hours, though I guess the roads are quieter then eh!

aint it 1 hour each way?

I used to leave home at 5am, drive to Osterley tube station and get in to the office at Elephant & Castle at 7:30am. Leave at 3:30pm, home by 6pm. Flexi hours were great. If you can work anti-social hours then you will be fine. Just don't be on the M4 on the way into London after 7am or on the way out after 4pm.

Yeah, the train is, but you invariable need half an hour to get to Swindon station with a bit of breathing space and then at least half an hour on the tube the other end?

damn, thats some commute. Still, im sure you got a lot of work done eh.

Ironicalyl I was also thinking of moving to Elephant and Castle until my circumstances changed

oh i see.

It still amazes me that people move to Swindon as its a cheap place to live for the commute to Bristol / London. Not sure if its as popular nowadays but at one point loads of people were doing it, which helped push the prices in the town centre skywards.

There are a few newish apartment blocks near the station which have probably got some cheap 1 beds. Not sure what they're called but there is the office block that got converted on Fleet Street / Faringdon road, the one built on the car park behind Walkabout and the one built where the pub used to be (Whitehouse?).

<shudder>

A lucky escape. What a hideous place to live...

yes, sentiments echoed.

The borough market near there is a gem though!

That's why I moved to Swindon. I was working in Reading and it was either a two bed cottage in Stratton or a hutch in Reading.

I think a poll is in order...

Have you looked at places like redhouse and priory vale? Loads of new houses, not sure on price though. Miles away from the town center, but reet close to a hyuge Asda and other such shops.

As Dave just said, Redhouse, Taw Hill and the rest of Priory Vale are all new build and i had a couple of appts out there for £550. Good local ammenities and quick access to the A417/A419 which is handy for the journey to Kent via the M4. Done that journey to Kent so many times this last year :(

Rodbourne might be a good bet.

It's been 10 years since I've lived in Swindon so my local knowledge is becoming more & more out of date but, must admit, when I saw your criteria I thought straight away of Gorse Hill.  Mainly Victorian terraces (some of which, I am sure, would be split up in to flats), relatively affordable and central enough to be walkable to Swindon station.

Thanks so much for all the help guys,

I'm taking note of every where mentioned and will certainly be looking into it.

Thanks again

Why would people move to Swindon to commute to London when the season ticket price is £7k pa? you can rent somewhere in London for that money.

Its a helluva lot cheaper in swindon than in london.

Old town is the nuts.

Safe, friendly and relatively chav free. Also try Okus road developments - Royal Mead and Angel Ridge, or anywhere rodbourne side, inc westcott place and kings hill, also reasonable areas within 10/15 minute walk of shops.

If you've got a family and want to buy, you can get a decent sized house in Swindon or a shoe box in London.

I'd go for Old Town, or in that direction, over the Town Centre. Its a far nicer area and the night life is the best. It will be more expensive for somewhere smaller and its a bit of a walk to the station, but well worth it.

Man City? You don't sound enough of a fanny to be a united fan!

Lived in Manchester would have given the game away. Although if he moves to Swindon he could then become a United fan.
aroamin - if you're moving down for your missus then let her sort it, once she's poured you a cold one - you Northerners are too soft.

abso-bleedin'loutely!

City to the core, and bloody proud of it! (despite years of dispair)

jeeeesus thats over the feckin line mate  ;D become the scum? never!

well, she is helping a lot, I'm just being overbearing. Say i'm soft, but the missus comes first, she has to.

This is a genuine question and not meant to antagonise.  Does it make you uncomfortable, after years of city fans accusing (correctly) united of buying success, to be doing exactly the same thing now?

well it does and it doesnt. I'm very worried about the soul of my club leaving, but the overwhelming feeling is that after SO many years of loylaty and monedy, and standing by the team through the worst of events; i feel that we are deserving of this.

I also feel that in todays day you need to have money; a terrible truth but a truth all the same.

Very well said.  I have to say I've met quite a few Man City fans and I've always found them to be a decent bunch - as it has no bearing on Swindon, I do genuinely hope the whole thing works out well for the fans.  I do wonder what happens if the investors suddenly lose interest though.

firstly thanks, we're a hard done bunch of fans in recent history, but we're generaly good bunch. Some morons, some glory fans (recently) but generally a good bunch. Im very much looking foward to going see swindon. I love lower league football. generally great banter, great atmosphere, and people go for the football not the "experience"

well i agree about the owners "loosing interst", and it did worry me in the thaksin era, but i think we are SO lucky with the the owners we have.

Partly because their investment in city is not just about the football. City is the begining of their business enterprise in manchester/UK.

for example, they want to totally renovate the area around eastlands and sport city, bringing in bars, hotels, restauants, even casinos.

While that is probably not how we think of football, it kinda proves they're in for the laung haul

sorry for the spelling, i'm hammered

Good shout, we're only down the A420 after all.

aroamin, as you need good train links have you considered a lovely little town called Didcot? Its closer to London than Swindon, has a multiplex cinema, bustling nightlife including a discotheque, a wonderful Railway Museum, and a consistent supply of nuclear power.

You'll definitely fit in well here.
When the Scummer says they're only down the A420 what he forgot to say was that we use the A420 as a sewer.

Id just like to say a big thanks to everyone who helped me out recently.

I took in everything you guys suggested, and am happy to report that I found a nice little place to rent, and am moving in at the end of the week.

I'll make sure to go to a few swindon town games, unfortunately nothing red will ever get past the borders of my place (no disrespect, its a manc thing  ;) )

but thanks again, it was much appreciated

Hey guys, sorry to trouble you all again (last time i promise)

Im due to move in this friday, and me and a friend wanna hit the town a little. New to the area, anyone care to point me to some nice bars?

cheers in advance fellers

you're gonna get the usual "stay away from the bottom of town" yadda yadda. but i personaly have no problems with it, depending on what your after you got your wetherspoons (sir daniels arms) but they do play music which makes a change, its a decent place to start your evening for some cheep drinks, it will get busy come 9/10 pm.
then you got revolutions which is decent enough, or walkabout if thats your kinda thing, its all pretty generic to be honest, you've also got liquid/envy.

I personaly wouldnt go into yates', the flag, lava lounge or rush (is thats still open)

i heared angelos has re-opened and thats a definate no no.

There is also old town which someone else will have to give you the low down on, coz i dont frequent it.

There are a few good bars in Old Town; Longs, McKenzies, The Bank and The Spot - mixture of ages from young to old, mainly house music with some r&b thrown in,  more "up market" than the bottom of town. Suju's is more of the same, but a club and open till 6am.

The Kings is very popular, older crowd, party music, for more details see "cattle market" entry in a dictionary.

There are a few quieter, older style pubs as well.

nice one guys, i'll keep an eye out for em. you got any street names for some of them bars in old town mate?

Longs is at the top of Victoria Hill. McKenzies and The Bank are on Wood Street. The Spot is Godwin Court.

This map shows them all (you'll need to zoom in a couple of times);

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=the+spot,+swindon&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=the+spot,&hnear=swindon&cid=0,0,14003904875091395407&ei=TJtXS9rRAs6F_Aa6n9n3Aw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=the+spot,+swindon&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=the+spot,&hnear=swindon&cid=0,0,14003904875091395407&ei=TJtXS9rRAs6F_Aa6n9n3Aw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQnwIwAA)

Longs is next door to The Victoria, The Bank is next to McKenzies. There is an alleyway opposite The Bank that will take you to The Spot.

nice one mate! thanks so much, you're a gent!

Lets not forget the Goddard Arms in Old Town - just renovated and seems to be buzzing at the moment.....

Pretty good crowd in there - and nice atmosphere.....

There's good pubs in old town as a place to start, or even crawl, try The Victoria, Beehive, Roaring Donkey, Wheatsheaf, Steam Railway for starters.

The roaring donkey is where its at...

Depending on what you like for a night out, I wouldn't reccomend The Spot, Old Bank, and to a lesser extent, MacKenzies... But that's just me!

Foxies if you up for a bit of punani :D

whys that then mate?

so basically if i walk up victoria road i should be able to find a few bars an stuff to go to? i take it most of em show live football n all? just thinkin about next wednesday!

if you are moving in this weekend get down to the county ground sharpish and get a ticket for tuesday when we spank the leeds scum

Pretty much!

I'm turning in to a boring old cunt at the ripe old age of 25, and the places I mentioned are just not my cup of tea... pretentious and pricey (and i can't stand whatever it is they pass as music... 'funky house' or whatever bollocks its labelled as!) They are good if you want to leer at some ladies though... :)

mailcoach is another one if your into that kinda thing.

Mckenzies is horrible, and doesn't label their toilets propoerly

I may just do that actually mate. dont think id be able to get tickets on tuesday?

I like a bit of a mixture to be honest. every now and then pretentious, pricey and laden with women do me ok. but rest of the time i do just prefer a good quiet beer. seems like two of us gettin old at 25! haha!

where would you reccomend then mate?

There is fuck all up Victoria Road, bar The Regent, until you get to the top where Longs and The Vic (indie / rock pub, lots of live music) are. If you carry on past them and turn left then you'll get to Wood Street with The Bank, McKenzies, Kings Arms. Just before Wood Street you'll see a road going down to the left which takes you to The Roaring Donkey.

Keep on going down Wood Street and you'll get to The Goddards. Turn right and you'll come to Suju. Take the next right and you've got The Steam Railway then The Wheatsheaf (quieter pub). Then turn left at the end and on the left you'll find a pub whose name I can't remember managed by an ex-Swindon player whose name I can't remember. If you go out of the Steam Railway, cross the road and keep going you'll come to Rehab and The Spot. And that is Old Town in a nutshell.

I reckon McKenzies is the best for live sport in Old Town. Plenty of TV's and they'll show two different games if they're on at the same time, which not many pubs do.

If you want loads of really young fit birds to look at, The Spot is the place.

what lucien said.
overpriced and too packed.tradtional boozer for me wins hands down.

If your with ladies they may prefer the bars in old town? Less tracksuited chavs trying to pinch your ass!!

i'd never do that :-)

easy. a few pints in old town, roll down vic hill, liquid rooms, pull a rough girl out the back of macdonalds for a quick knee trembler, kebab, home.

Great way to confuse the new guy. Even I can't follow them directions  ???

Is he on about the dolphin, managed by phil king? Thats nowhere near old town!

No the one round the corner from Wheatsheaf in Old Town used to be owned by Andy Rowland, don't know if it still is?

royal oak isnt it?

Think so.

it's the plough where rowland is the landlord

seem ok to me

cheers for the directions Johnny, im sure i'll find something. when im severely refreshed i've got an uncanny knack to find establishments that can get me even more drunk. im sure ill be alright.

im excited though, very much lookin foward to gettin down there.

if you see a couple of drunk, but pleasant  ;) mancs then make sure you come say hi.

also some decent resturants up old town aroamin.

yeah i heard that mate. a good italian? and maybe a thai? thats from talkign to a few people when i was there the other day.

fabios is really nice(italian)decent curry houses too,curry garden and biplobs my picks up there.
not tried the thai but thats on the hill i think?

yeah summit like that (no pun intended)

i do like a good curry. my mate whos comin down with me is gagging for a night out somewhere other than oop north. so should be a goodun.

Walk out of the Vic, straight across the road past BBC Radio Swindon, and either turn right there or carry on, some great little pubs tucked away - Prince Of Wales, Castle & Beehive. You can't go wrong. Always end up in these places on a night out :)

sorry mate, is that walkign up victoria road, and taking a right down the road that bbc swindon is on? or one after?

Here is a crude but funky map i've just done :)

[url width=486 height=389]http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/smaisey/Pubs-1.jpg[/url]

This has got to be the most talked about night out in Swindon ever.  Have to say even I'm getting quite excited about it...and I'm not even going.

Looking forward to aroamin's match report once it's happened.

That's Longs not The Vic that you've circled there ;)

D'oh.

Corrected (bastard ;))

thats bleedin awesome ginge. technology at its finest!

ill make damn sure i get to one, if not all of em just for that map!

quality!

ardiles: haha, i try, sorry if ive been a nuisance  ;)

The last couple of weekends have been a bit quiet, what with crap weather, recession and people being skint after the festive period...in fact a couple of weeks back I got in the Kings about 12:30, and there were more staff than punters. It stays open to 3:00, but they knocked it on the head by the time I'd finished my BBB's. So the Vic it was, happily a bit more life, but beer a bit suspect.

Isn that an old german bombers map..they missed Longs!

I'd definitely go with Old Town, Mackenzies & the Bank and the Goddard Arms........

Liquid is shite and if you can't be bothered to walk or get a cab down the hill then Suju isn't that bad to continue your night but won't get busy in there until gone 12.

if you are going to eat in old town, try los gatos the tapas place, best place to eat in swindon.

True...it went right down hill, a couple of summers back, but the chef got fired out, and it picked up straight way  :)

Thai Orchid Victoria hill. Lovely.

Just up from St Tropez....

I like the scrambled egg they do...some nice food in there.

The best chippy is The Frying Fish on Drove Road, opposite the fire station, on the Magic Roundabout.

And in regards to the Magic Roundabout, it's not as bad as most people think. Just treat each roundabout as a single one, and you'll get through it easy.

I do love tapas, but i find most of the time its pretty expensive for what it is. at least it is in manc.

Thai on the other hand is a delight, love their curries.

summerof69: the magic round about looks terrible. surely at least once a day someone has a panick attack on it and ends up sitting in the middle crying?

Yes, there's a permanent little hut there now with a nurse who gives you tea and a cuddle.

Los Gatos (tapas) is very good, but pretty expensive. Fabios is the nuts.

bwahahaha! excellent response.

aroamin, are you gonna get tickets for the Leeds game on Tuesday night?

i'm goin't try mate. i have to meet the missus at heathrow on the wednesday so i may go stay with my sis in london tuesday night, but if i don't i may well go along. would be a great first game to go to!

do you think i'll be able to get tickets on the day