Swindon area - how do you like it?

Hi all,

Just doing some preliminary searching on the internet and yellow pages today and thought I would ask online here. There is a strong possibility I may take a job in Swindon. Does anyone here live there and how do you like it?  The general online websites say it is generally quiet and ' boring', but that might not be too terrible a thing    I currently live in Newcastle upon tyne which is a little too loud and and filled with asbos/yobs, at least for my liking.   I'm an active type and I never stay at home, am always rather on the move.  Also, not sure from what I've read on the internet, but does Swindon have enough young people, ie. mid thirties and forties?, or is it more over sixties?  All info is appreciated!
cheers
Tulip.

Hi

I am a SA/Brit who has lived in Swindon for the last 7 years and we are very happy here.  Being a working class town it is very mixed, we have our good and bad areas just like everywhere else.  We are lucky to live in one of the 'suburbs'/estates that is about 6 miles from the town centre and the area is really lovely as we have Lydiard Park near us and the people who live in our street are either families and a few retired people - so we are quiet as such.  I have found the people here very friendly and have made some good friends.  I work in a library so I meet everyone from all areas and walks of life and I must say the majority of people here are really nice to meet.  I have met a few Americans and South Africans and some Polish folks so there is a nice mix too.  The town centre is very dated and not pretty at all but it is good for shopping as we have all the major stores - so I just use it to go in and out and stick to the countryside or else the shops outside of town.  We have a good theatre and quite a few libraries and some good schools.  So I do not know what else one really needs...

The population is a good mix as in any town within the UK.  Swindon has a good bus route which takes you around the town and also into the countryside - frequent buses for eg to Marlborough, Oxford (takes a good hour) Chippenham and Cheltenham (that does take about 2 hours).  There are lots of villages surrounding Swindon, for eg Wooten Bassett which is really got loads of good people you will see them featuring on the news a lot when they bring back the fallen soldiers and the town is extremely patriotic.  Crime here is a little lower than the national average and the house prices are good and steady and not over inflated like some areas.  We have a good access to the M4 and trains into London are also pretty good although expensive.  We are about 2 hours driving to the sea and close to Wales and Bristol, so Swindon is well positioned for the South and South West.  

I hope this helps please feel free to ask me any questions or send me a PM.

My favorite epithet (used by a Brit) for Swindon was "the ars* of Wiltshire".  I think it's fine, it's just that Wiltshire is such a breathtakingly beautiful place that the centre of Swindon falls a bit short (but who could compete with that?).  We considered living there, it's one of the cheaper areas of that part of the world, which is surely the most expensive place in Britain outside of London. 

I don't live in Swindon, but about 20 miles east in Oxfordshire.  Whether or not Swindon is okay depends entirely on the lifestyle you are looking for.  Are you married with kids, single and looking for nightlife and new friends, wanting culture and things to do, or just wanting a quiet life?

While Swindon is fine for basic "pop-out to get..." shopping, I have to say there really isn't anything else I would recommend it for.  Cost of living is a bit cheaper than some of the surrounding villages.  Nightlife is horrid.  I struggle to think of much "culture" or event type stuff that ever goes on in Swindon.  It's just that bit too far from London (and as was previously mentioned, train fare to London is stupidly expensive!), but close to Bath and Bristol.

Some of the surrounding villages may be a better for you, but again, it depends on what you're looking for.

It's great if you like roundabouts! 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

I only know Swindon by hearsay and Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books.

I live in Swindon. It is a utilitarian town, perfect for getting anything you need.  But it is ugly. I was in the town centre yesterday collecting my sons' glasses and as usual, I was floored by some of the people I see walking around. My other half and I will often sit in the window at Starbucks and watch the odd folk walk by... Seriously, I don't know where they come from, but you see some real weird looking people wandering about. The town centre is just kindof rough.    It's a tired old town which has been threatening to be revamped but we've been waiting years now. The nightlife can be a bit wild on a Saturday night and I often hear the helicoptors going by on the weekends, to chase somebody. Oh and when they have football matches, the police all come out in riot gear, which I accidentally stumbled onto one afternoon with policemen in their shields and helmets    Having said that, I think crime is quite low, but there is definitely a large population of people who are struggling, financially.

North Swindon is a bit better and they've got masses of new estates popping up with 3 story houses everywhere....but even these new neighbourhoods are starting to get a bit rough around the edges.  And there are no decent restaurants in this town, apart from the Indian ones. And the fab BORDERS shop had to close because of lack of sales....they turned it into a NEW LOOK but kept the Starbucks on the second floor. So you can have a coffee and watch people peruse thru clothes below.  

If you have children, do say and i'd be happy to point you in the right direction for schools...

Thank you everyone for your replies and honesty.  I just came home from the visit and my week long visit matches all your feedback as well.  I'm going to keep looking in the area.  Anyhoo, if the job relo still goes thru, we can all still meet up for coffee some time 

I look forward to it!!