Nice area w/in 20 minutes commute to Slough?

Hi All,
I've recently been approached about a position in Slough.  I've been around the area and I'm pretty certain I don't want to live in Slough.  I'm still in the process of working through my expat package, but assume the following...will have a housing allowance of 1200-1500GPB per month, will housing allowance for 1 car...wife and 1 and 1/2 year old moving with me.  I'm looking a good area to live which is still close to the trains, north to northwest of Slough (unless Thames valley i.e. Marlow area is a 1/2 hour or less commute to Slough).

Caveat being, w/ only 1 car, likely I'll be driving to work, where my wife who is used to working and daycare for our child will be home w/ baby 1st time so will need some good early ed schools and town center/shopping close to housing. 

Any suggestions for a nice area which is fairly safe and within walking distance to shopping other services? I've been told that West, South and East of Slough are a nightmare in traffic, so I've been looking in the Gerrard's Cross area, or even Windsor area to the South.  Emphasis on walkable, safe and green space/shoppable...any suggestions based on the 1200-1500 per month allowance?

Thanks and godbless.  Happy Holidays

Forgot to mention that we are looking for 3 bedroom house/flat...2 is possible, but also possibly expecting 2nd child

IMO, Windsor would definetly be the top choice, but you may find it difficult to find a three bed house or flat for less than £1500/mo.  Train connections aren't fantastic from Windsor, but if you are looking for walkable, safe, open space, great place to raise young children, I would say its perfect. 

On a good day, you could get from Marlow to Slough in less than 30minutes, but your journey would be on the M4 and if you are commuting during normal rush hour(s) this could potentially be much longer.

Dennis the Menace! is the resident expert on Slough ('cuse me, "West London", LOL  ).  

He'll get round to checking this post at some point, but if you want a more urgent reply, you may want to PM him.

Good luck!   

Hi

LBA - Thanks for the drum roll intro   I'll drop you a line shortly as well !

USexpat117 - Slough isn't as bad as many make out ! however, I know what you mean about perhaps wanting to live just a short commute away !

Like many other similar towns/cities all over the UK, there's plenty of choice of areas and neighbourhoods on the outskirts, and they sound pretty much what would suit you from what you've mentioned. Slough is no different, and there's plenty of areas to choose from that I think will suit. Plenty of my own good friends have moved just a short way out from Slough, have kids and want the choice of good schools and quietness with regards to them, keeping safety and space to play as important factors.

Is your budget inclusive of all additional mandatory costs? or is it 'just' the rental costs that's covered?

If it's just rental, then you'll need to budget for council tax, utilities, insurances and your personal family chosen mandatory expenses. However, you'll have more choice of potential areas to live at. If it's to include all mandatory expenses (perhaps utilities and council tax) then you'll be more limited in choices of areas to go for. Also, what's your preference? a house? or a flat/apartment? - I see you've mentioned both, but there can be (usually is) a significant difference between the two.

I know pretty much all the areas around Slough and a little further beyond including West London !, there are indeed nice little 'back roads' to get around to miss traffic etc. Pricing is high, rentals are extremely sought after and demand is constantly high - I wish I had more properties to rent out - I'd love to have had a portfolio to rent exclusively to UKY members, but alas, I can't afford another one ! myself and my friends are all private landlords with long term, happy and fantastic tenants.

There are some nice little pockets here and there that you may wish to consider and that had perhaps not crossed your mind to think of. Taplow, Iver Heath, Farnham to the North, Fifield, Bray to the West and just south'ish, and Colnbrook, Horton kinda way to the East/Heathrow & West London outskirts.

A little further out is places like Marlow that's been mentioned, closer is Windsor, but you'll really need to look at your budget.

If you wish, drop me a PM, and if you need perhaps an hour or so to have a look around, I don't mind having a little drive around to show you places etc.

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!