New from Chicago Area too

Hi all!
I am currently living in La Grange, Illinois and considering a move to the UK (my company is opening offices in Reading).   I'm trying to track down info on schools, neighborhoods and ex-pat life in the Reading area.  Any advice would be really appreciated.   Thanks! 

Hi MaryAnn don't know much about Reading but I am sure someone will!  Welcome to UKY!

Welcome and good luck on your possible new adventure!  Have you ever been to the UK before?

Thanks for the welcome!!  Yes, we've been to the UK before, but's it was years ago for our Honeymoon.  We loved it and are excited about the possibility of living there.  Been reading the postings here and picking up lots of useful info.     How long have you been in the UK?   Mary

I was born in La Grange!  Welcome. 

Thanks for the welcome!!  Yes, we've been to the UK before, but's it was years ago for our Honeymoon.  We loved it and are excited about the possibility of living there.  Been reading the postings here and picking up lots of useful info.     How long have you been in the UK?   Mary

Hello Mary,
I have been in the UK for 2 years.  It has been an adventure, there are many postive things about England.  It is very good that you have been here before, gives you an idea of what is all about, though vacationing and living some place are so very different.  Good luck, it will be fun.
Danielle

welcome to the board Mary Ann

Hi there, welcome! 

Welcome to UKY.

I grew up in Brookfield, and just returned to Chicagoland (St. Charles) after 8 years in England.  My husband lived in the Reading area many years ago.

The area apparently has seen a lot of growth in recent years.   Reading sits in the bottom of the Thames Valley and between there and Oxford, thre are lots of nice towns and villages within commuting distance to Reading.

How old are your kids?  There are a couple of ways you could try to get information on schools:  Ofsted reports, done by school inspectors from the education department; and checking the league tables, which are results of test scores.  I believe there are websites for both of these publications.

Is there anybody who has a link to these sites?  The educational system is structured differently than in the US.  I'm sure there are lots of people on this site who would be more than happy to help you navigate it and answer questions that may arise.

If you want to chat some more, feel free to pm me!

Good luck!

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/

For ofsted reports.


The one below takes you directly to the Reading Local Education Authority.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=lea&id=870

And welcome BTW !!

PS
You probably know, but just on the off-chance you don't, Reading is pronounced Redding.
I don't know why.
We Brits seem to be good at finding odd pronunciation.
Leicester sounds like Lester...........etc.

There are a few people on the forum in Reading so I'm sure they'll fill you in. I grew up in Maidenhead, which is near Reading and I have to say Reading has never been my favourite place -it is a bit dreary, but the good news is that it is near lots of lovely old villages, like Henley on Thames. You might want to consider living out of town if you don't mind commuting a bit.  On the plus side,  there is a branch of Chilis in Reading and it's a great place to go shopping, they have pretty much everything you would find in central London without the huge crowds.