[Closed] Tell me about... Milton Keynes

James - used to live there.

Riding-wise Woburn is literally minutes out of town.

Several "avoid" areas:

Netherfield
Beanhill
Lakes/South West Bletchley

Stayed there once for a wedding, in the centre. I went for a walk on the Sunday morning to buy a paper and it appeared to be like one of those sci-fi books where everyone has died except you. Quite literally soulless.

As above (andyrm) but there are a few more avoid areas depending on your level of snobbiness!

As above, but on a positive note it does have good amenities and cycle routes that are not painted on the road. You can cycle everywhere and its got good transport links, not far from the Chiltners, Woburn on your doorstep, Chicksands down the road.

So its not all bad.

Although Netherfield and Beanhill SHOULD be explored (rapidly and not on a bike), just to see the number of peanut headed freaks! 🙂

The best description I've seen of it is "brilliant in theory". It has got great amenities and infrastructure, it is close to some riding and is an hour on the train to London. You can cycle everywhere away from the roads as well.

However, the town centre is truly soulless, really dead feeling place.

To work there though there are a huge number of much more appealing places and even the odd nice village within a 30 minute commute.

thanks everyone, all good stuff to know

I think i'll be looking at places in Woburn Sands, Walnut tree and possibly Furzton...

I lived there for a number of years and it's alright - I still have family and friends there and know it really quite well. Really good for *family* life. Loads to do but you do need to drive ALOT.

Personally I would live in Stony Statford in the north a lovely little Victorian Village with restaurants and Pubs and easy access to all the utilities of MK.

I agree with Jase....for me there are a lot more areas to avoid!

I'll add Coffee Hall and Fishermead to the "avoid" list 🙂

You could live in Newport Pagnell or Stony Stratford and commute to MK if you don't fancy MK itself?

I managed to get ALL Scottish people banned from The Dove in NP for a year (much to the annoyance of my locally residing family). Had a minor dart/customer's leg interface when very drunk and trying to play "long distance darts".

Also, someone bounced a pint off my head in the Dolphin. When I say bounced, I mean bounced. They threw it across the room and it didn't break when it hit me.

I miss MK and NP 🙂 🙄

Stony Statford, that's the place I was thinking off, lovely little village, I had a great pub lunch there a while ago!

I'll be working just down from Milton Keynes central station which I why i'm looking at more south easterly places (plus the closer to the riding the better!)
Any one live/know Woburn sands?

My (ex) bro in law lives in the Village of Salford just outside and just bought a place in Woburn - lovely area.

If you are driving to work - you really don't need to worry about distance - there is no traffic in MK at all - live in an area you like! I lived in Stony Stratford and drove to Woburn in 20 mins (Aspley Guise to be exact) which are opposite ends of the city! With the A5 going through the middle and a lot of the roads 70mph distance/time is not an issue!

My choices other than SS are Woolstones and Woughton on the Green - both lovely areas. Furzton is nice too as is Walnut Tree.

MK is OK.

The town centre isn't that soulless and at least there are plenty of shops (although parking is a pita).

Walnut Tree and Woburn Sands are nice places to live - if it's Walnut Tree live up hill and on the west side - it's nicerer.

Riding in Woburn is great - but there's also some good street riding to be had in the town centre of an evening when all the offices are closed.

My car was once shot (air rifle) whilst driving through Coffee Hall - so add that to your list of no go areas.

James, I live in Woburn Sands.

Try tillbrook. sensible house prices, and only 1 mile from Woburn sands

You're near Woburn Sands, Chicksands and Aston Hill, not to mention all the riding of the Chilterns.

MK also has a good bike-friendly infrastructure and is obviously near the M1, and not too far from the M40.

As for living there? Not a clue. (I used to live in Tring and occasionally work in MK)

Furzton and out near Morrison's don't seem like bad places. But then again, I've only had to visit there and not live there.

Woburn Sands is really nice, I'm biased as I live there!
Apparently the local train is supposed to be going direct to central MK in the near future so you can add that to your list of options.

Moved to W/S from SS. SS didn't live up to my expectations, I always wanted to live there but not so much once I actually go there!
Not a lot wrong with it though, it's one of the better places for sure.

Tilbrook is an industrial estate, RBRSTR must be thinking of one of the estates close by. Plenty nice estates at the south of MK. Caldecotte/Old Farm Park etc.

As everyone has said, Woburn woods is great for riding and there are plenty of road clubs locally if that sort of thing blows your skirt up.

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Cows.

http://www.****/news/article-2217139/Vandalism-improvement-Concrete-cows-Milton-Keynes-given-early-Halloween-makeover-look-like-skeletons.html

the general rule of thumb is avoid anywhere with food or drink in the name:

Beanhill
Coffee Hall
Fishermead etc...

I live in Racecourses and commute to near the station by bike everyday. redways make this a doddle and I like having easy access to anything I'd ever want.

Oh, and if you like F1 celebs, take note: I bumped into Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing, while riding round Woburn. He did about an hour of mtb'ing then about an hour of running with his personal trainer.

I really hoped I'd ride past him with a flat, whereupon I could call out "no pit crew now Mark".

Traffic is not a problem, as they built it starting with the roads first.

Riding; Woburn, Chicksands, The Chilterns, and lots of other places. Cannock/North Downs/Swinley just over an hour away - so you'll need a 6" AM at least 🙂

Lived here ages! Last 6 years in Stony Stratford. Can't speak highly enough of it. Plenty of events, food, music, and beer. Even a bike shop. (Top end road though) Also like Great Linford. Depends what kind of house you're looking for. Big road scene and lots of off road groups to suit all levels and times of the week. Several night riding and mid week bunches going out.

I've lived here for 20 odd years (and have also lived in London and a few other places too, so I think I can make a fair comparison).

It's not at all soulless, and is a fantastic place for family life. The only real difference to other places is that it's spread over a large area so you can't get about on foot. Not having a selection of pubs that can be walked to is the main drawback for me, unless you live in one of the outskirt villages like Stony Stratford or Newport Pagnell.

Those who criticise the place tend to be those who only visit for a few days, or have seen a picture of the concrete cows in TV.

The areas to avoid are generally the ones that immediately border the centre, with a few exceptions. The nicer areas tend to be those that are slightly further out. I've lived in Great Holm, Two Mile Ash, Downs Barn (not great), Blue Bridge, Wavendon Gate, Deanshanger (one of the outer villages), Furzton and now live out on the western tip in Oxley Park, which is really nice.

As mentioned, plenty riding in Woburn without the need for a car - even from the far side of MK it's only about 30 mins by bike.

This is all great stuff 🙂

quite partial to a bit of road riding and big F1 fan, so that's all good!

Only looking for a flat to rent, so lots of options.
Not entirely sure about having a car... was hoping I could get everywhere by bike or train.

Jase MK, I think Furzton is on my shortlist, is it nice? the big lake looks good

people form Woburn sands, is shopping done in MK, or are there any supermarkets in the town?

I lived in Furzton for four years a few years ago... it was unlike any other place I've lived. Soulless is a common description but I think that maybe a bit harsh... I'm just used to places with a bit more 'character'. I think if you meet the right people anywhere can be a good place to live and I had a great time living there.

Personally, I'd look at Stony Stratford and over at the Northampton side maybe Castlethorpe or Hanslope but that's because I feel more at home in 1900 terraces than new builds.

Back when I was there you could get the best chicken Kebabs in the country from a van in a lay by in Shenley Church End! 8)

Condolences..

JamesH - in MK you need a car. Seriously.

If you are single and want a night life I would serious consider living in the centre at the Hub or similar.

Woburn Sands has a few smallish supermarkets (co-op I think) but Tesco and other shops are on a retail shopping place 2 miles away.

Furtzon ok, there are a few small parts that look a bit grim (IMO) but you'll get that with most places.

Woburn Sands has a small Co-Op which is notorious for it's high prices and miserable staff! Other than that it's mainly hairdressers and charity shops. There's a big Tesco's about a mile and a half away in Kingston.

Other areas in this corner of MK worth looking at are Wavendon Gate, Old Farm Park, Brownswood, Caldecotte, Walton Park, Kents Hill and Walnut Tree although Walnut Tree is a bit rough, especially near the local shops.

erm....it has a Costco.

Condolences..

That the biggest prob with MK - other people don't see it for the positives only negatives.

The car thing has to be thought about carefully. Most areas can be accessed on the Redways, so it nice to ride around. BUT its a big place! 15 minutes (even in rush hour) can get you almost anywhere in a car here; but that could be 15 miles. Where you work/live would have to be the determining factor. Most of the food supermarkets are on the edge and Tesco/Woburn Sands is a reasonable bike option. You only go to the centre for nightlife/clubs/films/theatre/clothes shopping, not daily supplies.

Some excellent bike shops in or near MK.

My daughter lived there for a year and coped quite well, living in Broughton. She bought a car after a while, though.
Ride with Nmbc Mtb (facebook page) - Northfield Mountain bike club. Regular runs, they'll show you around.

I've lived here in various areas for 10 odd years and I love it , having lived in Scotland, Wales , Watford etc . Avoid the mentioned areas , I'm in Walnut Tree now , and I'm sure you will end up agreeing 🙂

I've lived all over the country and MK is brilliant. We're not moving.

Loads (hours and hours) of singletrack in Woburn, fab road riding in the quiet lanes to the east or west, great running through the parks (I can do a 10k run from my house crossing only one road, and 9.75 k is in parkland, passing the concrete cows), great theatre, music, easy access for shopping, easy access to London (30 mins on fastest train).

As with all large towns there are places to avoid. The oldest estates are tired and have problems. Big new ones, like Furzeton, are nice but can be a bit quiet if you're single IMO. As stated above, if you're on your own, go for the Hub.

[url= http://www.mkiobservatory.org.uk/Download/Public/1026/DOCUMENT/10168/SocialAtlas2012.pdf ]There's some real detail in here if you're keen[/url] The estates are ranked in order, with 1 being lowest. Avoid Beanhill...

I live in a small village outside MK - been here for 7 years now and its not too bad. Local pub scene is good as well as the music scene..... central milton keynes (CMK) is good in the winter as its shopping indoors! As for riding - woburn is great..... i joined Cyclone MBC and they are a great bunch and have regular rides 🙂

This is ace, so much information. Thanks everyone!

I've changed my mind about a car, looks like i might be commuting into London a couple of times a week so would be handy to have.

I'm going to have a look round next week, see whats what. 8)

Lived here all my life (40 next year) have lived in quite a few areas even some of the less salubrious areas. Thing about MK is the estates.....personally I hate them as they had nothing on them years ago and you had to travel to the pub/shops etc so I've tended to go for the town. Lived in Stony for years and my mum still lives there but prices are not cheap. Woburn Sands is also not cheap and a little way out of MK so shops etc are a trek. Newport Pagnell is also quite dear, I live in Wolverton (next to Stony) and its a little run down but pretty cheap with the town feel plus we have the Craufurd arms which is great for live bands. Houses here are typical Victorian with good character and space for money (no parking though). We have a great new climbing wall if that's your thing and cycle commuting to the city is almost entirely on red ways so no roads (if your within the footprint of MK).
Depending how old you are you'll love or hate the centre for nights out, I hate but I'm used to Stony pub crawls.

Anyway good luck with your move where ever you end up....just not Tinkers Bridge (hideous)

I take it the job is with Network Rail....building looks mad, mate works there and likes it.

hmmm,

I've lived in mk for around 20 yrs, it's actually a fantastic place to live, plenty of things to do, i used to split my spare time between wakeboarding at willen and riding up brickhill woburn but now due to kids and age i just spend my spare time riding with my buddies at woburn or nip over to the chilterns and ride at wendover and out towards oxford,

not sure what the towns like in the evenings as i haven't really sampled it since the kids came along but word on the street is still lots going on, no end of choice on places to eat etc,

traffic is paradise, people really slag it off and i have never understood why, would you rather have roundabouts our traffic jams?, most areas have four angles of approach as the city is designed on a grid system so you can always get to other parts of the city really quickly, i used to take me 10mins to travel the 7 miles to work by car, the same journey by bike(single speed ) would take me just under 30 mins relaxed, i would only cross two roads,

I now work in bletchley 1.5mls from my door, bletchley gets some really bad press but i've lived here for the last 10 yrs after spending 7 yrs in newport pagnel 9 (nice place ruined by the bloody motorway and the fact you need a car to get to the city, ) i do live on whats supposed to be one of the best streets in the whole city but i've generally found the people of bletchley a lot nicer than the people on the estates plus we have room to park our cars and nobody looks into our back gardens,

the estates all have a good side and bad side but both sides are like living in car parks, the difference is one side has 1 car and no driveway and the nice sides have 4 cars and a bloody small drive way, plus the garages are full of domestic stuff that they cant fit in the small houses that they think are much larger as they paid silly money for them.

the best guide to living on estates is watch for the amount of small one bed and two bed houses there are where you are looking, you don't want to many as they are usually trouble rental areas, watch for the piles of bin bags and mattresses etc.

the best bit about bletchley for me is, getting the train which is a five minute walk, going to cmk ,walking up town , doing some shopping, going to the hub on the way back, having a few drinks and some food with the kids, walking back down the hill, 5 mins on the train, home again. £7 quid tickets all round return.

oh and woburn/brickhill woods/apsley etc etc, but not that carpa t heath and reach 🙂

I live just outside of MK in Leighton Buzzard. Woburn sort of splits the two places.
Mk is great, obviously I go there to use the facilities.
The theatre district
Skiing in the snow dome.
Sailing, rowing and a great triathlon scene around the lakes.
Shops.
National Bowl for huge open air concerts and it has a road race circuit that also hosts cyclocross and XC.
Great bike shops
loads of road and MTB clubs and groups
MK Dons, the stadium is fantastic even if you're not into it big time.
Plenty of work

looks like i might be commuting into London a couple of times a week so would be handy to have.

Noooooo. Take the train. 45 minutes. Car 2 hours + at rush hour.

As you can see, a real Marmite of a place. Some love it, others hate it. No-one's indifferent.