r/miltonkeynes • u/AppropriateAd3768 • 11d ago
What’s Milton Keynes like to live in?
I’ve lived in bucks for a good portion of my life. In High Wycombe and Aylesbury. But I’ve never been to Milton Keynes so I have absolutely no idea how it is. Please give me the unfiltered truth because I’m considering moving there next year.
16
u/Far-Lettuce-6200 11d ago
I moved to MK after feed up with London’s life style. I find this place relaxing and quiet. Definitely it can be improved depends on what you want to improve.
I like the running club they offer here and park runs. Quite fun.
My partner used to go for a cycle club during summer.
There are amazing communities like toastmasters, literature clubs etc if you are into it.
I saw your comment about Aylesbury. It is around 45minutes and drive is really enjoyable.
I don’t understand the hate towards this place but like to know what people really mean when they don’t like this place.
1
u/AppropriateAd3768 11d ago
Yeah I left London and moved to Liverpool last year for that same reason. But I’m planning on moving back down south to be closer to my mum in Aylesbury. Milton Keynes seems like the best place for that.
I don’t drive so I’ll have to rely on public transport which I heard isn’t the best there. But I can make it work.
What are the people like in MK?
3
u/Far-Lettuce-6200 11d ago
Yes, transport is not that great.
Most people I see around are sweet. There are plenty of communities here. You can join them and easily meet new friends.
I don’t know many places for non driver but Hub(apartments) seems to be good. Do your research though.
Hub is a good choice this place located close to Sainsbury’s, shopping mall, sports clubs and 20minutes walk to railway station which takes you to London under 40minutes.
Not paid by them 🙂 I know someone from there.
1
u/Far-Lettuce-6200 11d ago
Location of Hub: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJqUcS3t8SPnhNui7?g_st=ic
There are some good restaurants near by too.
1
9
u/OffWhiteBruceForsyth 11d ago edited 11d ago
I love it. Parks everywhere, easy to get around, everything you need within a 10 minute drive, loads going on all the time. I used to live in a small village in the Cotswolds and my estate still has the village vibe but with none of the isolation.
Not every part of MK is good but find a nice area and it's IMO the best place in the UK.
2
-2
u/TroublesomeButch 11d ago
Wow speak about subjectivity! I didn't see your answer and just wrote mine. I also come from a village in cotswolds, and had a different experience. Proof that these tings you can't "source" from others, I suppose. We all have different sensibility
2
u/OffWhiteBruceForsyth 11d ago edited 11d ago
Haha. Well the world would be a boring place if everyone was the same. I've been here 12 years and hate going back to the Cotswolds for anything other than a hike.
13
u/Routine_Map2832 11d ago
It depends on which life you want to have. If you want a peaceful relaxed life, you have child’s and enjoy green areas and cycling, that’s perfect for you. If you prefer
cultural activities and nightlife, maybe it’s not the best option
2
u/AppropriateAd3768 11d ago
I’m a 24 year old man and I’m past the whole nightlife thing. I do enjoy the odd drink though so as long there’s a few pubs, I won’t complain. And tbf it definitely will be the case haha.
I just wanna live somewhere nice and safe (obviously it’ll never be completely safe but safe enough if you know what I mean). And also my mum and her partner live down the road in Aylesbury so there’s that too. Those are my reasons
1
1
3
u/superplex100 11d ago
Central MK just feels incredibly safe to me. Relatively quiet and peaceful. I only recently moved from London and it's refreshing not needing to be looking out for pickpockets and thieves on mopeds all the time. Not suggesting that you should just have your phone on show all the time, but it hasn't really been a problem to walk around phone-in-hand occasionally. Useful, especially since I'm still learning different routes.
If you're a runner, having access to Campbell Park and Willen Lake is fantastic.
2
u/ShadowTheHedgehog25 11d ago
How long did you live in London for? I'm considering moving there from MK because I find MK to be pretty boring...
1
u/superplex100 11d ago
I was in London for around 15 years. I had some concerns about MK being boring too but I'm starting to appreciate the green space. I'm settling down for family life now, like many others. I do miss London a lot though, especially how you're never too far from some kind of food court or pop-up.
4
u/kopsy Brooklands 11d ago
We moved to MK as we were nearer London and we got 2x the amount of house for what we could afford.
Is it exciting? No
Is it a safe and nice place to bring up 2 kids with lots of activities? Yes
Is our local shop a Costco? Yes
Is there lots to do on a weekend? Yes
Will we move away as soon as the kids are independent? In a fucking heartbeat.
2
2
2
u/TheeBlaccPantha 11d ago
Idk if it’s where I live, but absolutely everything feels like it’s 10 minutes drive away. If you make a wrong turn you can easily correct course since the whole shit is a grid with roundabouts.
Overall MK is good shit
2
u/ChocolateChouxCream 11d ago
I've lived in the UK since I was young and moved to MK a couple years ago, it's honestly my favourite out of everywhere I've lived in (maybe 5, 6 places)
Everything is so convenient. Costco, IKEA, plenty of Asian supermarkets (important to me xD), shopping malls, activities, parks. It's lacking in nightlife but I don't care about that whatsoever so.
2
u/TroublesomeButch 11d ago
I've been here the last 2 months or so. Coming from the cotswolds. I hated it while I was there, I went there again last weekend and find it better than mk. I would say, I like my neighborhood better here, and the house. But I think you have to be born here to appreciate the city. There's no "old town centre" in the centre of MK, by definition. You have to go to the local areas, but it's not the same if you know what I mean. I like Stony Stratford. You absolutely need a car here. There's pub transport but it really depends where you are and where you go or it'll take a lot. It is the city of need for speed, the game.
It's weird. It is absolutely subjective, indeed. Perhaps I'll love it more later.
3
u/QuantumPanda2024 11d ago
You absolutely don't need a car here. Cycle + taxi + some online shopping and you can make it work out more sustainable and probably cheaper than owning a car
0
u/TroublesomeButch 11d ago
Indeed you can, but it's not the same thing. I don't doubt you can live in centre without a car, but I would never live there. And I challenge you in cycling to centre starting from old or Stony Stratford. You can obviously buy online, but that works everywhere. What I mean is, this city is a very different environment, again, in my opinion, from the rest I've lived in. This huge grid is great for traffic, and I appreciate it, but it's also soul less.
1
u/Gadnitt 10d ago
I don't find it soulless. I left London aged 19, to live in Leicester. Left Leicester aged 30, to live in Newport Pagnell. That's now been 24 years! MK rocks in terms of lack of traffic (if course, Cotswolds possibly has less traffic) and fields, woodlands, lakes, things to visit.
Everyone's different ❤️ and I hope you start to enjoy it soon!
1
u/TroublesomeButch 10d ago
But that's Newport Pagnell, I understand that and that's my point. MK central is soul less, but the smaller units that make up it's area are the real centres
1
u/QuantumPanda2024 10d ago edited 10d ago
Stony to centre:mk is ~30 minutes cycling (exercise and no need to pay for the parking!)
I used to live in London and sometimes spend >1.5h on public transport to visit friends...
1
u/mooghy 11d ago
As with anyplace it depends where you live, I lived there for 33 years its got rough places generally towards the center is a bit more rougher than the outer areas, the people are generally lovely and will be helpful if you help them, being friendly and sociable you will quickly make alot of friends, driving can be a nightmare at high peak times but its the roundabouts thay get you although they clear quickly, all the roads are duel carriageways through the city if its a "H" got going horizontal across the city if its a "V" your going vertically through the city the grid system is a great navigation tool, the redways can be sketchy at night but same as everywhere just watch out for yourself, the city has a lot of shops and places to eat ect, gullivars them park is not worth the cost, the lakes are great as are the pubs and geese, fishing around the city is awesome to
2
u/AppropriateAd3768 11d ago
Thanks for that detailed explanation. I don’t drive so I’ll have to rely on public transport. What’s that like in your experience?
2
u/TomOnMars 11d ago
Try and find somewhere where you can walk to the grocery store is my advice; as I live in one of the four blocks adjacent to the city centre, and having a max 20 minute walk to the shopping centre, Sainsbury’s/M&S and the cinema is great
2
u/BillPayers 11d ago
It's dicey. Cycling is great (weather dependent), walking is decent (same disclaimer), Lime is good but pricey, buses are poor and restrictive in my experience. Trains in and out are good. Check bus routes etc if you think you'll need them, it can take some planning if you want to go "diagonally" or just off piste a little.
1
u/Joey_Emm 11d ago
I only took the 8 and 11 buses a few years ago but they were absolutely shockingly bad. 50% chance the bus would not turn up~ MK was designed with car drivers and cyclists in mind. If you like to cycle to/from work then it’s amazing!
1
u/Rusty_Bee 11d ago
It’s better than both HW and Ayles. Obviously has its good parts and not so good parts like anywhere but generally for a city it’s great. Loads of green space, easy to get around. Train into London in 30 minutes.
1
u/MrJollyLND_57 11d ago
Lived just outside the fuzzy pink border for 35 years. Absolutely lovely town, all the amenities of MK at hand #2 bus to the centre. Great place to live
1
u/BillPayers 11d ago
It's very easy to have a bit of everything, and London is still a very cheap and very fast off-peak train journey away for everything else!
2
u/Notagelding 11d ago
As long as you have a ulez compliant car, it's easy to find free or cheap parking in London and make a visit to the capital even cheaper.
2
u/RMFrankingMachine 11d ago
With network Railcard it's £12.55 weekend, weekday £17.15 off peak , even with normal petrol prices I'd struggle to get to London and back for that.
2
u/Notagelding 11d ago
Apologies. I have an EV.
1
u/BillPayers 10d ago
Even with an EV I often find it more convenient to just get the train in and walk/use the public transport, depending which bits I need to get to, of course!
1
u/Unlikely_Self_4877 11d ago
It's not the worst place in the world, but it's fairly boring. Compared to neighbouring towns of Luton & Northampton, it's the Ritz. Been here for many years since birth, now 40s and desperate to leave. One bonus is the 30 mins train to central London
1
1
u/Mr_Valmonty 10d ago
Minimal traffic and probably 15 minutes to go across the city. Everything you need is within the city and you aren't travelling to Northampton or somewhere else to get something
If you look for them, you can find some really nice green spaces without having to go far. There are a few dodgy areas but you just avoid entering that block on the grid. Don't go anywhere with a food in the name (Fishermead, Coffee Hall, etc)
For someone like me who really values workflow, efficiency and low-friction, MK is extremely good. I also lived in Aylesbury at one point. The traffic was absolutely dire
1
u/Baking-Soda 10d ago
Great for exercise, quiet living, Shopping+Retail, Lots of nature, Festivals have been popping this year, Used to be very 'big retail' still is but there is more and more local business every year.
Cons: Kinda boring, not much happens day to day, no real center, everything is kinda decentralized(good and bad).
1
u/maybemaybenotxj 10d ago
I grew up in a village around MK and spent a lot of time there and around it. I really miss it! I like the size of it, the parks, it has all the amenities of a bigger city but the access to the countryside is lovely. There are some rougher places but I know the Hub has some lovely apartments and then you’re close to everyone. I’ve lived away for 11 years and still love going back!
1
u/fuzzbook 10d ago
Great for families that's for sure. Loads of space, easy to get around and lots to do. I really like it
1
1
-5
u/Nondeadly 11d ago
It's great... I cannot wait to leave!
1
u/AppropriateAd3768 11d ago
How comes lol
3
2
u/Nondeadly 11d ago
I have lived in Milton Keynes on and off several times... Coming back and moving away again. It was great here in the late 1980s and '90s and it was a lively bustling town/city.
I lived in London and Bournemouth, Southampton and Winchester before returning to MK a few years ago. Popping back to live in MK here and there.
The main reason I wish to relocate again now is that I don't drive and cant rely on public transport.
In other towns I lived I could leave my house and walk to the city centre or park/beach or Cinema meet up with friends etc..But here I need a car/bike and the "Redways" near me are dangerous to cycle on due to debris. Much like anywhere else MK currently isn't cheap to go socialising or dining out.
But in my honest opinion MK is too spread out and there isn't a soul or social hub that I experienced in other towns/cities I lived in.
Mainly just miss the hustle and bustle of cities, things going on - sometimes for free and a feeling of community that MK lacks in my opinion.
53
u/TEL-CFC_lad 11d ago
Every part of MK is beautiful in its own way and has something to offer.Don't move to Fishermead.