Swindon is located in Wiltshire in the Southwest of England and situated between Bristol and Reading. 70 – 80 miles from Cardiff and London respectively, this popular town is an ideal spot to be if you need easy access to either of the big cities.
If you’re thinking of settling down in Swindon, there are a few things to consider before taking the plunge. As with any area, living in the town has its advantages and disadvantages. From affordable property prices to great nightlife, there are plenty of reasons Swindon draws people in.
Here, we explore what it’s like to live in Swindon in 2022.
House prices and popular areas
With house prices in the UK notoriously high at the moment, buying property in Swindon is surprisingly affordable. While the rest of the UK are forced to shell out six times their annual salary at a minimum to buy their first home, locals in Swindon only pay around 5.4 times their annual salary.
Swindon is a high demand location for new build homes. Popular areas to live in are North Swindon, Haydon End, Redhouse, Wroughton, Oakhurst, Abbey Meads, Taw Hill and the Old Town.
Employment rates
Understandably, employment rates have fallen around the UK as a result of the pandemic. However, as of Q3 of 2021, 74.9% of the population of Swindon was in employment. Considering the mean percentage for all English single tier and county councils for that period (74.6%), Swindon isn’t doing too badly.
Hopefully, the winding down of the pandemic will give businesses a chance to get back on their feet and raise employment rates again soon.
Education
Swindon has a number of options for each form of education, so you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which is the best school for your child. Many of these schools have received an “Outstanding” rating from Ofsted.
Should you wish to send your child to a private school, you will have two to choose from in Swindon; Pinewood School and Maranatha Christian School. Each of these establishments are co-educational but only Pinewood School offers boarding for students.
What to do
Swindon is a bustling town with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to provide respite after a long working week. Tuck into some tasty pub grub at The Windmill or enjoy a cocktail at premium bar 1101, then dance the night away at popular nightclub Tree.
If you’d rather get out in the fresh air and explore the nearby natural beauty, Swindon has a number of great walks of varying lengths, so you’re sure to find something to suit you. There are also a number of parks and nature reserves which are perfect for a fun family day out.
