It won’t have escaped anyone looking to buy or sell in the area that the market is enjoying a real boom at the moment, fuelled partly by a desire for more space.
The pandemic has forced us all to change how we live and for some there will be a long-term shift to either full or part-time working from home. With a daily commute no longer an issue, suddenly it becomes viable to live much further away from the office, to perhaps a leafier or more rural area or to one that offers substantially more house for your money.
Despite the Stamp Duty holiday soon coming to end, there are still huge numbers of people desperate to snap up a desirable family home with extra square footage and attractive outside space.
To get an idea of the extra space offer in Wokingham in comparison with London (where many relocate from), if you look at the average cost per square foot then it is possible to acquire double the size of property for your budget! Statistics* compiled earlier this year showed that although prices varied hugely between boroughs, the average cost per square foot in London was £729. Wokingham, however, stands currently at an average of £372. That 2 bed flat which has been bursting at the seams can easily be cashed in for a more spacious home with office, lovely private garden and all those features we now value more than ever.
Is Wokingham a nice place to live?
The short answer is yes! It comes as no surprise that the attractive market town of Wokingham is so popular when it frequently tops the lists of best places to live or bring up a family in the UK. Furthermore, earlier in 2021, the Office of National Statistics declared it to be the healthiest borough in the country when comparing data on life expectancy, long term medical conditions, mental health and personal wellbeing.
As a consequence of its popularity, property prices are not the cheapest in the South East but do compare favourably to other hot spots in Surrey that are popular with families upsizing.
We would argue that there is something for everyone in and around Wokingham. This expansive borough includes a great mix of housing stock; rural and semi-rural properties, sizeable modern family homes, numerous new build options as well as more traditional period houses. Have a look at the properties we currently have for sale in Wokingham and nearby Crowthorne.
Family life in Wokingham
A host of highly-rated state primary and secondary schools provide a real draw for families looking to relocate for a better quality of life.
The Borough of Wokingham contains no less than 75 primary schools and 23 secondary schools, many of which are judged to be ‘Ofsted Outstanding’. They comprise a mix of maintained schools, academies and independent schools, with additional settings for those with special educational needs.
Attainment levels at all schools are consistently high with SATs scores coming at about 10% above the national average and GCSE results around 20% higher across the board.
And when it comes to leisure, there are numerous facilities, local sports clubs and recreational areas to keep all ages amused and entertained. Huge investment has been made over recent years into regenerating Wokingham’s town centre, the local parks and sport’s centres. The town centre now boasts a beautifully designed play area, new cinema and the fabulous Peach Place lined with cafes, restaurants and boutiques. The final phase of development is due for completion in 2022 and will see the opening of a brand new swimming pool, sports centre and library.
Excellent transport links
Also keeping Wokingham at the top of the popularity charts are the transport links which are excellent and ever-improving. The town enjoys direct access to the M4, is within easy reach of the M3 and on two train lines offering access to London in around an hour. Crossrail will one day soon connect to Reading and Twyford offering a direct link to London’s West End and the City.
For more information about buying or selling a property in the area, please contact our Wokingham branch on 0118 977 677 or Crowthorne branch on 01344 779 999 for more information.
*Statistics from Yes Homebuyers