Moving to High Wycombe

Written by Ashleigh Williams

18th May 2023 (Last updated on 8th Aug 2023) 5 minute read

An Overview of High Wycombe

High Wycombe is a multicultural market town based in Buckinghamshire. It has a population of approximately 83,523 according to City Population. The town was originally known for being a leader in the chair-making industry, it’s now popular for its transport links and rich countryside.

Being only a 30-minute commute into the centre of London, it’s a common choice for those looking for a commuter town with a lower cost of living. It has a good balance of being close enough to the city to experience good entertainment and nightlife, but being a quieter town overall.

It’s ideal for commuters looking to settle down while still working in the capital. With many green spaces and acres of countryside, people living in High Wycombe can experience the benefits of countryside and town living.

House Prices

The average house price in High Wycombe according to Zoopla is £378,278. The cost of living in High Wycombe is slightly higher than the national average for England, which is £377,652. However, when you take into consideration its close proximity to London, house prices are reasonable.

Here is a breakdown of the average house prices for different property types in the town:

*Data taken from Zoopla statistics

Some of the best areas to live in High Wycombe include Wycombe Marsh, Loudwater and Marlowhill. The city centre is a popular location for those looking for properties close to local amenities.

Renting

£1,471 is the average rental cost per month for properties in High Wycombe. Rental costs in High Wycombe are reasonable and competitively priced, especially when compared to the high costs of the capital city.

Here are the average costs for each property type:

* Data taken from Home.co.uk statistics

Schools and Education

Some of the best schools in High Wycombe include Wycombe High School and John Hamden Grammar School. The A*-C GCSE pass rate for Wycombe High School was 98.3% in 2022, according to Buckinghamshire Live. The highest-rated primary schools include Loudwater Combined School and Hughenden Primary School.

There is one university in the area which is Buckinghamshire New University. However, a short distance away there are other notable universities such as Oxford University, University of West London, and Brunel University London.

Work and Salary

The average salary in High Wycombe is £31,538 according to PayScale. This is higher than the UK average of £25,971 as stated by Think Plutus. Some of the most common industries for employment in the area are technology, finance, manufacturing and education.

With its convenient location, many people choose to live in the area and work in places such as Oxford and London.

Transport

The public transport systems in High Wycombe are reasonably good, especially when considering its close proximity to London. You have the choice of using both bus and train to travel locally, to the capital and other areas of Buckinghamshire.

The train service is reliable and offers services to locations such as Wembley Stadium, Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and London Marylebone. The bus station provides links to many local locations as well as London Victoria, and Stansted Airport.

For drivers, the M40 is near to the town, providing good access to places such as Bicester, Banbury, Birmingham, Oxford and London. Slough and Reading are other towns that can be reached fairly quickly. The M25 and M4 are a short drive away, providing links to many areas of the UK.

London Heathrow is the closest airport, being only 17 miles away. This international airport is one of the largest in the UK and provides flights to countries across the globe.

Entertainment

There is an abundance of things to do in the area depending on your preferences. High Wycombe is known for its shopping facilities. The Eden Shopping Centre and the high street located in the town centre are the most common locations and have a wide array of different shops.

There is a wide range of different restaurants and bars in High Wycombe, many of which are independent. Popular choices include Chiltern Taps, The Works and Bombay Place. For those interested in nightlife, there are a handful of nightclubs, such as Trilogy Nightclub and The Venue.

The Wycombe Swan Theatre is a popular location to watch live acts and theatre shows, and some pubs and bars in the town offer live music.

High Wycombe is home to many fantastic parks and green, open spaces. Areas to note include Desborough and Hughenden Park, which is part of the National Trust. Higginson Park and Colne Valley Regional Park are only a short distance away from the town.

The Hellfire Caves and Hughenden Manor, and Wycombe Museum provide insights into the history of the area. In addition to this, entertainment includes bowling alleys, cinemas and Odds Farm Park.

Crime

According to CrimeRate, High Wycombe is the safest of the major towns in the Buckinghamshire area. However, overall it ranks 23rd of 216 for the most dangerous areas.

In 2022, the crime rate was 88 per 1,000 people, which was higher than in 2021, where it was 80. Even so, there are some areas of the town with a higher crime rate than others.

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All costs listed in this article are correct at the time of writing. Costs may vary slightly and this is just an estimated number.