Any question answered...

Does anyone here live in Reading or know the area quite well?

My girlfriend works in Marlborough & I work in London, I've tried commuting from Marlborough but it just takes too long so we're looking to move house and share the commuting distance - in my mind this leaves us with Reading as the best option.

Which are the nice and which are the shit areas?

I need to be able to get to the station & my girlfriend will be driving West to Marlborough for work if that helps with location...

Hmm spent a year in Reading last year, there aren't many nice bits really! and getting in and around the city centre (even on a bike) is a nightmare at rush hour.

If your trains go from there I would say to live in one of the suburb\villagey bits like Theale (where I lived) or Tilehurst, or if you want to burn money Pangbourne...

Theale also gives access straight to the M4, so easy car commuting. I got the train into London and it took about 40 minutes each way.

One negative\positive is that they are due to build the biggest Ikea in Calcot (across the road from Theale) soon...

PM if you want any more info...