A guide to living in Berkshire

Berkshire is a county in the South East of England. It has a population of around 540,000 and contains some beautiful countryside and towns. The landscape here is varied, from chalk downland through rich farmland to woodland and water features. The county town is Reading and there are many other large towns such as Newbury, Swindon and Wokingham which all have their own attractions. Berkshire also has many amazing educational institutions including world-leading universities like the University of Reading.

Excellent

69.1

Very Good

22.4

Average

5.3

Disappointing

1.8

Very poor

1.4

Best places to live in Berkshire

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 59

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

Ebb & Flow, RG1

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.86

(154 reviews)

Ebb & Flow offers a collection of Studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in the heart of Reading. All apartments have spacious kitchens, enhanced floor to ceiling height, and bespoke furniture. As well as this, residents benefit from a 24hr support team, wellness classes and community events. Private social and co-working spaces are also included. A buzzing new neighbourhood right on your doorstep.

1st

Ranked 1st out of 34 in Berkshire

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Leaf Living at Buckler's Park, RG40

By Leaf Living

4.73

(16 reviews)

Experience tranquillity village life with a modern twist at Buckler's Park in Crowthorne. The village is bustling with coffee shops, cosy pubs and hosts of seasonal food festival. Nestled within a nature reserve you are spoilt for choice when it comes to walks and cycling routes, with Buckler's Forest on your doorstep. This new community is close to excellent schools and a short drive to Crowthorne Station with a direct train to Reading and London Gatwick.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 34 in Berkshire

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Development image of Berkshire House, SL6

Rental Only

Award Winner 2024

Berkshire House, SL6

By Essential Living

Award winner 2024

4.62

(148 reviews)

£1,100-£1,300 pcm

1 beds

Berkshire House is a Build to Rent development managed by Essential Living. There are 68 apartments, and these are a range of studios as well as one and two-bedroom apartments. Additionally, Berkshire House has a central location on Maidenhead High Street. Therefore, it is close to Maidenhead station and a short drive from the historical town of Windsor, which hugs the River Thames.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 34 in Berkshire

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Emporium House, RG1

By Allsop Letting and Management

4.36

(18 reviews)

Previously known as Domain Apartments, Emporium House is a newly rebranded and professionally managed Build-to-Rent community in the heart of Reading, offering modern living across two distinct buildings: Emporium House West, and Emporium House East. The development comprises a total of 418 high-quality rental apartments, with a mix of stylish one, two, and three-bedroom homes, all available fully furnished to suit flexible lifestyles. Residents enjoy access to an impressive range of on-site amenities, including a fully equipped gym, private screening room, co-working spaces, resident lounges, a private dining room, and landscaped courtyards. Perfectly located, Emporium House is just a 7-minute walk from Reading Station and 10 minutes from Broad Street Shopping Centre, offering excellent connectivity and local convenience.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 34 in Berkshire

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L&Q at Huntley Wharf, RG1

By L&Q

4.83

(8 reviews)

L&Q at Huntley Wharf is a collection of riverside 1 and 2-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments and duplex apartments in the prospering town of Reading. The development will compliment the transformation of Reading as an urban hub, providing contemporary riverside apartments to this evolving town. Huntley Wharf will provide a new destination for central Reading featuring a central riverside square with proposed local amenities such as a café, restaurant, a local store, gym, nursery and landscaped open spaces along the river. The apartments will provide a desirable specification, making it the perfect space for modern day living.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 34 in Berkshire

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Page 1 of 12

Featured developments in Berkshire

Latest Reviews in Berkshire

866 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 864

Bali (Tenant)

Berkshire House, SL6

Oct 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Very enjoyable stay for two years at Berkshire House Maidenhead

Bali (Tenant)

Berkshire House, SL6

Oct 2025

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Excellent location. Prompt management support was offered immediately. Safe parking. Bad - noise from the streets below and pubs when windows and balcony door open. No air con as it got soo hot during summer

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Very prompt response every time. Both Oxana, Roxana and Ionut and Lucas are very friendly and made our stay and experience very positive.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Very hot in summer Noise from the street below and pubs

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Kayla J (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Ebb & Flow, RG1

Oct 2025

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

I think that design wise, it’s very modern and sleek

Kayla J (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Ebb & Flow, RG1

Oct 2025

I think that design wise, it’s very modern and sleek which a lot of people can appreciate and love. It’s a nice touch with the amenities and open space Ebb has, the parcel room also is a nice touch. staff are really friendly and helpful also. my review comes from having a really smooth experience regarding some maintenance request I had put in, where Robert had responded and I’ve had everything fixed within a few hours which honestly is a dream because elsewhere these things wouldn’t get seen too same day. he was incredibly helpful and quick, if there’s one thing I can’t fault it would be the maintenance team any time I have had a issue my experience has always been the same which I am grateful for.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

pros- very close to the town centre, food takeaways and transport links. cons - parking availability is very scarce outside of the car park with is not ideal for those who either have multiple vehicles or just has a visitor as more money will need to be spent in order to secure parking. the nightclubs, for me is a con only being I live essentially opposite them, however that is not a concern for someone on a different side or even potentially higher up.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

any issues raised have been dealt with accordingly

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

ebb and flow pride themselves on community which is lovely, very inclusive for all residents which is a really nice touch especially if someone is outgoing and friendly, I have made some really lovely friends since living here which I am grateful for.

・・

HomeViews

Kel D (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Ebb & Flow, RG1

Oct 2025

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

The best place I’ve ever lived—comfortable, well-managed, and truly feels like home.

Kel D (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Ebb & Flow, RG1

Oct 2025

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Ebb & Flow is a wonderful place to call home. The community is clean, well-maintained, and efficiently managed. The management team is exceptional—always attentive, responsive, and ready to assist with any concerns. I highly recommend Ebb & Flow to anyone seeking a comfortable and well-run living environment.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The team demonstrated excellent responsiveness, addressing and resolving all issues on the same day with professionalism and positivity.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

How amazing the classes are! A real feel for community

・・

HomeViews

Barbara (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Berkshire House, SL6

Oct 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

In general I like the building

Barbara (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Berkshire House, SL6

Oct 2025

In general I like the building. The studio apartment could have furnitures fitting better its size as I had to buy a coffee table myself as the one in the apartment was just too big for the space. Property management is efficient but draining system seems a bit problematic as they are often getting blocked off . Also, it seems the no smoking & pet rules are not really followed by all residents despite the reminders. I am not sure how the management is handling those ignoring them.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Berkshire House’s residents team ( specifically Oxana Apostolache ) are outstanding. I have always been able to contact them and get a prompt answer/solution either via email or app. They are clear and informative about what services we should expect in the building and keep reminding residents of property rules per contract. I’m very satisfied with their service so far.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Residents team always respond to me within a couple of days with clear answers.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

That I could not transfer the tenancy internally to another apartment within the same building If I wished.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Katherine (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Berkshire House, SL6

Oct 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Lovely flats!

Katherine (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Berkshire House, SL6

Oct 2025

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The location is excellent, within walking distance to a variety of restaurants, gyms, cafes, and the train station. Parking in the area is not possible without renting one of the dedicated parking spaces, as the town center has strict parking limitations.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Building management always proactively addresses issues for the whole building, and any problems for my particular flat are always addressed professionally in a timely manner.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The studio flats to get quite hot in the summer time.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Page 1 of 173

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

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