For real, the mean streets of Staines is home to some of da baddest brudas in all of the Berkshire. Dey is spreading hope to da youth who is keeping da massive real. Nuff respect. If you is got love for da streets, and is packing some serious gear, then buy yous a house in da badlands and get with me brothers. We is meeting outside MacDonalds most days after da school. Big up yo'self!
Since Ali G stepped his oversize trainers and undersize intelligence across the public consciousness, Staines has become synonymous with the try-hard gangster rapping antics of middle-class adolescents, keeping it real on the mean streets of suburbia. G chose his town well, as Staines grew up as an important communications centre at the confluence of the Colne and Thames. Long before a vision in yellow acrylic appeared spouting homilies from the 'hood, Staines was a crucial messaging point for the Romans, who built a bridge across the river here to link London to the South West.
Nowadays, the place is the stomping ground of families, commuters, and Heathrow employees, drawn to the riverside prospects and good facilities of this richly historical town. It is also on something of an economic upswing, with Sony, BUPA, and McVities among a number of high profile companies bringing their brands to town and cementing a local feel good factor.
Until very recently, Staines turned its back on the river, with residential expansions moving inland. As the Thames transforms itself from working river into leisure terrain and prime property outlook, it's not surprising that developments have started to embrace the liquid heritage of the town. To the west of Laleham Road are any number of desirable riverside options but the range of prices (under £100,000 for a 1 bed block apartment up to a half million and beyond for exclusive gated developments) keeps a fair demographic mix in the area.
Private roads around Lammas Drive, to the north, and Penton Hook Lock to the south, house some of the town's most prestigious and priciest waterside moorings. Architecturally, there's something for everyone here (well, everyone with plenty of money) from Log Cabin chic, to Edwardian grandeur. On the other side of the river, along Chertsey Lane, is a similar assortment of properties, most with more bedrooms than you could count on one hand, and carrying prices of half a million and up.
Whilst most housing stock in town is modern build, there are plenty of Victorian cottages to be found along older roads (London Road and Commercial Road are good places to start looking). For larger properties, the Leacroft and Budebury Road areas sandwich the station and are popular with commuter families. On the eastern fringe of town, the Royals area offers good value family options. There are plenty of apartment blocks around, and a smaller number of conversions. For old world charm, head south to Laleham where a small village atmosphere is fiercely guarded by locals, and prices rise with proximity to the green.
Staines town centre has been busy revitalising itself over the last couple of years, with pedestrianisation schemes and traffic calming measures. Talk of a new Kingston may be a little off the mark, but as you'd expect of such a family orientated area, retail and recreation in Staines is extensive, with a full centre of up to date shopping malls, new cinemas and leisure complexes.
Away from the bustle there's plenty of parkland around town and Great Windsor Park stretches for miles just on the other side of the M25. Gravel pits in the surrounds have been flooded, to give Staines a near moat of reservoirs. Migratory waterfowl take up residency here during winter and spring, before being chased off to their summer retreats by a colourful army of water-skiers, windsurfers and picnicking paddlers.
The Thames offers further water-bound recreation as well as some beautiful riverside walking. As a consequence of Staines' earlier inland developing, public access to the riverside has been relatively easy to maintain. A stretch of tow path here forms part of Sustran's national cycle network. On dry land, golf courses are plentiful, while to the south, rollercoasters and theme park thrills and spills cover the green acres of Thorpe Park.
There's no shortage of good schooling options in the area, catering for both state and private pupils.
With frequent train services into the city, taking around half an hour, Staines is a commuter haven. Access to the motorway network is more or less immediate with the M25 and M3 at Junction 12, and the A30 passes through town. Heathrow is a mere 10 minutes away.
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