After graduating in 2025, I was excited for the next chapter of my life … and also scared.
Not only was I preparing to move over 300 miles from my hometown near Glasgow to England, but I was moving to a city regularly located near the top of “worst places to live in the UK” lists: Milton Keynes.
Officially designated a new town in 1967, Milton Keynes was built in a grid-street pattern with over 130 roundabouts. Since then, it has earned a reputation for being a concrete jungle with no history, culture, or soul.
Moving here wasn’t exactly my choice. I’d received an exciting job offer, but accepting it meant relocating within a commutable distance. Milton Keynes was the closest city to my new job, making it the obvious pick.
I’d seen people online describe it as dull, gray, and boring, among other things. Meanwhile, friends and family were surprised to hear I was moving so far away, to somewhere that they only knew as a city made for cars.
After living here for the past six months, though, I’ve formed my own opinion on this commuter city — and I think it’s earned an unfair reputation.
My new home has everything I need
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed in big cities, especially London, where everything is so spread out and I’m forced to use public transit to get anywhere. In contrast, Milton Keynes has everything I need, and it’s easy to navigate without feeling overwhelmingly busy.
From chain restaurants to independent eateries, there’s no shortage of places to eat and drink, with a wide range of cuisines and cute cafés to choose from. Among my favorite spots are Canal Street Coffee and Mii & U Oriental.
There are also plenty of green spaces if you fancy some fresh air, with over 6,000 acres of parks.
Of course, on the days I do feel like taking a trip to the big city, the trains to London run frequently and I can get there in as quickly as half an hour. I’m never too far from the hustle and bustle if I need a change of scenery or want to catch a concert or visit an art exhibit in London.
Some people think Milton Keynes lacks history, but I haven’t found that to be completely true
One of the biggest critiques I’ve heard lobbed at Milton Keynes is that, as a newer city, it doesn’t have an interesting, storied past like London or Oxford. However, that’s not completely true — personally, I love history, and there is plenty of it around Milton Keynes.
You might not find many historic buildings in the city center, but minutes away is Bletchley Park, where Allies broke the German Enigma code during World War II, helping end the war sooner.
Just a half-hour drive away in the city’s neighboring towns, there are plenty of castles and historic landmarks, such as Stowe House and Castle Ashby.
I also think there are some benefits to Milton Keynes being a relatively “newer” city. For instance, because the city’s theater opened in 1999, I’ve found it to have plenty of space and legroom, especially compared to many of the older theaters I’ve visited in London and throughout the rest of the UK.
All in all, Milton Keynes has won me over and I enjoy sharing the city with others
Since moving here, I’ve loved showing off my new home to family and friends and helping them see the potential of a city that gets so much negativity.
I love showing my visitors the hidden gems of Milton Keynes, like the parks’ food markets on sunny days or taco-selling boats on the canal.
When I tell people I live here now, and they respond with an apology or a comment on how awful that must be, it grates on me — because although Scotland will always be my home, Milton Keynes officially has a soft spot in my heart.
Read the full article here
