Charlton, part of Wantage in the Vale of White Horse, is a family-friendly area built around strong schools, low crime and clean air. Outstanding-rated schools like Fitzwaryn and Wantage Primary Academy crop up across several neighbourhoods, alongside King Alfred's Academy for secondary pupils, making this a strong pick if education is high on your list. Crime rates are consistently below national and regional averages and falling further, while air quality is excellent throughout, giving the whole suburb a safe, settled character. House prices vary quite a bit depending on which neighbourhood you look at. Wantage & Grove Brook is the most affordable, with detached homes around £471,000 and flats from £181,000, while Ridgeway and The Hendreds sit at the premium end, with detached houses fetching £715,000 and £671,000 respectively. Wantage Charlton falls in between, offering a reasonable middle ground. Grove North is also worth a look if affordability matters, particularly for flats and detached homes. Wherever you land, you're likely to find a good number of people working from home, with figures close to 44% to 50% in some neighbourhoods, suggesting this suburb suits those with flexible or remote working arrangements. Day-to-day life here leans on having a car, as public transport is limited across the board, though good road links to Oxford, Didcot, Newbury and the M4 make commuting manageable. That said, amenities aren't lacking: Wantage Charlton itself is well-equipped with 21 restaurants, four supermarkets and 17 fitness venues all within walking distance, while Grove North and The Hendreds cover everyday essentials like cafés, pubs and bakeries locally. GPs and pharmacies tend to sit just outside most neighbourhood boundaries, though Wantage & Grove Brook bucks this trend with four GP practices and seven green spaces on hand. Overall, Charlton offers a practical, greener alternative to city living, with strong schools and safety as its biggest draws.