Jobs in Milton Keynes | Pictures of Milton Keynes

To say that Milton Keynes has been a centre of rapid growth and development in recent years would be a gross mis-understatement. When the city was designated in 1967, the population was just 40,000. By 1981 it had trebled to over 124,000. And today it stands at 230,000 with forecasts suggesting that it could hit the 348,000 mark by 2031.

Add to this the significant retail, leisure and commercial developments that have enhanced the city's overall appeal, Milton Keynes can justifiably be classed as one of the fastest growing cities in Europe which - coupled with new development plans that will effectively increase the city by as much as one-third – make it a vibrant place to live and work.

Getting around Milton Keynes
The road network to the east of Central Milton Keynes to the M1 Junction 14 continues to be a bug-bear for commuters in the morning rush-hour. However, the council are addressing this by widening the main arterial road from the M1 into the city centre – so you can expect even more congestion until that is completed. In the meantime, there is a Park & Ride scheme in operation opposite the Milton Keynes Coachway .

Commuting by public transport remains the better option – it's generally cheaper and quicker. Buses are operated by MK Metro (now part of Arriva). And the train station – Centre:MK - links the city centre with local stations along the Oxford , Birmingham and London routes.

And for the healthier option, Milton Keynes  is served by routes 6 and 51 on the National Cycle Network. Pedestrians and cyclists have their own network of 'red ways' - paths made of red tarmac that broadly follow the grid roads but never meet them, either crossing over or underneath. 

Eating, drinking and shopping in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes is a gastronomes haven. With over 350 restaurants in and around the city centre, pretty much every taste is catered for, especially in the cosmopolitan Theatre District in the centre itself.

During the day, the Theatre District has a number of restaurants that serve up a business lunch- perfect for entertaining clients or treating yourself to a lunch that doesn't consist of the usual quick bite or pasty from the local shop. In the evening, this part of town really comes alive and its glut of eateries and restaurants offering a full range of international cuisine, are rammed with people enjoying a bite before going to the theatre or heading on to the pubs and clubs – all in the same location.

Indeed, the Theatre District has the city's greatest choice of modern bars and clubs, from the kind of place where you can sit and read the paper over a pint for a few hours to late night venues with sound systems that look like they should be on stage at the nearby Milton Keynes Bowl rather than in a club.

Alternatively, venture away from the centre and you will find a number of traditional village pubs, canal side and family in the surrounding areas.

And shopping-wise, Milton Keynes doesn't disappoint. The city centre alone has over 400 shops, not including the traditional and farmer's markets. The centre:mk is, obviously, in the centre with over 230 stores, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants and is home to the usual blend of high street names such as Marks & Spencer and John Lewis. Whereas Midsummer Place also has a number of leading names but its bias is more toward fashion retailers such as Zara, Hugo Boss and Karen Millen.

If you know your pane bianco from your pain blanc and weiß sächlich , then you'll be glad to note that the city has a regular Italian, French and German market.

One of the best places to unwind after a long week at work is the impressive Xscape which is remarkable in the sense that it is entirely indoors, with i ndoor skiing and snowboarding, indoor sky-diving, rock-climbing, a multiplex cinema, retail outlets, and numerous bars and restaurants. Elsewhere on site are the comedy club and tenpin bowling alley.

The National Bowl (formerly the Milton Keynes Bowl) is one of the biggest live music venues in the UK with acts such as Linkin Park and Robbie Williams both performing in recent years. And the Milton Keynes Theatre, the City Orchestra and The Stables add to the city's live entertainment and cultural offering.

Whether you want to take part in sports or simply consider yourself to be nothing more than an armchair supporter, Milton Keynes can satisfy both whims. The MK Dons – an amalgamation of the now-defunct Wimbledon FC - are the main football team in the area, plying their trade in League One. And the MK Lions and MK Lighting are the local ice hockey teams.

The National Badminton Centre is based in Milton Keynes and there are a number of facilities, clubs and health centres offering everything from gyms and football to ice-skating, horse-riding, sailing, BMX-ing and tobogganing.

Main residential areas
In the city centre itself, the canal side, The Hub, Theatre District and CBX3 offer the best in terms of new apartments and city living.

Campbell Park and Bradwell are popular districts among young professionals and twenty-somethings who have yet to get on the property ladder or are just starting out, and predominantly made up of small terraced houses and purpose built flats, usually with one or two bedrooms.

Whereas Loughton is the place to live if you happen to have a higher disposable income, with its large detached houses, with four or more bedrooms.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Milton Keynes.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Milton Keynes below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Milton Keynes or find out more information on the local area.