One important consideration upon moving to a new neighborhood is the new local. I refer in particular to the Oxford English Dictionary's sense B.2.h. "The public house in the immediate neighbourhood. colloq.(Usu. the local.)"

Our old neighborhood had a rather impressive range of dismally rated pubs, but eventually we settled upon the Faltering Fullback.  "Student union theme pub for middle-aged ex-students" ? Fair enough, but it ticked all the boxes

(x) walking distance
(x) decent beer selection
(x) reasonably priced food that didn't make us sick
(x) non-aggressive clientele

But now we've moved beyond walking distance and it's hard to call it our local when it's now 7 bus stops away. Fortunately we have an easy decision. Although the Woodbury Tavern is technically closer and (apparently) reasonably well-regarded, the Oakdale Arms is a clear winner.

As card-carrying members of the Campaign for Real Ale how could we not choose a pub that chooses to emphasize traditionally-brewed real beers? The pub itself, inconveniently located in a mostly-residential area, is nothing special, somewhat ramshackle, cavernous, and (still) a bit too brightly-lit. It's never very busy, but for a small cluster of the most regular of regulars (among whose numbers I cannot count myself). But it's the drinks that are the most convincing: a good range of real ales mostly from Milton's range (8 hand pumps on the bar), real cider, bottled Belgian and German beers. They may stock a run-of-the mill commercial lager or two like Stella Artois or Foster's, but if so they are well-hidden.