Topic: Anyone in Oxford...? (Read 2402 times)

Markjay · « **on:** 06 February 2007, 08:27:56 »

I need some advice please... not car related... thanks!

Markjay · « **Reply #1 on:** 06 February 2007, 08:30:50 »

It's about buying a house or a flat... in 2-3 years time maybe... which areas are recommended?

TheBoy · « **Reply #2 on:** 06 February 2007, 09:47:01 »

Not too far away. Mrs TheBoy is an Oxford lass....

tunnie · « **Reply #3 on:** 06 February 2007, 10:23:24 »

same here, you actually going to buy in Oxford?

Blackbeads estate & Kiddlington area are best avoided i think....

Markjay · « **Reply #4 on:** 06 February 2007, 10:24:17 »

Good...

Wife wants to move to Oxford in a few years time, and thought of going over there later this week to have a look around and get the feel for it (she's never been before). Where would you suggest we go, assuming we are not interested in the touristic side for this particular visit, but to see the areas where people actually live and shop etc...

Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Markjay · « **Reply #5 on:** 06 February 2007, 10:26:47 »

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same here, you actually going to buy in Oxford?....

Not immediately, but eventually...

tunnie · « **Reply #6 on:** 06 February 2007, 10:32:08 »

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Good...

Wife wants to move to Oxford in a few years time, and though of going over there later this week to have a look around and get the feel for it (she's never been before). Where would you suggest we go, assuming we not interested in the touristic side for this particular visit, but to see the areas where people live and shop etc...

Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Oxford used to be full of buses, worse than central London. They have since pedestrianised the main centre which is nicer... places to see all the usual of course.

But try the covered market some nice places in there, great place called Fasta Pasta if its still there sells great fresh olives and bread

Also try Blackwells for a good read, down by the river is also nice in the summer. Many times with my parents got lunch from M&S and went down and sat by the river.

Try and avoid the main centre really tbh, its just full off the normal shops. Dixons, M&S, HMV ect that you see in any other city.

Walk futher up past all that and debanhams on your left, and head to the Ashmolian Museum (please excuse my rubbish spelling)

Lots of nice little shops and things many people don't see up there - Basically walk towards the John Radcliff, but not as far.

I plan to get my first house / flat in Bicester which is just down the road from Oxford.

Ohh and if the Mrs likes top brands, check out "Bicester Village" its a designer outlet that usual have very good discounts

Markjay · « **Reply #7 on:** 06 February 2007, 10:36:09 »

Mega thanks tunnie!

Auto Addict · « **Reply #8 on:** 06 February 2007, 10:44:41 »

What do you want to go to Oxford for?

It's full of students

TheBoy · « **Reply #9 on:** 06 February 2007, 10:53:00 »

I'm not a fan of Oxford. Its quaint, granted, but not a place I would want to live. Hugely expensive. Council was declared bankrupt a couple of years back, hence no real services for all that council tax.

Getting in and out is a right PITA. Like most cities, esp proper University cities, there is a drugs problem, which may explain the petty crime figures that Oxford has. Last time I parked in the Westgate, it was £25 per day, so on par with London prices. Reasonable park and ride though.

For nightlife, got a certain buzz to the place - it is full of students after all. So lots of pubs/clubs/restuarants.

As Tunnie said, some nice shops, esp Blackwells - a huge bookshop (looks tiny from outside). Ashmolium Museum is huge, worth a visit.

As a car driver, I feel victimised by Oxfordshire CC - they go out of their way to hinder traffic flow. If you plan on using your car a lot, traffic is an issue, esp within the ringroad, and around Botley, City Motors, and Headington areas on the ringroad.

The Universities own most of the land and buildings in the area, and this has prevented a lot of development. Not sure if this is a plus or minus point.

Places I would not want to live are Barton, Cowley, Cowley Road, Blackbird Leys (not as bad as media made out in early 90s), Rosehill, Headington - basically that whole end of the city.

The outlying villages are nice, but expensive. Mrs TheBoy's folks live in Horspath, quite a nice little village. Garsington has a nice feel as well. Wheatley is another place I wouldn't choose to live.

Omegatoy · « **Reply #10 on:** 06 February 2007, 21:54:45 »

can recommend a nice little village less than 23mins from Oxford, and im selling my house in it!!!! complete with extended garage!! place called Ardley
beautiful place to live!!

TheBoy · « **Reply #11 on:** 06 February 2007, 22:03:04 »

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can recommend a nice little village less than 23mins from Oxford, and im selling my house in it!!!! complete with extended garage!! place called Ardley
beautiful place to live!!

And the tip just done the road....

tunnie · « **Reply #12 on:** 06 February 2007, 22:12:32 »

Quote

can recommend a nice little village less than 23mins from Oxford, and im selling my house in it!!!! complete with extended garage!! place called Ardley
beautiful place to live!!

My grandparents are possibly looking for a bungalow...

TheBoy · « **Reply #13 on:** 06 February 2007, 22:15:12 »

Quote

Quote
can recommend a nice little village less than 23mins from Oxford, and im selling my house in it!!!! complete with extended garage!! place called Ardley
beautiful place to live!!

My grandparents are possibly looking for a bungalow...

If they buy Omegatoys place, will they let me borrow the garage

tunnie · « **Reply #14 on:** 06 February 2007, 22:20:13 »

Quote

Quote
Quote
can recommend a nice little village less than 23mins from Oxford, and im selling my house in it!!!! complete with extended garage!! place called Ardley
beautiful place to live!!

My grandparents are possibly looking for a bungalow...
If they buy Omegatoys place, will they let me borrow the garage

At a reasonable rate

- If you need to work under cover can always come over to mine at the weekend, just Mother to remove her heap

edwardmickey · « **Reply #15 on:** 07 February 2007, 14:40:35 »

House prices in the Cherwell Council Area are predicted a greater rise than Oxford Council over then next 3-4 years. Bicester's been mentioned which falls within Cherwell - so for this reason alone, I'd be looking here and surrounding villages.

I lived in Brackley, Abingdon and Bicester for several years - commuting into Oxford during the week. As a motorist, I despise Oxford's roads!!

The A34 (grey dirty floor) is disgrace - far too much traffic for a standard dual carriageway. Hit it any time between 7am-9am or 4pm-730pm, it's slow, 50mph through Botley, any crash causes huge tailbacks and that's before you even hit roads taking you directly into Oxford. Parking is expensive, hardly any freebie spaces, the council are so car unfriendly, it's misery getting around.

Problem is that there's not much else on offer except Oxford City Centre for amenities without going further afield (Reading, Milton Keynes, ahem Swindon).

If I didn't need to visit Oxford City frequently, I'd recommend small villages surrounding Oxford and Bicester. Do not consider Rosehill, Barton, Blackbird Leys, Littlemore or the main residential arterial roads close to Oxford City. I'm sure there are wonderful people living there reputations are bad in these places for a reason.

Omegatoy · « **Reply #16 on:** 07 February 2007, 19:59:05 »

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House prices in the Cherwell Council Area are predicted a greater rise than Oxford Council over then next 3-4 years. Bicester's been mentioned which falls within Cherwell - so for this reason alone, I'd be looking here and surrounding villages.

I lived in Brackley, Abingdon and Bicester for several years - commuting into Oxford during the week. As a motorist, I despise Oxford's roads!!

The A34 (grey dirty floor) is disgrace - far too much traffic for a standard dual carriageway. Hit it any time between 7am-9am or 4pm-730pm, it's slow, 50mph through Botley, any crash causes huge tailbacks and that's before you even hit roads taking you directly into Oxford. Parking is expensive, hardly any freebie spaces, the council are so car unfriendly, it's misery getting around.

Problem is that there's not much else on offer except Oxford City Centre for amenities without going further afield (Reading, Milton Keynes, ahem Swindon).

If I didn't need to visit Oxford City frequently, I'd recommend small villages surrounding Oxford and Bicester. Do not consider Rosehill, Barton, Blackbird Leys, Littlemore or the main residential arterial roads close to Oxford City. I'm sure there are wonderful people living there reputations are bad in these places for a reason.

I agree with most of that!!! however once you work in Oxford as i do, you soon learn to use the back roads and get to know them!! if i leave Cowley at 5pm for instance i can be home in Ardley in 25mins!!! and thats using back roads, the 34 is quicker when there is no traffic i,e, early morning, s for Oxford itself

wouldnt go in there if you paid me!!! its awfaul what they have done to it and having lived around it for 20 odd years i would much rather and do in fact go to Banbury or Milton Keynes to do any necessary shopping!!

Omegatoy

TheBoy · « **Reply #17 on:** 07 February 2007, 20:03:13 »

Quote

Quote
House prices in the Cherwell Council Area are predicted a greater rise than Oxford Council over then next 3-4 years. Bicester's been mentioned which falls within Cherwell - so for this reason alone, I'd be looking here and surrounding villages.

I lived in Brackley, Abingdon and Bicester for several years - commuting into Oxford during the week. As a motorist, I despise Oxford's roads!!

The A34 (grey dirty floor) is disgrace - far too much traffic for a standard dual carriageway. Hit it any time between 7am-9am or 4pm-730pm, it's slow, 50mph through Botley, any crash causes huge tailbacks and that's before you even hit roads taking you directly into Oxford. Parking is expensive, hardly any freebie spaces, the council are so car unfriendly, it's misery getting around.

Problem is that there's not much else on offer except Oxford City Centre for amenities without going further afield (Reading, Milton Keynes, ahem Swindon).

If I didn't need to visit Oxford City frequently, I'd recommend small villages surrounding Oxford and Bicester. Do not consider Rosehill, Barton, Blackbird Leys, Littlemore or the main residential arterial roads close to Oxford City. I'm sure there are wonderful people living there reputations are bad in these places for a reason.

I agree with most of that!!! however once you work in Oxford as i do, you soon learn to use the back roads and get to know them!! if i leave Cowley at 5pm for instance i can be home in Ardley in 25mins!!! and thats using back roads, the 34 is quicker when there is no traffic i,e, early morning, s for Oxford itself wouldnt go in there if you paid me!!! its awfaul what they have done to it and having lived around it for 20 odd years i would much rather and do in fact go to Banbury or Milton Keynes to do any necessary shopping!!

Omegatoy

Aye, I know most of the back roads on the east side of Oxford - Islip etc - much quicker.... ...its once you have to get inside the ringroad that the real traffic problems start....

tunnie · « **Reply #18 on:** 07 February 2007, 22:58:58 »

even though I am one of the youngest here. I can remember the M40 being built! - I remember going with my parents though ardley over the M40, which was still not finished!!

I hope to work in London after Uni, and I shall be looking at living in Bicester. It does hold a slight premium there, but I want to be able to walk to the station in the morning!

TheBoy · « **Reply #19 on:** 08 February 2007, 10:23:39 »

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even though I am one of the youngest here. I can remember the M40 being built! - I remember going with my parents though ardley over the M40, which was still not finished!!

I hope to work in London after Uni, and I shall be looking at living in Bicester. It does hold a slight premium there, but I want to be able to walk to the station in the morning!

I remember, when I worked in the service industry, I used to use the unfinished M40 as a 'shortcut' and a quick way of getting around

Bicester holds a fair premium due to its location on the 'Slug' line (term used as Chiltern trains always go at slug pace) and the M40, and proximity to Oxford. Alas, not a particularly nice place on Friday nights etc...

Markjay · « **Reply #20 on:** 08 February 2007, 10:28:16 »

Thanks guys! weather permitting, might be going there tomorrow...

Markjay · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 February 2007, 23:26:51 »

OK, been to Oxford... went to see a couple of estate agents, both said that any good property in Oxford is snapped so they don't really have much on offer... apart from this beautiful house in North Oxford which seemed very suitable... £3.75... million.... he he.... not for me.

There are some fantastic offers (or so it seems) in the vilages around Oxford, nice houses with a garage (!), but you have to drive the kids 6 miles to school every morning (no bus service) so not too sure about that either.

As for the city, we went to see the old city, library etc, quite impressive. Not sure what was this about the city centre being closed to traffic - this seemed to affect only two streets but generally there was car access all over the place... oh, and we went to Jericho but probably got to the bad side of it because it did not look anything like Morse's Jericho ('The dead of Jericho', 1987).

So very nice place, not sure about the relocation though. Thanks for the input!

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Author Topic: Anyone in Oxford...? (Read 2402 times)