Living around Oxford or Guildford - suggestion, experiences

[Dino D]

Hi All,

Moving back to UK soon (next 6-12mths) and looking at Oxford (well the surrounding villages really within about 10 miles of Oxford town centre).

I previously lived in Canterbury, Kingston Upon Thames and Brentford and travelled around most of UK for business.

Would love to be back in Canterbury but it is too far for work reasons (I need to go to Watford once a week and fly out from LHR/LGW/LTN about 15 times a year)

I loved Kingston and Richmond but are too expensive for us so was thinking that Oxford might offer a blend of Canterbury/Kingston/Richmond but still be close enough to London and good for me work wise. Also want to be close to London by bus/train/car for recreation.

We need to be close to good schools (not private) and will rent for the first 1-2 years before buying (a house of 3-4 bedrooms).

We are not a fan of deserted villages nor very city type places and like to be close to nice restaurants, parks, rivers and of course good, quiet country roads for drives...

Other place I was thinking of was Guildford. Have friends in Northampton and we do not like it all, although it is good value for money. Also ruled out MK.

I am going this August for a week with the whole family to scout some areas so any advice from locals about where to look is much appreciated.

[Carfiend]

I live in Didcot just outside Oxford and it is nice enough around here if you ignore the (to be decommissioned in the medium term) power station. Roads are generally ok and from Didcot and Oxford there are good bus and train links to London.

Guildford is more of the same but the traffic will be a lot heavier and will probably be more expensive than Oxfordshire. Also when I was living there I found I was heading out quite a way into Sussex and Hampshire to find some nice quiet roads to play on.

Neither is a bad place to live it just depends if you want to pay the extra to live closer to London warts and all.

[S3_Graham]

Guildford only has poor traffic during rush hour and only in the centre of town on the one way system and the A3.

Houses near the town are ruddy expensive,

However it's bloody lovely. If you like it. Look at Farnham, looks the, costs the same but is smaller/less traffic etc. That's where I live.

[Carfiend]

Aye, Surrey in general is very heavy during the rush hour. For a second I had Farnham and Feltham mixed up and was wondering what you were on about.

[Herman Toothrot]

Dino D said:

Hi All,

Moving back to UK soon (next 6-12mths) and looking at Oxford (well the surrounding villages really within about 10 miles of Oxford town centre).

I previously lived in Canterbury, Kingston Upon Thames and Brentford and travelled around most of UK for business.

Would love to be back in Canterbury but it is too far for work reasons (I need to go to Watford once a week and fly out from LHR/LGW/LTN about 15 times a year)

I loved Kingston and Richmond but are too expensive for us so was thinking that Oxford might offer a blend of Canterbury/Kingston/Richmond but still be close enough to London and good for me work wise. Also want to be close to London by bus/train/car for recreation.

We need to be close to good schools (not private) and will rent for the first 1-2 years before buying (a house of 3-4 bedrooms).

We are not a fan of deserted villages nor very city type places and like to be close to nice restaurants, parks, rivers and of course good, quiet country roads for drives...

Other place I was thinking of was Guildford. Have friends in Northampton and we do not like it all, although it is good value for money. Also ruled out MK.

I am going this August for a week with the whole family to scout some areas so any advice from locals about where to look is much appreciated.

Sounds like you need to be in Wallingford.

[Dino D]

Herman Toothrot said:

Sounds like you need to be in Wallingford.

Just looked that up,- nice location being in middle of Oxford and Reading. Seems like it could very quiet perhaps? What's your experience of it?
Will add it to the list of places to check out as we wil be staying in Oxford.

[Herman Toothrot]

Its nice, not too quiet at all (I'm 33 and go out a lot still) big population this sort of age as loads of employment in the Environmental sector. I moved from Oxford centre after 10 years to here 4 years ago and don't regret it for a bit, I still work in Oxford.

Theres no-where in Oxfordshire I'd rather live. The area around Wallingford and Wallingford itself is basically where Midsomer Murders is filmed. Plenty of good pubs and nice restaurants dotted around the local villages. Schools are good etc.

Is reflected in house prices mind, don't expect to find more than a 3 bed semi for under £300K

[Dino D]

Just checked the rents in Wallinford - I see what you mean!
What is the train/bus service to Central London like - do you need to go via Oxford?

[Bluebarge]

Oxford itself is about as expensive as Richmond, the villages around will be not hugely less so, since there is a premium on cute villages, proximity to amenities etc.

You don't say how old your kids are, but if they are near senior school age and are reasonably bright, you might want to consider locating yourself in Bucks for the grammar schools. Otherwise, I've heard good reports of Wallingford Comp and Gillott's School in Henley, but be aware that being in the catchment of a good school boosts house prices.

[Dino D]

Bluebarge said:

Oxford itself is about as expensive as Richmond, the villages around will be not hugely less so, since there is a premium on cute villages, proximity to amenities etc.

You don't say how old your kids are, but if they are near senior school age and are reasonably bright, you might want to consider locating yourself in Bucks for the grammar schools. Otherwise, I've heard good reports of Wallingford Comp and Gillott's School in Henley, but be aware that being in the catchment of a good school boosts house prices.

I have found it less so than Richmond but that is probably because we are only looking at larger properties (min 3 beds with garden) and not apartments.
Oxford itself is out but the surrounds seem doable from the prices I have seen.

The kids are 3yrs and 6mths so not yet school age.

Any tips on towns in Bucks to look at?

[stevieb]

I live in a bigish village north of Guildford and West of Woking.

Guildford house prices seem to be astronomical in the nicer areas you wouldnt get much change from £350k for a smaller 3 bed house.

There are some nice smallers Towns villages around guildford that have better value for money but within easy reach of 3 or 4 different towncentres for shopping etc.

[S3_Graham]

Carfiend said:

Aye, Surrey in general is very heavy during the rush hour. For a second I had Farnham and Feltham mixed up and was wondering what you were on about.

Can't think of 2 more polar opposite places.

[Bluebarge]

Dino D said:

I have found it less so than Richmond but that is probably because we are only looking at larger properties (min 3 beds with garden) and not apartments.
Oxford itself is out but the surrounds seem doable from the prices I have seen.

The kids are 3yrs and 6mths so not yet school age.

Any tips on towns in Bucks to look at?

Beaconsfield, Marlow, Bourne End, Amersham. To be honest, if they're that young I wouldn't bother worrying about senior schools yet unless your intention is to pick one area and stay there forever. You could also look at the area around Maidenhead which has some decent schools - Pinkneys Green, Cookham etc or around Twyford. All have better connections to London than Oxford.

Alternatively you could look around Thame in east Oxon - there are some nice villages around there, a fast train line to London through Thame and easy access to the M40.

[Herman Toothrot]

Dino D said:

Just checked the rents in Wallinford - I see what you mean!
What is the train/bus service to Central London like - do you need to go via Oxford?

Train Station is at Cholsey 1.5 miles from Wallingford, fast train to Paddington is 55mins, the Mrs works in London 3 days a week and uses it. Buses to Oxford are frequent and quick 30 mins. Road links are great you can be on the A34 in 10 minutes, M40 in 15mins.