Places to live in Oxford
Discussion
Be careful of estate agent 'location' speak, they like to use Headington for Barton and Wood Farm, and use Iffley for Rose Hill.
Didcot is seriously overpriced due to its train link.
If your at Grove then Wantage, Hanneys, then head east towards Stanford / Faringdon. Slightly further afield and cheaper is Carterton and not a bad drive to Grove.
A lot depends on what you are looking at regarding social stuff, countryside, what you do in your spare time etc
Didcot is seriously overpriced due to its train link.
If your at Grove then Wantage, Hanneys, then head east towards Stanford / Faringdon. Slightly further afield and cheaper is Carterton and not a bad drive to Grove.
A lot depends on what you are looking at regarding social stuff, countryside, what you do in your spare time etc
Have lived round here all my life so may be able to offer some helpful advice. I certainly wouldn't come in from Oxford each day, the roads can be pretty congested, and Wantage itself has several thousand new houses in the pipeline, which will only exacerbate the situation.
The Hanneys are very nice, as are some of the smaller villages, Denchworth, Charney Bassett, and so on, but can be pricey.
Stanford in the Vale is OK, going further out towards Faringdon/ Swindon would definitely be a cheaper option. Grove itself is just outside the Oxford 'Halo' so prices aren't quite as eye watering.
Wanatge isn't a bad place at all, and you're just on the edge of the Downs so there is some beautiful countryside on your doorstep if that sort of thing is what you like.
The Hanneys are very nice, as are some of the smaller villages, Denchworth, Charney Bassett, and so on, but can be pricey.
Stanford in the Vale is OK, going further out towards Faringdon/ Swindon would definitely be a cheaper option. Grove itself is just outside the Oxford 'Halo' so prices aren't quite as eye watering.
Wanatge isn't a bad place at all, and you're just on the edge of the Downs so there is some beautiful countryside on your doorstep if that sort of thing is what you like.
Belnot Phist said:
Have lived round here all my life so may be able to offer some helpful advice. I certainly wouldn't come in from Oxford each day, the roads can be pretty congested, and Wantage itself has several thousand new houses in the pipeline, which will only exacerbate the situation.
The Hanneys are very nice, as are some of the smaller villages, Denchworth, Charney Bassett, and so on, but can be pricey.
Stanford in the Vale is OK, going further out towards Faringdon/ Swindon would definitely be a cheaper option. Grove itself is just outside the Oxford 'Halo' so prices aren't quite as eye watering.
Wanatge isn't a bad place at all, and you're just on the edge of the Downs so there is some beautiful countryside on your doorstep if that sort of thing is what you like.
I think it will be Wantage for the first year & will have to revisit once we look to buy, love country side & wouldn't mind getting into some watersports.The Hanneys are very nice, as are some of the smaller villages, Denchworth, Charney Bassett, and so on, but can be pricey.
Stanford in the Vale is OK, going further out towards Faringdon/ Swindon would definitely be a cheaper option. Grove itself is just outside the Oxford 'Halo' so prices aren't quite as eye watering.
Wanatge isn't a bad place at all, and you're just on the edge of the Downs so there is some beautiful countryside on your doorstep if that sort of thing is what you like.
I don't want to be going through oxford as traffic is a nightmare, the only reason for Oxford is purely for some of the asian shops etc that I need. The triangle between Oxford, Swindon & Reading seems to be really quiet for that kind of stuff, Oxford being the closer place but I don't want to be paying through the nose for something when it comes to buy.
Edited by bobski1 on Friday 19th May 11:41
Hi - I live nearby (Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor). To be local to Grove, the obvious place is Wantage, which is alright, nothing special.
After that, a few nearby places:
-Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor (lots of new houses going up at the moment)
-Letcombe Regis/Bassett - sleepy but meant to be quite nice
-Denchworth
-East and West Hanney
-Goosey
-Stanford in the Vale
-Faringdon
-East Hendred
-Rowstock
-Steventon
-Abingdon
Avoid Oxford itself if you can - the prices are astronomical and the traffic, as already mentioned, is insane.
Off topic - the car scene around here is pretty big, myself and a few friends run one of the biggest car clubs in the county, Limitless - not sure on the rules on linking here but we're on Facebook
After that, a few nearby places:
-Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor (lots of new houses going up at the moment)
-Letcombe Regis/Bassett - sleepy but meant to be quite nice
-Denchworth
-East and West Hanney
-Goosey
-Stanford in the Vale
-Faringdon
-East Hendred
-Rowstock
-Steventon
-Abingdon
Avoid Oxford itself if you can - the prices are astronomical and the traffic, as already mentioned, is insane.
Off topic - the car scene around here is pretty big, myself and a few friends run one of the biggest car clubs in the county, Limitless - not sure on the rules on linking here but we're on Facebook
TheVole said:
Hi - I live nearby (Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor). To be local to Grove, the obvious place is Wantage, which is alright, nothing special.
After that, a few nearby places:
-Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor (lots of new houses going up at the moment)
-Letcombe Regis/Bassett - sleepy but meant to be quite nice
-Denchworth
-East and West Hanney
-Goosey
-Stanford in the Vale
-Faringdon
-East Hendred
-Rowstock
-Steventon
-Abingdon
Avoid Oxford itself if you can - the prices are astronomical and the traffic, as already mentioned, is insane.
Off topic - the car scene around here is pretty big, myself and a few friends run one of the biggest car clubs in the county, Limitless - not sure on the rules on linking here but we're on Facebook
The car clubs are something I am definitely looking forward too, not on facebook but once I am settled I will drop you a message for some links perhaps?After that, a few nearby places:
-Kingston Bagpuize/Southmoor (lots of new houses going up at the moment)
-Letcombe Regis/Bassett - sleepy but meant to be quite nice
-Denchworth
-East and West Hanney
-Goosey
-Stanford in the Vale
-Faringdon
-East Hendred
-Rowstock
-Steventon
-Abingdon
Avoid Oxford itself if you can - the prices are astronomical and the traffic, as already mentioned, is insane.
Off topic - the car scene around here is pretty big, myself and a few friends run one of the biggest car clubs in the county, Limitless - not sure on the rules on linking here but we're on Facebook
Any other information or places of interest you know, send them on
been looking regulalry and everything seems to be going really quickly, although since I don't need anywhere till mid July. Feels that it is still too early but anything nice I see goes within a week or 2 so bit of a balance between paying a little more for a month to get a nice place ready for when I go & rushing around last minute, might just be overthinking this....
Got 2 appointments booked for Saturday, one in Farringdon & another in Wallingford, any idea on the kind of commute from either of those places? Or would you pick one over the other?
Got 2 appointments booked for Saturday, one in Farringdon & another in Wallingford, any idea on the kind of commute from either of those places? Or would you pick one over the other?
Edited by bobski1 on Thursday 1st June 15:51
bobski1 said:
Got 2 appointments booked for Saturday, everything seems to be going really quickly, although since I don't need anywhere till July not sure if it is still too early?
One in Farringdon & another in Wallingford, any idea on the kind of commute from either of those places? Or would you pick one over the other?
Both pleasant places but Faringdon is an easier commute to Grove than Wallingford. It's been a while since I lived in Oxon but...One in Farringdon & another in Wallingford, any idea on the kind of commute from either of those places? Or would you pick one over the other?
Faringdon is a relatively easy run down the A417 to Wantage, skirt the town still on the A417, and up into Grove (20-25 minutes?).
Wallingford a bit more poky - cross country, hard to avoid Didcot (which you should, even outside rush hour
), along the A4130 past Steventon and then straight run to A338 and down to Grove (30-45 minutes - depending on Didcot traffic?).P
I lived in the old-town centre of Wallingford for a few years. I'm now in one of the villages just south of Oxford - close enough to get to all the useful stuff around Cowley (there's a decent Tesco 24 there if you need an alternative to Asda) but I very rarely go into the city as the transport links are crap.
I really miss Wallingford
As others have said, unless you're working in Oxford centre there's little point paying the premium. Wallingford is nice, Didcot is pretty ropey but overpriced because of the rail links. If you don't mind some peace and quiet there are loads of charming little villages around the area as well (Cholsey, Benson is ok if you don't mind the air force base, Ewelme etc). Long Wittenham is also a nice village and is conveniently close to Culham where there's a very good self-service car garage who do meets etc. Most will have a half decent pub and a shop once you get away from the Oxford satellite villages. Wallingford is also on the Reading-Oxford bus route which runs regularly into the wee hours, so it's actually probably your best bet if you want late night fun options.
Just bear in mind that Didcot can be pretty congested towards the A34 in the mornings, so consider whether you're going to have to drive round/through it. The roads up around Blewbury are nice, though, if you need a way round.
I really miss Wallingford
As others have said, unless you're working in Oxford centre there's little point paying the premium. Wallingford is nice, Didcot is pretty ropey but overpriced because of the rail links. If you don't mind some peace and quiet there are loads of charming little villages around the area as well (Cholsey, Benson is ok if you don't mind the air force base, Ewelme etc). Long Wittenham is also a nice village and is conveniently close to Culham where there's a very good self-service car garage who do meets etc. Most will have a half decent pub and a shop once you get away from the Oxford satellite villages. Wallingford is also on the Reading-Oxford bus route which runs regularly into the wee hours, so it's actually probably your best bet if you want late night fun options.
Just bear in mind that Didcot can be pretty congested towards the A34 in the mornings, so consider whether you're going to have to drive round/through it. The roads up around Blewbury are nice, though, if you need a way round.
Think I am going to cancel the appointments for this weekend, it seems to be a little too early to be signing up for a place yet, 6 weeks of wasted rent.
Open to the small villages/towns, went down last weekend so got an okay feel of the distances but not the levels of traffic.
Will go down in a few weeks to find somewhere, genuinely appreciate all the help and info you guys have given, has made this move a lot less of a hassle and the more I'm looking the more decent places I'm finding.
For the first 12 months of rent I don't mind where I am, more when it comes to buy.
Also how is crime and general riffraff down there, all seemed okay when walking round, no issues or worries but can't always get a full feel in a few hours
Open to the small villages/towns, went down last weekend so got an okay feel of the distances but not the levels of traffic.
Will go down in a few weeks to find somewhere, genuinely appreciate all the help and info you guys have given, has made this move a lot less of a hassle and the more I'm looking the more decent places I'm finding.
For the first 12 months of rent I don't mind where I am, more when it comes to buy.
Also how is crime and general riffraff down there, all seemed okay when walking round, no issues or worries but can't always get a full feel in a few hours
Edited by bobski1 on Friday 2nd June 13:47
bobski1 said:
Also how is crime and general riffraff down there, all seemed okay when walking round, no issues or worries but can't always get a full feel in a few hours
Without wishing to tempt fate, but I once left my driver's window wide open in the centre of Wallingford for three days. When I eventually realised, the satnav was still stuck to the windscreen 
Good luck with your search. Happy to give an opinion on any individual villages/locations if it'll help
I've lived in the area for most of my live, Didcot and grove. Crime and general riff raff isn't that bad imo. Certian areas are worth avoiding like most places. I've not heard of regular and constant issues outside of Oxford.
There are "cheaper" places/roads in Didcot due to the less desirable location, and the same in Wantage/grove.
Depending on the commute you fancy, you can still live in Oxfordshire but have a SN postcode which makes it a lot cheaper.
I hope the house hunt goes well for you too.
There are "cheaper" places/roads in Didcot due to the less desirable location, and the same in Wantage/grove.
Depending on the commute you fancy, you can still live in Oxfordshire but have a SN postcode which makes it a lot cheaper.
I hope the house hunt goes well for you too.
Thanks, currently looking around Faringdon, seems like a very nice little town, plenty amenities & where currently looking is way within budget & seems to be quite a quiet area too.
Commute to grove doesn't seem all that bad & the drive to/from Oxford doesn't seem all that difficult either, again traffic not really representative of weekdays.
So, next question I have diesel seems to be around £1.25/ltr seems extortionate compared to other places, where are the good fuel stations?
Commute to grove doesn't seem all that bad & the drive to/from Oxford doesn't seem all that difficult either, again traffic not really representative of weekdays.
So, next question I have diesel seems to be around £1.25/ltr seems extortionate compared to other places, where are the good fuel stations?
I'm usually filling up with ultimate or v power diesel so I have a smaller selection to go on. I have an app called Petrol Prices, which you can use to see what's best in the area. Very useful in areas I don't often visit to find what I need without resorting to motorway prices! Give that a go. The jet near Williams f1 at grove is often cheap, as is the sainsburys in Wantage. Didcot is usually 1 or 2p more on average from memory. Heading further west from Wantage will not give you much choice as not many big towns and supermarkets giving cheap fuel.
thunderpigeon said:
I'm usually filling up with ultimate or v power diesel so I have a smaller selection to go on. I have an app called Petrol Prices, which you can use to see what's best in the area. Very useful in areas I don't often visit to find what I need without resorting to motorway prices! Give that a go. The jet near Williams f1 at grove is often cheap, as is the sainsburys in Wantage. Didcot is usually 1 or 2p more on average from memory. Heading further west from Wantage will not give you much choice as not many big towns and supermarkets giving cheap fuel.
I tend to stay away from supermarket stuff, might try Jet but again always tend to stay with either Shell of BP, get the best MPG from there.I know there is a Shell in Oxford so might just visit then when going for a few things on a weekend, full tank gets me around 500miles anyway so enough to last at least a week.
thunderpigeon said:
There is a BP in Wantage, and on the A34 junction for Didcot. Plenty of choices, but I often have to make slight detours for the fuel I want. But its only once every 500 miles as you say
Ah then that makes things better as I will likely drive through/around there, slight detour isn't a big hassle.Really looking forward to moving now though, looked at some of the houses for sale, Oxford obviously is just ridiculous but there are some towns/villages where you can still get a decent amount for your money & probably only 50k or so more than the equivalent up North but if the prices keep rising then good potential profit in the long run.
bobski1 said:
Ah then that makes things better as I will likely drive through/around there, slight detour isn't a big hassle.
Really looking forward to moving now though, looked at some of the houses for sale, Oxford obviously is just ridiculous but there are some towns/villages where you can still get a decent amount for your money & probably only 50k or so more than the equivalent up North but if the prices keep rising then good potential profit in the long run.
Yes. House prices around here are mental. I live in Didcot, which gets the fallout from Oxford and London prices and the house went up 60k in two years!Really looking forward to moving now though, looked at some of the houses for sale, Oxford obviously is just ridiculous but there are some towns/villages where you can still get a decent amount for your money & probably only 50k or so more than the equivalent up North but if the prices keep rising then good potential profit in the long run.
bobski1 said:
thunderpigeon said:
Yes. House prices around here are mental. I live in Didcot, which gets the fallout from Oxford and London prices and the house went up 60k in two years!
60K?! wow thats crazy, will look to get onto the ladder as soon as I am in the area, profit to be had!Next round of questions, any good VW specialists around the area?
At the moment I have a friend who has a VW specialist so I tend to go there to do any work on the car & pull on the guys there if I have any issues. Will probably take some time to build another relationship like that though.
Or if there aren't any good ones anywhere that does ramp hire?
At the moment I have a friend who has a VW specialist so I tend to go there to do any work on the car & pull on the guys there if I have any issues. Will probably take some time to build another relationship like that though.
Or if there aren't any good ones anywhere that does ramp hire?
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