Market town vs village

[IggityZiggityZoom]

We are moving out of London and debating whether to live in a village or a market town. DH more inclined to live more rurally. I'm wondering if it will be too big of a jump and we'd be better off with a town. I've only ever lived in cities and am not a Brit. Any opinions?

Unfortunately the train service to Oxford from Goring has got much worse since we moved 13 years ago. It wouldnt make our shortlist now - except that I know just how lovely it is.

Our other preferred spot was Charlbury. We never found a suitable house there though. The nice large old houses in the centre had small gardens.

Where exactly are you travelling to for work? And are you committed to a particular school?

DS will go to Abingdon Prep in Frilford. DH needs to get into London 1x a week usually. He also needs access to Heathrow 1x every week or so. Any opinions on Yarnton or Kidlington? There seem to be some nice houses there with close proximity to Oxford itself. Irregular - Goring is on the list but I'm not sure about the distance to Frilford.

Old Kidlington is quite nice but as a whole Kidlington is extremely uninspiring. It is the biggest village in the country I think and not one thing or the other. A friend moved there as Oxford to expensive but she isn't happy. Definitely not her forever place.

Abingdon is probably the most popular private secondary in Goring. There are always a few who go having done the village primary. Very few go private for primary even if they live in 2 mill houses, which helps build the community feel.

Don't know Yarnton.

Service to London is very good. At least in theory. Not always in practice.

Goring is also very open I think. Because most people come from outside, often via London, with small children, and plan to stay. Some villages and small towns have a lot of people who already have their established community and are less interested in making new friends.

If it's Abingdon prep then definitely have a look at Standlake/Brighthampton then.

I grew up in a village. I would not recommend it. A town is a million times better. It’s so isolating in a village.

We moved from London to a thatched cottage in a village this summer and glad to be out of London and happy with our choice. With a village I would want everything in walking distance so shop and school are in village - makes quite a difference as school friends are in village and shop is at end of road. Very safe and very beautiful though odd when tourists photograph your house. Happiest of all has been the cat who hasn't stopped purring since we moved, think its all the nooks and crannies of the house. Do need to consider work though, DH works 9 mins away but my work was just in London before and now that's not feasible so freelancing from home. Very enjoyable and learning a lot but not the same pay but had 20 years of working in the City and had enough of it. Area round Oxford is lovely, would go for village with shops etc if you can get to work.

Just make sure wherever you live doesn’t have Midsomer in the name.

Op I would avoid Kidlington as relatively soulless. Yarnton is small but there are nicer villages. Frankly if you want to send your dcs to Abingdon prep then I wouldn't go north of oxford as you will spend life on the ring road. Villages around Abingdon are very nice. Also Dorchester is very very lovely and close. Wantage also v nice. Wallingford if you want something bigger. Even didcot if you need trains into London. Good luck!

I agree with Windy. North of Oxford makes no sense for Abingdon school.