Moving to Oxford

[Loopy77]

Hi all,
I would love to hear some thoughts on family life in Oxford.
We have been living in Germany for the past 4 years, but are thinking of heading back to Blighty with our two boys, aged 6 and 9. The schools conundrum in SW London, which is where we are from, is proving a real challenge and so we are thinking of moving to Oxford, as it's near to family and there seem to be many more schools to chose from. I studied there years ago, but life as a student would be very different from living there with a family. I know rents and house prices are mega high, but aside from that, is it full of rowdy students everywhere, or is it possible to find family-friendly areas, and if so, where?
Many thanks,
Loopy

What’s the problem with schools in SW London? I think a very good school should be doable whether you go state or independent given your children’s ages.

I have lots of friends with children living in Oxford itself - it's a very family friendly place. Just research your areas. We used to live in SW London, and are now about 25 mins away from Oxford. So, so, so much nicer (in our opinion) than where we were.

Another ex-Londoner living in Oxford! It's done wonders for our family life.

Summertown is fab - very family orientated, great schools (both state and private), green space, 10 mins from centre of town etc..

Downsides - v expensive but affordable houses in the Sunnymead area.

How old are your DC? Are they into music/sport?

State or private? State schools in oxford don't tend to be the best.

Oxford area is one of the best in the country for independent schools and there are loads of ex SW Londoners so you won’t be alone. As well as the city, consider villages & towns eg Abingdon (schools hub), Wallingford. Will one or both of you be commuting back to London? If so, access to Didcot station is prob better than Oxford or Oxford Parkway, depending on where in London you need to get to

Hmmmm @Trispan, which area of Oxford are you talking about? The state schools around Summertown are fab!