Moving to village near Wantage?

[StopSpinning]

Hoping that some of you may live near Wantage or even better, a village outside. We are looking to buy a house here but when I mentioned it at work to a couple of people from South Oxfordshire I got a bit of a grimace and asked if I knew South a Oxfordshire in a way that implied I really don't?!

They are correct in that I'm from Kent originally but we are looking to move out of South London where we are now for a more countryside upbringing for our kids. This seemed to fit the requirement given the low commute time from Didcot (hence we can't go too much further out even though we did consider it). Kids are 4 and 6.

So please, Mumsnet, AIBU?

I often get trains from Didcot at about 7.30 - seats are generally available. If you can time it, the 17.42 from Paddington back is brilliant as it doesn't stop at Reading and I've always got a seat.

West Oxfordshire to Didcot might work if you looked at Marcham or Eaton or Appleton - they are 1 junction north on the A34. I commute from near Witney and it takes about 45 minutes to Didcot Parkway leaving home just before 7am - I would say too far for it to be an everyday option.

Didcot is nice, I’d happily live there. It has good schools, lovely countryside around, decent shopping centre (now) and as it’s a town it’s all pretty walkable. If you want Aureus you may need to live close, worth checking.

Harwell is nice too, closer than Wantage for morning commute. All the villages are nice actually.

How’s the traffic into Oxford as I would look for a job there (if we move) ? Would the train in be a better option?

I used to live in that area and was very, very happy. It’s a beautiful part of the world and I found the village I lived in very friendly and welcoming. I commuted into London on 0720 (and back on 1815) and never really suffered the Didcot/Milton Park traffic problems. Getting into into Oxford by car is crap, but the Park and Ride is very efficient.

Jobswise, there is a lot of business in the area which may suit your skills. Oxford Instruments, Harwell, Williams and the Grove Science Park are very local and Milton Park is growing by the day.

I moved towards Reading for family reasons and would move back like a shot, despite adding about 25 minutes each way (train plus extra home-station time).

Traffic into Oxford is the stuff of nightmares. Park and ride is the way to go but even then journey times can be long because of the volume of traffic.

Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone who replied.

We are now moving ahead in earnest with the plan!

@Ratonastick, @MaisyMary77 and @Alicecooperslovechild - you've all also made me feel a lot better about the Didcot train and getting there challenge too!

Interesting about all of the potential job opportunities over time that may be closer too @Ratonastick

->. Off to hit Rightmove!

I have heard a lot of bad opinions about Aureus secondary. For boys I would suggest St Birinus in Didcot, although not as excellent as DGS, but still much better than Aureus so far.
Aureus is a new school and I have been told they don't have a lot of facilities to do music, sports etc.
Didcot is not as bad as it is depicted. I have been living there for about two years and I like it so far.
Good luck!

Seems like everywhere has sold out of in ear thermometers. A friend's child requires one. Any local suggestions to the Wantage/Newbury/Lambourn areas? Tia

ZOMBIE THREAD!!!