Moving to Oxford

[Tuxa]

Hi All, I am loking at moving to Oxford in September for work and academic reasons and i need some help with regards to the best areas to live as well as the best secondary schools. I have a 12yrs old son and its important that i live in a nice, friendly and quite neighbourhood but affordable and with a good secondary school nearby...too much to ask? I have been reading a fair bit on this and at this point im honestly confused, so i thought having some opinions from people who live or lived in the area could be of good help! Anyone?....

AVOID: Blackbird Leys, The Slade in Headington, Littlemore

Nice: Headington Hill, Botley, Abingdon, Wolvercote.

Schools: Private: Magdalen College School, St Edwards
State: Matthew Arnold

Thank you very much for your tips!

Live in western Marston, then you'll be in the catchment for Cherwell School! (The northern part of the city is in catchment too, but is less affordable. Actually, Cuttleslowe is pretty affordable and in N. Oxford.)

I think Matthew Arnold and Cherwell are considered the best secondary schools that serve the city. Cheney (Headington, part of Marston, you'll have to look all that up) is a big mix, some aspirational students, some sink. Avoid Cowley and East Oxford as they are served by a failing school/now academy. Same Blackbird Leys.

Hi,
I live in Kidlington on the northern edge of Oxford and would recommend it. Its pleasant, safe, affordable (for Oxford) and very easy to get to from the city centre. I don't know about secondary schools though. East Oxford isn't great generally, although some bits (Old Headington) are quite well-healed...Barton, Littlemore & Blackbird Leys all have alot of social problems.

Hello everyone, thank you very much for your responses, they´ve been very helpful. There´s a common opinion of where not to live and what are the best schools and thats a great start. Much appreciated...THANKS!

Still keen to know what people know about the Oxford FE College... anyone?

You say academic reasons, is that for one of the uni's? I'm at one of them doing my phd's and live in Headington so it's handy and my ds goes to Cheney which he loves and has a good record! The girls won the Cambridge debating cup!

Be wary of overpopulated student areas though, that's our problem but rent is very expensive and living out further would mean high travel costs....

I have done short courses at OCVC (fe college) and it seems ok, just depends on the course I guess!

Oh and look at dailyinfo.co.uk it's specifically for Oxford!

Just to add how you find the various bits of Oxford will depend on what you're used to. Coming from an Irish, fairly working class background I found North Oxford a bit of a culture shock. The older generation there can be very reserved and there's a tendency to assume that certain kinds of lifestyle are just 'what everyone does' (private schooling springs to mind). I found Kidlington a bit more easy to settle in. Abingdon is also meant to be pleasant and affordable, but its a bit further out.

jobrien1980 I'm moving to old Kidlington next month! - Are any of the primaries utterly heinous do you know? They look okay from the outside but it's new for me (living up near Banbury at the minute) so any insights welcomed.

The Oxford Academy in Littlemore/Blackbird Leys is undergoing a transformation and results are much improved. I know people with children there and a teaching assistant and everyone is impressed (up until about a year ago it had a really bad reputation - see previous posts - but might be worth considering now, especiailly as your son will be going into the younger years). Personally I would avoid Blackbird Leys, Greater Leys, Rose Hill and Barton. Wood Farm quite mixed, some good areas. Florence Park/ Cowley (not Cowley Rd) fine and I like Littlemore - not sure why it's been mentioned as such an awful place? (And yes, I live there and don't have any social problems!) As with a lot of places in the UK there can be a huge difference between neighbouring streets so sometimes you have to have a look and get a feel for a place rather than pay too much attention to the place name. Especially when on a tight budget.