Have decided on Oxfordshire...now some advice!

[Chiara72]

Hi there

I am moving to the UK in three weeks, via Australia, via the Middle East,via Ireland (long story...trying to outpace the recession!).

Anyway, hubby has been offered a job based in Buckinghamshire although he will be working all over. We've looked at houses to rent in that county and all the neighbouring counties but have decided on Oxfordshire. My family grew up there (although I didn't) and it just feels right.

I want to rent a house in an area I can eventually buy in, so need to choose wisely (not to mention my kids need stability with schooling).

We're looking at houses for rent in Chipping Norton, Witney, Chipping Warden and others (looking online on a daily basis). I like small town living and hope to buy a house a bit out of town eventually. Plus I have five children so I want somewhere safe with lots of space.

What do people think, all advice welcome.

PS, with five children I'm most definitely looking at state schools.

There are many lovely villages in Oxfordshire. Have you thought of Wantage? Excellent schools. Goring is nice. Didcot is more affordable - fab train connections to London in Didcot. Good luck - it's hard to pin down but I'd go with what you can afford and narrow it down from there!

Thanks for the reply! Very excited about the move but dealing with estate agents is proving to be problematic....no financial/employment history in the UK means references are a problem for most so I may not have quite as big a choice as I'd hoped. still, fingers crossed we find something soon!