Hello! As apparently quite a few others before me, I too am contemplating a move to marvellous Oxford. Having lived in large cities all my life and being a single mum of three I am a tad apprehensive about making the move and would greatly appreciate any advice.
I am moving up for my two older children who have been accepted at a school in Summertown. I am now looking for a place for my three-year old and having read previous posts, it seems that CCCS could be a good fit. It also seems to be one of the only schools in Oxford with a Nursery year.
My main concern is where do I live? I would be moving from a small terraced house with no garden in London and, with three boys who dream of being able to play football in a garden, outside space is a priority. Because of this I thought it could be a wonderful blessing to find a nice house with a large garden in one of the villages outside of Oxford.
What I have fast discovered is: 1) there is little to no inventory around in the rentals market, and 2) traffic is bad!
Keen to get advice on places/villages/locations that might work. A 20-minute drive in traffic to Summertown would be ideal. I'm aware this may be a totally impossible and ludicrous dream though. Please don't laugh oh wise and experienced ones. I am an amateur hoping to learn, fast!
Another concern is whether it is easy to meet people and make friends, particularly as a single mum. How easy have you found it moving into Oxford as a "foreigner".
Thanks in advance for advice.