Any mums in Oxford?

[Stargazing]

Hi there - we're looking at moving to Oxford even hough we're not at all familiar with the place. Just had enough of London, really, and have realised that we can get more house for our money in Oxford. But .. I'm looking for advice on what suburbs/ areas we should be looking at. We're in our early 30s, got one 10-month old and another due in 6 months .. just want a nice, family-friedly, pram-pushing area, really. We like our organic delis and our nice coffee shops and independent bakers and butchers, if you know what I mean. We also like parks that don't have too many deros slumped aross the entrance gate. We're probably a teeny tad aspirational (it grieves me to say it) but not at all wealthy or snobby. Just want to be in a nice area with no fried chicken shops and no betting shops (2 things that characterise our current neighbourhood!) Whaddaya reckon - any suggestions? Also - can anyone recommend anything in the way of mum & baby activities in Oxford - music groups, yoga, tumble tots, tea groups that kind of thing???

Any advice will be really appreciated!

Hi, I lived in Oxford for about 20 years and moved when ds was 2 (nearly 2 yrs now) so hopefully what I know won't be out of date already! Summertown is lovely, leafy and full of organic delis etc (not sure if there's an independent butcher, but I know there are several in the wonderful covered market in the centre of town), but property is v. expensive. The University Parks at the bottom of Banbury Road are lovely for pram pushing but I don't know if there are playgrounds within it. Jericho is also nice with plenty of good shops/delis etc, but very close to the centre so I guess property there is probably expensive too (but of course this depends on the definition of expensive!). We lived in Headington, which had both fried chicken shops and a betting shop, but also a nice mix of shops and people (it's close to Oxford Brookes so quite studenty and fairly cosmopolitan). Bury Knowle Park in Headington has a good playground but when we left had a bit of a problem with young teenage boys hanging around and causing trouble, don't know if that's been sorted now.

A friend of mine runs Sing and Sign (singandsign.com) classes in the Oxford area and I know they're really popular. I also went to a music group in Headington with ds when he was a baby but can't for the life of me remember the name. Try Daily Information for regularly updated info on goings on in Oxford - it was quite university focused but was starting to add more information about family stuff when I moved away. I also found my health visitors a really good source of info about baby stuff when ds was young. Oh, and there's a tumble tots type thing at the Oxford Brookes sports centre in Headington.

Must go, ds wants his tea!

Daily Information is at dailyinfo.co.uk.
Just checked it and it now lists Family Events. Am feeling very homesick for Oxford and envious of all that's on .

We've moved away now, but Abingdon was fab for young kids. There was LOADS going on even for tiny babies, massage, baby college, music, swimming etc. We lived in a village just outside and it was bout 5 mins from Didcot station if you do need to have commuting links back to London. Butcher in Sutton Courteny, baker in Steventon, and a FANTASTIC midwife unit in Wantage where I had ds (dreaming about going back there for no 2). Not so sure about good coffee shops etc, Oxford definitely better for that. Second Jericho & Summertown - think schools are good there too.

I've got a friend with a baby in Abingdon who loves it, it's so pretty (apart from the shopping centre LOL) and the NCT are very friendly and active there too. Costapacket though.

I live in Abingdon and it is great for people with young children and they are going to knock down the "precint" and rebuild it soon. So they promise anyway. They are really trying to fill Abingdon with shops like you mention but we already have a few good independent shops, a couple of coffe shops, a couple of decent restaurants. We are also surrounded by farm shops and there is a regular farmers market. Right by the river, lovely park, lovely walks. My friends moved from London to Abingdon for the same reason you want to and they are happy here. Her DH commutes from Didcot (40 mins to Paddington).

However, there are two betting shops and Samdi does park his Kebab van in the market square of a weekend night....

Abingdon isn't the cheapest place to live but definitely cheaper than living in Oxford or the Oxford surrounding area. As someone mentioned, daily info is great for listings stuff. The NCT is really active here and I am sure they would give you some more information.

Got to go, bath time beckons. If you want any more info about Abingdon, just shout! Good luck with making the decision.

I live in Oxford in what estate agents call 'Iffley Fields' and it's wonderful for children. Lovely state primary school nearby, plenty to do, and lots of lovely families. CAT me if you'd like any more info, and best of luck with it all.