Rose Hill, Oxford OX4 - Please tell me the truth about living here!

[goldengrove]

Is anyone here very familiar with this part of Oxford at the moment? I'm considering buying a property near The Oval. I've looked at a couple of location websites, crime stats etc but would really love to hear from anyone who has direct personal experience of this area, to avoid a huge potential mistake - or be encouraged.... Thank you in advance!

Bumping in the hope that someone can share their experience...

I don’t live here but visited the area a few months ago. It looked like a fairly standard estate to me but it isn’t some where I would choose to live, no.

Probably best to avoid the area if you have a choice. Are you in Oxford now?

It doesn't have a good reputation locally. But that may not be accurate.

My ex's car got nicked and was found in an unlocked garage there (15 miles from where we were living). I would avoid.

No no no not if you have a choice. It's a predominantly council estate and very deprived along with near by black bird Leys and some of Cowley. The local council spend hardly anything on amenities and services and there is very limited policing. Depending on the side you go, Littlemore that's near Rosehill is ok but there is lots of pockets of very deprived council and housing association properties all over Oxford (I live in one of them so not a snob).

There is a very stark divide between the wealthy haves and the poor have nots in this city. If you can avoid Oxford at all I would as you could get so much more for your money elsewhere.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. Yes, I'm renting in Oxford now but that's very expensive. I'd like to get into the property market here somehow, but it's always been just (or a lot) out of reach for me. Property prices here, as you all probably know, are totally bonkers, especially in the 'naicer' areas. So I've seen a possibility or two in Rose Hill, which is well connected to the centre, and the prices are obviously lower there for a reason. I just wondered how grim it might actually get and where the particular trouble spots might be. In my experience there are always many decent folk living even in the more rundown areas, but it makes sense to find out what the levels of ASB/ crime etc are, and where, and assess the extent to which I may be bothered by these if I move there. Such a big decision buying, if only I had a bigger budget! I love the city but the pleasanter parts are just so unaffordable. Very interested to hear if anyone has personal experience of living there.

The trouble with anti social behaviour especially teens is that there's nothing from them to do . Youth programs and amenities are pretty much non existent these days (life long oxfordian).not that it excuses the behaviour mind. I believe we also have a growing county lines drug issue developing.

Where about a are you now roughly? I'm central Cowley road and we have a really eclectic mix of people here.

Hi Nippy, I'm currently renting in leafy North Oxford (Summertown), very pleasant in every way, but can't afford to do so indefinitely. I think Shared Ownership could be the way forward for me but there aren't many schemes around and they don't tend to be in the 'desirable' areas. I want to be in the city to benefit from the public transport, and do without a car, not miles out in a village somewhere. I know I could get more value for money elsewhere - the trouble is, I love Oxford!

I've lived in the bit between Rose Hill and Iffley, and still have friends there. We didn't have any more trouble with anti-social behaviour there then we did when living just off the Cowley road. (I've never lived in Summertown though!) Which side/ how close to the Oval are you looking?

I should add that I loved living there - close to the river/Iffley, regular bus service into town but also close enough to walk. Do you have children? Local schools had a few issues when I lived there

Thanks Enamel this is helpful as you used to live quite close, your area was possibly a bit more upmarket than where I've been looking, which is by the Oval and Desborough Crescent (new build flats). I have a teenager at The Cherwell School, hence renting in Summertown for the time being. (No change of school envisaged by the way). I'm impressed by the regular bus service to the city centre, Rose Hill seems much more well-served than Littlemore.

I've lived in Littlemore too. Out of the two I'd choose Rose Hill (similar demographics, better transport links). Both very different from Summertown though. Good luck with your decision - at least you don't need to worry about schools too!

Thanks Enamel I've had a look at some parts of Littlemore which also has more affordable shared ownership housing currently being built. It looks a little less 'rough' than Rose Hill, perhaps, but as you say, the transport links aren't nearly so good, so that could be the trade-off for me in favour of Rose Hill. I'm really grateful for your input (which has finally said something positive about the area... All views help!)

There is a good community centre at Rose Hill with an outdoor gym and football clubs.

DH family come from Rosehill it's not the best of estates although not the worst. There was regular burnt out cars at the end of his road 20 odd years ago, his family still have a house there and good friend's family still live there.

Apparently it's settled down but still has more crime than other areas.

A lot of Indian & Philippino nurses have moved to the area as it's cost affective and a short bus ride to the hospitals which might have helped.

Where do you work? As you might be better off moving out to Kidlington or Bicester as you'll often get more for your money or you did when we first started on the property ladder.

Hello Sickoffamilydrama (I do like your username! Me too ) Thanks for your comments and info. I can work from home and really want to live in Oxford itself, so given current prices I realise that I'll have to compromise on lots of things with housing here, not least on space. I'm not keen on Kidlington, which I've explored a bit; my research has shown it to be actually very expensive indeed for what you get there today. Bicester is too far out and doesn't appeal. People are saying that Rose Hill is getting better; I hope that's true. I'm committed to this area now anyway, so am prepared to take the rough with the smooth and hope to be able to make my own positive contribution of some kind here in due course.

Good luck OP!

That wasn't a sarcastic good luck, just a general good luck. Just don't get into the habit of buying calazone at the local pizza shop there that may not be there now I gained half a stone when DH & I got in that habit!

no pizza emoticon - I made a mental note when I passed that shop, it looks very tempting!!