Relocating to West or South Oxfordshire from Bristol.. but where??

[pixieeyes]

Hi everyone. I'm starting the overwhelming but also exciting! search for a new place to call home in Oxfordshire and would value any insight or advice please.
After much discussion my husband and I have (almost) decided to make the big move, because although we really love Bristol, his family are Central Oxford & High Wycombe based and my family is West London based. We'd like to be closer to them as we'd like to start a family soon, and I also fancy a change after 15y in Bristol. I also want to be closer to London where I grew up and have friends.

I have a new job starting in Swindon in Jan, and am happy to commute up to 45mins by car 3-4d/w, in order to live in Oxfordshire rather than Swindon or Wiltshire. My husband's job in the future will involve rotations between the hospitals in Oxford/Swindon/Reading & Milton Keynes.

The ideal wishlist is:

• In or nearby to a town with things to do/places to go (independent/alternative scene would be ideal but I understand this might be too much to ask of Oxfordshire!)
• Community feel
• Quicker travel to London- within 1h (Paddington rather than Marylebone better so thinking near Didcot would be best?)
• Near things to do with babies/small children
• Near to good schools for the future

We visited Abingdon, Wantage and Dicot with some villages in between yesterday but in reading and after our visit I still feel confused and not sure we can quite find the right place for most of the above.. or maybe I'm expecting too much. We didn't make it to but have been reading about Witney and it sounds ideal, but maybe too far for us to commute/not as easy for London travel

If anyone is making/has made the move to South Oxon, please also get in touch!

Thanks so much 😊

[pixieeyes]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I’m still confused as ever but have a new list of places to visit on our next recce there in just over a week. I’ve been recommended Eynsham (a large village with more going on and a community vibe?) and have been looking at Google maps and MN for posts about it. The commute to my work in Swindon says 31 miles, 48mins via the A40 then the A420 or just the A420.. would it realistically be 48mins at about 7:30am or is it going to be much longer? Wondering that because it’s away from Oxford it wouldn’t be as bad as all the Oxon traffic I’ve read on here so much about?!
Would any of you recommend Eynsham? Or Bampton?
Thanks muchly!

[VerySmallClanger]

Just wanted to mention that Paddington and Marylebone are only two stops apart on the Bakerloo so there really isn’t much between them!

[linenalltheway]

You need to factor in the commute to your actual places of work.
Because both of those cities have lots of commuter traffic at peak time.
You need to look at google maps/Waze on a Tuesday, wed, thurs rush hour timings. The distance is less relevant.
Are you going to London v regularly on the train?

[TommyShelby]

Eynsham is nice - but traffic can be a right pain at peak times, particularly if you are using the A40. Saying that though, if you live there for any length of time, you’ll pick up on the backroads which help with traffic dodging. My main aim when going anywhere at peak times was just avoid the a40!

If the two id pick Eynsham over Bampton definitely.

[DCIJackieDeering]

What about Newbury? It’s OK for Swindon/ Oxford/ Reading, on the train line. Milton Keynes is a longer drive, it’s a mix of dual carriage way and single carriageway after Bicester. Has good schools and things to do

[heddgiemum]

I know your children are young, but rural areas tend to have one catchment school, and some of the areas are dodgy for schools. From what you're saying id look at the following areas...

1. Newbury. It's easily within a 45 min commute from Swindon (and you'll be going against the main flow of traffic). Easy drive to Oxford (but not train to Oxford, that's a mare as you have to go into reading and out again) but train line to London is okay for a daily commute. Lots do it. Look at either villages to the north of Newbury (in The Downs catchment area) or in the South of Newbury (St Barts or Park House). This will be good if you need to work in West Swindon / Old Town / close to M4

1. Villages between Faringdon and Wantage. Historically both schools go up and down, but if you live somewhere like Stanford in the Vale, you'll have the choice of the two schools when the time comes. For the past Decade Faringdon has had the much better OFSTED, but because it got the outstanding over a decade ago. It's not been inspected since. Parents j know have mixed views on it. Before that King Alfred's had the better reputation, but a few years ago they had a bit of a dodgy head (she's now moved on). I'm not sure how it's doing since then. Commute to Swindon would be about half an hour, but that's likely to increase with the eastern extension being built and easy access to Stratton, but harder if you're working over West Swindon or in town centre. Add another half an hour to your commute time if that's the case. Commute to Oxford would be easy, but for London it would be drive to Didcot and go from there. I'd also look at the reputation of Stanford, years back it did have a slightly rough reputation, but I know people who have moved in since and they love it. Lots of new houses. Shellingford has always had a reputation for being a great primary school.

1. Area around Burford. Lovely village with great secondary school, that has historically been excellent (still has a great reputation). Burford to Swindon is about 40 mins, depending on whereabouts in Swindon you want to get to. Bear in mind, if your DH is commuting to Oxford the A49 is a pig of a commute, although there is a new park and ride planned for Eynsham. For London, your DH could drive to Charlbury or Long Hanborough for train. Long Hanborough is quite a slow train though, but I do know lots who commute in from Charlbury every day, Bampton would also be worth a look as that is also easy for Swindon / Oxford. It's where they filmed Downton Abbey too.

Obviously depends on whereabouts in Swindon / Oxford you both need to get to. The A420 is generally a much easier / quicker commute than the A40, although that may change with the new bypass at Eynsham.

Personally, I'd avoid Didcot and villages, the girls school has been great, the boys school not so much and the mixed school, I'd avoid. If looking at Didcot, go south so you can access the Downs.

Matthew Arnold school also has a great rep, this is Cumnor area but would take your commute over 45 mins. Southmoor might be worth a look? It would be on the limit of your commute.

Feel free to DM specific questions. My DH works in Oxford, i have lived and taught in this area for over 20 years so know many teachers at the different schools in and around Oxon and West Berks. And good luck with your search!

[heddgiemum]

I doubt you could get from Eynsham to Swindon in under 45 mins. I go to Swindon regularly and used to work there. Id only consider that if you're going to be working at Gablecross or something.

[pixieeyes]

Thank you all.

I’m now considering whether I could go up to 1h with my commute, to give us a wider range of areas and to be nearer to Oxford itself as it’s closer to family (one of the main reasons for moving) and I think I would prefer being nearer to get into the city.

Do any of you know/would recommend Kennington? It looks close to get into Oxford fairly easily, my only concern is school availability there?

@heddgiemum thank you that’s really kind re messaging about schools, I might take you up on that soon :)

[Rainingcatsandmice]

Kennington is very close to Oxford with easy access. Also it’s right next to Radley so the train station is nearby too. I think there is just one school in Kennington itself.

[pixieeyes]

Thanks so much all. We did a recce yesterday and I liked both Wolvercote and more so East Oxford- because it’s reminding me of/most like Bristol where we are now! Considering now whether moving to East would be possible, if I can stretch my commute to Swindon to 1h. I’ve been looking at Google Maps in the
mornings and it’s saying about 50m-1h
from Iffley to Swindon.. Is that a realistically true? I would be setting out of Oxford at 7:30am. It looks like the route would take me up the west side of the ring road and then out and down through Cumnor. Is traveling along the ring road at this time doable?
Lastly, which are the better primary schools in East Oxford/Iffley area? Thank you!

[Lineala]

I think you saying Radley has no period properties is highly amusing! You obviously missed Lower Radley which has mostly period cottages and larger period properties.

Anyway, Lechlade is lovely but only if you buy well away from the main road. Bampton is lovely too and both are a very easy commute to Swindon and Oxford. Avoid Witney because the traffic into Oxford is horrendous and it's not handy for Swindon.

Faringdon is nice enough but I have no knowledge of the schools.

Abingdon is very popular with families and has an independent cinema and quite a few shows at Amey Hall. There's also the river which is lovely and a couple of sailing and rowing clubs and a thriving all year round tennis club. Very easy commute to Swindon, I did it for a few years. On days you dont want to drive it's only 10 minutes to Didcot for the train to Swindon. Out of all the options I would choose Abingdon.

[YetDespiteTheLookOnMyFace]

I came on to say Wallingford. It’s an hour to Swindon though.

[TizerorFizz]

Wallingford or Abingdon would be my picks.

I know someone who commuted from Abingdon to Swindon (Honda back in the day). It’s doable. Oxford is always busy! Park and Ride/buses are the best way to get into the city.

Nearer to central Oxford I would look at Headington, Stanton St John, Iffley, Kennington, Cumnor and Boars Hill. Not sure what your budget is though!

[Sofia109]

@elaeocarpus

I would go for Abingdon off your list

Didcot has the train, yes, but i wouldn't choose to live there

Wantage is ok, i cant say i like the town centre; the secondary had a really bad ofsted

Witney is lovely, but will take more than 45 min to Swindon

Abingdon has the river, decent schools good public transport to Oxford and didcot. You may be pushing it on commute time however
The a420 is a nightmare for traffic and accidents and road closures. If 45 min to Swindon is a must you'll need to look at villages or small towns between Abingdon/ wantage/ a420 corridor

Can i ask why you wouldn't choose to live in Didcot? I know its quite small and not very interesting but to be able to get to Oxford on teh train in 10-15 minutes is a big plus i guess for many of its residents? I notice its not so easy to get around to other areas by car, as it appears to be quite far from everywhere, but i think it was about 30 mins to Reading?

[mumarooni]

Wallingford is great, has a lovely folk festival if that's something you are into.

Cholsey has a train station but villagey.

Hagbourne is a lovely village adjoining Didcot. As is Upton. Both close to Didcot train station but smaller, quainter. Hagbourne has a wonderful primary school.

[mumarooni]

Oh just saw your update. Don't know Oxford schools personally but it's an ace city to visit, I think it would be a great place to live.

[elaeocarpus]

@Sofia109 "Can i ask why you wouldn't choose to live in Didcot? I know its quite small and not very interesting but to be able to get to Oxford on teh train in 10-15 minutes is a big plus i guess for many of its residents? I notice its not so easy to get around to other areas by car, as it appears to be quite far from everywhere, but i think it was about 30 mins to Reading?"


Didcot is not small, its pretty big

I think people wanting to get to oxford would take a bus or drive rather than train, not sure. I drve or drive and park &ride when going to oxford, from elsewhere but n the county. Living in a village or nicer town nearby would be better if think; drive and park at the rail station then head off on the train

Its just not my cup of tea in terms of people/vibe/ where i want to live. there are plenty of webpages devoted to it when it appears on those worst places to live lists.

[MostNormalWomaninBritain]

Didcot is fine. Totally adequate place to live. The train station is good - I would use the train for Oxford, Reading, or London. I wouldn’t drive or get the bus.

Absolutely fine to get about by car from Didcot as well - good links.

There are several villages very near to Didcot eg Harwell, Hagbournes, South or North Morton, Blewbury, Upton, which might fit the bill.

I would move to Wallingford or Thame in a shot if I could, probably no good for you, but the prices are too high for me!

[Malbab]

pangbourne very nice but expensive, fast trains to london, east commute to reading and oxford
or bradfield southend, bucklebury nice villages in west berks but lots of village roads...

[NellyBarney]

The traffic around the Oxford ring road is a nightmare, so I would avoid everything between Abingdon and Witney, especially Kennington/Boars Hill etc. Rush-hour turns the whole area into one gigantic parking lot. It sucked all joy out of me for years, so often, about gortnightly, I was stuck for up to 4 hours between ring road and Didcot. For commuting to Swindon, London and Oxford, I'd really look at the (North of) Didcot or Newbury area, or along the M4 corridor between Swindon and Reading (e.g. Hungerford, Twyford),. If you go further north, you will just be miserable, stuck in traffic for half your life. The Newbury or Reading schools are great, Newbury x3 comps, Reading x2 grammars.

[NellyBarney]

Sorry, South of Didcot. Not north.You want to stay south of, or just about in, Didcot. Except if you can stretch to your own private helicopter.

[Fenne]

Hi there!

We’ve made the decision to move out of London and into Witney to have our first child due in November! Found a lovely rental on Dark Lane and keen to get settled in.

wondering whether there are any Witney parents out there who can help guide us in which antenatal classes are the best, which nursery has the best reputation and what those of other activities we can do with a little one. For context, i WFH at a big tech company and go in to Reading and London to meet customers and my other half is a contractor who will be starting a new 2-3 days in the office job in High Wycombe for the next few months starting in June.

Any insight/ ideas are very welcome!

[GasPanic]

@Fenne

Hi there!

We’ve made the decision to move out of London and into Witney to have our first child due in November! Found a lovely rental on Dark Lane and keen to get settled in.

wondering whether there are any Witney parents out there who can help guide us in which antenatal classes are the best, which nursery has the best reputation and what those of other activities we can do with a little one. For context, i WFH at a big tech company and go in to Reading and London to meet customers and my other half is a contractor who will be starting a new 2-3 days in the office job in High Wycombe for the next few months starting in June.

Any insight/ ideas are very welcome!

If your OH works standard office hours then the commute to High Wycombe from Witney will be horrible.