Good parts of Banbury

[SamWalks]

Hi All,

My husband has recently found a job in Gaydon Warwick. We are looking to relocate from London as the commute is long and expensive.

wondered if anyone could advise on Banbury? I don’t know much about the area at all, but where is best to rent buy? And safe to live.

Any particular reason why it needs to be Banbury? There are really lovely villages outside Banbury but the town itself is a bit round down. And if DH is commuting to Gaydon, Warwick and Leamington Spa are not much further than Banbury (in the other direction) and rather nicer.

Will you need access to the M40 to get to Gayden?
Junction 11 - the main junction in town - gets a lot of traffic jams so is a bit of a nightmare.
If you live in the south of town (Cherwell Heights, Bodicote Chase, Longford Park, Easington) it's often easier to drive south to Junction 10 and join the motorway there.
(not at the moment though due to some road works but when it's normal it's fine).
Those parts of town are fine to live in.

I would recommend Warwick & Leamington instead

TBH there is no need to get on the M40 as the B4100 is almost as quick with no need to cross Banbury to get to the Mway junction.

Banbury town center is looking a bit down in the mouth nowadays but no moreso than many similar sized market towns and there are some good shopping centers.
Of course a villager would be more desirable to many (us included) but as long as you keep away from the obvious areas such as Bretch Hill, Ruscotte, Grimsby etc the rest of the town is very nice.
Lots of new builds around but choose wisely as some are very jammed in and/or tucked up against the M40 (noise). Those on the Bloxham side look to be the best and still easy access to Gaydon.

@SamWalks the villages are nice but unless you drive then public transport is not great and some of them don't even have a shop.
If you are coming up from London you might find it a shock to get used to (even in town).
What are your priorities -
Schools? Access to shops? Access to public transport?