Does anyone know of a place/block/estate in London/Oxford/SE with a sense of community

[ootsu]

I grew up on a council estate, a nice one in outer London. It's still there but all the people have gone and if I moved back there I think it might be sad and hard. I'll be living on my own and what I'm looking for above all is a sense of community. Where I'm currently living for the last 6 years I thought might be like this (its a rural village) but frankly its a gossip ridden nightmare.. I've a bit of time to do research; my budget will stretch to a 2 bed flat. Instead of just zoning in on one general area, I'm trying to be specific. My existing acquaintances are scattered in and around London, realistically socially I'd be meeting them in central London (or them visiting me). I've never had a situation where I've had people to connect with within walking distance. My interests are concerts, talks, political campaigning, and I like being around settled international people. Let me know if you have any ideas

Roughly what is your budget? That will rule a lot of areas in or out.

You’re going to need to be more specific about your budget as 2-bed flats vary widely in price. We live in a lovely village just outside Oxford and our 3-bed house cost around £350k, whereas that wouldn’t buy a shoebox in many parts of London.

sunnshine £350k is, by coincidence, my budget. I'm more concerned about being happy and meeting people than size of dwelling and am well aware that most London and many London adjacent properties are well above this amount.
I know the town of Oxford well having been there for university many years ago. I don't know people there now, but it's not too hard to get to London, plus it has struck me as a place where there is a lot of local stuff going on. Absolutely no idea of course whether I'd feel accepted or fit n there, that's why I'm trying to research now. I don't expect you to reveal which village you live in, but Headington had been on my radar (most likely for a flat)

South Oxford (New Hinksey/ Grandpont) is a really lovely community. Or East Oxford (Cowley Rd/ Florence Park area). South Oxford is also easily walkable to the centre and on the doorstep for the Thames Path and countryside walks.

A flat in or adjacent to the conservation areas in Stockwell/Vauhall/Oval as those areas are quite Oxbridgy and have active residents associations. For example this one is on the edge of two conservation areas https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147557132#/?channel=RES_BUY

YOu'd need to be prepared to muck in - quickest way is usuall via a community gardening project.

Another vote for East Oxford!

This is not realistic IMHO. So for example where I live in North London the specific estate is quite community minded but we'd never talk politics ! Just estate stuff. The area has some nice community things (some allotments and community gardening for example) so people interested in that get involved in that. But it's highly populated area so there's lots of different stuff going on .. it's kind of just London innit! But not much for your budget in honesty.
Oxford I don't know as well but am aware of some family areas that have a nice vibe and friends who have made local friends due to kids. But clearly that's not you. I mean ... it's a kind of wide ranging request you have !

Both of these are v close to Florence Park (East Oxford) which has a great community.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150249425#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149946590#/?channel=RES_BUY

I was going to suggest Headington OP, or Flotence Park, Cowley if you are looking for a more international feel.
There are lots of students in Oxford, obviously, but these area have great communities too.

East Oxford round Cowley Rd/Florence Park/Magdalen Rd is like this. A lot of the roads around the latter in particular have their own street parties every year, loads of local events going on, v strong community feel. My street has its own WhatsApp which is used a lot and I've met a lot of people just from the coffee shop and the local gym/yoga studio. It's pretty international round here and also people are pretty involved politically. I moved here 6 years ago and now I bump into someone I know pretty much every time I step out of the house 😂

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143048510#/?channel=RES_BUY

sweet house in a nice quiet side road, stones throw from the lido/ community centre/ lake

If you'll consider Berkshire, try Newbury. All of what you are looking for and good trains to London.

Avoid Hungerford, Bit cliquey and surprisingly rough.

Gently, I think you’re going about this the wrong way. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the U.K. you can move and instantly be part of a strong local community of lovely, not gossipy people. You have to find that community where you are, and maybe even build it. So sports/hobby clubs, churches, local political parties - any kind of organisation which brings likeminded people together around a central purpose.

For me, I’ve found that through a church. We have an amazing local community and constantly pop in and out of each others’ houses. But I live in London Z2 and I’m sure lots of our non-churchgoing neighbours feel lonely and without community - certainly that’s what lots of people say about London. So you have to seek that community out, and find your way in, rather than just moving house and expecting it to find you.