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Original poster

Advice on a possible move to Oxfordshire?

17 replies

IHeartKingThistle · 27/02/2010 20:25

Hi,

We're considering relocating from Surbiton in Surrey to Oxfordshire, and we're particularly looking at Wallingford or Abingdon (I don't think we're ready for a village after the convenience of the suburbs!). We've had a little drive around today and the area seems lovely but we are seriously lacking in insider info! Does anyone live in either of those places or know what it's like to live there with small children? Are there any areas of either town that we should steer clear of when house-hunting? My eldest is due to start school next September and I'd also love some advice on which schools are good.
This is such a massive decision!

Thanks in advance!
x

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 27/02/2010 20:34

Ooh, my parents live in Wallingford, and mum taught at St Nicholas for many many years. I think it got an outstanding report from OFSTED at the last inspection. Wallingford is a nice town, very little trouble, only less desirable bits are Clapcot Way, and even then it's not that bad. The more period houses go for more than the modern ones obv, and the new developments on St Georges Road and the Maltings are quite squashed in.
Lots going on there - all sorts of clubs, societys etc, a community theatre and cinema, lots of sport. Theres several preschools, and a nice community hospital where all the GPs are.

Only real downside is that there is no indoor pool - but the one at Didcot is good.

If you are eco minded, there is a thriving LETS scheme, a monthly swap shop, and all sorts of other things.

pagwatch · 27/02/2010 20:38

Both are quite nice but I think I would choose Abingdon not least for the proximity to Oxford.
I grew up just outside Wallingford and it is nice but the town is very quiet with not much to do. It is a magnet for kids from the local vaillages so while it looks pretty it can be a bit nosiy and shit at night time.

Abingdon is a bit bigger and has a bit more going on. You can get into Oxford quite easily but Abingdon has a bit more to do. My sisters live there and love it.
Of the two I would definately choose Abingdon.
Can't help especially with schools as no personal info

MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 27/02/2010 20:40

CMOTDibbler
Really? My DH went to St Nicholas! (small world emoticon)
Can't help really, OP, sorry as was at school in Ox but also only really know the villages nr Abingdon
But best of luck with the move.
PS as a village dweller now (Hert) they're not all bad

CMOTdibbler · 27/02/2010 20:42

Olivia - ask him if he remembers Mrs W. I started school there in 1977 when the head was Mrs Leather.

Small scary world !

pagwatch · 27/02/2010 20:42

Benson is nice .

pagwatch · 27/02/2010 20:43
CMOTdibbler · 27/02/2010 20:51

Did you use to go the Rivers nightclub in Benson Pag ?

pagwatch · 27/02/2010 20:55

oh yes! Although not that often as I left the area when I was 19

Before that I was a regular at the Rio at Didcot( showing my age)

CMOTdibbler · 27/02/2010 20:58

See, we could get home from Benson by walking along the river (god, if my mother ever knew that !), but not from Didcot, so that was the destination of 'choice'.

MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 27/02/2010 21:08

but CMOT, erm no, DH can't really remember (but barely remembers DS's name somedays)
he started in 82

Bump for OP

pagwatch · 27/02/2010 21:12

ah. I had a big sister with a car!

My friends and I used to walk to Wallingford all the time though and we had friends in Crowmarsh who we would collect en route...

there were about three shops which we would hang around hoping to see boys visit and then we we find my mum at the WI market, get some cakes and walk all the way home
We used to swin across the river at Benson too. Now I am wiser I would freak out if my DD got too close to the edge but back then we used to dare each other to get across as close to the Weir as possible

But that was all about a decade before you were born...

[definately an old gimmer]

CMOTdibbler · 27/02/2010 21:12

If he went then, then he would have def known my mum - but obviously he wasn't too scarred by the experience. She had goats then, which may jog his memory - I think they may have visited them, and had rats in the classroom

pagwatch · 27/02/2010 21:13

sorry OP
nostalgia hi jack

Lilymaid · 27/02/2010 21:16

Goring (yes I know it is a village but it has all services). We lived there when DSs were small and it was a great place for them. We only moved away because we were relocated but it remains for us the best place we have ever lived. I'm originally from a village near Surbiton, by the river and it wasn't a culture shock in any way.

abride · 27/02/2010 21:17

St Nicholas primary in Abingdon is supposed to be good. The private schools in the town are excellent, if that's a possibility for you.

CMOTdibbler · 27/02/2010 21:17

We used to swim across the river at Wallingford - even when we had been told not to many times. But my granddad told me that his mother had always moaned at them about swimming in it too, so I suppose not much changed

Original poster
IHeartKingThistle · 02/03/2010 22:41

bump (is that how you do it?!)

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