Moving to Oxfordshire - advice please?

[poprock]

Hi. I’m usually found in the Scotland forum, but have a potential job change coming up which would mean moving down to your neck of the woods. I’m looking for a little advice on the finances of life in the Cotswolds so that I’m properly prepared for the salary negotiations!

I understand that the cost of living is likely to be significantly higher than I am used to in Glasgow.

For reference - I pay under £500 per month to rent a gorgeous one bed flat in the city centre up here. My Council Tax is less than a hundred quid a month. I don't even own a car because I can walk or get the underground everywhere.

I would be working around the Chipping Norton/Kingham area. I would need a car for work, so would be able to commute from anywhere within an hour's drive really.

Can anyone tell me what rental properties are likely to cost? My options are completely open at this stage - one bed flats in Oxford, Cheltenham, or Stratford … houses in smaller towns, or out in the sticks … I’m open to suggestions.

Like I say - I need a feel for how high a salary bump I need to aim for. Any advice is very welcome. Cheers!

[TheArchitect]

Rental market around where I live Bicester is approx £6-700pcm for a 1bed property and 700-900 for a 2 bed unit. Have a look on rightmove which should give you an idea. Also I'd recommend buying a car up by you if your going shopping as car prices seems to increase the closer to London you get.

[Jimbo.]

£500 gets you a room in an average flat/house share in Oxford

[Nickyboy]

Cotswolds - Expensive
Oxford - Expensive

Most places within an hours drive - Expensive

My old flatmate had a studio flat full of damp for £550 a month. Thats what your money will get you.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...

[poprock]

Thanks guys.

I’m not expecting to get anything for even close to the budget I have up in Glasgow. I’ll only make the move if the new employer can give me enough to live properly down their way.

Oxford is out, I think. Rich students pushing prices up. Maybe somewhere to the north instead, within an hour’s drive.

Good point about cheaper cars up here, by the way. I hadn’t considered that one.

[poprock]

I think the interview went well.

I'm asking 10k more than I get in Glasgow, plus a relocation bonus up front.

I guess now I just wait and see whether they bite.

Cheers for the help guys.

[Nickyboy]

Look at Banbury, some areas are ok and the back road to Chippy is fine for a commute.

[Trtj]

Villages nearer Bicester or Banbury and you will get a lot more for your dollar (is that what they have up there in scotland, or want to have, or will have soon?). The commute to the cotswolds will also be very quiet Vs. the commute from Oxford, and should take in some sharp roads to boot.

[Trtj]

Villages nearer Bicester or Banbury and you will get a lot more for your dollar (is that what they have up there in scotland, or want to have, or will have soon?). The commute to the cotswolds will also be very quiet Vs. the commute from Oxford, and should take in some sharp roads to boot.