Relocating to Oxford, or Banbury

[Leicesterdave]

I have got the opportunity of a job 3 miles out of Banbury. Thing is banbury seems a bit boring, is the commute from Oxford ok?

[Liokault]

It's ok. Will take 40 min's most days, only bad spot will be coming off the M40 onto the A34.

What about Leamington Spa?

[anonymous-user]

Banbury is like the poorer parts of Detriot....without the money

sthole, avoid.

[grumbledoak]

Both dreadful IME. There must be somewhere else nearby.

[Superhoop]

Liokault said:

It's ok. Will take 40 min's most days, only bad spot will be coming off the M40 onto the A34.

What about Leamington Spa?

Another vote for Leamington/Warwick - I am biased though, as I grew up there. It's only a 20 minute drive down the M40 to Banbury (Or you can take the more intersting route which is probably about 30 minutes)

Property isn't too badly priced, there's plenty to do in the Leamington, including some good bars, and depending on where you chose to live, can as little as 5 minutes from the M40 - It's also a lot more car friendly than Oxford, which is motoring hell

[Leicesterdave]

I'd ideally like a decent town centre, being used to a fair sized city. Which is safer, as a general rule?

[ludicrous speed]

Liokault said:

It's ok. Will take 40 min's most days, only bad spot will be coming off the M40 onto the A34.

Wouldn't go that way personally but it would still take at least half an hour.

Banbury is ok, apart from the recent double axe murder..
Some good roads round here. Oxford would be a better place to live but Leamington is no better than Banbury imo.

Where just outside Banbury btw?

[RenesisEvo]

Leicesterdave said:

I'd ideally like a decent town centre, being used to a fair sized city. Which is safer, as a general rule?

Both have their good and bad parts. I'll admit to not knowing a huge amount about Banbury, but I have just (literally, careering about in the hire van last night) moved to a new place there, so I'll guess I'll find out! Like Oxford, it seems to have its good areas and its bad areas. There is also the unique aroma of Banbury, which if you like coffee is fine, if you don't.. worth checking out and making sure you can live with it.

Oxford is car hell. 20mph zones, all residential parking and generally traffic everywhere. It's got plenty of good features, but unless you like the bus/cycling it can be a pain to live there.

Edited by RenesisEvo on Friday 17th December 13:03

[grumbledoak]

Banbury is just Dull, capital "D". And it stinks of the "coffee" plant.
Oxford is very car unfriendly.
Leamington has nice bits, but was car crime central at one point recently - get recent advice if you choose it.

I've not lived in Warwick.

Edited by grumbledoak on Friday 17th December 13:07

[Leicesterdave]

Encouraging points of views! None seem any better then!

[Leicesterdave]

ludicrous speed said:

Where just outside Banbury btw?

Bloxham

[Accelebrate]

I live in Oxford, the car unfriendly business is a bit of a cliche really. Yes most roads inside the ring road are 20mph but to be honest the place is so small it's not like you'd be hooning there anyway. The surrounding roads in the Cotswolds are brilliant.

Parking in the centre is useless though, luckily I have a parking space, but if I didn't and had to squeeze into the expensive and crowded pay and displays I'd probably rarely drive to the shops.

I recently bought my first house here, I did look at Banbury at one point and found it a bit bland. You do get a lot for your money though. Oxford is pricey, especially the nicer more central parts, the plus side is lots of brilliant restaurants and pubs within walking distance.

The place is tiny but I've never personally struggled to buy anything locally, geographically it's quite well situated. The 24/7 coach services into London are quite useful as well.

[550Hep]

Try looking towards Chipping Norton up to Morton-in-Marsh etc - Good roads around there, nice part of the country and an easy commute across.

[ludicrous speed]

550Hep said:

Try looking towards Chipping Norton up to Morton-in-Marsh etc - Good roads around there, nice part of the country and an easy commute across.

Nice area but he wants a good town centre, Bloxham would be a nice place to live if he was the village type.
Oxford is the best bet, it doesn't have as much of that dirty scummy sthole feel to it that most cities have.

[Highway Star]

Accelebrate said:

I live in Oxford, the car unfriendly business is a bit of a cliche really. Yes most roads inside the ring road are 20mph but to be honest the place is so small it's not like you'd be hooning there anyway. The surrounding roads in the Cotswolds are brilliant.

Parking in the centre is useless though, luckily I have a parking space, but if I didn't and had to squeeze into the expensive and crowded pay and displays I'd probably rarely drive to the shops.

I recently bought my first house here, I did look at Banbury at one point and found it a bit bland. You do get a lot for your money though. Oxford is pricey, especially the nicer more central parts, the plus side is lots of brilliant restaurants and pubs within walking distance.

The place is tiny but I've never personally struggled to buy anything locally, geographically it's quite well situated. The 24/7 coach services into London are quite useful as well.

Completely agree. Oxford is only 'car hell' if you are a tourist who insists on expecting to drive into what was a medieval city and park for free.

The 20mph limits are generally on roads where it is difficult to do more than that anyway and as for residential parking, well that's not a problem if you live there.

Oxford is expensive though.

Leamington/Warwick aren't so good if you are going to Bloxham - driving across Banbury can be quite busy or you'll fart around the country lanes.

I guess you want to live in a decent sized town from your posts, but I live about 8 miles from Bloxham in a village and its lovely; you get so much more for your money north of Oxford.

[Facefirst]

Witney? Good town centre, very pretty, near to Oxford for 'big' nights out and about 40 mins to Banbury (you can go cross country and miss the traffic, see).

See what you think.

[Pickled Piper]

I lived in Banbury for several years and would happily do so again. I wouldn't bother commuting on a daily basis from Oxford. It's just too much hassle. Better to live in / near Banbury and take a drive out to Oxford when you fancy it. You will also be paying a premium to live in the nicer parts of Oxford.

If for some reason you can't stand Banbury itself then consider the surrounding towns and villages. Large towns like Leamington / Warwick are options or consider one of the many villages towards Gaydon and Stratford. You will also be able to enjoy some of the nicest driving roads in the Country. You are also on the borders of the Colstwolds - great for driving and also for living.

Take a good drive round. You will be spoilt for choice.

pp

[Leicesterdave]

Is Banbury a fairly affluent town?

[Jon951]

Depending on your house budget you could look at somewhere like Thame and the surrounding area.

Or maybe Bicester ?

Edited by Jon951 on Friday 17th December 14:44

[Highway Star]

Leicesterdave said:

Is Banbury a fairly affluent town?

Compared to the national average, yes. Compared to the rest of Oxfordshire, maybe. Its got some rough parts and some nice parts, rather like anywhere else.