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[lodore66]

After hearing the word 'no' by way of 172 failed attempts, I've finally come good and landed a decent fellowship.  It will take me to Oxford, and by the standards of these things, it's reasonably well remunerated.  This is all fantastic, but I now find myself in the situation of the car-chasing dog when the car finally stops–i.e. without a clue as to what I should actually do now that I've finally got what I want.  In particular, the practical issue of where to live and how much to pay for it has become an issue.

Naturally, I've looked at all the various letting agents online, and contacted the University Accommodation Office; but what I really lack are some good word-of-mouth recommendations about settling on somewhere to live in Oxford.  For information purposes, I'll be bringing my family (spouse, toddler and newborn) and we'll be staying for two years.  Ideally, we'd like a four-bed house in a decent area (ha! who doesn't?).  As Oxford rents are eye-wateringly high, something that doesn't require an intra-continental bailout would he nice, too.

So, can anyone recommend a good estate agent or lettings company--ideally, one they've dealt with themselves?  Any general advice on how to avoid rookie mistakes would be a bonus as well.

Thanks,
Lodore

[wegie]

Naturally, I've looked at all the various letting agents online, and contacted the University Accommodation Office; but what I really lack are some good word-of-mouth recommendations about settling on somewhere to live in Oxford.  For information purposes, I'll be bringing my family (spouse, toddler and newborn) and we'll be staying for two years.  Ideally, we'd like a four-bed house in a decent area (ha! who doesn't?).  As Oxford rents are eye-wateringly high, something that doesn't require an intra-continental bailout would he nice, too.

So, can anyone recommend a good estate agent or lettings company--ideally, one they've dealt with themselves?  Any general advice on how to avoid rookie mistakes would be a bonus as well.

All Oxford estate agents are pretty much of a muchness. When I lived there, QB tended to get a pretty decent press from people who'd used them. Chancellors were OK when my landlord sold his place.

The best place of all to look is on the lettings pages of Daily Info.

As to where to live, that depends on whether the toddler is going to be going to school and whether your wife will be working. If the toddler will be going to school, forget about Cowley and the Leys. East Oxford can be pretty mixed. Marston, Headington, Kidlington, Summertown, Jericho, Grandpont and Botley should all be fine. If your wife is going to be working outside Oxford, you'll need to be placed for the commute: that's what makes Botley popular with dual academic or academic/professional couples, the access to the railway station.

From the point of view of your commute, will you be in the science area or at the JR? If so, houses in Marston and Headington are always favoured.

As for rookie mistakes, you've already made the fatal one: you took an Oxford job that didn't come with accommodation.

[oddlyodd]

Congrats on the job -

My recommendation is Lucy's - http://www.lucyproperties.co.uk/ - who used to be an iron-making firm until the factory closed, and now let out their workers' housing. They were excellent when I rented from them.
as for agents to avoid: Finders Keepers have the worst reputation. I know a couple of people who have horror stories about them.

Yes as another poster has put, www.dailyinfo.co.uk has all the private ads for Oxford, although it's worth taking care with private landlords - there are scamsters as there are everywhere, so don't pay any money to anyone until you're sure you want the place.

A 4bed house is going to be as you admit, eye-watering, and you won't get anywhere near the centre of town. This doesn't matter because the bus network is really good [don't even try to think about parking a car anywhere in the centre of town, although having said that, your college/department may have a few parking spots] Botley or Cowley proper are probably going to be most reasonable.

[lodore66]

Congrats on the job -

My recommendation is Lucy's - http://www.lucyproperties.co.uk/ - who used to be an iron-making firm until the factory closed, and now let out their workers' housing. They were excellent when I rented from them.
as for agents to avoid: Finders Keepers have the worst reputation. I know a couple of people who have horror stories about them.

Yes as another poster has put, www.dailyinfo.co.uk has all the private ads for Oxford, although it's worth taking care with private landlords - there are scamsters as there are everywhere, so don't pay any money to anyone until you're sure you want the place.

A 4bed house is going to be as you admit, eye-watering, and you won't get anywhere near the centre of town. This doesn't matter because the bus network is really good [don't even try to think about parking a car anywhere in the centre of town, although having said that, your college/department may have a few parking spots] Botley or Cowley proper are probably going to be most reasonable.

Naturally, I've looked at all the various letting agents online, and contacted the University Accommodation Office; but what I really lack are some good word-of-mouth recommendations about settling on somewhere to live in Oxford.  For information purposes, I'll be bringing my family (spouse, toddler and newborn) and we'll be staying for two years.  Ideally, we'd like a four-bed house in a decent area (ha! who doesn't?).  As Oxford rents are eye-wateringly high, something that doesn't require an intra-continental bailout would he nice, too.

So, can anyone recommend a good estate agent or lettings company--ideally, one they've dealt with themselves?  Any general advice on how to avoid rookie mistakes would be a bonus as well.

All Oxford estate agents are pretty much of a muchness. When I lived there, QB tended to get a pretty decent press from people who'd used them. Chancellors were OK when my landlord sold his place.

The best place of all to look is on the lettings pages of Daily Info.

As to where to live, that depends on whether the toddler is going to be going to school and whether your wife will be working. If the toddler will be going to school, forget about Cowley and the Leys. East Oxford can be pretty mixed. Marston, Headington, Kidlington, Summertown, Jericho, Grandpont and Botley should all be fine. If your wife is going to be working outside Oxford, you'll need to be placed for the commute: that's what makes Botley popular with dual academic or academic/professional couples, the access to the railway station.

From the point of view of your commute, will you be in the science area or at the JR? If so, houses in Marston and Headington are always favoured.

As for rookie mistakes, you've already made the fatal one: you took an Oxford job that didn't come with accommodation.

Thanks for the advice folks; there's some very useful info here and I appreciate it.  Schools probably won't be a problem, as the toddler is young enough that we'll start her back home after the fellowship ends.  The commuting issue is complicated: my spouse won't be working, but my own situation makes planning difficult: I'll be attached to an institute on the Banbury Road, though my Department will be close to town centre. On top of this, I've applied for a number of non-stipendiary fellowships with a view to getting a college association; and should one come good, it will add another factor to the equation.  I guess we'll have to see what happens in the short term.  Whatever does, though, knowledge that there's comprehensive public transport is a relief. 

[oddlyodd]

Yes, it's a good idea to try to get some sort of association with a college - then you will have a chance of getting some staff accommodation, although I doubt that many colleges have 4 bed houses available.

Oxford is a cycling city, so if you want to get around quickly, then buy a pushbike. And yes, the buses are great, running very regularly (every 5-10mins) on the main routes out of town.

[threadkillington]

To get an idea what's available, do a rental search on www.rightmove.co.uk. Knowing what these fellowship salaries are like, four beds might be a stretch...

Have you been in touch with university nurseries (directly, or via your college or department)? There is some state provision for nursery school, which kicks in above a certain age, and an offer of a place might guide you to where to live.

You'll need a (Google) map to follow the rest of this!

Almost all areas of Oxford are fine, and almost all have some academics living there - Blackbird Leys, Greater Leys, Rose Hill, and Barton might not be the best areas for a two-year stint, though 'Rose Hill borders' (in realtor terms - Courtland, Ellesmere, and Annesely Roads) is safe and good value... Florence Park (in Cowley - delimited by Rymers Lane, Church Cowley Road, Iffley Road and Florence Park itself) and Iffley Borders (off Iffley Road between Fairacres Road and Jackdaw Lane) also have plenty of academics, not too many undergraduate students, cheaper housing (especially in Florence Park), decent nurseries and schools, and access to good parks and playgrounds.

From Banbury Rd, Marston is a good bet (with a cross-meadow cycle commute), but the houses can be small. Wolvercote also has a nice nursery school, and a villagey feel. The bits of Cutteslowe (north of Summertown - which, along with Jericho, may be out of your price range...) inside the ring road are also ok but the primary school isn't the best (if you're still around with a five-year-old...).

Finally, South Oxford (Abingdon Road area between city centre and Donnington Bridge) is prone to flooding but has a couple of decent schools and cheapish housing. It's also a straight run through the pedestrian city centre (with a couple of direct buses) to where you'll be working.

Hope this helps

[lodore66]

Thanks threadkillington--this pen picture of Oxford is both useful and detailed; it will really help securing something appropriate.  I haven't yet been in touch about creches and nurseries, as my college association hasn't been sorted out yet.  Once it gets resolved, however, I do intend to exploit any connection to the full. 

In any event, google map in hand, I'm busily plotting the places you mention ...

Cheers,
Lodore

[bacardiandlime]

A four bedroom house in Oxford on a single academic salary? <ROTFL>

[expatinuk]

Forget the American concept of personal space. Seriously, finding a 4 bed house is hard enough, finding one  you can afford is even harder. A child's bedroom in the UK can be as small as 6x6 and something that's 8x8 is considered huge. We've just rented a house that was advertised as having 2 double bedrooms... well, we set up a double bed in one of them and that's all that will fit in the room.... the cats can't even get in there with the bed!

[britmom]

Forget the American concept of personal space. Seriously, finding a 4 bed house is hard enough, finding one  you can afford is even harder. A child's bedroom in the UK can be as small as 6x6 and something that's 8x8 is considered huge. We've just rented a house that was advertised as having 2 double bedrooms... well, we set up a double bed in one of them and that's all that will fit in the room.... the cats can't even get in there with the bed!

But estate agents stretch the concept of a double bedroom far beyond any 'normal' person. I can't think of anyone who would describe 8x8 as huge, except for swindling estate agents.  I'd call it a box room, but perhaps I'm blessed with a less 'British' sense of space up here in the vast wilderness of the North.

[wegie]

Forget the American concept of personal space. Seriously, finding a 4 bed house is hard enough, finding one  you can afford is even harder. A child's bedroom in the UK can be as small as 6x6 and something that's 8x8 is considered huge. We've just rented a house that was advertised as having 2 double bedrooms... well, we set up a double bed in one of them and that's all that will fit in the room.... the cats can't even get in there with the bed!

Ha! You've put in a five foot bed again, haven't you? You know very well that's a king size round here ;-)

More to the point, Lodore. It's quite likely that what you'll be able to afford will be a two bed flat with no outside space. Make sure that your wife is on board with that idea. If you can get subsidised creche/nursery places, do consider it, and do consider your wife getting a job or doing some part-time study. Oxford can be absolute hell on partners, particularly when one has college access and the other doesn't.

[qrypt]

I live in a nice city where a four-bedroom house in a good area is doable on an academic salary.  

I was therefore not entirely sorry when my recent application for a job at Oxford went nowhere.  My wife's reaction on hearing I didn't get it -- a big smile and a sigh of relief. 

[lodore66]

Thanks, folks, for all the extra comments and advice.  I haven't been active on the fora for a while (the kids!) and I'd forgotten how helpful it can be. 

Just to clarify one issue: I didn't say it in the original post, but the fellowship isn't my only income stream.  I have a modest amount coming in from a publication; and while this is far from enough to live on, it would top up a proper salary enough to pay the difference between a two-bed and four-bed house/apartment.

[totoro]

Thanks, folks, for all the extra comments and advice.  I haven't been active on the fora for a while (the kids!) and I'd forgotten how helpful it can be. 

Just to clarify one issue: I didn't say it in the original post, but the fellowship isn't my only income stream.  I have a modest amount coming in from a publication; and while this is far from enough to live on, it would top up a proper salary enough to pay the difference between a two-bed and four-bed house/apartment.

Wow, this must be a best-seller!

[lodore66]

Wow, this must be a best-seller!

Ha! Not quite.  I did an undergrad guide for my subject.  Doesn't have a huge circulation, but it's on enough reading lists to generate some pocket money.