A guide to living in Oxfordshire
Average location score
Excellent
51%
Very Good
40%
Average
6%
Disappointing
1%
Very poor
2%
Best places to live in Oxfordshire
How is ranking calculated?HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and the amount of verified reviews over the past 12 months.
Viewing 1-5 out of 47
Bellway at Kingsmere, OX26
By Bellway Homes
4.37
(17 reviews)
Ranked 1st out of 47 in Oxfordshire
Hopefield Grange, OX10
By CALA Homes
4.20
(8 reviews)
Ranked 2nd out of 47 in Oxfordshire
Scholars’ Gate, OX15
By Lioncourt Homes
4.15
(8 reviews)
Ranked 3rd out of 47 in Oxfordshire
Townsend Place, SN6
By Bovis Homes
4.14
(9 reviews)
Ranked 4th out of 47 in Oxfordshire
Wolvercote Mill, OX2
By CALA Homes
4.07
(10 reviews)
Ranked 5th out of 47 in Oxfordshire
Page 1 of 10
Featured developments in Oxfordshire
Latest Reviews in Oxfordshire
334 total reviews
Viewing 1-5 out of 334
Delia (Owner)
Verified Resident
Elmsbrook, OX27
Oct 2024
Well-Planned Development with Eco Features
Delia (Owner)
Verified Resident
Elmsbrook, OX27
Oct 2024
Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:
Living in this area is mostly great. The area is clean, and the community is friendly, with helpful neighbours all around. While on-street parking is very limited, each house does have its own garage and driveway, which helps. The estate is really missing a grocery shop, which would have been incredibly convenient. Bin collections are reliable, and there's minimal traffic noise or anti-social behaviour, making it a peaceful and pleasant place to live. Open spaces are available, though they could benefit from more attention and upkeep.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
I wish I knew that there is no plan to build a grocery shop. I was told that it will be build within a year of us moving in, however after 3 years here we still do not have a shop that we can walk to.
What is the best feature of your home:
Solar panels and wall insulation. The house is warm in winter and does not require much heating.
Facilities
Design
Location
Value
Management
Emma S (Shared Owner)
Verified Resident
Elmsbrook, OX27
Oct 2024
Great neighbours & beautiful area
Emma S (Shared Owner)
Verified Resident
Elmsbrook, OX27
Oct 2024
Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:
Amazing neighbours, beautiful area to live in. You couldn’t get a better community of people to live amongst.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
How awful A2 Dominion is to deal with. Otherwise all good.
What is the best feature of your home:
The area, the size of the property for your money.
Facilities
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Value
Management
Veronica S (Owner)
Verified Resident
Elmsbrook, OX27
Oct 2024
Lovely community, peaceful and quiet
Veronica S (Owner)
Verified Resident
Elmsbrook, OX27
Oct 2024
Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:
The good aspects, the communal grow beds are great to use, close to the fields. It's quiet, there are regular buses in case we need it. Our elderly neighbours use it often. We share one electric car which we charge at home in the parking spot. I share the car with my husband and we are happy with our 2 parking spaces: one for visitors. 20-30 mins to the nearest shop, so I prefer to drive. Only issue, sometimes, there are discarded rubbish by the glass collection point which is a pity. Some neighbouring houses in Phase 3 leave broken bikes and bins lying around which annoys me. They should be warned/penalised.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
To check for snags in the garden and shed as the felt on the shed roof had to be replaced already (5 years in)
What is the best feature of your home:
The triple glazing, the patio doors and garden. The solar panels and underground water collector.
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Design
Location
Value
Management
K (Shared Owner)
Newman Place, OX4
Jul 2024
Poor consideration for families
K (Shared Owner)
Newman Place, OX4
Jul 2024
Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:
Anti social behaviour , delivery drivers bike stolen outside the flats. Given one month notice for controlled parking permits which gives no option to people with more then one car. Not all of us work in the city and have no other option. The whole road is controlled by the building site which causes hardship to get in and out of the road, makes noise well past 6pm some days and are bringing in cranes at 5.30am with council approval. Construction workers think they are in charge and give little regard to those that live here and just want to get home.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
Wish we’d known about how long and how much of a disturbance the building work opposite would be. Also mainly that they were going to only allow one car per household. No idea what we will do as one of our vehicles is a work one which only has three seats and has to be close to the flat for security. The other is a family car and I do not feel comfortable parking it up in Sanford in Thames by the mental health hospital. Transport links from littlemore not good enough to get rid of a car for our family. The ltns are a real nuisance and would love to see scientific proof that they have benefited the environment around litleemore/east Oxford.
What is the best feature of your home:
The large windows and view of the river. Some nice plants
Facilities
Design
Location
Value
Management
Subi (Shared Owner)
Verified Resident
Newman Place, OX4
Apr 2024
Do not get into shadow ownership do not buy from Peabody or Catalyst
Subi (Shared Owner)
Verified Resident
Newman Place, OX4
Apr 2024
Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:
It's a lovely neighbourhood with lovely neighbours and lots of young families. We've got a couple of major supermarkets not too far away. Although we're quite near to the ring road the double glazing is very good. I like that it's on the edge of the city.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
I really wish I'd known about service charges and rental increases. And I wish I'd known about the reputation of Peabody and Catalyst.
What is the best feature of your home:
I like that it's a modern home that doesn't need any fixing whatsoever and has three floors. Our garden is a good size. We have a really big drive.
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Page 1 of 67
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews
Useful articles
South East England
South East England is the third-largest of the official regions of England by area, and has the highest population of all the regions. Stretching to the west as far as the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, right across to the tip of Kent and curling around London up to Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, the South East benefits from its close connection with the capital and the national transport network. It also offers residents close proximity to the continent and swift international connections via the Channel Tunnel, Gatwick and Heathrow on its border with Greater London.
Berkshire
Berkshire is a county in the South East of England. It has a population of around 540,000 and contains some beautiful countryside and towns. The landscape here is varied, from chalk downland through rich farmland to woodland and water features. The county town is Reading and there are many other large towns such as Newbury, Swindon and Wokingham which all have their own attractions. Berkshire also has many amazing educational institutions including world-leading universities like the University of Reading.
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a county in the southeast of England. The largest and most populous town in Buckinghamshire is Milton Keynes with over 200,000 residents. Other large towns include Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Slough. There are lots of villages to explore as well such as Stoke Mandeville near Aylesbury (the home of the famous Stoke Mandeville Games), Anstee near Bletchley (which has an ancient church) and East Claydon near Leighton Buzzard (famous for its cherry orchards).
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in the southeast of England with a coastline that has many beautiful cliffs and salt marshes which are a haven for birdlife. There are also plenty of coastal towns with stunning beaches such as Bexhill or Hastings that offer great family days out too. If you're looking for somewhere green then there's no shortage - East Sussex has over 400 square kilometres of woodland including Rother Valley Country Park near Brighton which is home to deer, wild boar and foxes!
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county in the south of England that borders Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. It has some beautiful towns such as Winchester, Basingstoke and Romsey which are perfect for those who want to live near London but without all the hustle and bustle. Hampshire's largest city is Southampton with over 200,000 people living there. With lots of green space, outdoor activities and cultural events, Hampshire offers a vibrant lifestyle for families with young children.
Kent
Kent is one of the most popular counties in England, with a population of 1.8 million people. It has some really beautiful scenery and many great amenities for families that are looking to buy their first home or move up into a nicer place. There are also several excellent universities that attract students from all over the world to come and study here.
Milton Keynes
Just 50 miles to north east of London, Milton Keynes was devised as a ‘new town’ in the 1960s and continues to evolve and grow today. Famed for its roundabouts and district grids, the town has benefitted from a steady flow of new residents from London. House prices have seen strong growth, with amenities and schools now plentiful and high quality. Housing is more varied than its reputation might suggest, with everything from period properties in historic villages to new build homes in chic developments.
Reading
Reading is a large market town and borough in the county of Berkshire. Located on the M4 motorway 40 miles west of London and within easy reach of both Oxford and Bristol, it has been described as having some of the best transport connections in England. The impending addition of the Elizabeth Line will further boost its appeal with London escapees lured by the scenery of the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs that surround the town.
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the south of England. It has an area of 1,663 square kilometres and a population of 1.2 million people. Surrey borders London to the North West and Hampshire to the East. The county has many beautiful parks which are great for families, as well as areas with wild landscapes ideal for outdoor pursuits such as cycling or walking. There are so many things to do in Surrey - find out more about this wonderful place!
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county that has something for everyone. Whether you love the hustle and bustle of London and want somewhere in easy commuting distance, or prefer the peace and tranquillity of rural life, West Sussex has it all! There are many different towns and villages scattered across this beautiful county. From Eastbourne to Worthing, there is no shortage of charming little places with great schools, shopping centres, local amenities and lots more!