Cost of living in Oxford?

snailmail

I'm really sorry if this isn't the place to post this, I couldn't figure out which one would be best!

I've spent a couple of years getting out of debt, and apart from students debts and the occasional dip into my overdraft I'm now debt free and I want to stay that way.

I have been offered a job in Oxford, but no pay rise. So I would be earning £6.97 an hour. It's a great opportunity, and I'd love to live in Oxford but is it doable on that wage?

I'm trying to research the cost of living there and not having much luck.

I don't want to house share with people I don't know so I'm looking into studio flats. Can anyone tell me what bills/utilities might be for a single person in a studio flat?

I really don't want to move there and not be able to live.

At the moment by monthly outgoings, not including bills/rent are:

Pension £22
Union £13
Weight watchers £25
Mobile phone £32
Ferrets £10
Car (petrol, and car fund for mot/etc) 100 (though I would t be using as much petrol in Oxford so that would go down)
Phone insurance £10 though this could stop and be covered under house insurance

I don't really want to stop any of the above things, but I'm not sure I could afford anything, even rent and bills if I lived in Oxford.

So gutted they won't offer more money.

Any ideas anyone? I have to give them an answer by Monday and my head is all over the place!

Thanks in advance
X

thecassman86

Hey!

Firstly, congrats on the job opportunity! Even if you decided not to take it, it's fantastic that your employer feels that you are worth their long-term employment. . And, while on the congrats side of things, well done for being debt-free!

I can't really offer anything in terms of cost of living in Oxford - because i live in Nottinghamshire(!)... But, like you, i imagine it being relatively expensive.

I suppose the first thing to do is to search for letting agencies to get an idea of how much your expected rent will be; along with the local council to see what your council tax is likely to be (remember, single occupancy discounts etc)...

Beyond that, the biggest thing outside of home life is always going to be transport, so, perhaps an option will be to get a place that's easy to get to by foot or public transport and get rid of the car. There's no point having something so expensive to run (and potentially break occasionally) when you're able to commute in other ways. That should help.

Pretty sure there'll be plenty of people living in Oxford who earn minimum wage so i'm sure it's possible to do.

Good luck!

thecassman86

I've just had a quick flick around and fully-furnised Studio flats are around £600pcm ... So, as you'll only be taking home about £1000pcm i'll initially say it's going to be very tight if i'm honest; but that doesn't mean it's not possible!

Do you have any friends or relatives in that area that you could live with for the time being? Just pay them towards their bills.

It's a great opportunity so, as much as i totally understand your reluctance, i'd personally look properly into house-sharing. But that's just what i'd do; i understand that's not everyone's preference. I just feel that might be by far the most cost-effective way for you to do it.

~Beanie~

I think it will be very tight. How much do you take home a month?

I've had a quick look at studios/1 bed flats for rent and the cheapest seem to be about the £600-650pm mark.

Then you need to add council tax (check the council website for rates), water, gas/electric, contents insurance, TV licence and groceries.

mumonashoestring

Well done on the job offer :-) We live in Cowley (south of the city centre) and although it's not the most expensive place in Oxford it's still fairly pricey. For a 2 bedroomed house with a garden we're paying £800pcm (which is low for what we're getting) and around £150/month council tax. Then there's water (£30/month ish), gas & electric (just over £100/month), insurance, and groceries.

Is there any 'wriggle room' in your outgoings? Failing that, is there anything you'd be entitled to that might help keep costs down (e.g
any benefits or student status to reduce council tax)?

blisteringblue

Also as you are expected to move to a new area for work, will your company pay any relocation expenses to help you?

FireWyrm

You'll need to factor in park and ride too...sorry.

A park&ride key (just to travel on the bus) is £330 a year.
To park in the P&R carparks is £2 per day or £391 annual pass.

Oxford is one of the most militant anti-car places I've ever been to so you really have no choice but to use P&R most of the time.

DigForVictory

All is affordable but I would consider shedding the car. Means you want a place near public transport (which is always popular in student territory) but saves a hefty wad that can help rent a studio flat.

That you aren't a student cuts both ways - some landlords will be delighted, others will grumble at the loss of sumer rent to tourists, but they'll all want references, deposits etc so you are going to need an advance of salary at worst & relocation expenses at best.

Me, I'd consider a house share initially whilst you get a grip on the job. And, sorry, but I'd leave the ferrets with family. They will not help you sort a flat, they would make a houseshare more more intriguing & the areas where ferrets would be appreciated are ususally a bit far out of town to have reasonable commute times.

All the best!

bryanb

There are a few towns/suburbs round Oxford which are a bit cheaper and have good transport links to the city. But like others have advised, the car is going to be a problem if you choose to drive in. Ferrets - No No.

snailmail

Thank you all for your replies, they've been really helpful!

One of the reasons I don't want to house share is because I have to take the 2 ferrets with me and most house shares don't allow pets, plus I wouldn't feel safe leaving them in a house with strangers.

I don't have any family in Oxford so can't live with anyone and pay them rent.

Our company does have relocation aid but only for managers which is frustrating.

I also don't want to get rid of the car because I'll need it to visit home, and if I get rid of it I'll most probably ever afford something as good:/

Unfortunately I'm not a student so won't be able to get student rates!

More thinking and research to do I think!

thecassman86

Good luck with all of it!

If i'm being bluntly honest, then i wouldn't take the move in your case - unless you have serious concerns with staying as you are. I fear that taking the move might prove a bit too difficult cost-wise!

I understand your stern position on keeping the ferrets and the car but i think those 2 factors combined may be the reason you couldn't afford it. The ferrets will limit your rental options (and cost you money) and the car is just expensive in a city like Oxford - as FireWyrm said.

From your original post i get the impression you don't currently work for the Oxford employers? What's the scenario around the job offer? Is it one you applied for or do you actually work for the company already in a different location? If the latter is the case, perhaps you could look down the promotion route? The pay is greater and you'll get that relocation aid - might be a better option then.

I wish you luck whatever you decide