Cost of living in Oxford?

thecassman86

snailmail wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies, it helps to speak with people who don't know me and have an invested opinion! I think the head part of me thinks it's a step sideways rather than upwards. It is for the same company, doing something similar but with more responsibility and a much bigger place. Unfortunately the pay structure doesn't include climbing the ladder to get somewhere that doesn't involve becoming a manager, so there's no set up scheme in place that gives staff a chance to progress in a different direction. Instead they expect you to do it for free!

It does seem a bit unfair that you're taking on more responsibility at a bigger place but that doesn't get represented in your pay - i wouldn't have thought it'd be unreasonable for you to expect more pay for that. But, that's how it is i guess! As i mentioned earlier, if you like the company and enjoy the idea of growing within it then maybe discuss with your manager about promotional opportunities and then you can perhaps make your move to Oxford then.

snailmail wrote: »

I have spoken to the manager in Oxford to see if there would be any financial aid they could help with as HR mentioned they might be able to personally help, I've also asked what the chances of paid progression are as it's not a position I could stay in indefinitely on that pay. We 're going to have a chat on Monday and she's looking into if they can offer any relocation aid.

Let us know how it goes today! I think the aid has to be a good amount to make it worthwhile for you but the fact that they're willing to discuss it at all is good news .

cherryblossomzel

Be careful with flats that are advertised much cheaper than the average. I saw loads of scam adverts when I lived in Oxford. There is NO WAY you get a flat in Oxford for £320 a month.

I lived there until about a year ago, people have posted pretty accurate prices. For the last three years I lived in a bedsit in Summertown. My rent was £495 and I had to pay electricity on top (and had electric heating, no gas). That was a pretty good deal. A one bed would have beend £650 - £800 exlcuding all bills. It's an expensive city. Lots of people live in some of the towns outside and commute though. I lived in Kidlington for a while. Cheaper, but still not very cheap to be honest.

bryanb

Try "Finders keepers" for accommodation ads. BB

snailmail

thecassman86 wrote: »

It does seem a bit unfair that you're taking on more responsibility at a bigger place but that doesn't get represented in your pay - i wouldn't have thought it'd be unreasonable for you to expect more pay for that. But, that's how it is i guess! As i mentioned earlier, if you like the company and enjoy the idea of growing within it then maybe discuss with your manager about promotional opportunities and then you can perhaps make your move to Oxford then.
).

Our companys all for making staff do more work on as little pay as possible unfortunately. I've spoken to the manager and there's no budget for relocation aid, and although she can offer me progression within the area and higher visibility which could lead to a pay rise, she can't guarantee any paid progression will come of it.

My area and regional manager popped in to speak with me yesterday ( I think to see what I've decided!) so at least they're aware the only reason I haven't said yes already is because of the pay. My area manager talked about other areas of progression I could take within an unpaid role I've been doing within my current job, which sounds good on paper, but I do a lot of unpaid roles above my current title already and part of me wonders when I need to draw the line with it!

But back to the Oxford job, I feel almost like I would be sacraficing a lot to go and work there and not get much in return, I don't have a huge social life right now, but can at least afford to go visit friends occasionally, many of them live across the country, without having to worry about the cost too much, or at least have money to save for a trip, If I take this job what social life I do have will drastically be reduced. And it's not like I party every weekend!

Plus, I know people have suggested rehoming the ferrets, temporarily or long term, but they are members of my family. It's not easy to give away or leave behind an animal you've rescued from the streets (and rescue centres) and loved for years.

After lots of consideration and all the help from you guys I think I'm going to decline the offer. I want a life outside the job, and if I take it I think that will be very difficult. I will be paying out lots more by moving there than they will.

At least it's given me a boost in confidence and shown me I can get another job...I just now need to get one that pays better!

There is a maternity cover job just come up in the same company, which is for a job I've been training (unpaid) to do so I can cover when they're on holiday, so I am going to apply for that. If I got it I don't think they can make me stay on my current wage! I hope!

snailmail

Compingchris wrote: »

Hi op

I've lived in oxford all my life and really like it here. I'm currently living in didcot which is south of the city. My misses works in the centre of oxford and uses the train to get in. It takes around 15 minutes to get in and costs £105 for a month pass. The cheapest rental place you can get in didot is £500-£550 a month. As others have said council tax is high. Our house (3 bed) is £160 a month! I work on the other side of oxford so have to use the main roads that go around oxford centre. I can honestly say that if I had to work in the centre I would not drive in. The traffic is horrendous. I start work at 8am but usually get in for 7:30 and even at that time there are cars lining up on the roads waiting to get into town. It can easily take over an hour and a half to drive 20 miles into the centre during rush our. The best price for petrol down here is around 126.9p not sure how that compares to the rest of the country.
The centre will be really pricey. I think it would work out cheaper to rent just outside of the centre and commute in. There are a lot of snobs in oxford, but you get used to that after a while.
I personally really like didcot. The town centre is growing, we have a good shopping centre, a few nice restaurants, a cineworld, train station that goes directly to London and Birmingham so good for days out. They seem to be investing a lot of money here.
Good luck in whatever you decide. If you decide on didcot I'd be more than happy to show you around.

Thank you so much for the offer to show me around, everyone on mse are so nice and helpful! I have decided not to take the job as I think I would be sacrificing more than I'd be gaining, and as there are no guarantees on a payrise I'd be going in blind almost.

I think I knew this all along, but needed good old mse advice to help me realise I was making the right decision.

If only they had offered me a little more money lol!

Thanks again for your advice, and everyone else who has taken the time to post!

thecassman86

snailmail wrote: »

After lots of consideration and all the help from you guys I think I'm going to decline the offer. I want a life outside the job, and if I take it I think that will be very difficult. I will be paying out lots more by moving there than they will.

I think you've done the right thing. A job is only part of our lives so it's important that every other aspect is affected negatively by it.

snailmail wrote: »

At least it's given me a boost in confidence and shown me I can get another job.

Too right! The company clearly think a lot of you and if the regional manager was keen to know you're answer then they obviously value you very highly! Go you! :T

It's a shame that the modern world is the way it is regarding employees. Sadly, with the recession etc companies are keen to get as much as they can for as little as they can. It's frustrating for us in the meantime but the fact you're taking positives from the experience is fantastic.

snailmail wrote: »

There is a maternity cover job just come up in the same company, which is for a job I've been training (unpaid) to do so I can cover when they're on holiday, so I am going to apply for that. If I got it I don't think they can make me stay on my current wage! I hope!

Sounds perfect! Best of luck with your application! I'm sure you've got a great chance! . Just make sure that the job you're leaving is available again when the lady on Maternity returns!

cherryblossomzel

I think you're doing the sensible thing in not taking the offer. Oxford is nice, but your standard of living will probably go right down and the half-arsed "offer" that you might get promotions etc could well not be worth it.

Well done for saying no. Sometimes that's the hardest thing to do.

thecassman86

At the end of the day, there's no point in moving to a really nice place if you can't afford to do anything. You'd just grow unhappy and eventually resent the place that you currently hold highly.

You're clearly good at what you do; other opportunities will come.