House Hunter

The HOUSE HUNTER

This month FTB goes on the hunt with Faye Morris, who is looking for a one or two bedroom home in Oxford and the surrounding areas

PROFILE

Names Faye Morris, 39 Occupations Advertising executive Maximum budget £300,000 Requirements A one or two bedroom home with good commuter links to Oxford and London, shops and facilities close by, private outdoor space and a good mix of town and country

What she wanted…

Last year I moved in with my sister and her family after breaking up with my long-term partner. It was wonderful reconnecting with them after the lockdowns and we’ve had a great time, but I’d like to buy a place of my own. I want to be in or close to Oxford, but am open to where exactly that is. As long as I can quickly drive or bus it to see my family, and the location works for getting to my two of ces, I’ll be happy. I work for an advertising agency and am often either in the Oxford or London of ces or travelling around the country for shoots. Good road and rail links are important, and being close to shops, supermarkets or a town centre is also high on my list of must-haves. I love to cycle when I can, so somewhere within cycling distance of the city centre would be great. I’d also like easy access to country and river walks and adventures – as well as some outdoor space to enjoy long, summer evenings and totally chill out at the weekends. I have a deposit of £30,000 so have a budget of around £300,000.”

What we found…

THE NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD THE COUNTRY VIEWS

Heyford Fields at Heyford Park Bicester, Oxfordshire Bicester, Oxfordshire

FROM £290,000

Poppy Fields at Yew Tree Gardens Cholsey, Oxfordshire

FROM £245,000

Set in more than 1,200 acres of land, this major new development makes the most of its surroundings in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. This latest phase will create a new neighbourhood within the Heyford Park area – which, along with new homes, will see a village centre, schools, leisure centre and hotel created. The properties range from contemporary two bedroom apartments to four bedroom houses. Bicester is within easy reach and a 30-minute drive takes you to Oxford, Banbury, Milton Keynes or the Cotswolds. This popular development is in south Oxforshire, surrounded by countryside. One bedroom maisonettes and two bedroom bungalows are currently available, with well thought-out, spacious layouts. The maisonettes have open-plan living areas, with French doors opening to private outdoor space for the ground oor homes. There’s ample extra storage space in the hallways. An ideal spot for commuters, direct trains to London Paddington and Oxford run from nearby Cholsey station. A supermarket, pharmacy and local shops lie within a 10-minute walk.

heyfordpark.co.uk bellway.co.uk

What she thought…

I’d certainly get my ll of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside if I was living here – the homes really are surrounded by green space. This development is pretty exciting, as there’s so much being created – so there’d be lots of brand new facilities right on the doorstep. The apartments are beautiful – they’re really stylish, modern and sleek – and I could afford a two bedroom place, which is great! Oxford is around a half-hour drive, which is totally do-able for when I’m working there, and trains from Bicester reach London in under an hour.” South Oxfordshire is beautiful, and it would be amazing to live in such a pretty area. Though it’s a little further south than I’d rst thought of, it’s really good for commuting to London and Oxford – and it’s only a 20-minute drive to Reading, where there’s loads to do. It’s a really good location for running and walking – the Thames Path is nearby and it’s only a few miles from the Living Rainforest, which would be excellent for my nephews. Although it’s quite rural, it’s still very well connected, with shops within walking distance – ideal!”

THE LAKESIDE LOVELY THE WILDCARD

Bankside Gardens Reading, Berkshire

FROM

L&Q at Willow Grove £290,000 Wixams, Bedfordshire Wixams, Bedfordshire

FROM £140,000*

This collection of one and two bedroom homes is just half a mile from the new Reading Green Park station. The contemporary apartments, created around a beautiful lake, are nished to a high standard, with sleek kitchens, open-plan living areas and oor-toceiling windows. On-site facilities include a co-working space, a gym and cinema room. Residents can also enjoy landscaped gardens and waterside walks. Reading centre, from where rail services run to Oxford and London in just over 20 minutes, will be reached in six minutes from the new station. Located on the outskirts of the historic town of Bedford, these new homes enjoy a great balance of laid-back village life and contemporary living, mixed with convenient amenities and commuter links. The new range of two and three bedroom homes available through shared ownership forms part of the brand new village of Wixams, complete with shops, schools, playground, ponds and village green. Bedford, for great shopping, riverside dining, parks and schools, is a short drive, while trains to London take around 40 minutes.

berkeleygroup.co.uk lqhomes.com

*Based on a 50% share of the full market value of £280,000

Reading is a great town, and a place I have visited a lot over the years. The shopping and eating out is amazing – and it is very easy to get to both Oxford and London, which makes it a hot contender when it comes to commuting. I am seriously impressed with this development, too – the on-site facilities look incredible. I love the waterside vistas and communal gardens – it really is a lovely looking place. The railway station makes it so easy to get into town, I know you’d never be short on things to do here.” I worked and lived in Bedford for a few years and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is a really great place to live, I used to love the riverside, and there are some lovely parks and cafes to explore. I particularly like the aesthetic of these homes, and they de nitely have a country feel about them, plus the village has been created very thoughtfully. Travel to London is super easy from here, but Oxford is a slightly longer drive than I’d hoped for – meaning it might be a bit far from my sister to consider.” This is a really good location – it’s a very quick cycle or drive into Oxford, has some lovely scenery on the doorstep, and it’s only a few miles from my sister. The style of the development is really nice – the apartments have been designed beautifully. I’m particularly keen on the oor-to-ceiling windows, which make the living spaces look so light and bright – essential when you’re working from home. The styling and ttings are also super stylish – it would be so exciting to move into a brand new home and really make it my own. The river is lovely and close and I just know I’d make the most of riverside runs and days out with my family, with lots of popular riverside pubs to choose from close by.”

First choice!

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Newman Place Littlemore, Oxford

FROM £69,375*

Just over two miles south of Oxford’s city centre, the new homes at Newman Place offer a best-of-both-worlds setting – with both urban and country life within easy reach. Situated alongside a pretty brook, with communal landscaped grounds, the properties range from one to four bedrooms. In the apartments, bright, open-plan living areas lead to private balconies, and the larger homes feature en suite bathrooms from the main bedrooms. Oxford can be reached in around 15 minutes by bicycle, while stunning Thames walks and glorious riverside pubs can be reached in no time on foot.

catalyst.homes

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £277,500

THE NEXT STEP

“I am very interested in this property, have already registered my interest and made contact with a mortgage broker. I will take my sister along for a viewing to get her seal of approval, and will probably do some test commutes to makes sure it works for me, location-wise.”