# Living in Oxford

Here you have info and some tips:

[TOC]

## Weather

😩🔫
> Spoiler: plan your scape from nov to march

### temperature
#### 2003

##### 2024 (up to Jan)

### light hours 😩🔫

### precipitations
> spolier: it's going to be rainy, always.


[more info](https://weatherspark.com/h/y/41645/2023/Historical-Weather-during-2023-in-Oxford-United-Kingdom#Figures-ObservedWeather)

## Renting

Despite the first google results, two better alternatives:

- [openrent](https://www.openrent.co.uk/) (direct landlord!!)
- you need an UK mobile number
- [daily info](https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/)

Even though according to the [current rent law](https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent), the next documents should be enough for renting in the UK:

- Immigration status:
- Passport + VISA
- Biometric residence permit (BRP)
- [Share code right to rent](https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent/get-a-share-code-online)
- NI number

An these are a plus:
- Full time, long term contract as a professional
- Letter from the employer
- UK bank account

Real State Agencies and NRLA Tenant Referencing (If they consider that you could be eligible for renting, that normally does not happen as an immigrant) ask also for:
- Credit check
- Proof of previous residence *(2 of the next docs: utility bills, bank statements, doctor/solicitor/DWP letter etc.)*:
- in the UK
- in other countries
- Guarantor
- Family inquiries *(this is not even legal...)*.

A common requirement is paying **SIX MONTHS' rent upfront**, due to the inability to meet real estate market criteria.
More information about this common practice in the real state market:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57289888
- https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/number-of-landlords-asking-for-six-months-rent-in-advance-is-rising-claims-bbc
- https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_in_advance

Average renting places in Oxfordshire:

| | No. of properties | Average rent |
|-------|------------------:|-------------:|
| Room | 56 | £1,044 pcm |
| Flat | 353 | £1,942 pcm |
| House | 697 | £2,450 pcm |

[more info](https://www.home.co.uk/for_rent/oxfordshire/current_rents?county=oxon)

> It is really difficult to find properties for 1-2 people, most of them are big houses.

## Transport

[](https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/oxford/guide/bus-and-train-timetable)

From "better" to worst:

### bike 🚴
Ideal, bike friendly city, short distances.

### walk 🚶‍
Ideal, you can go anywhere inside Oxford by 20min walking, but the weather could be hostil.

### train 🚂
No the best connexions, but it works, some delays, expensive.

### taxi 🚕
So expensive, the car traffic is a pain in the ass, uber is not allowed, [001taxis app](https://www.001taxis.com/) is needed, you are not going to arrive in time.

### bus 🚌 😩🔫
The worst service and experience ever! they are ALWAYS delayed, some times they just do not pass, rude drivers, non sense timetables, the slowest way of commuting.

[Guide](https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/oxford/guide/bus-and-train-timetable)

#### bus commuting prices comparison

> spoiler: buying a card/pack is more expensive than just using contactless
> spoiler 2: you can save AN ENTIRE RENT MONTH by knowing this.

[bus tickets analysis](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K_yJPu6Nvn3AawMVOvzHAN_hPGNoyoNKR3LCvFpkjKU/edit?usp=sharing)

## Living cost

| | Likely living costs for 1 month | | Likely living costs for 9 months | | Likely living costs for 12 months | |
|:-----------------:|:-------------------------------:|:-----------:|:--------------------------------:|:-----------:|:---------------------------------:|-------------|
| | Lower range | Upper range | Lower range | Upper range | Lower range | Upper range |
| Food | £315 | £495 | £2,835 | £4,445 | £3,780 | £5,940 |
| Accommodation | £745 | £925 | £6,705 | £8,325 | £8,940 | £11,100 |
| Personal items | £190 | £320 | £1,710 | £2,880 | £2,280 | £3,840 |
| Social activities | £40 | £95 | £360 | £855 | £480 | £1,140 |
| Study costs | £35 | £85 | £315 | £765 | £420 | £1,020 |
| Other | £20 | £35 | £180 | £315 | £240 | £420 |
| Total | £1,345 | £1,955 | £12,105 | £17,595 | £16,140 | £23,460 |

[more info](https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/living-costs)

> Spolier: the "uper range" is the real one.

### Wholesale sales

- [cleaning supplies](https://www.oxfordcleaningsupplies.co.uk/)
> good prices, delivery, excelent quality

### Second hand stores

You can find crazy (low) prices exploring second hand stores.
> as well as interesting things!

| Market | Address | Days and Hours | Description |
|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 🛒 Charity Shops (and purposes) | | | |
| City Centre | British Heart Foundation, 32 St Ebbes St | Mon - Sat 10am - 5.30pm, Sun 11am - 5pm | ❤️ Fund Research, 🚑 Prevention, 🤝 Support for Heart Disease |
| City Centre | Oxfam, 17 Broad St | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm, Sun 11am - 4pm | ❤️ Oxfam's First Shop, 🕰️ Opened in 1948 |
| North Oxford | Oxfam, 223 Banbury Road | Mon - Sat 9am - 5.30pm, Sun 11am - 3pm | 🧡 Donated Clothes, 📚 Books, 🏡 Homeware, 🕰️ Accessories |
| North Oxford | Scope, Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road | Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm | ♿ Support and Campaign for Disabled People |
| East Oxford / Cowley Rd / St Clements | Age UK, 21-22 St. Clements Street | Mon - Sat 10am - 5.30pm, Sun 11am - 5pm | 🌟 Promote the Well-Being of Older People |
| East Oxford / Cowley Rd / St Clements | Age UK, Cowley Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 6pm, Sun 11am - 5pm | 👕 Standard Charity Shop, 🏡 Clothing, 📚 Homeware, 📖 Books |
| East Oxford / Cowley Rd / St Clements | Barnados, 160 Cowley Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 6pm, Sun 10am - 4pm | 🧒 Campaign and Work to Protect Children and Young People |
| East Oxford / Cowley Rd / St Clements | The Helen and Douglas House Shop, 156 Cowley Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm | 🌈 In Aid of Respite Care/Hospice for Children and Young Adults |
| East Oxford / Cowley Rd / St Clements | The Helen and Douglas House Shop, Rose Hill | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm | 🌈 In Aid of Respite Care/Hospice for Children and Young Adults |
| East Oxford / Cowley Rd / St Clements | Oxfam Shop, 133-135 Cowley Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm, Sun 11.30am - 4pm | 👕 Clothing, 🎶 Music, 📀 DVDs, 📚 Books, 🍫 Fairtrade Chocolate |
| Cowley | Oxfam Superstore, 6500 Alec Issigonis Way | Tue, Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm; Thu 9.30am - 7.30pm; Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm | 🌍 First Oxfam Superstore, 🛋️ Wide Range of Items, 🔄 Sourced by Oxfam Range |
| Cowley | Age UK, 45 Upper Barr, Templars Square SC | Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm | 🌟 Promote Well-Being of Older People |
| Cowley | British Heart Foundation, 117 Pound Way | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm, Sun 10am - 4pm | 🆕 New and Second-Hand Items, 📚 Books, 🎶 Music, 👕 Clothes |
| Cowley | Shaw Trust, 115 Pound Way, Templars Square SC | Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm | 🤝 Supports People with Disabilities into Employment |
| Headington | British Heart Foundation, 94a London Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm, Sun 10am - 4pm | ❤️ Funds Research, 🏥 Patient Care, 🏥 Promotes Heart Health |
| Headington | Sobell House Hospice Shop, 119 London Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 4.30pm | 💙 Fund Care for People with Life-Limiting Illnesses |
| Jericho | Oxfam, 18 Turl Street | Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 11am - 4pm | 🌎 Dedicated to Fighting Poverty Worldwide |
| Summertown | British Heart Foundation, 117a Banbury Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm, Sun 11am - 4pm | 🆕 New and Second-Hand Items, 📚 Books, 🎶 Music, 👕 Clothes |
| Summertown | Sobell House Hospice Shop, 243 Banbury Road | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 4.30pm, Sun 11am - 4pm | 💙 Fund Care for People with Life-Limiting Illnesses |
| West Oxford / Botley | British Heart Foundation, 4 Church Way | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm, Sun 10am - 4pm | ❤️ Funds Research, 🏥 Patient Care, 🏥 Promotes Heart Health |
| West Oxford / Botley | Oxfam, 3 The Square, Botley | Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm, Sun 11am - 4pm | 🌎 Dedicated to Fighting Poverty Worldwide |
| West Oxford / Botley | Oxfam, 17b West Way | Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm | 🌎 Dedicated to Fighting Poverty Worldwide |
| 🪑 Furniture Shops | | | |
| Argos, Oxford (Sainsbury's C&C) | Westgate, OX1 1PA | Collection point; online or app purchase; varies | 📱 Technology, 🏡 Home & Garden, 🎲 Toys, 👚 Clothing, 💍 Jewelry |
| Argos, Heyford Hill (Inside Sainsbury's) | Heyford Hill, OX4 4XR | - | 📱 Technology Goods, 🏡 Home & Garden, 🎲 Toys, 👚 Clothing, 💍 Jewelry |
| The Furniture Store | 169 Cowley Road, LITTLEMORE, OX4 1UT | Closed now | 🛋️ Leading Furniture Store; specializes in made-to-measure pieces |
| Richard Fords | 72A Windmill Rd, OX3 7BZ | Mon 10am - 5:30pm; Tue - Sat 9am - 5:30pm | 🪑 Used Furniture Store, 🛋️ Furniture Shop |
| May and Co Interiors Ltd | - | Open 24 hours | 🏛️ Antique Furniture Store |
| Oxfam Superstore | Oxford Business Park, Alec Issigonis Wy. | Tue - Sat 9:30am - 5:30pm; Sun 11am - 4pm | 🌍 Largest Second-Hand Shop in Oxford; 🛋️ Furniture, 📚 Books, 👕 Clothes, 🎲 Games, 🎮 Toys, 🎵 Records |
| Oxford Discount Furniture | Hollow Way | Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm | 🛋️ Furniture Store; 🚚 Mobile Pickup; 🚚 Delivery |
| DFS Oxford | Unit 1, Hartwell Grange, Botley Rd | Mon - Sat 10am - 7pm; Sun 11am - 5pm | 🛋️ Furniture Store; 🛒 In-Store Shopping; 🚚 Delivery |
| The Cotswold Emporium | Witney | Tue - Sat 9:30am - 5pm | 🛋️ Furniture Store; 🛒 In-Store Shopping; 🚚 Delivery |
| Gilt & Grain | Abingdon | Thu 11am - 6pm; Sat 10am - 4pm | 🏺 Antique and Vintage Furniture Store |
| The Retro Room | 60 St Clement's St | Mon - Sat 10:30am - 5:30pm | 👗 Vintage Clothing Store |
| Online Store | Online Only | Mon 10am - 5:30pm; Tue - Sat 9:30am - 5:30pm; Sun 11am - 4pm | 🎉 Online Store for Second-Hand Party Clothes |
| Mercy in Action Oxford | 27 Little Clarendon St | Mon - Sat 9am - 5:30pm | 🤝 Charity Shop with Various Items |
| Again Garments | Online Only | Thu 10am - 6pm; Fri - Sun 10am - 6pm | 👕 High-Quality, Vintage and Second-Hand Clothing Store |
| The Thread Bears | Online Only | Open 24 hours | 👗 Vintage Clothing Store |
| Oxfam | 17 Broad St | Mon - Sat 9:30am - 5:30pm | 🤝 Charity Shop with Various Items |
| The Mind Charity Shop | 118 Walton St | Mon - Sat 9:30am - 5:30pm | 👚 Stylish, High-Quality Second-Hand Clothing Store |

- [Gumtree, online second hand.](https://www.gumtree.com/)

## Food and healthy

The british daily diet is poor an unhealthy, the sumermarket products are low quality and extremely industrialized, [more info](https://www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/greener-ahp-hub/specific-areas-for-consideration/food-and-nutrition/)

It could increase your living cost, but it is better to look for organic alternatives:

### [Vegetable organic boxes](http://www.oxnosh.co.uk/shopping/vegbox.php)

Main veg box schemes *sorted by relation content/price*

| [veginclover](https://veginclover.co.uk/) | $24.00 |
|:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:|-------:|
| [hastonorganics](http://www.northastonorganics.co.uk/vegbox.htm#sizes) | $31.50 |
| [coleshillorganics](https://www.coleshillorganics.co.uk/fruit-veg-boxes/) | $43.00 |
| [riverford](https://www.riverford.co.uk/seasonal-organic-boxes/organic-fruit-and-veg-boxes) | $52.50 |
| [tolhurstorganic](https://tolhurstorganic.ooooby.org/boxes/specialty-organic-veg-boxes) | $27.00 |

- [shop organic in oxford](https://www.organicfoodee.com/shopping/oxfordshire/)
- [food communities](https://goodfoodoxford.org/)

### [markets](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/oxford-markets/)

| Day | Market | Location | Operating Hours |
|--------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Monday-Saturday | Oxford Covered Market | Market St, Oxford OX1 3DZ | 8am–5.30pm (Sundays: 10am–4pm) |
| Wednesday | Gloucester Green Outdoor Market | 78 The Heyes, Oxford OX1 2BU | 9am-4pm |
| Thursday | Gloucester Green Outdoor Market | 78 The Heyes, Oxford OX1 2BU | 9am-4pm |
| Friday | Gloucester Green Outdoor Market | 78 The Heyes, Oxford OX1 2BU | 9am-4pm |
| Saturday | Gloucester Green Outdoor Market | 78 The Heyes, Oxford OX1 2BU | 10am-5pm |
| Saturday | East Oxford Farmers Market | 3 Collins St, Cowley, Oxford OX4 1XS | 10am-1pm |
| Saturday | Headington Market Oxford | London Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 9BB | 10am-2pm |
| 2nd & 4th Saturday | North Parade Market Oxford | North Parade Avenue, OX2 6LX | 10am-2pm |
| Sunday | Headington Market Oxford | London Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 9BB | 10am-2pm |
| Seasonal | Oxford Christmas Market | Broad Street | Usually late November until early January; check the website for next dates |