How I secured my ideal home when moving to Oxford for work

How I secured my ideal home when moving to Oxford for work

There are many reasons why people may decide to live and work Oxford.

Known as the City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford is widely considered one of the most picturesque cities in the UK, and enjoys a thriving local economy centred on the pre-eminent University of Oxford.

However, these strengths also mean Oxfordshire possesses a unique and highly competitive property market, which can be difficult to navigate if you are new to the area.

In this blog, we spoke to one of our clients about their experience of relocating from the United States to take up a role as a professor at the University in 2022.

Trusted advisers

For our client, moving to Oxford meant not discovering a new city, but also starting a new life in a different country.

This meant they required a comprehensive advisory service on their first purchase of property in the UK.

They said: “While I was very excited to pursue the next stage in my career, one of the first questions I asked myself was how the homebuying process works in the UK.

“Coming from the US, I knew that purchasing property can vary greatly from country to country, and was unfamiliar with the specificities of the local market, so I decided to seek professional advice.

“I searched for Oxford-based buying agents, and came across OPC and was encouraged after reading some of their case studies.

“After a brief introductory call, I quickly felt I was in good hands as OPC were helpful and communicative from the beginning.”

Local expertise

With no prior knowledge of the region, the client was keen to understand the types of property available in Oxford as well as the distinct feel and character of its various neighbourhoods to find their ideal home.

Our client said: “As a newcomer, while I of course understood that Oxford was a beautiful, world-famous city, I wanted to know what it’s like for the people that call the city home.

“I could also be described as ‘picky’ with my preferences as I had a lot of specific demands!

“This included the architectural style of property I wanted, as well as things like having plenty of natural light and garden space.

“I was impressed with the depth and breadth of local knowledge demonstrated by OPC, and they were able to answer all my questions.

“They did the leg work for presenting me with options suited to my demands and were able to facilitate conversations for off-market opportunities.

“In the end, this secured me a stunning two-bed, mid terrace, Victorian property in Jericho which I am proud to call home.

“They also put me in touch with their trusted local contacts including electricians, decorators and flooring specialists when various work needed to be done.”

READ MORE: Key considerations when relocating to Oxfordshire.

Flexible, efficient approach

As our client was working for the University of Oxford, they were entitled to buy their home through a joint purchase scheme with their college employers.

This meant their property purchase was subject to a number of special conditions set out by the University.

Our client said: “My enquiry was not routine or straightforward and came with additional surveying and insurance demands.

“However, OPC were quick to adapt and ensure their search and recommendations conformed to the scheme’s requirements.

“This approach made the process a lot less complicated and stressful, and lasted just five months from my initial enquiry to my move-in date.

“There are lots of professionals in a similar position to me from around the world who relocate to Oxford to work in Higher Education or in the hospitals.

“I would highly recommend OPC as a trustworthy buying agent, as my experience with them allowed me to enjoy a smooth transition to start life in the area.”

Get in touch

Are you relocating to Oxfordshire for work?

Talk to our expert team of property consultants who will start the journey of locating and securing your dream home in the area.

For further information, you can email info@oxfordpropertyconsulting.co.uk or call us on 01865 553956.