15 Pros And Cons Of Living In Oxford, England From An Expat

The centre was sold in the 1980s to private owners; in 1986, they refurbished it, at a cost of £3 million. Two years later, an early proposal was made to extend the centre by its then owners, CIN Properties and Arrowcroft, but did not proceed. The large Selfridges, latterly a branch of Lewis’s and then Allders, closed in 2005, and became a Primark in 2006. The Westgate Shopping Centre opened in 1972, and was originally owned by Oxford City Council. The centre included branches of Selfridges, Sainsbury’s and C&A.

When it comes to famous pubs in Oxford, you’ll struggle to find one that tops this one. Check out this guide to the best Oxford pubs – historic inns, quirky taverns and literary haunts included. Having grown up between the UK and Germany, Sophie is currently living in Brighton. She’s a passionate bargain-hunter, having first practised her skills in Crawley County Mall. She’s a nerd for culture and a lover of foreign foods, despite being allergic to almost everything under the sun. It is rich in history, incredible architecture and diverse city life.

What romantic hotels in Oxford have nice views?

The Alice in Wonderland-inspired eatery is creaky, quirky and everything a British pub should be. Although pizza isn’t typical British pub food, they’re delicious and https://datingjet.org/ cooked in a real woodfire pizza oven. Zheng is not only the top Chinese-Malaysian restaurant in Oxford but all of the country, as hailed by food critic, Giles Coron.

Both restaurants offer a short but sweet menu of excellent wood-fired pizzas and oozy, delicious burgers. My favourite pizza is the Chorizo Picante with chorizo and red chilli. There are two branches of this Oxford restaurant under different names but both the Jericho-based Rickety Press and Magdalen Road’s Rusty Bicycle offer the same menu.

Things to do in Cambridge

My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. You’ll adore your time in Oxford if you’re looking for a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe, amazing historic architecture, and of course – plenty of opportunities to drink lots of tea. I loved living in Oxford, but mostly for the friends I made and the epic pub scene – even if I didn’t fully understand UK round culture or ordering through the Weatherspoons app to your table.

This charming guesthouse is one of the best budget hotels in the Cowley Road area. Rooms are well-equipped with modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, and each comes complete with coffee and tea supplies. Ideally located on a quiet street near Oxford Brookes University, this is one of the best areas to stay in Oxford to stay out of the busy centre but still be close enough to it. With its clean decor and generous natural light, this is the kind of room you want to be waking up in after a big night on the town.

This Thai restaurant in Oxford had been on my radar for years and I finally got around to visiting in early 2022. Chiang Mai Kitchen is a cosy spot with white tablecloths and authentic Thai details like statues and artwork. Upstairs, there are lots of 2 and 4-person tables and downstairs there’s a larger dining room which I believe can be booked for groups. GAIL’s is another of my favourite cafes in Oxford, frequented mainly by locals and Oxford Uni staff on their lunch breaks. It’s just slightly away from central Oxford on Little Clarendon Street leading towards Jericho, one of my favourite areas of Oxford for independent restaurants and cocktail bars.

Day Tours from London to Cambridge

It is just 10 minutes to the City Centre by bus, yet far enough away from the centre to avoid the crowds, and also provides you with access to a communal garden. As the sun sets, Jericho comes to life thanks to its many bars, pubs, clubs, and restaurants. Because you’ll be spoiled for choice in Jericho, this is my number one pick for where to stay in Oxford for nightlife.

On arrival it feels like a sleek, contemporary operation with reception set in the funky café and lobby decorated with trendy floral motifs and large artworks. Rooms are less cohesive in style, but are nevertheless ideal for great option for families since they are extra large with kitchenettes, sofa beds (£20 extra), and connecting doorways. Jericho Coffee Traders are a bit of an Oxford institution, selling coffee beans in-store and travelling the country with their pop-up coffee van. However, if you’re en route to work or visiting Oxford for the day and hoping to visit a cosy cafe, you’ll be most welcome at their High Street ‘espresso bar’. The flat is a 20-minute walk from the city centre, so you won’t be far from the colleges, pubs, and shops, that Oxford has to offer.

West Oxford might be mostly residential, but there are still a few fantastic offerings for thirsty visitors venturing out of the city center. Conveniently close to the train station, The Punter is a perfect stop-off for travelers, serving up reasonably priced drinks and a vegetarian menu. Located on Osney Island, a quirky riverside community, The Punter’s best selling point is perhaps its proximity to the Thames. In the summer, drinkers can regularly be seen spilling outside to sip their pints by the river, or to watch boats pass by from the small paved beer garden.