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Zoey J. housing

Rent vs buy in Oxford -what makes sense?

Alright, Poverty rate is 8.9%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Should I be concerned?
25 upvotes

11 Replies

Kayden
facts
37 upvotes
Alice M.
I've lived in South for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is improving

The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
wild_kaylee6
seconding this
31 upvotes
Sophia Rivera
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
9 upvotes
dallas_declan
this is the way
8 upvotes
Ezekiel Ross
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Savannah Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
3 upvotes
vegaslocal2022
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The walkability scene is decent

The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Christian Allen
hmm interesting perspective
1 upvotes
Charlotte S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
1 upvotes
Ezra Robinson
yep
0 upvotes
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