Mortgage expert Tori Bastien’s home truths

Tori Bastien, trusted mortgage advisor and founder of Viking Mortgages, tells us what she loves about life in north Oxford as she launches a new finance advice column

Hello Tori! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Tori, a mortgage adviser in Oxford and the founder of Viking Mortgages. I work with individuals and families to help them achieve the dream of home ownership—whether it’s securing their first mortgage, re-mortgaging, or navigating complex financial decisions. My focus is always on making the process clear, stress-free, and personalised.

Outside of work, I’m a single mum with a big, blended family. I’ve always dreamed of having a large family, and I truly love spending time with my children—each of whom has their own unique personality, needs, and dreams. Two of my children are now grown, and it’s been amazing to see how they’ve each forged their own paths.

I was born near Oslo, Norway, and moved to the UK at age 21 to study at the University of Warwick. In 1989, I settled in Oxford, and it’s felt like home ever since.

What do you love most about life in Oxford?

I absolutely love living in a peaceful Oxford neighbourhood with hardly any traffic. It’s filled with beautiful trees and offers easy access to the local park and the river. It truly feels like the best of both worlds—close to nature while still being part of a vibrant city.

What are your favourite local shops in Oxford?

For beautiful stationery, I’m a big fan of Pen to Paper in Summertown. It’s a small independent store, but they somehow stock just about everything you need. I love supporting independent Oxford shops and small businesses whenever I can.

My kids adore Daunt Books—their range of books across all genres is impressive, and their prices are fair too. I’m always trying to inspire my younger ones to take a break from screens and get into reading. A trip to a great Oxford bookshop always helps spark their interest!

Any go-to pubs or restaurants?

Definitely! As a family, we love eating at Mamma Mia—it’s a go-to for delicious Italian meals. The kids are also huge fans of Temptations Dessert Lounge, and Joe’s Bar is a local favourite, especially when they host live music on Thursday nights.

For casual catch-ups with friends, I love grabbing coffee at Colombia Coffee Roasters or Gail’s—both have great atmosphere and even better coffee.

Any exciting plans or goals coming up?

Travel is one of my greatest passions. I’ve just come back from an amazing trip to Singapore and Thailand with my 20-year-old. My next big goal? Learning to sail—it’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing.

Professionally, I’m excited to start writing a financial advice column, and I’ll continue sharing insights and tips on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. My mission is to make personal finance more approachable and empowering, especially for those who feel unsure or overwhelmed by it.

Are you involved in any local Oxford groups?

Life is definitely full with family, work, and friendships, so I haven’t joined many groups just yet. That said, one of my sons plays for Summertown Stars Football Club, and I enjoy supporting the team whenever I can. I’m especially looking forward to the Summertown Stars Football Tournament on 15th & 16th June—it’s always a brilliant local event!

If you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?

Peace—and for no one to ever go without food or shelter. Both are equally vital and should be universal human rights.

Visit www.vikingmortgages.co.uk