Colchester Commuting?

barney2201

Does anybody on this thread commute from Colchester to London Liverpool Street every day?

Looking at moving out to a village near Colchester (Nayland) as my wife has a new job in the city, currently commute from Hemel into Euston.

Need to know what the trains are like and if you are likely to get a seat around 8am and returning around 6pm?

Thanks

sarah_elton

I commute from Witham and am thinking about moving out Colchester way next year. One of my friends used to commute from Colchester.

Basically, there are two types of trains from Colchester. The intercities that come down from Norwich, where Colchester is their last stop so they do the journey to Liverpool Street in 50 minutes. Second is the slower mainline trains that after Colchester will stop at Witham, Chelmsford etc. They take an hour to an hour 10 mins, depending on the number of stops.

On the intercities, in the morning you'll struggle to get a seat. In the evenings you'll get one if you get to Liverpool St 10 mins before they go. If you take the slower mainline service you'll definitely get a seat both ways.

One thing to watch is the station car park at Colchester - it's horrendous to get out of at night as it's on a fairly main junction. I've got a lift into town with my friend before and it can take 15-20 mins just to get out of the car park because so many people get off each train. I would also check with the station as there may be a waiting list for car park season tickets.

barney2201

Thanks for the info Sarah

Anyone else do the commute from Colchester? Is it a nightmare getting into the station in a morning?

Thanks

sarah_elton

One quick question - does it have to be Nayland?

There's a village called Wivenhoe, which is 2 miles from Colchester (you can get to the town in 5 mins by car outside rush hour (the end with the 24 hour Tesco), and 10-15 mins to the town centre. And it has a station so you can get the train into Liverpool Street from there. There are fewer trains than from Colchester, but in the morning there are about 3 an hour, taking around 1h 12m, and in the evening a fast train every half hour taking 1h 8m.

It's a small place so where you live would be walk-able of the station, and so time wise it'd probably be the same as driving to Colchester from Nayland then getting the train. It's on the estuary so has a quay, as well as a park and woodland, and has a real village feel (little independent shops, lots of community stuff going on). Two good primary schools as well.

Downside is that because it has the train station it's more expensive for housing than the other villages that surround Colchester.

barney2201

Will check out Wivenhoe

Main reason for Nayland (Well Stoke-by-Nayland to be exact) was the fact we have found a very nice house to rent, it's has two very good pubs which I think is very important to village life, plus golf course and spa just down the road. The whole village has a real 'Vicar of Dibley' style and charm to it.

I work from home a lot then sometimes have to travel so I want a location where my wife can feel she knows people are around and have a social life within a village environment.

sarah_elton

Wivenhoe is on our list of possibilities for when we move next year, so we've been exploring. It sounds very similar actually, and my mum works with someone who lives there and described it in much the same way you described Nayland. When I've been there there are community noticeboards everywhere with events happening. Apparently the commuters all meet on the train out of Liverpool Street each Friday night (having visited Tesco Metro first).

If you're settled in Nayland it probably does make sense to stay (wasn't sure if you were moving in from outside Essex), but might be worth considering due to the transport thing. Personally, I like to be walk-able of the station and not have to deal with rush hour traffic after a long train ride home.

barney2201

Sorry was not very clear in the last message

Not signed on the dotted line for the Nayland property yet, just best we have found so far.

Will definitely go and have a look at Wivenhoe, Friday night sounds like it could be rather fun as well!

Mini_Bear

Just found this thread - sorry!
One word of advise pick your properties in Wivenhoe carefully. It is within close proximity of Essex University and there are a lot of student properties. Also living on the main road guarantees late nite student walkers!
I commuted from Colch to London Liv st for 2 yrs and have now moved further up the line to Chelmsford. I never had a problem getting into the station carpark - and used to get the 7.53 train. I also always got a seat but also knew where to stand on the platform.
Nayland is a lovely place to live. Good luck!

barney2201

Thanks Mini Bear

That helps a lot, good to know you always got a seat and the car parking was ok

Just taken the plunge today and commited to the property in Stoke-by-Nayland!!

Now where's my wellies!!