Leigh on Sea

Prairie_Rose

Hello,

am new to this forum..... we are thinking of moving to the Leigh on Sea area and would like to hear from anyone who already lives there as what it's like there, where are the best places to live, any bits to avoid and any other useful information/advice.

Many thanks,

Prairie Rose
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Premier_2

If you like cockles swilled down with amples of beer, I think you'll love it.

Not much else there from what I remember, other than the railway station to get you out ... and bring the hoardes of visitors in during the summer.

I nice place to visit for 10 mins, perhaps 20 if you want to partake in the above delicacy on a hot sweltering day - but not somewhere I would like to live I don't think.

jstallan

L-o-S is where I live. I've been here 10 years and my wife has lived here all her life. My work has suggested on a number of ocasions that I relocate (work in Royal Tunbridge Wells) to reduce the amount of travelling, but there's no way I'd leave here. Having said that, we are just about to put ours on the market (HIP being done), but still remain in L-o-S, just move to a bigger house.

Are you looking to buy or Rent ?

Do you have kids requiring schools ?

chocaholic2009

Hi! I live in Rayleigh, which is about 15 minutes from Leigh on Sea. It's quite an expensive area compared to the rest of Essex, as it is seen as a desirable place to live around here. A few comments off the top of my head:
1. South of the A13 is seen as better, as you are closer to the Estuary & within walking distance of the Broadway (the high street, which is populated with lots of wine bars & boutiques) and the train Station
2. It only takes around 40 minutes on the train to London Fenchurch Street.
3. The senior schools still operate on a Grammar school basis - so there's lots of pressure / one upmanship / etc on the kids. Not sure if this would matter to you.
4. Best areas to live are Leigh on Sea itself, Chalkwell (although this is a conservation area) also has its own station. Eastwood is too far away and has no transport links. Westcliff is a bit more down trodden & I would avoid southend.

Hth.

John_Pierpoint

Fancy modern restaurant with decking over the water.

Robert_Sterling_3

Premier wrote: »

I nice place to visit for 10 mins, perhaps 20. quote]

It certainly is.

stolt

chocaholic2009 wrote: »

Hi! I live in Rayleigh, which is about 15 minutes from Leigh on Sea. It's quite an expensive area compared to the rest of Essex, as it is seen as a desirable place to live around here. A few comments off the top of my head:
1. South of the A13 is seen as better, as you are closer to the Estuary & within walking distance of the Broadway (the high street, which is populated with lots of wine bars & boutiques) and the train Station
2. It only takes around 40 minutes on the train to London Fenchurch Street.
3. The senior schools still operate on a Grammar school basis - so there's lots of pressure / one upmanship / etc on the kids. Not sure if this would matter to you.
4. Best areas to live are Leigh on Sea itself, Chalkwell (although this is a conservation area) also has its own station. Eastwood is too far away and has no transport links. Westcliff is a bit more down trodden & I would avoid southend.

Hth.

i like leigh on sea to take the kids, and have a wander around but it depends if you would like the traffic etc, i find a getting around in summer with the crowds etc and the parking a bit of a nightmare, i guess if you live far enough from the seafront it wont be too bad.

Prairie_Rose

Hi there,

thanks for your replies.... we would be buying rather than renting and we do not need to worry about schools. We are not looking to move immediately but are just trying to find out as much as we can about the area and spend some time down there in preparation for when we do move. I have been to Rayleigh and do like this area too but really want to live nearer the coast. The Marine Estate in LoS seems very popular and we quite like this area, we can see that parking can be an issue so off street parking and/or a garage would be essential. Have read many estate agents details and can see that south of the A13 seems to be more popular although the area around Belfairs golf club seems to be popular too. The Highlands estate also comes up a lot. It's all very well visiting an area and thinking it's nice but you don't really get to know it until you live there which is why I am seeking the views of those who already live there. Thanks for you help, much appreciated.

Prairie Rose
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jstallan

We live just to the side of WestLeigh Schools, south of the London Road. Parking is a pain all around Leigh, but we had a dropped kerb put in and the front block pavved, so my wife parks on the front and if need be (not that often) I can park over the dropped kerb.

The areas we are looking at are Marine and Highlands - just to get a bigger place (currently a good sized 3 bed semi with 80ft+ west backing garden). Belfairs Park area can be known as North Leigh and in general is cheaper. Before we bought our current property we were going to live there, but it can be quiet a trek if you want Old Leigh or the Broadway.

Despite the increased prices of Marine Estate, parking is still an issue - mainly due to commuter parking for the train station.

Also, council tax in Leigh is a little higher than surrounding areas due to the costs of 'Leigh Town Council'. Worth every penny in my view as they arrange /Support a number of free events throughout the year (May Festival, Reggatta, Seafood weekend, christmas lights in the broadway (not this year tho)).

what kind of property are you looking for ? this could dictate the area of Leigh...

John

Prairie_Rose

Thanks for your reply, we ideally would like a 1920/1930s 3 bed semi (don't suppose we could afford detached!), something with a bit of character, off street parking or potential for it, fair sized garden, quiet street without too much traffic if possible, don't mind a bit of updating and decorating but nothing too drastic (did that last time!). How much is the Council Tax currently?

Prairie Rose
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jstallan

There tends to be quite a few probate sales around at the moment - perhaps identified by 'requires modernisation'.

Council tax bands for 2009-2010 are here http://www.southend.gov.uk/content.asp?content=10855
Use the VOA site (http://www.voa.gov.uk/) to get the actual band per house (most roads have a mixture of at least 3 different bands - sometimes all the bands). It will also tell you if a property is up for 'Band Review' following a sale (ours will be due to an extension).

Leigh Town Council also has its own website (http://www.essexinfo.net/leigh-on-sea/) where agendas and minutes are published (although they have become a bit lazy is updating some of them).

From our perspective, there is little on the market that matches our needs and expectations (within budget) pitched against what we currently have. However, you need to be 'selling in the market' to 'buy in the market' so to speak. Hopefully we will be on the market in the next week or 2 (HIP underway) and then perhaps experience what the market thinks of our property (we think it's excellent!).

If you see a property, then let me know - happy to give you a view on the location.