Does anyone know about living in... Chelmsford?

do_it_today!

Hi :hello:

we currently live in SE London and are thinking of moving to Chelmsford as the school where we are quite rough - can anyone reccomend or advise against specific areas.

offer advice insights into the area?

our plan is to perhaps rent for 6 months see how it goes and then buy up there....

your thoughts and suggestions please

isitenough

Born and bred in chelmsford, but unfortunately haven't lived there for 18 years! That's not much help is it?! There were some lovely areas when I lived there, Galleywood (my area) and Gt. Baddow, but not sure now.

meanmachine_2

I know Chelmsford quite well.

Good link into Liverpool Street (around 30-35 minutes).

But quite expensive. And some roads are used as a race track by Essex boy racers.

Also EAs use the same trick they do everywhere of describing a vast area as "Chelmsford", when it isn't. Springfield, for example, ain't Chelmsford. Beaulieu Park ain't Chelmsford.

Has some of the very best schools in the country, but these are grammars, and are massively difficult to get into.

Any Qs, list them here.

EDIT: If you want Posh. If you want Chelsea-in-Essex, then look at Danbury and Wickham Bishops.

Again, stupidly overpriced, but probably cheap compared to parts of London.

isitenough

Danbury - now you're talking! Beautiful place. Wickham Bishops is Maldon/Witham way really, but lovely area - pricey as meanmachine says!

sarah_elton

My mum and brother live in Chelmsford (brother's an EA there, *hint* ), and I did before moving out of home.

Good town, good and bad areas like any town. Avoid Melbourne like the plague. As meanmachine said, it's sprawling. If you want to be a 10 minute walk from the station you'll struggle. But all areas have a very good bus service to the town centre so it's not really a problem, and you can buy a house a 20 minute walk from the centre quite easily. When you do get to the centre, it's very compact which I really like. Colchester in contrast is more historic but the town centre is pretty spread out.

Yes the grammars are extremely difficult to get into (Essex is one of very few counties left with the 11 plus exam), but the comprehensives in Chelmsford are decent on the whole.

Best advice, hit the agents (they're all in a row on Duke Street, near the station), get one of their town maps, and explore for yourself. Post if you want to know about a specific area.

Chelmsford is very towny. Other places mentioned like Danbury and Wickham Bishops are far more country - they're not on the A12 or railway line (the two run parallel through Shenfield, Chelmsford, Witham, Colchester etc) but are only a few miles drive off them. They are very nice areas but extremely pricey. I live in Witham and was on a bike ride through Wickham Bishops yesterday thinking how many nice houses it had.

meanmachine_2

Yeah Duke Street is where all the EAs are - and where you're most likely to be mown down by a racer in his suped up Subaru.

THe town's OK, but not very cosmopolitan. It's kind of a cross between new Essex (chav) and old.

New chains, very few "quaint shops".

Witham always depresses me. Very good links to the city, but if it wasn't for the rail and the A12, I just don't know why it would exist.

A bit soulless, but cheaper than Chelmsford.

No offence Sarah!

sarah_elton

I live a ten minute walk from the station in Witham, and never go to the town centre. From home, I walk to Morrisons and the station and that's it lol.

I moved here because I worked here. Then work moved into the City, but my friends live in Colchester, so Witham's a decent distance from both. Plus I could afford a nice 2 bed flat whereas in Chelmsford I'd have a studio at least 20 mins from the station. Witham's a small industrial town, and does exactly what it says on the tin. I live in a quiet part, with friendly neighbours, and lovely country view. Suits me.

Could be worse, could be Braintree.

missmoon

I used to live in Chelmsford and Witham but have now moved to Colchester!
I seem to be working my way up the A12 - maybe Ipswich will be next.

Chelmsford is ok, but I've noticed over the years it's become more and more built up and parking in the town was an issue. Although they've put in a park & ride scheme, so maybe that's helped.

Loads of shops in the town, quite a good nightlife. I would probably be still living there if it weren't for the house prices.

I was brought up on Tile Kiln estate and in the 70s & 80s it was a nice area, good schools nearby - Mildmay & Moulsham. Not sure what it's like now as many more newer estates/areas have superseded it - my dad still lives there and seems like a quiet area when I visit.