should we move to 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

Ellie2758

Any reason why you chose Chelmsford? It's quite a POSH area! Lovely though, near the Cotswolds. I cant think of a reason why you wouldnt want to move from SE London to be honest, apart from leaving family and friends behind. If you can afford it, go for it. Do you have jobs to go to?

bunty109

Chelmsford is in Essex......

I'd rent. I live about 20 miles west of Chelmsford and don't have much idea of good or bad areas. There's some cracking secondary schools so you might want to think about catchment areas for those if you are looking to stay long-term.

I'd also recommend looking at Colchester. Again, there's good schools and I prefer it as it has a bit more history and a bit more rural influence (then that's what I prefer!). Chelmsford and Colchester are still commuter belt and it's easy to get to London if you want/need to.

Katgoddess

Dare I suggest moving to the South East suburbs? The schools in Bexley are excellent and you have a good selection of secondary schools. Bromley is similar.

Of course, you might already live in Bexley and think it's rough. :rotfl:

do_it_today!

Hi Ellie,
was thinking about commuting into London - I work 4 days a week + husband is a decorator so he could work locally...

Thanks Bunty - we dont have kids yet but are planning for them and so we are less than keen to bring kids up in our current environment!! but dont want to be tooo far from London (family/friends)

so thats the plan

do_it_today!

Katgoddess wrote: »

Dare I suggest moving to the South East suburbs? The schools in Bexley are excellent and you have a good selection of secondary schools. Bromley is similar.

Of course, you might already live in Bexley and think it's rough. :rotfl:

Hi Katgoddess,
DH doesnt like Bromley and would only consider Chistlehurst which is well out of our budget!

Bexley - what little I know about it doesnt strike me as being a very tolerant place re. diversity Bexleyheath - my experience of which is that its too London like for us in terms of anti social behaviour and rowdyness...

on one hand I would prefer to stay in London if we could afford to live in a nicer part - this not being possible we are looking abit further a field. During our brief visits to Chelmsford there was NO graffiti or wilful vandalism - the pace seems a little less manic & greener. I think the only way to really find out is to take a trial run - in the meantime by gathering as much info & research as possible will help thanks

hilstep2000

Go to www.upmystreet.com and look up Chelmsford. You can join the conversation boards and ask people who live there for advice.

Mrs_pbradley936

Chelmsford is very nice and has some good schools.

franklally

Near the Cotswolds ??!!

I live 40 minutes from Chelmsford near the essex sunshine coast, getting in to London is very easy - you can drive to Newbury Park (30 minutes from Chelmsford) and get the central line in (free parking at weekends) - also many fast commuter trains straight in to Liverpool Street. There is loads to do out east - particularly when the sun is shining - not the fast pace of life you may be used to but we like it (we moved here 11 years ago from East London)

Ellie2758

franklally wrote: »

Near the Cotswolds ??!!

I live 40 minutes from Chelmsford near the essex sunshine coast, getting in to London is very easy - you can drive to Newbury Park (30 minutes from Chelmsford) and get the central line in (free parking at weekends) - also many fast commuter trains straight in to Liverpool Street. There is loads to do out east - particularly when the sun is shining - not the fast pace of life you may be used to but we like it (we moved here 11 years ago from East London)

Doh!:wall:

Sorry, feeling really groggy with a cold and bad chest. I thought she said CHELTENHAM!!!!

Wouldnt like to recommend Bexley either, or Bexleyheath.

Claire_Jones_3

I used to live about 20 miles from Chelmsford and it is nice but just because you didn't see any graffiti please don't assume there isn't any! The things to bear in mind is where abouts in london do you want to visit/commute to? Chelmsford is on the Liverpool street line but other places near to Chelmsford are on the Fenchurch Street line so think about which goes where you want. I have friends that commute from Southend/Prittlewell into London on Fenchurch steeet line and others from places such as Chafford Hundred/Thurrock.

Also there are plans to create park and ride schemes around chelmsford so they may be of use to you in time. The only thing to really bear in mind is if you wanted to be right in Chelmsford centre there is a large university and college campuses so there may be evening noise if you are really close. One of the campuses is opposite the train station, with the bus station down the road and several pubs and nightclubs on the same road (Duke Street i think). Just something for you to think of if you are looking to have children as the noise may disturb you.

If you want any help on the area feel free to ask me