Where To Re-Locate Alone?! :)

Wantobeasaver

catkins wrote: »

I live in Essex and there are lots of nice places to live. I would rather live in London personally but that's a long story!


Chelmsford is nice - look at Writtle, Old Moulsham (bit expensive though), Galleywood. Billericay is also nice but quieter than Chelmsford. Other places: Colchester, Brentwood, Epping, Ongar, Southend. Leigh on Sea I think is really lovely. Some really nice shops, lots of restaurants, bars, cafes etc. Also nice to live by the sea

Having lived in Colchester & worked in Chelmsford, I agree. Colchester's got a good amount of social groups to join, as does Chelmsford, which I think makes things easier. Would live/work in both again

VfM4meplse

MoreAboutMyself wrote: »

I have a friend in Colchester, so I will see what it's like there too. I watched a show the other day on Jaywick and that would be the nearest 'big' town for Jaywick folk - which put me off a little.

Sorry, I don't want to come accross as snobby. I'm from the east end so I'm anything but! - but you get where I'm coming from (hopefully!).

Wrong, wrong, wrong! I always associate Jaywick with Clacton, not Colchester. Colchester is fine but a bit far out, which is why I would recommend South Essex instead. Whilst we're talking about places to avoid, I would recommend you go nowhere near Canvey Island.

catkins wrote: »

Leigh on Sea I think is really lovely. Some really nice shops, lots of restaurants, bars, cafes etc.

A great place for weekend brunch. I do laugh at the poseurs though...it's like the Essex version of Chelsea

Wantobeasaver

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Wrong, wrong, wrong! I always associate Jaywick with Clacton, not Colchester. Colchester is fine but a bit far out, which is why I would recommend South Essex instead. Whilst we're talking about places to avoid, I would recommend you go nowhere near Canvey Island.

A great place for weekend brunch. I do laugh at the poseurs though...it's like the Essex version of Chelsea

Agree it's Clacton not Colchester you're thinking of. Sadly places like Jaywick, Clacton & Canvey have high unemployment & poverty so not places to choose to live...

Alchemilla

MoreAboutMyself wrote: »

Hi Both,

Thanks for the replies.

Alchemilla, yes that's the idea. A walk or short bus/car ride into work.
Thanks I'll take a look, is that a book?

Mrmoneymustache.com

j.e.j.

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Whilst we're talking about places to avoid, I would recommend you go nowhere near Canvey Island.

Places to avoid in Essex..? That list would be a long one :rotfl: I wouldn't touch the following with a bargepole:

Romford (..and the vicinity: Harold Hill, etc)
Barking
Dagenham
Ilford
Goodmayes/ForestGate

..all rough areas.

Basically anything that's near-ish to East London. The East End used to be the cheap (and less desirable) part of London, but recently it's been getting more upmarket, and the dregs have been moving further out into what was Essex.


OP if you want somewhere half-decent to live but don't want to commute for hours on end, have you thought of maybe Hertfordshire, or somewhere like that?

VfM4meplse

j.e.j. wrote: »

Basically anything that's near-ish to East London.

Disproved by Chingford, Snaresbrook, Wanstead and Woodford! Although I suspect they may be out of the OP's price range.

MoreAboutMyself

Thanks all.
Some people are missing the point.
I need to choose somewhere I DO NOT have to commute to London or too far to work. Half of those mentioned don't have local jobs as such.
It doesn't have to be Essex. A town that is self sufficient in terms of it's own hospital, cinema, community etc.
Thanks I'll take a look at Herts

ERICS_MUM

Stevenage, Bishops Stortford (jobs at Stansted Airport ?). Further out is Ipswich and Norwich both with varied employment opps. Cambridge is a favourite of mine for a day out but I suspect property is expensive and the "social scene" might be totally college oriented.

I still think Chelmsford is a very good option, with it's hospital, insurance companies, grammar schools, all possibilities for office jobs. Good social life - gyms, classes, further education, clubs, theatre, sports clubs etc. a good mix of families, older people and young adults.

I'm biased having left East London 21 years ago and not missed it for a second. I would NEVER return to the Ilford/Romford/Barking/Dagenham areas.

Carer

Have a look at Bristol, fantastic place, great city.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10386993/Bristol-is-best-city-to-live-in-the-UK.html

Joanthebone

How about Hastings?