Looking to buy in south Essex, opinions please

hazyjo

I'm in the process of moving to Leigh-on-Sea. I'll prob get trains taking 48 mins into Fen St, and 43 mins home. Aircon, free WiFi - although a busy line. I also meet most of my friends in London.

There's a current thread on Westcliff. Not the greatest of areas just yet - although some bits of it are really nice, but lovely houses generally, and it's definitely feeling the ripple effect from sought after Leigh-on-Sea/Chalkwell. I should imagine Westcliff and bits of Southend are pretty solid investments too as there's lots of investment and change happening.

Georgie579

Oh really? What's the traffic like around there? I worry it will be terrible around summer

howisthisriskfree

At a push, with £180k you could get a 1-bed flat somewhere on the tube line at the east end of the Central Line, this would save you a substantial amount of money per year as you don't need a mainline travel ticket.

You'd have to drop the 'nice' bit from the requirement though.

hazyjo

howisthisriskfree wrote: »

At a push, with £180k you could get a 1-bed flat somewhere on the tube line at the east end of the Central Line, this would save you a substantial amount of money per year as you don't need a mainline travel ticket.

You'd have to drop the 'nice' bit from the requirement though.

Sorry but you won't get anywhere, even in areas like Hainault on the Central Line for that budget! All too pricey.

Georgie579 wrote: »

Oh really? What's the traffic like around there? I worry it will be terrible around summer

Traffic would be a bit of a 'mare around Southend/Westcliff/Chalkwell/Leigh! Will you need the car much?

pimento

Georgie579 wrote: »

Anyone on here living in South Essex and commuting to London?

Yes but I'm on the Later Angrier route into Liverpool Street which, if you value your sanity, you'll avoid like the plague.

AndyBSG

howisthisriskfree wrote: »

At a push, with £180k you could get a 1-bed flat somewhere on the tube line at the east end of the Central Line, this would save you a substantial amount of money per year as you don't need a mainline travel ticket.

You'd have to drop the 'nice' bit from the requirement though.

You'd be VERY lucky to get something in that price range. My wife and I sold our pokey, dated, 1 bed flat in Debden for over 200K almost 5 years ago so I dread to think what 180K would buy you.

For the OP, worth taking a look here as there's another thread discussing Westcliff there

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5722814