Looking for a nice area in the south east

EssexGirl

We are not enjoying living in our corner of the world right now. Our semi rural area is getting more and more built up.

Is there anywhere decent and still has good neighbourly values? Where people say hello instead of ignore you.
We are preferably looking for semi rural or coastal, or short drive to the coast. Not fussed about being on the outskirts of a town, as we will have chosen to live there rather than have it forced upon us. Preferably in Essex, Suffolk.
Needs to have access to a station to London.

Or am I looking for the holy grail?

hazyjo

Where are you now? Are you prepared to drive to a station, or does it have to be walkable? How long will you commute for? Are you okay with Liverpool Street and/or Fenchurch Street? Budget?

Loving Leigh on Sea but that will be way too busy for you. There are quiet parts on the edge though, with the town on your doorstep. Traffic is also a bit of a 'mare (although I rarely use my car). "Happiest Place in Britain" according to rightmove again this year

Battlesbridge?

Matching Green (pricey)?

The Hadhams areas?

Roydon?

Stanstead Abbots?

lincroft1710

Suffolk is East Anglia rather than the south east and some would argue that North Essex is also EA. Not knowing your budget or house type criteria makes it difficult to suggest somewhere.

And you can get people not saying hello almost anywhere.

Exodi

EssexGirl wrote: »

Is there anywhere decent and still has good neighbourly values? Where people say hello instead of ignore you.

EssexGirl wrote: »

Preferably in Essex

:rotfl:

Loads of areas in Kent fit that bill! Without any indicate of budget it's quite difficult to recommend anywhere though.

whyigetmorelikes

Hornchurch and Upminster are nice areas with good schools and on the district line. Plenty of green spaces and a short journey into London.

hazyjo

Exodi wrote: »

:rotfl:

Loads of areas in Kent fit that bill! Without any indicate of budget it's quite difficult to recommend anywhere though.

I lived south of the river for around 15 years and loved it.

However... the Blackwall tunnel was the bane of my life. All my friends and family are north of the river so eventually I gave up and moved. Nobody ever wanted to come to my house, and I would go out in say Woodford and it would take me well over an hour (sometimes nearer two) to get back to Eltham. It was often quicker to go back home via the Dartford Bridge and not bother risking traffic.

Appreciate they would prob use the Bridge anyway rather than the B.Tunnel, but that's not without its delays and problems.

I fully understand why someone from Essex wouldn't want to go to Kent if everyone they know is north.

For the record, I like Kent as much as Essex and felt very happy south of the river!

Train stations may suit from Essex too. I work at Liv St so would really want to stay within walking distance. Cannon Street may be an option if the OP will consider south of the river.

hazyjo

whyigetmorelikes wrote: »

Hornchurch and Upminster are nice areas with good schools and on the district line. Plenty of green spaces and a short journey into London.

If their semi-rural area is too built up, I should imagine Hornchurch and Upminster would be unbearable for them.


Both nice areas for others though looking for somewhere to move to!

EssexGirl

Let's just say we are close enough to the QE2 bridge & it's traffic chaos to make Kent a no no sadly! It's a nightmare getting across the river most of the time & we have family this side.
Hornchurch and Upminster are heading the wrong direction, but thank you!

Looking for a 3/4 bed semi. Up to £280k. I can look at Rightmove and find lots of little gems, but need insider knowledge of good and dodgy areas. There's a house I love in Great Yarmouth but never hear a good word said about the place!

I love Leigh on sea but far too busy. Thinking of maybe Walton on the Naze, maybe Frinton, Colchester, Manningtree, Alresford.

hazyjo

Was actually thinking of Frinton but figured it would be too far, with difficult travel. My MIL lives there so know it well.

ComicGeek

I live just across the Suffolk border, north of Colchester. Good rail links into Stratford and Liverpool St, but Colchester is pretty poor in terms of town amenities these days. Much quieter this side of the Suffolk border, but 20-30 mins drive to station depending on traffic. You can get a nice 3/4 bed house within walking distance of the station for £280k.

Parents live in Frinton - I don't like it personally and it's a long commute on the train. I've done 1.5hr train commutes in the past, wouldn't ever do it again.

Alresford is ok, Manningtree is expensive for what you get.

SG27

EssexGirl wrote: »

Let's just say we are close enough to the QE2 bridge & it's traffic chaos to make Kent a no no sadly! It's a nightmare getting across the river most of the time & we have family this side.
Hornchurch and Upminster are heading the wrong direction, but thank you!

Looking for a 3/4 bed semi. Up to £280k. I can look at Rightmove and find lots of little gems, but need insider knowledge of good and dodgy areas. There's a house I love in Great Yarmouth but never hear a good word said about the place!

I love Leigh on sea but far too busy. Thinking of maybe Walton on the Naze, maybe Frinton, Colchester, Manningtree, Alresford.

Not Walton on the naze. Its horribly run down. Beautiful beach but I would not go to the town again!