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Essex is a wonderful green county sitting on the coastline of east England. Essex has so many things going for it, from the incredible amount of natural scenery to the history which dates back millennia. Being one of the oldest areas of modern England, it’s no wonder why so many people enjoy the place and proudly call it their home. If you’re considering calling it your home as well, you ought to look for the best places to live in Essex, as not all locations provide the best experience. We are here to help you with that.
Best Areas To Live In Essex
These are the best places to live in Essex.
1. Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden is a historic market town in the heart of rural England. The Sunday Times named Saffron Walden one of the best places to live in the East of England for a reason, with its beautiful countryside as well as a lovely antique town centre with lots of local businesses.
There is a fascinating history behind Saffron Walden’s name. Saffron Walden was given its name from the saffron grown in the area. The saffron crocus flowers were brought to England from Asia Minor by monks during medieval times.
There are also great primary and secondary schools in Saffron Walden, such as Katherine Semar Junior School, Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy and St Thomas More Catholic Primary School.
While Saffron Walden has a high average house price, it’s actually lower than in the area of Essex as a whole, making it a more affordable place, which is one more reason to check it out.
2. Chelmsford
Chelmsford is a well-known place and one of the most populated areas of Essex, receiving city status in 2017 and becoming the capital city of Essex.
There are many fantastic shopping opportunities on the high street of Chelmsford as well as plenty of restaurants to choose from if you don’t have time to cook at home.
Chelmsford has brilliant transport links with trains coming in from London, Liverpool Street and Reading every hour on weekdays and frequent service on weekends too! Buses also run daily, providing many different routes around Essex.
The local community in Chelmsford is amicable as its one of the safest cities in the UK. Chelmsford also has the famed Hylands Park, making it a great place for young families.
The only downside is that Chelmsford has an expensive cost of living, but there is affordable housing and many ongoing developments, making it an attractive city with many opportunities.
3. Colchester
Colchester has plenty of amenities and opportunities for young families and professionals. It has an excellent range of private schools and colleges as well as many green spaces for leisure.
With thriving nightlife in the centre, Colchester has a great number of independent eateries, bars and pubs.
The Colchester Zoo and Colchester Castle Museum are must-see attractions. The castle houses over 200 years of fascinating exhibits with a rich history. It’s also home to many schools, including St Benedict’s School, which is a boarding one.
If you want to visit a seaside town, Colchester also has excellent links to Brightlingsea, West Mersea and Clacton-on-Sea.
Despite its beauty and amenities, the average price of housing in Colchester is one of the best in Essex, which even more makes it a top choice to live in the area.
4. Dedham Vale
Dedham Vale is a small rural town on the edge of northeast Essex, bearing the name of the nature reserve it’s sitting in.
The quaint town of Dedham Vale is home to many ponds, marshes and reedbeds, which contribute to its stunning natural beauty, giving you a rural living feel, unlike any other town.
The small town of Dedham Vale is famous for its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also ‘Constable country’, famous for the paintings of John Constable.
The stunning Dedham Vale has no high-rise buildings or busy roads, so it’s an idyllic place for anyone who needs to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and wants peace in the smaller towns of Essex.
The average house price standing in Dedham Vale is higher than the Essex average by a lot, but you usually get a detached area, making it worth the price.
5. Basildon
The large commuter town of Basildon is an excellent place to live in.
There are plenty of things to do and see in Basildon, such as Wat Tyler Country Park and independent shops at the Eastgate Shopping Centre, and the people are friendly and welcoming.
Even beyond it, Basildon has fantastic road links to central London as well as the Southend-on-Sea, with the average journey time being shorter than half an hour by car, making it an ideal location for commuters.
Basildon is becoming a great alternative area for people wanting to live in London due to it being more affordable and safer.
Basildon has much to offer, and you will never be bored here. Furthermore, there are plenty of job opportunities in Basildon, and the cost of living and property prices are very reasonable, perfect for a young family.
6. Purfleet
Purfleet is a town in the borough of Thurrock and is close to London.
It has good transport links to the capital city via a short train journey to the London Liverpool Street station. Purfleet is also well-linked with the rest of Essex.
Purfleet was originally a small fishing village with many historic buildings. Still, over the years, it has grown into a thriving town and now hosts decent amenities, among which is a Tesco, meaning you won’t have to travel far for groceries.
This town is like a nice rural haven on the outskirts of London, and seeing how safe and welcoming it is with its amazing starter home costs, this is a perfect location for families and people who like the calm of a village but still want to be where the action is.
7. Epping
Another lovely and very affluent place on the London outskirts, Epping is one of the best places to live in Essex and is part of the Epping Forest District.
Epping has easy access to London by train and is also a good place to live for commuters who work in the big city.
This is a great place to live for families as well, with plenty of green areas and parks to explore.
Epping also has some good schools, such as Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Church of England Primary School, Epping Primary School and Epping St Johns Church of England Secondary School.
Average housing prices in Epping are very high, but if you can afford it, you’d be living in one of the best commuter towns and one of the best places to live in Essex, with all the benefits you could possibly want.
8. Harlow
Harlow is a perfect base to discover the beauty of the Essex countryside.
The picturesque town of Harlow is home to various historical and cultural attractions, including Harlow Playhouse, Gibberd Garden, the Natural History Museum at Tring and the William Harvey House.
The Harlow Playhouse Theater offers regular shows and entertainment, as well as occasional big-name performances.
The Harlow town centre offers a wide range of shops and restaurants for visitors to explore.
Harlow has good schools, and the community is supportive of education. The proof of that is the town offers many programs and services to help students get involved in the community and succeed in education.
On top of all the amenities, beauty, excitement and entertainment, the cost of living and property prices are relatively affordable, making Harlow one of the best Essex towns to live in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Essex Famous For?
Essex is famous for its fascinating history and attractive locations. The southeast England county is home to attractions such as Colchester Castle and St John’s Abbey Gate. Essex’s popularity is also boosted by the fact that one of its towns, Colchester, was England’s first capital. To top it off, Essex has the most extensive coastline in all of the UK.
Is Essex A Good Place To Live?
Yes, Essex is a good place to live. The county is peaceful, and it offers access to a wide range of amenities, including schools, shops and healthcare facilities. Essex also has a low crime rate and a diverse population with welcoming people. It’s also only one hour from London, providing access to different job opportunities in the big city. The only problem with living in this area is the high cost of living, but the life quality makes it worth the price.
What Are The Best Places To Live In Essex To Commute To London?
The best places to live in Essex to commute to London are:
- Chelmsford
- Basildon
- Purfleet
- Epping
- Harlow
Some of the towns listed above are farther than others, but most of them offer a relatively fast commuting experience. If the distance is really important to you, Purfleet and Epping are the best choices since they are the closest to London.
Is Chelmsford, Essex, A Good Place To Live?
Chelmsford, Essex, is a good place to live. It is one of the safest cities in the entire nation. Along with that, Chelmsford has plenty of amenities, such as great shopping centres, educational facilities, medical facilities, etc. The only deterrent to living in Chelmsford is the average price of living.
Is Essex Safe?
Essex isn’t the safest county in the UK, but it does host some of the safest cities in the UK, such as Chelmsford. Pretty much every town and city listed above as our recommendations, except Colchester, are very safe, standing among the top-listed safest places to live in the UK.
Conclusion
Now you know the best places to live in Essex. If you plan to move to this beautiful county, some of the listed areas will surely be your right choice. The only thing left to decide is whether you want more tranquil locations like Dedham Vale or enjoy a more vibrant life, which places like Chelmsford and Colchester offer.
