The top three hotspots to live in Essex

There are so many wonderful places to live in Essex. From beautiful countryside and rural locations through to seaside living or being immersed in a bustling town. Essex has something for everyone which makes this such a lucrative and appealing place to live. We couldn’t list them all so here’s a few of the greats.

Chelmsford

After being awarded the Sunday Times ‘Best place to live in the East’ we can see why it was deserved. This is a perfect place to live because it has a bit of everything and something for everyone. After all, 170,000 people choose to live here and the average house price sits at just over £400, 000.

With the huge range of schools, both primary and secondary (25 primary schools and 43 secondary schools) and the close proximity to London (30 minutes) and sitting close to other towns such as Ipswich (45 minutes) and Stansted (30 minutes), this is a great place for working families and those that wish to stay on the London Commuter belt.

You have the beautiful Chelmsford Cathedral, the vast space and greenery at Hylands House and Beaulieu Park and the gorgeous views from RHS Garden Hyde Hall. It is a vibrant place to be with its riverside bars and restaurants and a vast array of both large and independent shops right on your doorstep.  You  can enjoy regular local markets, the Chelmsford Beer Festival, the Civic Theatre and a bustling High Street.

Chelmsford has seen a large amount of modernisation, and has received a lot of investment from both the private and public sector so it is going from strength to strength; according to the Queen, Chelmsford is the City of Essex. It has a lot to offer and we can see why many chose to the live there as it offers green space but at the same time is very urban.

Colchester

Steeped in rich history and mixed  with a vibrant and modern culture, Colchester is still a firm favourite with over 192,500+ residents and growing fast; the average house price sits at just over £325, 700. This is Britains oldest town and is totally cloaked in heritage. Home to family favourite Colchester Zoo and the University of Essex, there is a great mix of students, trend setters and families alike.

Offering an average of 1 hour ten minutes into central London via train, this too is a very appealing town for working families as it enables a decent commute mixed in with 23 secondary schools on your doorstep, and the college and university thrown in. On top of this, Colchester allows you to revel in historical living with the outdoor space. There are huge areas of greenery and large parks which are deemed to be amongst the best in the country.

Colchester is an attractive option with its fashionable independent boutiques, large department stores and pop up markets and fairs and there is always something happening in Colchester. There is a vast array of stunning restaurants and you are always close to the beach with the popular and unspoilt Mersea Island only a short trip away.

One thing’s for sure, whatever you need or want, you will find it in Colchester. With all of its quality, history and high praise, and being the first town to be built in Britain by the Romans, Colchester has it all. It will certainly exceed all hopes and expectations.

Saffron Walden

This picturesque and tranquil place is home to a mere 15,500 + people and is a charming and desirable place to live. Saffron Walden is noted as one of the wealthiest places to reside in the UK and was also listed in the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live. With its medieval village and cobbled streets, it’s a beautiful place to be.

With 11 schools and colleges and a commute of 55 minutes into London and 20 minutes into Cambridge, this is an appealing and pretty place to live. With its famous Bridge End Gardens (which has the largest turf maze in England), and beautiful rose and walled gardens, Audley End House on the doorstep and the famous Market Square which has held markets since 1141, Saffron Walden has a lot to offer.

Housing the historic buildings on Castle Street, the timber clad surrounding structures, the independent boutiques and beautiful pubs and an amazing community spirit, you feel like you are in a bubble of loveliness. You never want to leave and you feel at home. Even though it is a tranquil medieval town, it is advanced and is modern in its approach.

Offering masses of green space, perfect for picnics, dog walkers and hikers, and the amazing playgrounds for the kids, it’s great for all the family and there is something for everyone. Aesthetically pleasing on the eye and lots to do, this little nook in Essex packs a punch and is loved by its residents because even though it is small and quaint, it certainly is large in character and history.

(No rights to images – Images owned by Visit Colchester, Google and Keystone Properties).