Moving to Colchester area

[Foxxy24seven]

We are planning to move out of London and like the idea of going out towards Colchester, what are the nicest areas to live? Trying to weight up whether to stay around the town itself or look at outlying villages. Need to still get to London to work, and probably somewhere very remote would be too big a culture shock. Any tips welcome!

[morethanyoubargainfor]

great horksley,
Stoke by nayland,
nayland is ok.
East bergholt is very nice.
Hadleigh is nice and close to the a12
Upper/lower layham.

We moved up to suffolk/essex boarders 8 years ago from london and love. My DH commutes to london amongst other places regularly and doesn't find it too much of a strain.

HTH

[Onlyaphase]

There are lots of really nice villages around Colchester - I moved north a while ago but still miss living in Coggeshall (3 miles from Kelvedon station, 45 minutes to Liverpool Street)

I'd pick a bigger village rather than smaller as they tend to have more going on. Also it depends what you are looking for - lots and lots of people in Coggeshall had small children/babies so there was lots going on there for them.

Coggeshall is a biggish village, had a primary school, the 5th best comprehensive in Essex, a little library, pubs and restarants, butcher, flower shop etc. All this was good as it meant that on maternity leave I could walk everywhere with the pram rather than get in the car.

If I was moving back to Essex I'd look at Coggeshall again, and possibly Stoke by Nayland (further out but lovely) or the other villages north of Colchester. Depends on how short a commute you need.

There is also a community bus running from the village to the train station in case you don't want to drive to the station every day.

[morethanyoubargainfor]

oh yes coggeshall is lovely and it has a fantastic montessori nursery and primary school.

[PixiNanny]

I love Wivenhoe, spent a lot of time there a few years back. Pros: Down the train track from London, Clacton/Walton/Frinton/Other seaside towns, etc. Con: the train station is a hell of a walk from the main living area of Wivenhoe.

Nayland is lovely I will agree (paddle a lot there ), Brightlingsea is nice, but not any direct transport to London.

[Giltz]

Hey, live in colchester

If you are looking for further into town
St Marys area is nice
Streets of Lexden road and Maldon road are also nice notebly creffield road, Hamilton road, Constatine road.

I moved up from London nearly two years ago, It was a bit of a culture shock for me being in my mid twenties and having only lived in big cities. took a while to get used to shops shutting at 5/5.30 and town being empty on a Sunday.

Nayland is lovely. Happy house hunting

[chachachachacha]

Colchester is great - we moved about 8 years ago and have never looked back.

Lovely villages, great schools and very family friendly as well as being close to London

Nayland and Stoke by Nayland are lovely.
Great Horkeseley is not so good.
West Bergholt has a lovely school and is reasonably close to the station as well as quick cut through to the A12.

I'd recommend Lexden/St Mary's as town areas.

The mn local section is pretty active normally if you want a bit more info!

[Foxxy24seven]

Wow, thanks everyone for all your replies - only joined Mumsnet last night, had no idea whether I'd get much of a response.

We had a drive round Lexden, and that looked really nice. And ideally I'd like to get my older son into the grammar school in a couple of years - but would need to find a primary or prep school before that. I also liked the look of Coggeshall, and thought that might work well with it being near to Kelvedon.

Nayland is new to me though, so thanks for everyone who mentioned that, I'll definitely go for a scout there.

One other question - some bits of the town did have a bit of an edgy feel when we took the kids on Sunday morning, which surprised me. Totally different when we got over to the castle and the park, which was almost idyllic, and what a great playground. One of the reasons we're moving is that I don't much fancy bringing up teenaged boys in east london, the crime is so bad. What's Colchester town centre like safety wise?

Once again, thanks for all your views!

[PixiNanny]

As a young person used too the town centre, the nights aren't pretty! I went up in August for a night out and a very barbaric girl fight was happening down the road as we waited for our taxi home (ended up hopping into the back of a friends van as the fight escalated), and it's quite a common occurance for late night/early morning fights on Thursdays/Fridays and Saturdays. During the early evening and day it's lovely though, and you won't have to worry about the nights out for a few years to come yet

[chachachachacha]

I don't think the town is that bad - there are places that you wouldn't go but I think that is the same for any town these days. I've felt safe when I've been out and about both in the evening and day time.

What I do think is good is that there is a range of 'groups' - yes you get those that overdo it - but there are also groups of emo kids, punks, posh kids etc - but I think the actual crime is considerably lower than east london - there really isn't any gun crime and minimal knife crime. Most is drink related. Have a look on the Colchester Gazette website for local news/crime reports.

Lots of private schools around Lexden. Also have Littlegarth in Nayland - don't know what that's like though.

Wivenhoe is nice too - look in Lower Wivenhoe - lots of people I know moved from London and still commute in.

[Giltz]

Town is busy at the weekends.Dont forget Colchester is a barrack town so loads of soldiers male and female letting off steam at the weekend. (evenings only)

My DP little cousin goes to little garth from what I hear its a lovely school.

[nikos]

Nothing much happens in Colchester and you will find it a culture shock after London. All the shops are smaller versions of the main chainstores so the shopping is dire. Schools are very good and the boys and girls grammer are excellent but hugely competitive to get into.
I really disliked living there but each to their own

[littletree]

Can't believe nobody has mentioned Dedham! Definitely the most beautiful village around Colchester. Fantastic local C of E with strong parent involvement. Well served village- butcher, chemist, fab co-op, deli, boutiques, gift shop, award winning pubs and restaurants, stunning views and landscapes, strong community, amazing (though expensive) properties. Great links to London- Nothing compares really.

[Lopes06]

Hi everyone and sorry Foxy for jumping on your post. We are a also planning a house move but are a bit unsure between Kent and Colchester. My partner will be commutting to London so close to A12 would be good as what he mostly mentions is the traffic on the A12 and having a log commute would be horrible as he works shifts.
I love Kent but feel that we are possibly priced out of most nice areas.
Can anyone advice whether there are job opportunities in the Colchester/ Suffolk area?
Foxxy24 if you've moved which area did you settle in ?
Thanks again.

[AS123]

HI THERE,
At present we live in Bukinghamshire, My daughter got place in CCHS. but having second thoughts in moving to colchester,.
my question is IS colchester is better place than bukinghamshire for the kids. I have 7yrs son as well.

[rosybell]

I agree Dedham is beautiful! Although growing up there you don't feel well connected to the town for a night- where as places like Wivenhoe/West Bergholt/Rowhedge are closer to town and better for teenagers imo.

Wivenhoe is lovely, pretty riverside village with stuff happening plus the train link to London.

I really don't think Colchester is any worse than any other town. For cultural stuff, First site art gallery is good, plus a Curzan cinema is opening soon. I agree, it's not the same as living in a city but London is close enough to still feel connected.

[llhj]

The behaviour of some of the soldiers on the weekend is absolutely disgusting. Urinating and vomiting in the street commonplace. Colchester town centre at night is not pleasant at all. I'd rather be walking around Harlesden frankly.

[NevaehX1X]

Heya just wondering can anyone give me advice I'm from Dublin in ireland and I am thinking of moving to colchester i have 4 children ages 14 12 11 and 10 3 boys 0ne girl just wondering is colchester a nice place for kids thank you

[butterflytrail]

The riverside estate is the best place to live in Colchester. It's smack bang in the middle of a beautiful park and it's affordable. Quiet, peaceful and town/leisure centre/train station all minutes away. Amazing.

[faithpope]

Looking at relocating to Colchester soon. I am a bit concerned about the crime rate in Colchester. Anyone has a recent info about the safety and security in Colchester? As well affordable housing. Thank you..

[ErickBroch]

I went to uni there - lived there for four years in total, and then ended up working for a charity there after and commuting. Colchester is a nice town centre, good shops and nature too.

In general, I would avoid the Greenstead area entirely, and also The Hythe due to students everywhere and following that - a lot of burglaries.

[faithpope]

Thank you ErickBroch. So Greenstead and Hythe are off limits what area would you recommend in terms of safety and affordability?

[Tamouter]

I was wondering the same, with all the stabbing news in colchester is it still safe?And is it also safe for a coulorfull family to live there?

[BLJ124]

No, avoid Colchester! I live here. Reasons: check out the hospital - it has been in special measures, barely coping and as the town grows, it will not cope. Visit the town at key times: 7.30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and discover that the traffic is frequently at a standstill. Drive around the outskirts - Colchester is said to be the fastest growing town in England and that sad reality is borne out by the huge spread of new-builds everywhere, hence the traffic jams and the barely coping hospital. Compare Colchester's town centre with Chelmsford or Ipswich. Colchester = coffee shops, nail bars and charity shops. Don't be fooled - it's not just Britain's oldest town, it is Britain's most over-developed town with a centre which is slowly dying and roads and amenities which are stretched to breaking point. Granted there are lovely villages beyond the town's boundaries but don't be fooled by pretty hamlets - judge by ease of travel, range of shops and good health provision.

[Tamouter]

Thanks BLJ124

[Inferiorbeing]

I lived in colchester, it was fine but we ended up buying a house in braintree instead! The villages around colchester are okay, town centre is fine but there is a lot of students and a lot of areas to avoid! Braintree is fine but we would much rather chelmsford, we just couldn't afford it as FTB