Moving to Clacton from London- am I mad?

[Elouera]

OH & I need a change. We've lived in a vibrant part of Central/East London 15+yrs, but would love a garden and to live near the sea. We are looking at Holland-on-sea (very near Clacton). Its near his parents and although we have spent time with them, we have never lived or worked in the area. We don't have kids, so schools aren't an issue, but in our early 40's and I realise its a rather aged population. Living near the sea is lovely, but I do wonder if maybe Chelmsford or Colchester might be a better choice? OH works from home and I'd hope to find something local, and not be commuting back to London. Any honest thoughts or experience appreciated.

There are some lovely towns on or near the Essex coast.
Clacton is not one of them.

I'd look at one of the other seaside towns in Essex, I live in south essex and Clacton does not have a good reputation

Have you considered St Leonard's? Margate is getting pretty popular too. I don't know if you need it to be in Essex though...

Pfffft... Some very nice homes. I can see some attraction.
We have relatives there.

But They elected the only UKIP MP. Just saying.

I wouldn’t.

The countryside outside Colchester ( Bures, Wormingford etc) would be a much better choice ,or if the sea is really important Frinton just up the coast has a better reputation.

I'm aware Jaywick is a deprived area, but know little about Clacton. I like Kent, and we have cousins there, but OH would like to live closer to his parents who are in North Essex. All my family are abroad.

I went to Clacton once. Never again.

Clacton has a nice nature reserve, cheap housing, the beach at Walton is full of great fossils. It's sleepy. We liked Southend better, though. Why not go for Suffolk if you can live somewhere sleepy & very very nice countryside.

Southwold or near there, or even Norfolk...Clacton probably isn't your scene....

I work in an Education Authority which has to deal with very many social issues. Tendring is always used as an example of one that is much much worse!

Sadly, it's like any other working class area where there isn't enough work paying a living wage. Those who have moved out to the coast can afford beautiful homes. The "natives" are mostly suffering from poor quality education and other deprivations.

That said, I do know someone who has done exactly as you're suggesting, except she's doing the 2 hour commute and she seems very happy so far. As with most deprived towns, there are some very nice areas.

I live in Colchester and would not recommend Clacton!!
How about Brightlingsea or Wrabness/Bradwell area still a bit coastal!

I meant Bradfield not Bradwell!!

Clacton is a shit hole. Villages between Colchester and Chelmsford are quite nice.

Villages to the north of Colchester are lovely. Clacton is horrible.

I would look at places like Manningtree.

You are more likely to get jobs in chelmsford or colchester. Manningtree, tiptree, coggeshall, kelvedon are all villagy but you can easily get to colchester and chelmsford from them.

The notleys are nice as well.

Clacton is a dump, Southend is a dump, the Notleys are basically part of Braintree... which is a dump.

Colchester is a recovering army town, has nice parts and dodgy parts. Chelmsford is ok but fairly dull. The villages around them are pretty though.

If you really want to live in or near a town by the sea in Essex maybe consider Mersea Island (if you can live with being cut off from the mainland twice a day) which is close to Colchester, or Leigh on Sea, but don’t stray into Westcliff... it’s a dump.

Well houses are cheap and it's by the sea.
However both Clacton and Jaywick have lots of social problems now. It was not always like this, in the late 70s, when Butlins was there and people had employment it was a lovely community. I hope things will improve for Clacton and Jaywick. Look at Frinton or Walton, or St Osyth?

Or as it’s known around these parts, “Cracktown”. It’s a hard no from me. How about Whitstable?

'Cracktown'- OMG, never heard that!!! As said, neither of us have lived in the area, other than visiting OH's parents in a nearby village. OH likes the idea of joining the sailing club but I'm feeling like a larger town might be better. We don't see it as a forever home, as may end up being for OH's parents to live in. Its Holland-on-sea we are looking at or Frinton, not Clacton town itself, but realise they are all very close by

Frinton is very different to Clacton - more money, inhabited by an older population but great for children.

I had all my summer holidays at Clacton! Me and my pals cycled all the way there once from Colchester. We were so proud of ourselves.
It's like any run down seaside town. Go for it your fond of the beaches but be prepared for some social problems and not much to do. Colchester has more going for it.
Have a go on the ghost train for me though!

I vote for villages outside of Chelmsford. Where I am. Pretty, relatively safe, and very central for gorgeous coastline, beautiful countryside and easy access to London for culture and food (there’s no Just Eat or Uber out here!)

Oh and I forgot to add - definitely NOT Clacton.

Clacton is one of the most deprived towns in the UK. I wouldn't choose to live there.

Colchester and Chelmsford would have better work opportunities for you (but still an easy commute back to London while you look for a new job). Or maybe a village near to one of them. Ingatestone maybe?

Or if being by the coast is a priority, perhaps Leigh on Sea?

Fuck no.