The most family friendly place in Essex?

[nousernamesareworking]

My husband and I were born and raised in Central London. However, were tired of the scenery and want a nice, quiet place to move to where we can raise a family. Our initial thought was Essex and a family member suggested moving to Rainham. Unfortunately, were both very ignorant of places outside of London and I was hoping that some of you mumsnetters could help!
Is Rainham a nice, family friendly place to raise children? (we have only visited a couple of times, but we like what we have seen. However, the opinion of someone who is there more often/perhaps lives there would be more helpful).
Are there other areas in Essex that are nicer to bring up a family?
Thanks! :)

[KitCat26]

North west Essex is beautiful. Dunmow, Saffron Walden, Newport, Quendon, all lovely places. Quite biased though as I grew up not far from there in Bishops Stortford (which is herts and also nice).

It would be a serious shock to the system if you have grown up in central London, quiet and green though.

[JoanByers]

I was in Ongar recently, it was hideous, not the town which was pleasant enough, but all the TOWIE types.

[Thisisaeuphemism]

Take this, you Southend nay-sayers!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20850856

[AttillaTheMum]

I'm in south woodham ferrers and When we move we will go to Maldon!

[Cazza72]

Another vote for Billericay. An Brentwood born & bred, but left to move to billericay about 17 years ago, along with loads of people I was at school with as for sine reason (probably as a little further from London) houses much cheaper than Brentwood. IMO billericay far nicer than Brentwood. Lake Meadows, Norsey Woods, good schools, a lovely High Street not full of chain stores or warehouse pubs (other than the Blue Boar - but every town has to have one!). Oh, and the essential Waitrose! 35 mins into Liverpool Street. I love it and would never want to live anywhere else.

[moomoomar]

Nothing wrong with Southend!

[kennyp]

Hornchurch waitrose has shut down now
Romford subway always over charges me

Glad to help ;)

[shellyf]

I lived in Rainham in 1988 and didn't much like it
Escaped from Thurrock fourteen years ago.and have never been back.

[PessaryPam]

Essex is the Marmite county, you either love it or hate it. I did my time there and I am out now.

[strumpetpumpkin]

we have a waitrose in colchester

[FellatioNelson]

Where did you live Pam? I would disagree that the whole county is 'marmite.' at least no more than any other county. Although I would totally agree that certain towns are 'marmite' They are all in south Essex though. Sugar Hut territory is a case in point, but honestly NOWHERE in north or mid Essex is like that. There is plenty of money in evidence, but it is less flashy without a doubt.

[GailTheGoldfish]

kennyp the little Waitrose in Hornchurch near the bingo hall has shut down? I'm surprised, it only opened a couple of years ago....

[MadameCastafiore]

Coggeshall is beautiful but the local comp has gone down hill recently. Given all the kids iPads and stopped teaching them anything useful. I know of scores if kids who have left and are now reformed, iPad attached zombie look has gone and they find they can actually write still!

[MmeGuillotine]

Honywood was awful when I lived in Coggeshall. I was amazed to recently hear that it is classed as 'outstanding'. I heard about the iPad thing too, which sounded very over the top.

[ohfunnyFRANKENface]

Coggeshall LOOKS pretty.

[MatureUniStudent]

Thought I would just add, in case it helps you decide, Chelmsford has a Primark and will get its John Lewis (yes I said John Lewis - v excited MatureUni face) in 2013. For those in the know, where the car park is behind Gap - they will have an underground car park. Also a Waitrose is being rebuilt where the old post office is.

I love North Essex but I am also v keen on South Suffolk as you get SO MUCH more for your money there.

[kennyp]

gail the goldfish. Yes its gone never to come back .... Sign on window Tells people to go to the upminster one instead.
The stationery shop has also closed down.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

kennyp I love Romford- and we have 2 Subways because we are class


(I actually think my DC are very lucky growing up in Romford. Loads on their doorstep, unlike where I spent my teenage years, which was very picturesque but sooo boring)

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I went to the Waitrose in Hornchurch once. Very wide aisles but bugger all in it.
There's one in Upminster though and SouthWoodford.

[kennyp]

I forgot about the one near asda. Its the one near the station that over charges me.

My dream pillow would be a foot long tuna toasted with extra cheese red onion and tomato l...... Which is a different thread for a different time and nothing to do with family friendly essex

[DamnBamboo]

Rainham is a bit of a dump. My DH grew up there, and a lot of his relatives and childhood friends live there so we go often.

If you can get the same elsewhere, I would consider it. Upminster and Hornchurch are both much nicer (Basildon and Dagenham are however much worse)

[financialwizard]

My husband lived in South Woodham Ferrers and said that whilst a nice place it is very cliquey and does not have much going on.

My bil lives in Maldon and it is lovely, if I had the money I would buy there. My sil is in Colchester. Personally I don't like it but it may be because it is a garrison town and my husband is due out soon! My Aunt is in Chelmsford, and some parts are quite nice.

We have decided to move to Lincolnshire instead for affordability.

[GailTheGoldfish]

Noooo kennyp not the stationary shop too, the lady who ran that was lovely I haven't been back since I moved away 18 months ago but sounds like that end of the high street is dying off, such a shame...

[danburymemories45]

Hello, i also went to Danbury Park and had always wanted to get in touch with mr Hudson.
he was an inspiration to me in Gymnastics, and was a lovely man.

Sadly another teacher made me make my own dunces hat and wear it in the class whilst standing in the corner.I hated that school..

Would you mind letting me know how to contact Mr Hudson?

Many thanks.

[Dwilliams]

Hi
We are relocating from the Cotswolds to Essex. I don't know the area at all. Our children are 9 and 6. Have been researching online, Danbury, Ingatestone, Gosfield, Shenfield. Can anyone suggest where we should start for a drive around? Ideally with good private schools relatively nearby and access to station into Liverpool Street. Thanks! 😀