Moving to Colchester St Johns area soon

[Catskel]

Hi, we are moving into the St Johns area soon. We like the area hence why we are moving there, but we don’t know the area overly that well, so would appreciate any feedback on ‘living in St Johns area’ please.

Many thanks in advance 😊🏡

Hi are you talking about the highwoods area?

Hi, if your heading up the Ipswich road round about, instead of going left onto highwoods, go right instead that’s St John road. 😊

I think it's better than monkwick or greenstead. Largely residential. Colchester town is nice, little cafes and independent shops, good stuff at the local theatre and lots of available community groups if that's your thing, as well as the usual suspects shop and restaurant wise. I used to work in the area, lots of home visits etc and nothing really stood out about st John's or Highwoods, but in my industry that's not a bad thing.

Just a normal little residential area, not got a bad reputation. Just a short bus ride into town but it's handy for the A12 as well.

Colchester's good, especially the Castle and grounds.

I live in Edinburgh - and am Scottish - but spent years living in Colchester. My two eldest were born there! I loved it; it truly was a really nice place to bring up children, and the toddler groups were incredibly friendly. I also taught there. SUCH a nice town. Not sure everyone would agree, but I have only positive stuff to say.

Thanks for your message back 😊

Thanks everyone, glad to hear it seems like a nice quiet place, no problems😊

Looking to move to Colchester in July 2019. Been looking at highwoods and blackheath. Am so confused where to pick and worried ill make a bad area choice. Have 7 year old and 2 year old x

Hi, recently moved to St John's, which is near Highwoods and love it here. I drive so literally a 5 min drive into town. But if you don't drive and want to use a bus, it's every 20 mins into town and on a good day only takes 10 mins to get into town on the bus.
Definitely recommend the area, have friends who live in Highwoods who love it there as well. I work Blackheath way and wouldn't recommend that area so much. Hope you find somewhere lovely 😊

Can you recommend good schools to look in to please? As we wont be able to move till end of school year i worry about getting my daughther a place. Also my son in a nursery as he will be 3. Thanks

Hi, my children are in college and nearly finished secondary school so I am not sure regarding primary schools. I didn't live in Colchester when my kids were that age. But Friars Grove Primary school St Johns area and Highwoods Community Primary school seem good. I think there's a nursery relatively nearby, short car journey called Buzy Bees neare severalls as well. Sorry couldn't be more help. But best of luck with it all. Just bare in mind the good schools get full quickly! It's a lovely area to live. 😊