WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN ESSEX

[flossy17]

Hi this is my first time here, I may seem a bit daft as I am finding my way. I am currently looking to move from Chingford in east London to Essex. I was drawn towards Colchester area in particular Coggeshall. I am a single mum of 48 and I have a 9 year old boy who needs to have some nice new friends.
The reason for Coggeshall as I think a village would suit us better. I want to slow down a bit and play mum instead of working my bottom off!
Does anyone have any idea if Coggeshall would suit or anywhere else in Essex.
I really would appreciate your views and comments and along the way hopefully make some new friends myself.

Hello !

My son attends the secondary school in coggeshall, it is amazing ! I actually live in Halstead which is a small town just outside Colchester but has a few more amenities than Coggeshall.
Coggeshall is a lovely place to live however.

Thanks for your help. Its all a bit daunting and worrying that I don't make a mistake. I am looking around Essex my sister lives in Takeley which seems nice also a bit closer to London though I work from home so distance is not really a problem.
I just want an affordable place thats safe and nice to bring kids up.

Hi me again I was just looking on the Rightmove at houses in Halstead it looks like you get a lot for your money there and it seems a nice place. How do you find it?

Hi, I've just moved from Cyprus to colchester. I realy like it. I'm living in lexden which has great schools, fab houses and generally a nice area.

Hello, I like Halstead, the schools are good, the town is nice. I also moved my mother here a few years back from Colchester. I have lived here 9 years now.

Thanks for all your input. I went to Coggeshall and it is very pretty but a little too quiet for me. I will have a look around and visit Halstead and Lexden. I heard Lexden was nice.
I'm not looking to move until early next year but time flies and it will soon be around.

Hi me again I am also looking at Chelmsford or Saffron Walden any comments on these would be appreciated.

Lexden is nice, but is very much part of Colchester, so not a village really. Leafy, and some gorgeous houses that I eye with envy and think "when I win the lottery..."

We drive through Halstead on the way to my mums and I always (DH is probably a bit fed up of listening) say "ooh isn't Halstead nice, why doesn't anyone ever talk about moving here?" I don't know much about it other than driving through though, but I know it has a little theatre/ cinema - we went to see Andy from CBeebies there. I think because it doesn't have a station people don't consider it to move to.

Thanks LauraChant. I am looking all over really. Danbury seems to get a good mention and Great Chesterford in Saffron Walden seems nice.
Too much choice its all a bit daunting when you are single mum. The idea is to get within a family community so my son has more friends and options so the last thing I want is to isolate us even more.