Nice places to live around Tilbury

[Lskz]

Hi everyone!
We are relocating due to husbands work and need some advice on nice places to live. His work will be in Tilbury and so far what I understood it is not a good place to live. Correct me if I am wrong:) we would like to be in a town with a lot to do for a young family(ds is 1yo) and commutable to Tilbury(max40min by car). Currently thinking about Chelmsford, seems a decent town with nice places, schools and rests/cafes. Would you suggest to go there or t maybe you know other nice places to live somewhere not very far from Tilbury? Would appreciate any advice and thought. Thanks!

Chelmsford is a nice place to live. I moved from Cambridge (much against my better judgement, but I was in love and wanted to work in London!) 10 years ago, and we bought last year. I'd still rather live in Cambridge but can't afford it, sadly!

It's vastly improved since it gained city status in 2012. There's a new shopping area with a John Lewis and lots of naice shops (White Stuff, Cath Kidston, Hotel Chocolat) and restaurants, and masses of housing being built on the outskirts. There's meant to be a second station being built at Beaulieu, but it's been promised for 20 years so may not materialise.

The people are generic, with scales riding somewhere between Towie and rich farmer. There's a general feeling that Chelmsford is a small market town with ideas above its station, but that's mainly from the older people who don't like change. It was a bit of a shock coming from hippie, touristy Cambridge and to be honest I still haven't adjusted, but it's fine really. Politically it's very Tory. The MP is responsive but toes the party line. He's retiring next election.

Pros - improving town, lots of lovely countryside nearby, decent schools, parks, nearish London.
Cons - can get very busy, not much cultural stuff (though it is getting better), not exactly a pretty town.

Looking at the map I'd suggest you check the actual commute before moving, as the roads are busy and you might prefer to be closer to Tilbury.

Chelmsford is nice but not 40mins commute at rush hour to Tilbury. TheM25/A13 is a bastard even without chucking in problems at the QE2 bridge...Try Billericay or Brentwood. Upminster and Hornchurch also easily commute-able via back roads.

Lovely places around Brentwood. Dependant on budget though! Billericay is also nice.

"The people are generic"....what? That seems a breathtakingly ignorant and rude thing to say, unless I've read it wrong?

I used to work in Tilbury, in the community as an HVP and no I would not live there. I'd go east to Leigh on Sea or west cliff. Lots to do, up and coming and you can live by the sea. Chelmsford is a bit far. Wickford I'd quite nice and I've heard Benfleet and Rayleigh are good for families but I've not been there.

Not intended to be rude Beelands, just an observation. I've lived in Chelmsford for 10 years. It's not Cambridge, Brighton or even London - you get funny looks for wearing anything a bit different, and everyone looks the same.

I'd agree with your suggestion of Leigh or Westcliff, they're both lovely.

Leigh is absolutely lovely but the commute will be far more than 40mins - especially when it is sunny

Thanks everyone for the replies!
I will research a bit about suggested places. Any particular areas to avoid in Brentwood, Leigh on Sea and Chelmsford?
Thanks a lot

It would be quite difficult to get to Tilbury from Chelmsford especially in rush hour. Hornchurch/ Upminster is very nice and close. Chafford Hundred is nice too

Chafford Hundred is not nice. Don't consider it.

Brentwood is fine for the most part - I'd avoid pilgrims hatch if you can afford to but it is the most affordable part - for a reason. Estate agents in Leigh will give you a steer as to the best roads but it is very, very expensive and will exceed your 40mins journey time. Avoid Elm Park and Rainham in the Hornchurch / Upminster areas. Chelmsford is well outside your 40min journey time unless you are travelling at 2am! Ignore what google maps say...

I doubt you'll end up there due to journey time, but in Chelmsford the Moulsham triangle is the nicest bit (Victorian houses near the station/town/park). Moulsham behind Princes Road and Springfield are also very popular. Writtle is lovely but three miles out of town and pricey.

Melbourne is not great. Newlands Spring (behind Melbourne) is much nicer with a good school.

Hello! I am happy to have found this post:) I will start working in Tilbury as well soon and we have started to check some areas to rent. I have considered Rochester but i have been put off by what I've seen when visiting especially in Chattam and Strood. Does anyone recommend Gravesend? Seemed clean and quiet in the living areas, although not very pleasant on high Street.

Do not live in Tilbury! I would Consider Billericay, It's nice and the commute time would probably work.

Rays55, all the places you mention are across the Dartford Crossing in Kent. Do you really want to journey back and forth through it every day to work? Traffic jams are very regular and the cost of the toll, around £2 each way will soon mount up.

If I was working in Tilbury, I would probably look at places like Upminster, Warley (Brentwood), Langdon Hills or Horndon on the Hill to rent, or even Chafford Hundred which is a newish build.

I live in Horndon on the Hill, it's lovely!

Langdon Hills is nice, as are parts of Orsett but are building the new crossing via there so probably best to be avoided.

Chafford Hundred is a definite avoid!

Billericay, Ingatestone, Brentwood and Warley are nice.

Langdon Hills? Is that code for west Basildon? Or South Laindon?

Upminister, Hornchurch, Brentwood and Billericay are ideal geographically, but pricey. If you choose Sth Essex (Westcliff or Leigh) the commute is longer because of unpredictable traffic.

Avoid: Grays, Chafford Hundred, Tilbury, Basildon, Laindon, Pitsea.

Agree with littleflowershop about Orsett. The plans have just been approved and locals are unsurprisingly nervous about how it will affect the housing stock, pollution levels etc.

I wouldn't recommend the Dartford crossing on a daily basis either. Some days it's fine, other days a nightmare.

Also, consider the plans for the new Thames crossing which is going to Tilbury, I believe. It will take ten years to build. Consider where the new roads will be built.

Ray 55 - when moving to Kent, we were told,to,avoid the Medway towns. Rochester is okay, but not so much the other towns.

Think the new Thames crossing is,going east of Gravesend.

Maybe consider South Woodham Ferrers (30 mins to Tilbury). Nice, safe commuter town geared up for young families. A short drive to Chelmsford gives you more facilities but Swoof ( as it is known) has a safe playpen mentality with plenty to do, good primary schools and a very large secondary.

These places seemed to be nice and affordable(from photos), apart from the traffic around Dartford crossing. But i am now convinced after visiting that they have not much to offer for the price. It is a shame though because Rochester town center it is lovely. Will consider some of the areas mentioned above even if they are a bit pricey:) thank you all!

@highinthesky - Langdon Hills is a 'real place'. It's also very beautiful and has an ancient wood and massive country park. It's also one of the oldest settlements in the area some of which formed the famous 'plotlsnds' Genuine Langdon Hills is a very small area and is not to be confused with other areas around Laindon off of the High Road and beyond calling itself 'Langdon Hills' Laindon Hills however, is a new build area much the same as Chafford Hundred.

• plotlands

Langdon Hills could be called South Laindon or West Basildon, however it is a nice part of Basildon and I know there are some rough areas, as in most places. I suggested it because I don't know what budget Rays55 has in mind for renting. Upminster, Brentwood and Billericay are pricey but for all I know, could be affordable. On the other hand, the areas Rays55 has been considering in Kent are not pricey so I was trying to suggest places that are nice but not as expensive but within an easy commute of Tilbury.

Although Google suggests a 30 minute journey from South Woodham Ferrers to Tilbury, I do not think you could do that during rush hour. I certainly wouldn't consider it commutable every day.

Thank you all again for your answers. As i said above, before checking how these areas in Kent are I had in mind that it would be worth to commute to Tilbury even in the rush hours as the rent is cheaper. We are looking for a two bed flat/maisonette and would like to stay under £900, as long as it is a safe and family friendly area:)