Colchester

[MadgeMak]

We're thinking of moving to Colchester to get more space for our money as we're outpriced in the area we currently live. Looking for a 3 bed house in a family orientated area with good schools and within walking distance to the train station (need to commute into London).

Budget is up to 280k. Is this doable?
Any areas to avoid?

You'd be looking at North Colchester to walk to the station (if you mean the main station with direct trains to London). I lived on the Northfields development for a bit, however people that still live there are having terrible issues with parking (not enough spaces per household and near the hospital/station so people park there all day) and the estate still not being finished after 8+ years.

Example house on Northfields: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80121947.html. That's a 4-bed so slightly over your budget in any case, but shows you where the development is.

This is on Bergholt Road - a nice road although can get pretty busy and you'd want a driveway ideally as street parking again is an issue: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68756995.html

The postcode for the station is CO1 1XD so maybe try a rightmove search within a mile or so of that (depending on how far you want to walk!). The bits of Colchester to avoid are Greenstead (the other side of town so not really commutable) and parts of New Town (again, wrong side of town for commuting).

Check out the commute.

I lived there 20 years ago and even then the only way of getting a seat on some trains into London was by buying a 1st Class ticket.

I found the commute a nightmare, although that was at the time of Hatfield. To get to my office in Aldgate by 8.30am - 9am I had to be on the 6.30 train.

It may have changed but make sure you check it out.

Are you specifically looking for town living? kelvedon might work for you. But in general forget about getting a seat on the train, it's been a problem for at least 25 years!
I like Colchester though it's a nice and friendly town

Stanway has some reasonable properties, you could jump on a bus as its 3 miles from the town.

Colchester is not bad and unlike other stations (i.e. Witham and Chelmsford), there is always parking (about £115 per month) so I wouldn't worry about living right next to the station since this will bump up the house price quite a bit. I think it's definitely doable and the train times have reduced a bit from before I believe. I don't really think there is a bad area per se, Monkwick will probably be cheaper because of the military jail but I wouldn't say it's bad. Stanway, CO3 I think, has lots of shops (a new retail park is coming as well with cinema & restaurants) and Colchester town, CO2, is very convenient with its own station (if you really want to walk). Colchester has been gentrified so if you read old posts about military and pub fights, just ignore them since they are not relevant anymore.

I would go for a 3 story newer home, since you will probably get the most for your money, like this: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80676371.html

You could try Marks Tey/copford or as PP said Kelvedon but I don't think that you will find a 3 bed for 280K in walking distance of either station. SImilarly there is unlikely to be much in Braiswick area either although this might suit. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60342351.html
There appears to be an issue with primary school places in the area near Colchester station, even though there are 2 new primary schools in the area. There was also a problem with senior school places this year as well. There are 2 excellent grammar school but the 11 plus is VERY competative- tutoring is rife.
I would not touch Bergholt Road - restricted on street parking and very busy during the day and a nightmare at the weekend, and mainly 2 beds in your price range.
You might find an ex council house in West Bergholt- nice village, good primary school and decent bus service to the station.
You could commute from New Town via Colchester Town station but the parking there is an on going problem, and I think the trains from Town are stoppers.
Getting a seat on the train will be fun! I struggled from Marks Tey 30 years ago. Also remember you are looking at over £6k for an annual season ticket
Maningtree might be a cheaper bet.

Thanks all, lots to think about.

Hi again OP
I don't want to be dismissive, but I don't think it will be easy for you to get what you want with easy access to the main station in Colchester. Have you considered Wivenhoe- its in the Borough of Colchester on the river- close to the University of Essex. Nice village but the road journey into Colchester is not great. There are 2 primary schools. Longer journey time to London (75min) , on the Clacton line so fewer direct trains. There are several 3 beds at the 280K mark on Rightmove.
The alternative is Sudbury or even Bures if you want a village-BUT commuting is tricky as there is a single track railway line from there to Marks Tey, on the Main Line. Sudbury is a market town with Waitrose, Tesco. Sainsburys and Aldi. small branches of many chains and independent shops as well as twice weekly market, leisure centre, decent primary schools.

Hi OP,

We looked at Colchester when we were moving to be nearer to DH work. There was a lot about the area we didn't like, and we ended up settling in a village near Sudbury. As a PP has suggested, Sudbury is a lovely market town but the single track to marks Tey is a pain. The train is usually packed in the morning. We live a few miles out and don't have to commute, so it's not an issue for us but I adore our little village and it's the best move we've ever made. If you decide to make the move to Sudbury, give me a shout and I'll show you the ropes!

Have you looked at Manningtree? Under an hour into London, and a lovely little town.

Manningtree is a good idea. 10 minutes further up the line from Colchester but all fast trains stop there on the way to/from London. A lot of commuters live on Lawford Dale, a 5-10 minute walk to the station. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57006252.html is on Lawford Dale, to give you an idea.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70659346.html

This is a lovely new build within walking distance of Sudbury Station. I'm trying to talk my sister into buying it

Also worth noting with Sudbury, there are lots of good primary schools and tons of nurseries if you need early years. Also 2 very good secondary schools that you'd be in catchment for, one of which is walkable distance from the house I've linked to above.