Offered a job in Colchester - relocation

[Strawberry72]

Hi,

I haven't accepted the post yet as I applied to another hospital but they've offered Colchester (a bit worried as it's in special measures). It is a promotion for me and a role I've been after a while.

However, I have NEVER been to Colchester! I am going next week for a couple of days though to help me decide. We are from the north east not far from the North Yorkshire Moors. I am very unhappy where I am now though (work) due to awful shifts (esp nights) and frustration at being kept down.

I may have the option of staying in Colchester 3 days a week and returning home 4 days (I get free train travel - perk of hubby's job) so I am considering not relocating all together and either renting somewhere (although not ideal) or staying in hospital accommodation.

What is it like and what places (to live) should be avoided? I am worried about the cost of housing south compared to north but I would love to live south! We are mortgage free up here and own another property in trust.

Any advice would be great!

I live near Colchester.
It has it's nice bits and not so nice bits, like any town.

Overall, I would live there. Nice high street, loads of Roman history etc.

Bury at edmunds is 15 miles up the road, that's better if you could get it.

I lived in colchester for 3 years, some bits can be rough with a big uni and garrasion in the town and traffic is bad at the moment as they have serious roadworks.

The outlying villages are lovely and I would look around the west side near lexden/stanway. My favourite village is rowhedge. Definitely avoid greenstead (it is not up and coming regardless of what an estate agent will say!). There is also a lot of new builds going up very quickly so consider how busy the roads will get.

It's not as expensive as other neighbouring towns but will probably be a lot more than you're used to!

I moved nearby 10 years ago, I like it. Avoid Greenstead as mentioned, also parts of Highwoods. If I could afford it I'd live in Lexden. Lots of good Victorian housing stock all around town. Decent shops and not too far to the coast.

Bury st Edmund's 100%
Tattingstone?

I hrew up there and live about 20 mins outside it now.

Do not move to Highwoods, long ridge, greenstead or white city.

The villages around are quite nice and as pp said Lexden is nice.

Purely hypothetical theory here but I’m guessing it’s a management type job or consultant etc for you to be considering moving this far?

If so I doubt you would be looking at Greenstead type area anyway! Lots of senior management live in the villages surrounding Colchester (I work at the hospital). Lexden area is nice, good access to the grammar schools obviously.

Colchester as a place I love. I’ve lived all over the world and I’m happy here. Very close to London without being too close. Near to the sea. Castle park is lovely. A good cultural scene and lots of food and drink places.

Now ask about working at the hospital

Bury St Edmunds is indeed lovely, but is 42 miles away (not 15!) and it would take about an hour to drive between the two places...

We live on Highwoods, in Colchester & are very happy here. We came from London, all three of our boys were born in the hospital. Lots of outlying villages if you wanted to all relocate. Highwoods is very convenient for the hospital, I can walk through the country park to get there in about 15 minutes. St John’s is nice and quiet, although if you’ve got secondary age kids, have a really good look at catchments.

Long Melford?