Thinking of moving to Colchester

[Majorca132]

Hi. My husband and I are thinking about moving to Colchester and we're planning a trip around the area soon to get a better feel. Does anyone live in colchester themselves, can offer any insight to what areas are great, what to avoid, and other things to look out for?

We prob have around £450,000 to spend and with that we need a fairly decent commute to London eg close to a station that's around 1 hour, 3 or 4 beds, bit of a countryside feel would be ideal, and close to a good primary school.

Thanks to anyone who can help

I'd suggest searching for threads on here as there have been so many about Colchester recently.

Make sure you are near the main north Colchester Station (not Colchester Town). The smaller stations have fewer services and if you have to change trains it'll be over an hour to Liverpool Street.
Check your commuting costs - that line is quite pricey.
I can't really guide on areas as haven't lived there for 12 years, but if you want a countryside location you'll probably have to drive to the station (so I'd check parking arrangements too).

Also consider the other side of the town. Marks Tey station has more trains than Colchester Town and is a lovely area. It's nearer the zoo too.

I live on the outskirts and DH commutes from Marks Tey. There are lots of nice villages in the area but you'll need to drive to a station or commute on a branch line first.
Check out Bures, Chappel, Earls Colne and areas around Marks Tey. All very nice.

Remember colchester atm wont have the students, it's a big uni town so it had a different feel during term time.

Wivenhoe has a train station which may be good, or lexden is nice. Colchester town station or hythe station can be very slow so definitely aim more at the main station.

There is lots of nice villages and also lots of areas to avoid such as greenstead. Stanway is alright but is building up very quickly with new builds so can get congested.

Colchester also won't have the school traffic twice a day as well. Worth considering especially given the high concentration of schools in the Lexden area.

Thanks everyone for your advice! :)