Is Chelmsford a safe and friendly place to raise children and is it diverse in cule, are

[tulin08]

Hi all, We are thinking of moving to Chelmsford from Bath as it is nearer to London in terms of being nearer to family, it is coming up on google search as a save and good place to raise a family with good schools? I would very much love to hear from any one who has a real perspective on Chelmsford and who can share some insight, also we are looking at more diversity and culture and Chelmsford seemed to tick all the boxes?Thank you in advance for your time to read this and your feedback

(Typo) "Culture"

Chelmsford is great - a biggish city with lots to do and lots of shops. It's busier now than it's ever been, and there are thousands of houses going up in and around the area. If you've got kids check school capacities etc. But I think the culture and vibe is generally good. You'll get your proper "essex" stereotypes there but also less-essex people, and you'll come across a few chavs/rough and ready people but no harm done.

I don't live in Chelmsford but have lived in areas around it all my life, and frequently go there, have a friend there, only live a 20 min drive etc.

Only thing is if you're commuting to London the station is insanely busy. If you lived in an area where you had to drive to the station I think you'd struggle to get parking- so try and be walking distance or at least where it's on a bus route. Trains also very regular.

I'd agree with the above - lived just outside Chelmsford for a lot of my life, and it's a great place.
Close to several other "hubs" too like London, Colchester, the beach... all within the hour for travelling..

Definitely worth living in and around

I'm from chelmsford and love it there, its developed a lot over recent years (look at bond street) and is a nice town. It had the grammar schools but nearly all of the surrounding schools are good (as a teacher I say avoid Hylands or anywhere near there). The outer villages are nice, I grew up in Great Baddow and miss it! Theres some areas of crime and gangs as to be expected, particularly in the areas of Melbourne or meadgate however it is all very much contained within the groups.

I'm also heading there right now on the train from braintree as there is some lovely bars in the town centre!

I grew up in Chelmsford too, it's a lovely place to raise kids. Agree that if you don't need to be super close to the station then places like Great Baddow, Sandon or Writtle are very nice. On the culture front, it depends what you're used to - it's definitely not London or Manchester or Birmingham but there are things going on. Possibly after Bath you will find it a bit quiet...but very easy to get into London for museums, concerts, theatre etc. In terms of diversity, I don't remember it being very diverse when I was growing up - but that was twenty years ago, things might have changed (don't remember any non-white students in my year at secondary school, for example).

Thanks all for your feedback. The more research I am doing the more I'm becoming drawn to the area. I will take a visit and get a real feel of Chelmsford! I like the idea of living closer to the city centre, any suggestions of good primary and secondary religious schools in the area and safe places to live near the city centre? Thanks in advance for your time.

What religion? There aren't any CoE secondaries however st John payne is a good catholic one. Not sure on primaries! Near the city centre it depends what you mean, I would look around great baddow (5 minute drive to city centre), chelmer village (5/10 minute drive), broomfield (10 minute drive) or springfield (5/10 minutes depending on which side). Boreham could also be an option as it has a decent primary school however is a bit further out, same with Danbury. As I mentioned before avoid Melbourne (around the kings road area in the town centre and also near the Hylands school) and also near the university.

Oh and also I would avoid baddow road, there is potential future issues there with it being earmarked to be turned into a bus lane, although those are on pause at the moment as the flyover is closed.

Although Writtle is Hyland is catchment , you can send to other secondary schools . It’s a lovely village with a very good junior school . Good pubs and events on the green . Chelmsford has various park and rides for station . You can easily walk to station from the avenues off Broomfield rd . Hylands Park has great play park too .

Church of England is a preference, however will consider a Catholic School. I will look into the areas you have all suggested, I don't mind driving into town 5- 10 drive... as I don't want to be around problem areas, I will look in the catchment area for a good CoE primary school a little distance away from town.. I read from a recent article that Springfield is not a good area to raise kids? Thanks so much for all your feedback, this is really helping to further my research.

Tbh Springfield seems fine to me however I dont live there (friends do) and don't have kids. A friend who does have kids sends them to a primary school in chelmer village however I don't know if that's due to poor school quality or conivence with childcare! The best way is probably just to walk around the areas. I have no issue going out in chelmsford alone or for a night out with girlfriends however the same can't be said for braintree or colchester!