Chelmsford or Bishops Stortford?

[lblythe]

We will be moving out of London soon with our 2 year old and one on the way, and we are really torn when it comes to where to move to.

We are considering Chelmsford (lots of friends and family there, schools seem good, some nice green spaces) or Bishops Stortford (again schools seem great, town looks charming). We're used to the bustle of Islington and like some life around us, but we're desperate for a bigger house with a proper garden and somewhere a bit safer. Husband needs to commute into town so proximity to the station will be important.

Does anyone have experiences of either, or ideally both with a young family?

Thanks in advance,

Leanne

We live around 10 minutes away from Bishops Stortford and 35 minutes from Chelmsford. Chelmsford is obviously much bigger with a lot more going on and I’m not too sure of the transport links I can only assume they are good.
Bishops Stortford is a nice town with lots of food places and nice shops. Transport links are good etc. Also lots of schools all of which I believe are very good.
We looked at both areas to move to but decided to move to a smaller village on the outskirts as house prices were more reasonable.

Good luck

Thanks Charley39 - do you have a preference for one or the other in terms of friendliness, community, facilities for families etc?

I’d say we are more drawn to Bishops Stortford being that bit smaller but still loads of places to meet for young families/groups and also lots of the villages nearby etc have lots going on.
Tbh we only go to Chelmsford for shopping purposes really as has more high street brands available.

I prefer Stortford.