Moving to Essex (Shenfield)

[Beenzie]

Hey Everyone,
First time posting here but desperately need advice. I am thinking of moving to Mountnessing, about a 5min bus ride from Shenfield. Found a lovely house that I can afford on Roman Road but I am so confused about whether this is a good decison. I am looking for a peaceful surrounding, with nice people and culture. Ingatestone high road is lovely (but it is always shut), not sure when people come out. Shenfield is near but have no idea what the restaurants, pubs and culture is like. Also, commuting to London seems so expensive around £23 per day. Is this correct? I don't have kids yet but plan to. I want to makes friends and live in a nice area. Any advice or comments would be grately appreciated.

John a Facebook group specifically for the local area.

Hi @Beenzie. If you want p&q buying a house on the Roman road is not a great idea. It’s a very busy road with speeding cars. Mountnessing is cheaper for a reason and is cheaper than either ingatestone or Shenfield as it’s neither a town nor a village. There are Only one or two shops, none of which are convenience stores. It also has no rail station. And both Shenfield and ingatestone are expensive to use for both rail and parking as they have frequent fast trains to L’pool st. If the A12 is blocked or busy i’m afraid the road is a rat run. On the upside, pubs are good and there is public green space and a tennis club. Maybe consider Brentwood or Billericay for a quieter location (rail is still expensive) or look at nicer parts of Langdon Hills/Laindon/steepleview/west Horndon for cheaper rail travel on the c2c line (goes to fenchurch st). Do you want to post a link to the house you’re interested in to get feedback? Obviously Roman Road isn’t completely shite or Eric Pickles wouldn’t live on it

Thanks for your comments. The house is opposite the tennis club an green space so not a bad area. It is a bit noisy with traffic but not too bad compared to other congested streets with cars parked on the road side. I do like the space here but you are right Ingatestone station and Shenfield station are a 5min bus ride or 10 mins cycle ride away. There are no sjops and one would defintely need a car out there but with the crossrail coming I feel it may be bound to develop over the years? It isnt cheao here just a tad bit better then neighbouring place. Just so confused.

Hi @Beenzie. Where are you at the moment? Mountnessing is a no-man’s land re:schooling so if you are considering starting a family, bear that in mind. Visit the house when schools are back and on a weekday. The traffic levels are very different. Saturdays are also very busy. Bear in mind next to the tennis club is the village hall which will mean late night parties Friday/Saturday which you might want to consider. If you are looking at a house opposite the tennis club, consider also the noise from both pubs. It might not be bother you but does bother some that there is a traveller encampment just up the road. If you want a vibrant social scene I’d say to buy in Brentwood or Shenfield. Mountnessing is quite isolated.

Thank you for all your advice. I'm in Gidea Park at the moment renting. But wanted to move out of Romford so decided to go further into Essex. The house is really great and it sounds like the area is pretty active with pubs and the village hall so might not be as secluded as one thought? I don't mind the noise as you do'nt hear it inside but was more concerned about transport, given the bus is every half hour and expensive and so is travel from Shenfield. I'm not looking for a social scene per se, just more finding like minded people to interact with and hangout in the area. Also, schools will eventually be something I will need to look into in a few years (hopefully), there is a nice nursery there and schools a short drive away right? Does the catchment allow up to 3 miles?

I know someone in Mountnessing and they are very happy there. The primary is actually very good, it's one form entry and has a good community feel. Several potential secondaries in Brentwood/Ingatestone. I'm in Shenfield so not far away - again, close community, lots of independent shops on the high street, a couple of nice bars and restaurants and quick into London.

Thank you for your positive comment @spartanthehorse. I was about to call the whole thing off and pull the offer. I keep wondering if it's so bad why people live there and why the house prices are high. Can you confirm is they work in the city? Or are they retired by any chance?

@Dickiegreenleaf you mentioned travellor encampment. Do you know if this is unaurothised? and could this pose a threat?

@Beenzie

The traveller camp I think is authorised so is not going anywhere. It is on the opposite side to the tennis club on the Roman road about 200m away. You must’ve seen it when you viewed the house of you’ve made an offer? I guess you have to make your own decision about whether or not you are happy to live nearby. Mountnessing primary is a cofe school so don’t assume you’ll get places due to proximity as most church schools in the area do want family attendance.

I am a little confused though? You said in your OP that you were thinking of buying in mountnessing but in your post today you were thinking of ‘pulling your offer’?

My friend is in her 30s so definitely not retired. I don't know actual Mountnessing that well but Brentwood and Shenfield are both nice, I've lived in both. Shenfield has a more villagey, community vibe and is older and more affluent. Most people here do commute into London, it's the reason we moved from Brentwood as the trains are more direct and therefore faster here. The primary school in Mountnessing was under subscribed last year so you'd probably not have a problem getting in if in catchment but if you haven't actually got children yet you have plenty of time to start going to church if that's what you want.

Mountnessing primary school is very good- well rounded with onsite forest school and connections to both Anglo European and shenfield secondary which is easily driveable (Anglo is walkable but long walk). The park is lovely and local brownies run from the tin church. The only difficulty is getting to station which buses are pretty unreliable. I would recommend cheaper end of ingatestone (mountnessing end) as more affordable but closer to station and has choice of both primary schools. X

Thank you so much everyone for your advice. REALLY appreciate it. @Dickiegreenleaf these things happen fast, whilst considering I put in an offer and it got accepted but not sure it is the right place for me after all. Thanks again.

@Beenzie all the best. Would definitely recommend Brentwood as a great place to live and raise a family in. Literally no bad schools. You can always walk/bus to Shenfield station from there too but the train to Liverpool st from Brentwood is fine just not as quick as Shenfield. It is cheaper tho’

beenzie let us know what you decide and, if you move, what you think of Mountnessing! Good luck