What's it like to live in Basildon?

[Bobby87]

Hey guys, my partner and I are thinking of buying a property in basildon, 3 bed house, as our money goes further there. Budget is 300k-310k. We have a 10 year old too. Only thing I'm worried about is the area, I keep hearing mixed messages, can any one who lives there vouch for the area? Where should we look and where to avoid. We work in London so looking to commute no more than 1 hour by train if there are any other suggestions. Are there any good secondary schools there or around the area? As my teenager will be starting secondary school next year. Mind you; we did go and visit basildon once, but it was raining and cold and the shopping centre looked rather drab but maybe it was the weather, I don't know. Any way I'm rambling.

Thank you in advance for all your responses xx

I was meant to say tweenager lol.
We are currently living in Ilford, in a new build flat by the station but really over the area now and looking to move out.

Langdon hills is lovely but you’ll struggle to find a house for your budget. Laindon very hit and miss. Basildon is not great to be honest and it is also hit and miss with social problems. Kingswood is the better part. Infrastructure is good though as is public transport. The town centre is undergoing renovation so will improve over time. Secondary schools are a bit lacking but you would be in the southend grammar catchment. For £310k you could look at these two houses? First is in Brentwood and a five min walk to the station. Excellent schools. Second is right near Shenfield secondary school and a ten min walk to Shenfield station. Shenfield has a fast train service to l’pool st in around 25mins and Brentwood trains take 35/40mins. Both are on Crossrail. Laindon/Basildon are on the c2c Line which is cheaper and generally more reliable. Hope that helps.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115180175#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110155484#/?channel=RES_BUY

I've lived there and was brought there and lived in most of the areas in and around Basildon it's not a bad place to live I've seen worst places! and you will find most ppl are friendly especially if you sit in the the Town Sq vwmy mum always gets chatting to someone usually starts with the weather then it can progress on to there life story's.

The areas in Basildon and nr to the town centre area are Kingswood / Lee Chapel South / North then Laindon and Langdon Hills the Whitmore Way area is ok too it's a long road that goes from the town end my mum lives in this area and a lot more of the older Basildon residents live there some living there 30yrs or so and brought there houses or slightly further out is Billericay great schools and community and Wickford you may find these areas a bit more expensive.

I would stay clear of Vange and Pitsea area.

I've heard ppl say Basildon its not a great place to live but I would take no notice it's like anywhere else you get good and bad and there are alot of ppl that love living there and have great affection for the town they are doing major works too there to improve the Town Center

I've now moved out to Bucks and there are places here ppl say are bad like Aylesbury ?

Thank you @Netaporter for the the other options, that's very kind of you. I like the one in brentwood, hopefully there won't be an issue for asking for permission for an extension. We are also hoping for another baby hence the need for a 3 bedroom. I did hear about the crossrail and I'm hoping it will regenerate the area in a few years time. I'll also have another look at langdon hills, we looked before but like you said, our budget did not go far.

Haha! @yesterdaygirl. My partner sent me 3 properties in pitsea yesterday, which has everything we want😅. My friends from work already warned me of pitsea. They all mostly live in Chelmsford, which is our desired area but that's not in our price range at all, but lovely area

How open are you for a renovation project? This one would leave a little in the budget for this and the area of Basildon is reasonable, not the best area, certainly nowhere near the worst, but lots of nice, normal, average families.

www.onthemarket.com/details/11032239/#/photos/1

A few more in decent areas of Basildon:

www.onthemarket.com/details/9450096/

www.onthemarket.com/details/11054240/

www.onthemarket.com/details/11029816/

www.onthemarket.com/details/9543721/

@Bobby87 I’m not sure about planning permissions but possibly try a loft extension first? if you have a child going into secondary school I’d concentrate on that first. Brentwood is a far better bet education wise than anything Basildon/Laindon wise. And your capital growth would be better. You’ll find it easier to get a black in a Brentwood school and move to Basildon/Laindon than the other way around. You can always consider moving when your 10 year older has a place and after a new baby arrives! Also put an alert for West Horndon which has it’s own station on the c2c and a lovely feel to it. Catchment area for Brentwood schools too 😉

Hey @Nerdippy thank you for the other options. Mind you I wouldn't mind the the renovating one, I would have to convince my partner😅😅 imagine living in chaos for a few months. He would die!
But it's a great size house with good potential

I have heard the schools are much better in brentwood @Netaporter, we are currently in the redbridge catchment area and the schools here are also good but we'd much prefer to be in essex than East London. I had a look at West Horndon for future buying options and it's a bit steep money wise. So far we are swaying between laindon and brentwood. I feel like our best bet would be to get a 2 bed house which is in good condition and do an extension in the loft

Thank you everyone with all your help and ideas ☺️💕

I've lived in Pitsea before and know people who still do. There are some nice parts there especially near the station but that part is expensive.
Some parts of Vange are also quite nice, it's just knowing the area of which streets are the ones to avoid