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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Any nice village locations in Essex?

17 replies

Bubbaloo · 23/02/2008 22:27

We're putting our house on the market in a couple of weeks and we're really undecided as to where to move to.
Ideally we'd like to stay in Essex but would like a nice rural/village location with good schools.
Any recommendations would be much appreciated,please.

OP posts:

ssummers · 23/02/2008 22:36

Danbury, Saffron Walden, some of the villages around chelmford/maldon are lovely. Danbury primary school are good. (would live there myself if I could afford to). Dedham, ingatestone

ArrietyClock · 23/02/2008 22:41

Lots but watch out for Stansted's flight path and probably worth working out how it will change if the expansion goes ahead (unless you like planes taking your chimney off - try Thaxted to find out what that feels like which is beautiful but a tad noisy!

Original poster

Bubbaloo · 23/02/2008 22:51

Thanks.
Funnily enough I've been looking at Danbury on Rightmove this evening,but there's nothing there at the moment.Shame,as it's only 30 mins from where we are now.I'm not sure about Maldon as I tend to prefer older style houses,although I suppose I could be tempted.

OP posts:

glitterball · 24/02/2008 02:35

thaxted is lovely - my dad grew up there so I have a very soft spot for it - also theres finchingfield, dunmow etc....I know that dunmow certainly is in the catchment area for the chelmsford grammar schools (although that may yet be a way off for you!)

moogyboobles · 26/02/2008 11:54

Danbury is lovely but pricey.

sb6699 · 26/02/2008 14:34

I'm moving to Farnham (Herts/Essex border) on Saturday. It is very rural (i.e. no corner shop, etc) but it does have a Primary School and easy access to schools in Bishops Stortford.

As glitterball says, Dunmow is lovely and there are plenty of amenities there.

Sunshinemummy · 26/02/2008 14:35

Friend has house in Castle Headingham and it is lovely.

Millarkie · 26/02/2008 18:06

We are in a small village near Saffron Walden. Local schools (primary and secondary) are excellent. Beautiful countryside, and a train link to London. We only moved here last May but have no regrets at all!
Thaxted is lovely but is on Stansted flight path. I like Finchingfield but not sure about schools out that way.

michaelad · 26/02/2008 18:08

We're in Writtle near Chelmsford. Lovely place!

ssummers · 26/02/2008 21:44

michaelad - we have been househunting and thought of writtle - what is it that you love about writtle? It seems like a lovely place, but having not lived there it would be good to hear from somebody who does!

Original poster

Bubbaloo · 26/02/2008 22:30

I have a friend who lives in Writtle-it is really nice.
Think I still like Danbury,but can't seem to find anything suitable there at the moment.

OP posts:

purpleflower · 26/02/2008 22:33

Dedham and around that area is really lovely.

ssummers · 26/02/2008 22:43

I was in Danbury at the weekend. We live the other side of essex at the moment and are looking at Danbury/writtle/maldon - a bit more rural really.
We went into the estate agents there (hawes and something!) and they gave us 4 properties in our price range! and 3 of them were just outside danbury in a different village! so I know what you mean - there are a shortage! Well in my price range anyway!
Luckily we are not moving just yet - just doing a bit of research for when we do.

I know what you mean about Maldon - it has some nice bit though doesnt it. My friend lives in heybridge (next to Maldon) and says that there are some lovely bits of Maldon - you just have to pick your area! Have you had a look at the other villages around that area? Cant remember all the names - just know there are some pretty ones. Perhaps go for a drive around/pub lunch to get an idea.

Original poster

Bubbaloo · 26/02/2008 23:07

That's helpful,thanks.

We're also doing some research first.We have 2 properties to sell and exchanged on one of them today,which is completing in a couple of weeks.We will probably put our own house on the market next month,but ideally we don't want to start viewing until we have a buyer for ours.
Have seen a lovely thatched house online,though.

OP posts:

michaelad · 28/02/2008 08:34

Writtle is just a nice smallish village with your typical village green where the butcher knows your name and people worry when they haven't seen you in a few days. There are the village fetes, the beer festival at Easter... I find it really nice and a lovely contrast to the anonymity of London and Hamburg (Germany) where I used to live. It's quite but still close to Chelmsford and within 1 hour you're in London... Just come round for a look!

Kathyis6incheshigh · 28/02/2008 08:48

I grew up in Maldon.... sadly I think it's just grown too much and is Not As Nice As It Used To Be.

Walkthedinosaur · 28/02/2008 09:09

Around Saffron Walden is gorgeous, I lived in Debden for a while, lovely pre school, nice village school and in the catchment for Newport School when they're bigger. My best friend is in Thaxted and the planes going over used to annoy me but I never hear them nowadays and I only get back to see her a couple of times a year. There's also a really strong sense of community in Thaxted that you don't find in a lot of places these days. She's delighted with Thaxted School and I used to send the DC's to The Barn Nursery there and I couldn't fault the childcare they received. There are some beautiful villages around Saffron Walden and Bishops Stortford. I'd say have a look at Henham but I hear there is going to be massive development between Henham and Elsenham and I think both villages will be joined to become a small town, which is a real shame.

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