Anyone want to be my Phil and Kirstie? (Essex)

[startingoveragainagain]

We've finally gone under offer woo! So now I need to start looking for a home for my dog, my cat and me. I need to be commutable to Chelmsford (max once a week), and I have family and friends in South Essex / London borders so would like to be close to them as they'll be able to help with dog care. I'm currently near Halstead.

I'm sort of thinking Billericay, Rayleigh, and Leigh but I have no clue what these places are actually like

I can probably afford to pay about £420,000, happy to do work - although will need to be liveable, needs to be on a very quiet road as my cat has only lived in the countryside with her own land, needs to be near a good walk for the dog preferably off lead walking as she has never needed to do much lead walking. I need somewhere to work from as I work mostly from home. I'm going to be downsizing and I'm looking for my bachelor pad, which'll be my forever home as I want to grow roots and lick my wounds.

Suggest away :)

Yes, I think this is the sort of thing I'd be after. I have no idea what this area is like though.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134197736?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

Sorry, me neither as I don't live in Brentwood. Best thing is to go and spend a Sat there, walk around a bit see what there is. Go into Brentwood centre and check it out.

Wildcard!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86752992?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

Very pretty! I'll stop now!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143399189?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

That's lovely and i'd be more than happy in a flat, but my cat who has lived her life as a farm cat and my dog wouldnt.

I saw that, and it's lovely, but I don't want to take on something that's listed, and it is probably a bit too small.

I think the best small towns nearby are Maldon and Burnham.

and the Chelmsford villages I mentioned up thread are also nice. There’s not really anywhere round here that’s not tbh. It’s a nice area. Just dull in places.

I know both Rayleigh and Billericay pretty well - lived in Rayleigh for 23 years and Billericay for 13 years.

Rayleigh is not boring. It's actually a pretty town and the people are friendly and welcoming. You will get more for your money in Rayleigh than Billericay. There is the A130 nearby for driving to Chelmsford. 20 minutes to drive to the park and ride at Sandon. I still know a lot of people who live there and love it. Please don't consider a flat as many of them will have a no pet clause in the lease, which you won't know about until you have sight of the lease.

Below is a sample bungalow in Rayleigh that needs a bit of TLC, but it's in a nice residential area - maybe a bit boring, but neighbours should be nice! Victoria Park is not far at all for dog walking. I think the bungalow backs onto the infant school but the garden is big, so I don't think it would be a problem - mum's parking outside might be!

Billericay is more expensive and desirable than Rayleigh, because it's nearer to London and is prime commuter belt. Both town centres are attractive though. The 300 bus goes to Chelmsford, but you are driving so Stock Road to the A12. I used to live in Billericay and commute to Chelmsford every day. There is a park and ride if you don't want to be hunting for a parking space in the city centre, or of course you might be out of town, but it used to take me about 20 minutes to drive to the park and ride at Sandon.

Norsey Wood, Lake Meadows, Mill Meadows are all great parks for dog walking. There are plans to build more houses round the edges of Billericay, discussions have been ongoing for quite a few years, so it will probably get passed some day.

Below is a sample bungalow in Billericay, which has been reduced by £50k.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138687686#/?channel=RES_BUY

Rayleigh

There's only one runway at Southend airport, the planes go in and out over a section of Rochford, so you don't hear them in Eastwood.

Ongar and Ingatestone would fit your requirements I think!

What do you think of any of these.

A https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142881962#/?channel=RES_BUY

B https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143399192#/?channel=RES_BUY

C https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143669225#/?channel=RES_BUY

D https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143437487#/?channel=RES_BUY

E https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144033671#/?channel=RES_BUY

F https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127366535#/?channel=RES_BUY

G https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139315739#/?channel=RES_BUY

H https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131203688#/?channel=RES_BUY

I https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132439883#/?channel=RES_NEW

J https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86374104#/?channel=RES_BUY

K https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143461844#/?channel=RES_BUY

L https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143448701#/?channel=RES_BUY

M https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142822367#/?channel=RES_BUY

N https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144807014#/?channel=RES_BUY

O https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144423557#/?channel=RES_BUY

P https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140283503#/?channel=RES_BUY

Q https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142285952#/?channel=RES_BUY

R https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139779161#/?channel=RES_BUY

S https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143461844#/?channel=RES_BUY

T https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143974322#/?channel=RES_BUY

U https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143152079#/?channel=RES_NEW

V https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143678978#/?channel=RES_BUY

W https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144675416#/?channel=RES_BUY

X https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144666320#/?channel=RES_BUY

Y https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141842297#/?channel=RES_BUY

Z https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144084752#/?channel=RES_BUY

AA https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142250867#/?channel=RES_BUY

AB https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142752716#/?channel=RES_NEW

AC https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144793595#/?channel=RES_BUY

AD https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134197736#/?channel=RES_BUY

AE https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143678978#/?channel=RES_BUY

AF https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132127730#/?channel=RES_BUY

AG https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144675416#/?channel=RES_BUY

AH https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143777252#/?channel=RES_NEW

Sorry there are a lot - as you can see I'm a bit confused!

I think you need to spend some time in Essex first and identify one or two areas that interest you as your approach at the moment is a bit random.

I like the detached bungalows , I think if you can afford detached I’d prioritise that. W in particular. Y also nice but needs more doing to it.

Saying that J seems nice, but no floor plan so hard to say for sure.

While I can't comment on the area, do consider the general public transport/ access to amenities. While bus provision etc can change in time, so can your ability or willingness to drive, and you did mention this might be your "forever home".

If you're commuting to Chelmsford don't live anywhere around Southend. I live in Thorpe Bay and used to work in Chelmsford. Some days it took me two hours to get home because of traffic and I knew every back route going. I also used to live in noak bridge near Billericay and it is really dull. There's no community feeling. There's much more going on around Leigh/Southend. The commute from there to Chelmsford was much easier though, I used to use stock road

Having said that I don't really consider Eastwood as Leigh, it's basically just some housing and belfairs park

You'd get something decent in Witham, just make sure it's the south side not the bit past the Morrisons.
Confused there's a leavenheath property on your list as that's further away than where you live now

I 100% agree, it’s so dull

What about Ingatestone? Lovely village with a train station, you get get the train to Chelmsford in 10 minutes.

Also, lots of lovely walks for your dog there!

Writtle is lovely, Leigh is fantastic, but , make sure you have at least a drive as parking is horrendous. Unless you find an edge bit , Rayleigh is probably to built up .

Have a look at South Woodham Ferrers. Easy to get to Chelmsford. Lovely river to walk your dog.

I would check energy efficiency. Detached bungalow could be pricey to heat (detached anything but a small property, most rooms will have 2 outside walls!).

This looks nice https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144755417#/?channel=RES_BUY