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Original poster

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

187 replies

startingoveragainagain · 10/02/2024 17:33

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 :)

OP posts:
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Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 18/02/2024 17:35

Ilovemyshed · 18/02/2024 15:37

I'd live as close as you can to where you work. Traffic is an absolute pain as Essex is basically full and people are usually very rude on the roads.

Show quote history

I don't have to go to the office very often, and currently, my commute is about an hour so I'm not toooo bothered about that.

OP posts:
Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 18/02/2024 17:38

mumda · 18/02/2024 16:38

@mumda Thank you. I'd prefer a bathroom on the same floor as the bedrooms, or at least a toilet on that level.

OP posts:
DancingOnMoonbeams · 18/02/2024 17:53

I agree with you, I like W the most and then Y.

I would always try and get detached if I could.

Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 18/02/2024 18:00

DancingOnMoonbeams · 18/02/2024 17:53

I agree with you, I like W the most and then Y.

I would always try and get detached if I could.

They are nice but they are much further into north Essex.

OP posts:
CoffeeAndEnnui · 18/02/2024 21:29

startingoveragainagain · 18/02/2024 09:04

@CoffeeAndEnnui my hairdresser suggested HP yesterday. Although she said about the new builds.

The Hatfield Pev new builds are not in such a nice location, there are open fields beside them (agricultural land not public) but the real green space and nicer walks are more accessible from the village green end plus you'd be right by a fab farm shop and away from A12 and train noise.

CoffeeAndEnnui · 18/02/2024 21:32

Either way, HP is a friendly place with a proper community feel and would be a great place to build a very happy life for you and your pets.

PixiePirate · 18/02/2024 21:36

I’d look at Great Baddow or Writtle. I live in your target area (farmer too - Leigh end) and I think I get what you’re looking for.

Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 27/02/2024 16:30

Hello - I'm a bit further on.

I've now viewed and offered on https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142250867#/?channel=RES_BUY but they decided to go with someone who was chain free.

Viewed https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142875572#/?channel=RES_BUY it was ok, felt very small and decided I don't think I want a bungalow.

Viewed new builds in Hatfield Peveral and Witham and I'm 85% sure I don't want a new build none of the ones there felt quite right (although at this point my heart was in the Stock house).

Any suggestions on what to view next? The Stock house was perfect, I loved the location and the level of project felt right...

OP posts:
Netaporter · 27/02/2024 23:32

Hi @startingoveragainagain shame about the stock house, but I’d stay in touch with the agent just in case…!

maybe a visit to local agents in person is the next step so they keep you in mind more?

Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 28/02/2024 21:59

@Netaporter I think they would both be too expensive given they'd both need so much work.

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howrudeforme · 28/02/2024 22:35

come this a bit late. Had to Google your current location which looks great. So if moving towards the Chelmsford area why not look around those areas?

avoid the Southend area. If you’re east of Southend it’s very cut off. If looking at west Southend, like Leigh, your budget won’t get you much (particularly with your pet considerations) in an overbuilt area with no parking and with a cohort that tries to convince itself it’s Hoxton reincarnated.

perhaps nearer your workplace sounds better given your current location and wanting to settle your pets. Sure there’s loads of lovely areas around the Chelmsford area.

If more southeast I hear that hockley is lovely.

Good luck!

Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 03/03/2024 17:32

This weekend i've viewed this:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140322020#/?channel=RES_NEW

and a Bellway Thespian https://vimeo.com/451498530 with a view to buying one in Hatfield Peveral.

I liked them both. I think the first was slightly too small, but I really liked the finish.

Been looking on Rightmove for similar things... any thoughts on these -

A) https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132022706#/?channel=RES_BUY
B) https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143884835#/?channel=RES_BUY
C) https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143289086#/?channel=RES_BUY
D) https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145189751#/?channel=RES_BUY
E) https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139929224#/?channel=RES_BUY

Please as always suggest away :)

OP posts:
Netaporter · 03/03/2024 22:40

@startingoveragainagain I like the look of the Rettendon one. Not that familiar with the area bar using the riding school. Personally, I’d avoid Wickford as it is like Rayleigh and a bit of a no man’s land, and as it is less desirable trickier to resell. Steeple view is just Laindon really. And very close to the A127 which is not ideal for the cats. SWF is a new town from the 80’s mainly of the type you are looking at. Like the other places, a bit manufactured and not much soul.

Chewbecca · 04/03/2024 09:46

Rettendon is a straightforward, fairly rural area, and well connected because of the A130. Many would find it too far from amenities but I don't think you mind driving everywhere do you?

I would avoid Steeple View. I don't really know SWF other than the farm! Wickford similarly has lots of big newish estates and is a bit rough around the edges.

The Rayleigh homes are both in a decent area, if unexciting!

Express0 · 04/03/2024 10:17

Wouldn’t live in rettendon. You’ve got the drive to get to SWF or into Chelmsford to get to shops, amenities etc

sbplanet · 04/03/2024 10:36

When the OH worked at Ford we lived in Bicknacre. It's burbs but not too much. It was one of the few places that seemed almost rural that we could afford as we'd moved from oop north.
The further away from London you go the less urban it seems is what we found. But there are lots of big towns and villages obviously. There's lots of nature reserves, etc around Danbury and Maldon. Think there's a nice coastal reserve above Maldon, can't remember it's name it was some time ago! :)
Maldon and Heybridge maybe, although they seem very built up, but often places are okay on the outskirts.
Here's one of the few Bicknacre properties.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143109176#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 4 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove

4 bedroom detached house for sale in The Grove, Bicknacre, CM3 for £429,995. Marketed by Church and Hawes, Danbury

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143109176#/?channel=RES_BUY

jakesnewcat · 04/03/2024 11:27

I know that wickford estate. Good value but you'd have to like the area.

mintich · 04/03/2024 11:32

Harold Wood is straight off the A12. Just make sure you go for the side near the country park not Harold Hill

Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 04/03/2024 20:42

I'd rather not drive everywhere, i'd like to be in a village where I can walk to a the odd shop, nice pub and nice place to walk the dogs, which was why I liked Stock :(

OP posts:
MissBridgetJones · 04/03/2024 20:58

Have you considered Stock (it's £££ - but you have said you don't need a big place), Ingatestone, Ramsden Heath, Ramesden Bellhouse, Galleywood?

Original poster
startingoveragainagain · 04/03/2024 21:03

MissBridgetJones · 04/03/2024 20:58

Have you considered Stock (it's £££ - but you have said you don't need a big place), Ingatestone, Ramsden Heath, Ramesden Bellhouse, Galleywood?

Yes, I put an offer on a house in Stock, it went to bafo and went to someone with no chain.

Can't see anything I like in those locations. I'm happy to go a bit above budget (470/80) but would need to be perfect (like the one in Rettendon).

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