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 :)

Another vote for Writtle. It is a lovely village, quiet but we have two Co-ops, 2 friendly pubs, hairdressers etc. nice community. You can walk to Hylands Park which is great for dog walks.
We’ve been here for over 10 years and are currently selling to move to Suffolk as we want a new adventure but Writtle has been a lovely place to live.

Urgh had a very depressing day driving around, South Woodham Ferrers, Rayleigh, Hockley and Hawkwell.

Tomorrow i'm going to view this https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145167224#/?channel=RES_BUY I don't know how I feel about it, but I'm getting a bit desperate to find something that I might like, in a location I might like.

Just looked at Writtle on Rightmove - nothing :(

In what way depressing? Did you like the areas?

The areas were ok, Rayleigh probably the nicest, Hockley felt a long way out mainly because the traffic was terrible.

Depressing because I've run out of things on Rightmove and I need to find somewhere to live ;S

That’s make sense. I think there’s nicer areas although there’s nothing wrong with them. Remind me your requirements again and I’ll do a look for you

Have a look at Bishop's Stortford, lovely town and close to Chelmsford. London also easily accessible via the Stansted Express.

Thank you. Anything south of Chelmsford, although I have looked at Hatfield Peveral (which is a new build and isn't off the table), needs to be a very quiet road (for my cat), somewhere to walk the dogs (from the door), a space I can work from and close the door at the end of the day as I work from home a lot. I'd like to walk to a pub / local shop. 2 or 3 bedrooms. Happy to do work. Up to £470k (i've revised my budget), but for that it would need to be new / perfect.

Just had another look but not much comes on in Writtle and you’ve obviously looked already. We’re on the market (for full disclosure) but that’s not why I’m pushing Writtle as you’ll probably of seen and discounted anyway we’re just a smidge over the budget but definitely keep an eye incase anything comes on. For dog walks it’s a perfect area as you’ve got footpaths up to Hylands park and that’s beautiful. Plus loads of walks down past rugby club and up past Writtle college. Also feels a nice safe place to be in the village. Drs. Chemists,shop, Chippie etc. Obviously though you don’t get as much for your money as you do in Rayleigh hockey etc the perfect house is out there for you x

Look at Sawbridgeworth or bishops stortford. Sounds perfect for you.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144342695 in SWF.
It’s a cul de sac and very quiet. You’ve got river walks at the end of the road. The curlew pub is 5 mins away as well is the local shop

After speaking to my estate agent about my buyer's position it looks like I'll need to be out of my home by June. So my options are either a new house that is practically ready or an empty property, but after looking at the house in Highmead, it has made me realise that I'm not sure I want a project, at least not one as big as that.

So I have a list of one:

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

It's not ideal, it's dearer than I wanted, slightly smaller than I wanted and not within walking distance to a pub/shop but apart from that perfect and will be ready on time!

Good for you! A nice area, and a lovely fresh new build with no maintenance

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144936578?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

Any idea what this area is like https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145580276#/?channel=RES_BUY

Lovely, but I would never venture to the top floor.

Nice area nice house easy to get to the town centre and lots of parks around it.

OP, have you thought about Witham?

Galleywood is OK and you have the common for dog walks and not too far to Danbury too

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143172821

How about this one in Highwood. It's a small village about a mile or so from Writtle. In the countryside so tonnes of open space and walks but only 10 mins from Chelmsford town centre and 5 from Writtle.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140936003

I've been talking to a work colleague and she suggested the new builds in Coggleshall, I know this is more north but I think i've exhausted the south!

What is it that's put you off some of the properties your viewing?

Coggeshall is lovely but it's a grim journey into Chelmsford in rush hour.

The only house that really remain on the list is the one in Rettendon and it just feels so expensive for what it is, a bit small and a bit remote.

I only go to Chelmsford once a week, and I do a long journey already, so it can't be harder.

What have you liked about properties and areas you've looked at? If you really don't mind a commute then the Suffolk borders of Sudbury, Halstead and Haverhill may be worth considering. Sudbury is a 2 train trip via marks tey but more than doable and a nice town.

Any good? It’s been on a while so they’ll be open to offers. Upsides: You’ll always be able to resell on this road. Downsides: near to the railway.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142900631#/?channel=RES_BUY