Thoughts on moving to Basildon, Essex

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Thinking of maybe looking to move to Basildon, Essex. Just wondered if anyone could give their advice and personal experience? There's lots of primary schools that achieve Good in their Ofsted reports. Thanks

I’ve seen on mumsnet in the past that Basildon gets a real slating and people saying to avoid, but like most places in the U.K. there are good and not so good areas.

I raised my children in Basildon, and genuinely haven’t got many complaints, there are quite a few lovely parks and transport links are pretty good.

Unsure of which schools you are looking at, but certainly those in the Lee Chapel academy have a good reputation, and the two catholic schools (Anne line and st Teresa’s) are good as far as I know.

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been there but based on that experience I’d say no way on this earth would I move there.

100% agree. It’s a cultural wasteland with racism issues, difficult to get around with no car, high crime, terrible housing stock (it’s a new town which hasn’t been properly maintained), public service are terrible and relatively speaking for expensive for Essex. I would pick it over Thurrock but that’s not a hearty endorsement

Bas Vegas!!

I haven't been there is years but I grew up in Essex and Basildon has always been rough.

I would avoid Basildon at all costs. Every part of it, including Vange, Laindon, Pitsea etc.

Plenty of places near that are better. Try Wickford or Rayleigh, Noak Bridge, or even Billericay if you can afford it.

I live in a nearby town with two children and there isn't a hope in hell that I'd move them to Basildon, though one was born there.