Moving to Chelmsford

[Echo21]

I'm thinking about moving my family (4 of us) to Chelmsford. At the moment we are renting a 1 bed in London, and are completely priced out. Childcare has meant one of us has to stay at home, I know in SE it won't be much different in pricing, right now it's 2.5k per month per child in our area.

I am looking at Springfield, great baddow, chelmer village areas. Max 450k for a modest 3 bed.

Just looking for a safe welcoming place to grow family. I am WFH, been in job for years, and aware of the enormous costs to travel on greater anglia to London from Chelmsford but I think worth it for now. If I lose my job in future at least I can get in London somehow.

Anyone have any idea on whether these areas are relatively safe (or more than bad areas in London?). Schools, lifestyle etc? We don't know anyone there but want to make the move as London life is draining the life out of us...

I'd look at school options, primary and also secondary. Have you been there for a day and driven around the areas to get a feel for them?

Springfield and Chelmer Village are fine, very family friendly. Great Baddow it depends on the area - avoid Meadgate estate area like the plague. Baddow is huge and sprawly though so some areas are miles away and fine. Personally if I were buying now I'd aim for Springfield or Mousham Lodge. Newlands Spring or Broomfield might also work if you don't mind being a bit further out.

450k will be enough for a three bed so long as you don't mind something fairly small or in need of a bit of work.

A return to London is currently £36.50 I think. Season ticket about 7k. I commute once or twice a week, it's busy but not horrendous unless there are delays. There's a new station at Beaulieu opening at the end of this year.

How old are your kids? I know there's a lot of pressure on school places, you might struggle to get into your local school. If both still at nursery you should be ok but might have a drive. Join the local Facebook groups to get an idea of things but take everything with a pinch of salt, people love to complain.

It's a nice place to live and bring up young children - lots of parks and things to do. Good shops and restaurants. Some drugs and crime, but probably no more than any other town. Quite a lot of homelessness, but again same as anywhere else. Facebook groups 'Chelmsford For You' and 'Really no such thing as bad weather' should be helpful.

Dd1 is 31 and lives in Chelmsford with her partner - they love it. He is from the localish area and went to the grammar school there which is apparently very good. They have a 3 bed late victorian 3 bed terraced house with garden that cost them about 400k in maybe 2020. I lose track with lockdown!! They love living there - both commute into London 3ish days a week - station is walking distance away, as is gym, countryside and John Lewis/Oliver Bonas. Dd does moan (mildly) about price of commute. They were looking for somewhere bigger but don't want to lose the great advantage of walking into the city centre/station etc so are considering extending into the roof/on ground floor.