Where to live in Suffolk?

[Stilldreamingofsun]

Hi all,
DH and I , 2 year old and small baby are considering selling our flat in SW London and moving to Suffolk/ Essex. DH works in Canary Wharf so we want the commute to be no more than 1 hour 15. We need a family house and our budget is around £900,000. I have taken a couple of years off to be SAHM so would like a village or town that has lots going on. Would also be important that there are good schools nearby and nice countryside. We are very sociable and would like to be around similar minded people. I am not English so would like somewhere that is welcoming and not full of Brexit types 😊 We are familiar with Manningtree and Flatford Mill so that's the area we are focusing on but are open to other suggestions! Thank you!

Coggeshall, ardleigh. Kelvedon all great places with good schools and great communities

Op try Kelvedon or Coggeshall. Coggeshall has an amazing primary school, lots of little shops, long dog walks, community activities etc.

You can buy books about the commuter belt loop. I'd also think about the changes Crossrail might make.

looking to downsize to a 2 bedroom bungalow in Suffolk

Not all Brexit "types" are racist! We are relocating to Suffolk after having done a weekend thing for 8 years. I am also not English by the way. It is a lovely place to bring up children and really much nicer than the typical commuter areas like Surrey etc in my opinion. Having said that because it isnt a commuter area obviously communting is hard. If your hubby could consider renting a small place in London and could do a day or two from home that would be something to consider.