Essex has plenty to offer homeowners, so if you’re planning a move to the home county, there are many locations you could consider buying a new home, from Chelmsford to Colchester. Here are just a few of the most desirable places to live in Essex.
Brentwood
When you’re looking to buy a new home in Essex, Brentwood is somewhere you should consider. This borough is situated in the south-west of the county, ideal for residents who need to commute to the capital on a regular basis. Indeed, transport links to Bristol are so good, you can be in the city within 40 minutes of departing from Brentwood railway station.
This isn’t the only reason why it is a great place to live, though. While it is in close proximity to Bristol, it is also situated within the Metropolitan Green Belt, which means you’ll be able to benefit from plenty of beautiful outdoor areas. Brentwood has 3,000 acres of country parks, woods and farmland, so you will certainly feel as though you are in the heart of the countryside.
You could even buy a house in one of its pretty villages and imagine you are further than 18 miles from the capital city.
Another reason why Brentwood is so popular is that, despite less than 20 per cent of the borough being built up owing to its picturesque greenery, there are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. This will help you maintain your social life and stay entertained during the weekend.
Colchester
Colchester has long been a popular place to live in Essex, as the town exudes a rich history that gives it a special charm and character that often cannot be found elsewhere in Britain.
Indeed, more than 4.5 million visitors come to the historic town every year, which means it must have a lot going for it! For those who live here, there are also plenty of reasons why it is so desirable as a place to buy a property.
As it is home to many old attractions, Colchester is an incredibly pretty place to set up home. You will be able to find somewhere to live that is near to one or several of these sites, which means you can spend your weekends visiting the likes of Roman ruins and several museums.
While being the oldest town in the UK means Colchester has plenty of exciting things to see and learn about, it is also home to pretty outdoor spaces where you and your kids could have fun exploring. Castle Park, for instance, is a great place to bring your children, as it has a boating lake, putting green and play area.
Active youngsters will also be able to make the most of the town’s many leisure facilities and sports pitches, as well as the Colchester Riding School, where they can learn how to trot, canter and gallop, or simply enjoy occasional treks through the area’s beautiful countryside.
Maldon
Families could also consider moving to Maldon, a historic town that was once a yachting venue.
Here, you will find several quaint villages that have managed to retain their original character over the years. The appeal of living in Maldon is that you’ll feel as though you’re a million miles away from the city. Many of the local pastimes involve the outdoors, while there are several nature reserves and footpaths around the district, which will encourage you to explore the countryside more.
Cycling, walking and fishing are particularly popular hobbies in Maldon, so this town will appeal to anyone who has an interest in getting back to nature. There is also a strong cultural scene here, so expect to find plenty of theatre, music and art events taking place throughout the year. For kids, there are leisure facilities and play areas, so you’ll easily be able to keep them amused on weekends and during the school holidays.
