The area of Essex combines some fantastic elements of city living with the landscapes and lifestyles of the country to provide a location that can legitimately claim to have the best of both worlds. Its proximity to London, and the wonders that it holds, also make Essex a consistent choice for those working in the capital who may want to switch up the pace between fast and frenetic working days and family-focused evenings and weekends. As the 10th largest county in England with over 1420 square miles of land that ranges from beautiful rolling hills in the west to the splendour of coastal towns and estuaries in the east, it is surprisingly well populated, especially in the south and west where it shares borders with Greater London.
The Best Areas to Live in Essex
Navigating the choices of where to look for a home here can become overwhelming pretty quickly with so many towns, villages, and even cities to consider. Our guide for the best places to live in Essex should make your life a little easier with some informative and illuminating facts relating to our pick of an incredible bunch.
Chelmsford
Only 30 miles north from London, Chelmsford, has gained a
reputation as a modern commuter town for professionals who work in the capital but also want to experience some of the lifestyle trappings that the country has to offer. This town has a rich and varied history that saw it gain significance as a stop on the Roman road from Colchester to London and flourish during the Industrial Revolution as a hub of manufacturing and engineering, with Chelmsford known as The Birthplace of Radio due to the world’s first wireless factory being built here. For young families, the relaxed atmosphere and wealth of exciting shopping, food, and leisure activities are supported by some incredible education options with the local Chelmsford County High School for girls and King Edward VI Grammar School for boys representing two of the best grammar schools in England. Parks and green spaces are dotted everywhere here to make it a difficult Essex location to ignore when looking for a new home.
Saffron Walden
The wonderfully named Saffron Walden is a beautiful market town that was once integral to the prestigious saffron trade during the mediaeval and early modern ages of England. The transport links here are the envy of Essex with a location just 50 miles from London and 15 miles from Cambridge, all connected by a super road and train infrastructure. The riotous colour of the facades upon the timber structures of the Tudor and Georgian buildings lend an elegant charm to the maze of market squares and streets that make up this vibrant town, with independent boutiques and cafes on every corner. Saffron Walden is enveloped by some of the most breath-taking countryside in England that is always on call to be explored and experienced, but the town itself boasts plenty of impressive green spaces too with Bridge End Garden and Audley House being particular highlights. The miniature railway here is an absolute delight for tiny train enthusiasts to enjoy.
Frinton-on-Sea
The stunning sandy beach of Frinton is this town’s secret weapon for attracting those looking for one more selling point on top of the connections to city and country that Essex delivers. It provides the foundation for a seaside charm that feels less cluttered and commercial than most of its more well-known coastal neighbours, with no amusement arcades or pubs along its front to blight a calm and serene outlook. The community that has been carefully fostered and encouraged here is a perfect mix of retired people and young families that preserve the original vision of wealthy landowner, Richard Powell, who had a huge influence in developing the town with elegance and class to maintain an exclusive, clean and safe atmosphere. With perfectly restored Victorian and Edwardian architecture standing resplendent on the streets of houses, boutiques and businesses, it is easy to see how this unspoilt philosophy is being carried through to the facilities of modern living too.
Felsted
Referring to the sleepy village of Felsted as picturesque doesn’t quite seem enough to convey just how much aesthetic appeal and archetypal charm it has. This location is a celebration of classic English rural life that was once centred around post offices, butchers, and bakeries. Cottages sit upon narrow, winding one-track lanes with beautiful village greens appearing everywhere to provide verdant vistas at every turn. Felsted dates back to mediaeval times with an entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was beginning to take shape as an agricultural settlement. However, despite almost one thousand years of time passing, the development and pace of the modern world has been satisfactorily managed to maintain a very attractive tranquillity and way of life. The village is home to the prestigious Felsted School which has educated statesmen, scholars, and authors such as the creator of The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy, Douglas Adams, for over 400 years. Felsted clearly remains an out-of-this-world choice for would-be Essex residents.
Colchester
Colchester has thousands of years of unmatched history to call upon and was once even the capital of England under Roman occupation as the country rose into a nation of note around the world. It’s impossible not to appreciate this heritage with astonishing landmarks still visible everywhere, including Colchester Castle, built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius. In the modern day, Colchester remains a huge draw for young families and professionals with connections to London comfortably under an hour making it one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe. A recent survey also counted Colchester residents amongst the happiest in Great Britain and it is obvious to see how the city maintains these levels of satisfaction with a thriving arts and entertainment scene, that includes multiple annual festivals, and some thrilling restaurants to tempt you out for dinner in the evening. One of the safest and most secure major towns in Essex, with plenty of interesting old and new build properties to choose from, Colchester is always a frontrunner for home seekers in the county.
Of course, there is no real substitute for spending a little time in these places for yourself and soaking up the atmosphere. Watching how the local communities work and experiencing the amenities that these destinations have to offer will give you a fully-rounded view of what will suit you and your family’s lifestyles in the best way. This guide will give you a strong foundation and an initial list to start planning those visits and compare the best that Essex has to offer.
