Moving from East Dulwich to Chelmsford

[Daisyk8t]

Hi guys,

I was just reading a thread about people moving out from London and we're planning the same thing - for all the usual reasons - can't afford a house here, want to be nearer our families, hope the secondary schools might be nicer etc...

But one thing worrying me - and not something anyone really talked about on that thread - is the what the difference is going to be in "atmosphere" between cosmopolitan south east London and basically almost anywhere commutable outside of the M25!

I mean - London is a massive city, with a diverse population and very different to living almost anywhere else in the UK. I would love to know if anyone had moved recently and whether they experienced a culture shock, or whether I am just worrying about nothing. Help!

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Do you want my honest opinion or just what you'd like to hear?

[Skimummy]

I am quite interested in this as well...we have been thinking about moving somewhere like Billericay or Brentwood as they are very commutable. But I am a bit concerned we will end up feeling very isolated.

I would like honest opinions!

The other option we are looking at is moving somewhere like Brockley in SE London as we get alot more for our money there as well...so am interested that OP considers SE London cosmopolitan!

[Daisyk8t]

I am also interested in an honest opinion - all I am hearing is the good news from both sets of parents!

Sorry Skimummy but I don't know Brockley very well but East Dulwich, Herne Hill, Nunhead and Forest Hill all have lovely areas, big parks, varied populations and a good mix of useful and eclectic shops!

[minibmw2010]

Chelmsford is a nice town, a bit soul-less personally as its very spread out but it does have good shopping. I don't know about the schools but a friend who went to the local hospital for maternity said that was OK(ish) (I'm in Colchester).

Brentwood and Billericay are very good "commuter" towns. I'd prefer Billericay I think as Brentwood is full of Essex Geezers and gets full at the weekends in the clubs and bars of people exactly like the ones from The Only Way is Essex (I originally thought they were putting it on but a friend from Brentwood said no, that's exactly what its like).

[scurryfunge]

Chelmsford is ok,though it is not very cosmopolitan at all. It does lack a certain buzz that you would experience in more multi cultural areas. Chelmsford has a large commuting population as links to London are so good. The surrounding villages are lovely and can be quite pricey.

State schools are a mixed bag really - some very good ones, some very rough ones that do not perform brilliantly (same as any town really).

The town centre is mainly your normal high street stores. There are very large housing estates in Chelmsford and also some pretty affluent areas. Chelmsford has the same Friday night/ Saturday night drinking issues as most large towns, though crime rates are generally low and it it certainly has a safe feel to it at night.

[Daisyk8t]

Thanks! Yes - i think it's the soulless town centre that is worrying me. It does lack atmosphere :-( But the villages around don't have walking/cycling access to the station so will have to stay a pipe dream for now.

Interested to hear about Brentwood's weekend look! Not squite what I had in mind when I wanted "more life" in a place!

[minibmw2010]

I shouldn't worry too much about the "soulless" town centre, its a very big town and generally you'll only be in there when shopping? Much better to have good shopping in a large town than not enough eh .. I think once you're there you'd find areas/sections of the town you like more than others, e.g. for going out, etc. Colchester is a big town but there are plenty of bars and restaurants down little side streets that keep us happy and out of the town centre itself.

[bitzermaloney]

Have you considered Ingatestone? On the same line as C/ford but more villagey if that appeals, very nice. (Not at all cosmopolitan though.)

Grew up in Chelmsford and agree it is quite soulless - always has been!

[minibmw2010]

Ingatestone does look lovely, but a word of warning if you need the trains for commuting, the new timetable just brought in means even less trains than usual stop there (and very few already stopped there).

[Daisyk8t]

I think I am forgetting that I spend the majority of my time following my kids around the park or working at my desk in my bedroom... There are plenty of parks all over Chelmsford, and I'll be bringing my desk, so my life will be identical! Bar of course easier access to babysitting grandparents who might allow us to explore some side streets of an evening.

[Daisyk8t]

PS Thanks for the warning about Ingatestone - we had looked there.