When it comes to finding the best places to live in Essex in 2023, the county offers the perfect blend of town and countryside. From bustling cities like Chelmsford and Colchester, to charming villages nestled in the countryside, there is a perfect place for everyone in this beautiful county. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best places to live in Essex, based on a wide range of factors including quality of life, transport connections and property types.
About Essex
Essex is located to the East of England, bordering Suffolk to the south and Cambridgeshire to the North. Much of Essex lies within the London commuter belt.
In fact some areas are actually London Boroughs and the county is served by three London Underground lines (Central, Victoria and District line), as well as the London Overground and mainline services, making it a popular commuter belt.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford has been heralded as one of the best places to live in Essex for families. Back in 2012 it was granted the title of a city, as part of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Chelmsford is home to a number of excellent primary and secondary schools, as well as a sixth form college.
The city has a lively town centre with a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. Chelmsford also has fast train links into London, and is just 25 minutes from London Stansted, Britain’s third busiest airport.
Some of the most popular villages around Chelmsford include; Writtle, Springfield and Broomfield, all of which are ideal for those wanting more rural living, but still want to be close to the city.
Maldon
Maldon is a historic market town located on the Blackwater Estuary. It is best known for its traditional sea salt, which has been produced in the town for over 2000 years.
The town centre is home to a number of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Maldon Promenade Park is a great place for families to spend time outdoors and there are also several playgrounds and open spaces throughout the town.
The villages of Heybridge and Goldhanger are both located close to Maldon and offer stunning views of the estuary. Both villages have excellent primary schools, making them ideal places to live for families with young children.
Brentwood
Brentwood is a popular choice for those looking for best places to live in Essex. This picturesque town offers a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. The area is renowned for its excellent schools both state and private, including Ursuline prep, Woodland School for both infants and juniors and Brentwood School for boys and girls.
Brentwood was ranked second-best for living conditions in the UK, according to the Prosperity Index 2021. One of the reasons we are seeing so much demand for homes in Brentwood is because of their convenient distance to London.
Commuters can get straight into the heart of London on the Elizabeth Line, which travels between Brentwood and London Liverpool Street in less than an hour.
Epping
Epping is a small town located in the Epping Forest district of Essex. The town is best known for its beautiful forest, which covers over 2000 hectares and is one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in England.
There are a number of primary and secondary schools in Epping, as well as a sixth form college. The town centre has a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a lively weekly market.
The popular villages of Theydon Bois and Chipping Ongar are both located close to Epping and offer stunning views of the forest.
House prices in Epping are at a premium due to the high standard of living that the area offers.
Felsted
Felsted is a small village located in the Uttlesford district of Essex. The village is best known for its independent school, Felsted School, which was founded in 1564.
The school has a long tradition of academic excellence and counts a number of famous alumni amongst its former students, including politician Winston Churchill and author J. B. Priestley.
Situated near picturesque walks and bike rides, you can reach Braintree or Dunmow in only 10-15 minutes by car. Chelmsford, Bishops Stortford, and Stansted are all within 20 minutes of driving distance.
Finding you the best places to live in Essex
As property buying agents in Essex, we have helped many clients secure beautiful homes in this area. We often get to hear about properties before they come onto the market, and our knowledge of the area means we are able to source properties that are not advertised on the open market.
If you would like help finding a suitable property in Essex, contact our Buying Agent on 0330 223 6339 or complete the contact form and we will be in touch!
