Places to live near Colchester

[BarrettFamily]

DH is looking at a job in Colchester which would mean us moving from Newbury. I do not know the area at all. I would like a 4 bed detached type property. Rural more than town. Can anyone suggest the areas we should look or avoid if he decides he likes the job?

[Loopylooloo]

If you can afford it, Dedham, Stoke by Nayland, Stratford St Mary are all lovely rural villages near to Colchester.

[Lola]

Wivenhoe is a nice spot on the river

[megaflyer]

I used to live on Mersea Island - loved it and want to retire there when I am older

[Lmjenk]

I live around 20 mins drive from Colchester in a very rural area close to Earls Colne. I would suggest Coggeshall, Bures, Earls Colne and Nayland and all the surrounding areas from them are worth a look if you like rural/village life but still want an easy commute to work

[barryp1]

I lived in Rowhedge for 3 years and opposite Colchester hospital for over 10 years.

I now live in county Durham and would never go back.

If you have to live there then probably somewhere like East Bergholt.

[JAF]

I have ties to this area but now live in Chelmsford but can recommend West Bergholt which is near enough to Colchester but is more rural itself and has a thriving community and some lovely walks in the surrounding areas.

[Guest]

op, do you know where roughly he will be working?
just compared to most places ive been, the traffic in Colchester is horrendous at times. Ive been to central Leicester, Birmingham & Nottingham and none are anywhere near as bad as Colchester.
There are so many wonderful places to live. I prefer places like copford, Stanway & Eight Ash green. Theyre not too far from the busy retail area of Stanway-which is due a new shopping centre within the next few years. Also the Zoos not too far away.
I lived in West Bergholt for years and it is a lovely village but there isn't much there except for a couple of shops and pubs. I always think of what you need and in West Bergholt it was a pain having to go miles for a chippy, Chinese, hairdressers or anything like that.
The areas surrounding it are lovely too- Great Horkesley, Earls colne, Dedham, Nayland, Stoke by Nayland etc.
Lots of people like to live in Manningtree, which is about a 20 min drive from Colchester.

Originally Posted by barryp1

I lived in Rowhedge for 3 years and opposite Colchester hospital for over 10 years.

I now live in county Durham and would never go back.

If you have to live there then probably somewhere like East Bergholt.

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Weird I lived opposite the hospital too. only for a couple of years in 1992- I think.


Op, Im jealous as I want to move 'Home' but since weve left, weve been out priced the Colchester Market.

[*supersal*]

Originally Posted by NickyMouse

op, do you know where roughly he will be working?
just compared to most places ive been, the traffic in Colchester is horrendous at times. Ive been to central Leicester, Birmingham & Nottingham and none are anywhere near as bad as Colchester.
There are so many wonderful places to live. I prefer places like copford, Stanway & Eight Ash green. Theyre not too far from the busy retail area of Stanway-which is due a new shopping centre within the next few years. Also the Zoos not too far away.
I lived in West Bergholt for years and it is a lovely village but there isn't much there except for a couple of shops and pubs. I always think of what you need and in West Bergholt it was a pain having to go miles for a chippy, Chinese, hairdressers or anything like that.
The areas surrounding it are lovely too- Great Horkesley, Earls colne, Dedham, Nayland, Stoke by Nayland etc.
Lots of people like to live in Manningtree, which is about a 20 min drive from Colchester.

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Completely agree with all of the above.
The west side is though to be ‘nicer’ than the east side. I’m in Marks Tey. We have train links to London (which some other areas don’t with out a bus ride first) but there’s not much in the way of shops without driving/bus.

Will schools be important to you?

Somewhere like Halstead might be good for you. It’s abpit a 20-30 min drive and is cheaper as there are no rail links but it’s a nice town. Several schools, shops, restaurants etc.

[Guest]

I was trying to think of a village that used to be very lovely near Colchester. I had a friend who lived there and it was lovely.
Layer-De-La-Haye.

We relocated from Colchester years ago, If I could go back and choose again. I wouldn't have left.
One main thing for me, is having no family close by.
Im from a big family and Ive missed most of my nieces & nephews growing up.

Ive just mentioned this thread to my husband. He said ooh what company does her husband work for? perhaps I could work for them and then we could get relocated there
He was trying to work out where the company may be based in Colchester. A lot of places are going near the football ground.