Essex

Hello all, I'm new to this site..I've been sort of skulking about the boards for a while. I wanted to ask a question for all those living in the Essex area (which I have yet to visit). Where exactly in Essex do you reside? What do you think about it? The ups and downs, pro's and con's of living there etc..My boyfriend lives in Southend-On-Sea (Shoeburyness to be exact), but he's been anything but nice in his description of it. He thinks its a dull place (best I dont go too into his oh so colourful descriptions). I'm curious to see what everyone thinks, as he's not too excited with the idea of remaining there. He's more into the idea of moving to the Cornwall region or surrounding areas. Sigh. It'd just be nice to get someone elses perspective. I'd appreciate any comments 

Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong section  am I??

Welcome to the site.

I thoroughly enjoyed my four years in Colchester but, as it's a garrison town, (meaning that the army is stationed there) it might be seen as not so desirable.

As for Cornwall, there's nowt wrong with that either, (not biased at all, I only live here)!

If you want to start off with checking out jobs for each area that might help define where you could live as, according to reports, Cornwall is the 'poorest' county in the UK which I think is down to the types of jobs and pay scale available here.
 
That's not to say that you'd not be able to find a job in the region but that it might not be something that you'd ever thought of doing previously or you might have to do a bit of a commute.

Another report said that Cornwall's inhabitants were happier than the rest of the country so it can't all be bad!

I've never been to Essex, but Cornwall would be one of my top picks for places to live in the UK.

Cornwall is often cited as being the poorest county because the basis for that is income. Because parts of Cornwall are full of a lot of wealthy retirees, the county looks "poor," even though it's not.

Poor Essex, it seems to have a bad wrap and I don't understand it because like many places in the UK there are good spots and bad spots. My husband is from Essex (Leigh on Sea) and its lovely place and its easily commutable to London. Chalkwell and parts of West Cliff which are near by are also very nice! Many of the houses like my in laws are from the 20's/30's and the neighborhoods in that area are so pristine.

Cornwall is lovely but unfortunately the job market is a bit slim. Tons of people would prefer to leave the rat race and move there! 

Thankyou Tam and Chary! I've read the same statistics, I dont want that to tamper my feelings towards Cornwall though. Cornwall is a very tempting place to live, I think its very beautiful, and can probably offer the calm slower lifestyle I'm seeking (I'm currently from BK, NY). While my move is a long way to come, I've just been very curious about what people have thought of their moves, so I really appreciate everything anyone can share with me  As for Essex, thats where my partner has lived his whole life, its where his family is, so I expect we'll be there in the beginning. Anything anyone can share with me about their experiences in Essex or anyone else really, is very very much appreciated 


Note: I just read your reply Jules. I've been told Leigh-on-Sea is one of the more "proper" areas, and its one of the places my brit (hah he hates being called that) considers to stay "temporarily"    It's either there or here with me in the states..but we've settled with over there at this point. Anywho! Thank you for all your replies  It's all very helpful.

Hi Greenequinox:
I just noticed this thread and thought I'd add my 2 pence... Six months ago my husband and I moved from Minneapolis to Colchester, Essex and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's Britain's oldest recorded town with a Norman castle that dates to 1076 right in the middle, next to the Dutch Quarter neighbourhood which dates back to the 1400s.

As for 21st-century concerns... There's a mainline train station on the edge of town that has six or seven trains running into London Liverpool Street each hour. There's a housing boom going on as well (the result of an initiative called Colchester 2020), which means you can choose from Victorian cottages in the town centre or brand-new open-plan living spaces in the surrounding areas. Housing and letting prices are also much more reasonable than other areas within commuting distance to London. Check it out:

http://uk.houseprices.yahoo.net/

Yes, it is a garrison town (as someone else mentioned on this thread), however if you don't live next to the barracks areas on the south side of town, you'd never know they're here.

I don't mean to be a goodwill ambassador for Colchester, but you might want to check it out some weekend.

Can't believe I missed this thread, either!  I live in Chafford Hundred. It's just past the M25 and directly next to Lakeside Shopping Centre. It  has a train line directly into central London.  I have lived here for 3 years and Chafford Hundred is a very modern update environment. Most houses are 10 years old or younger as it's a rather new development. Most people who live here are young families or young professionals.  But living so close to the shopping centre and actually working in it, I feel it's time I wouldn't mind moving elsewhere.  I am so sick of tracksuits, groups of yobs coming off the trains and hanging around the station.  I like where we live and where I work but I am just not to fond of the chavvy yob culture.  Dh and I have both said we dont' want our kids going to Essex schools. I would choose Cornwall in a heartbeat if that was a choice I was given.