Anyone is colchester?

[jennywren07]

Just wondering what its like? looking to relocate somewhere cheaper (than london so shouldnt be too hard!!) but stll withing driving distance. What arethe schools and things like? any areas to especially avoid?

 

[caramel]

I'm in colchester. It's nice, some areas better than others. I'd avoid Greenstead if you can, I know the lexden side of town is lovely. Schools vary, plenty of choice but definately look at ofsted reports/look round first.
Lots to do, plenty of shopping/riding schools/things to do, castle park, leisure world etc. Feel free to PM if you need any more info.

 

[Sportyspots]

Agree with Caramel above except although I wouldn't want to live in Greenstead there are some nice walks by Salary Brook there. Can't comment on schools but commutting by road could be a nightmare, I commute into Suffolk which 95% of the time is ok but used to commute to Shell Haven (now London Gateway) and driving there is always some accident causing delays. My neighbour commutes by train into London, leaves home 5am back by 6.30pm.
Horse wise we have loads of active Riding Clubs and competition venues. Round my area most people keep horses at home as farmers have sold off parcels of land although if planning is successful I'm going to be surrounded by gravel pits which is ok, it's the back filling with non-recyclable waste which is more of a pain!

 

[caramel]

Agreed I work on Harwich Road, and I know the parsons heath/roach vale area quite well, both have nice primary schools (have visited them a few times). There are some lovely yards for livery if you shop around, many now advertise and there's a nice selection of riding schools, some offer hacking, depends what you're looking for.

 

[daydreamer]

I live in Colchester, moved here about 5 years ago. I really like it. I think the schools are pretty good, there are two local grammars which cream off the top students but most of the other schools seem to be ok. It is quite a friendly place. If you are used to London you might find it quieter than you are used to, for example I have struggled to find a yoga class I like.

Horse-wise I find it a bit of a struggle if you don't have your own horse - I don't think the very local riding schools are great (but I am picky!). I also didn't find there was that much choice in livery yards when I had a horse on loan last year.

 

[jennywren07]

Thanks guys, i grew up on the Nofolk coast so can do quiet

OH has now said he'd quite like to live in a village, cant see this being cheaper but i'm not going to complain!! The plan is to go for a drive and see where we like but any suggestions where to look?

we need good schools within a sensible distance (have a 2yr old) needs to be within 2 hours from London although not central London as his firm covers all over so he can pick his area, somewhere for the horses but were happy with just a field, and a shop that doesn't close at 6 an sell one chocolate bar we'll be renting and only want a little 2/3 bed so nowhere full of mansions either lol

 

[Elbie]

I'm from Colchester, born and raised!

Its a nice little town, has good points and bad points but it wasn't until I went to Uni and lived in Surrey & London for a bit that I realised the bad points happen in every town!

Lots of lovely villages around Colchester too. Manningtree and Mistley are nice, although very small. Also around Layer is nice. If you're renting you may find limited choice for villages though. I rent at the moment and all I could find were houses and flats in and around the centre.

Lots of trains at rush hour going to and from London, however they don't come cheap. My season ticket currently costs me over £4k a year. Easy to drive in but always see traffic jams on the A12.

Schools are good, seems to have picked up over the years as those that were a bit iffy when I was at school have now flourished and are doing really well.

 

[Superhot]

Come to sunny Suffolk instead. It's only just over the border, lovely rural villages, off road riding, forests and heath to walk dogs! There is even a regular rail service to Liverpool Street but can't guarantee how problem free it is...

 

[jennywren07]

we need to be within driving reach of London Superhot, although im Norfolk born and bread surely the locals would run me out of town with forks and burning tourches

we've found a few options to have a look at so no doubt i'll be back after the weekend for more opinions

 

[Sportyspots]

If you want a shop that doesn't close at 6 steer clear of Manningtree! Lovely quaint town, railway and together with the industrial estate every type of shop you could want BUT they all close for lunch and have various half day closing. Said by someone whos turned up at the tip with a car load of smelly rubbish to find it closed! The main supermarket is the very expensive and limited in choice Co-op so everyone drives to Colchester or Clacton for their main shop but the uproar over a proposed Tescos!!!!! The Tescos Express is Manningtrees saving grace if only you could find a parking space outside! Then again the reason you can't park is the fab Indian and Italian opposite.
Agree with Superhot try just over the border, Suffolk is lovely, currently boxing to Suffolk to get eventing fit as they have hills!