Essex offers plenty of choice of places to live, whether you want a city with a fast London connection, a historic market town, or a cosy home near the coast. The county’s towns have very different day-to-day rhythms, so the right fit will depend on what matters most to you – commuting, green space, independent shops, family amenities, or being able to walk by the water.
Here are eight places to consider, with a look at what each offer and the kind of move that might suit it.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is a great choice if you want city amenities and easy access to London. Fast trains connect its central station with Liverpool Street, and the A12 and A130 make journeys by road across Essex and towards the M25 more straightforward. The city centre has a broad mix of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities, with Chelmsford Cathedral and riverside parks adding a quieter counterpoint.
It could suit commuters who want more space than they might find in London, as well as families who want a full range of services close by. There are green routes along the River Chelmer and through parks such as Admirals Park, so outdoor walks and cycle rides can be part of everyday life rather than just a weekend expedition. Chelmsford is busy and well connected, though, so it might be less appealing if you’re looking for a small-town pace.
See our guide to Chelmsford removals for more information.
Colchester
Colchester combines a substantial town centre with a long history, which includes Roman walls, a castle, and historic streets. It also has a lively cultural scene, from the contemporary art at Firstsite to the independent shops and cafés around the centre. Colchester Zoo and Castle Park are popular family attractions, and the University of Essex brings a sizeable student community to the area.
With direct rail services to London Liverpool Street, Colchester can work for commuters, although the journey is longer than from towns nearer the capital. It could also suit families and people who want a wider choice of shops, schools, culture and leisure on their doorstep. Nearby villages and Wivenhoe offer a different feel if you want access to Colchester’s facilities without living in the centre.
See our guide to Colchester removals for more information.
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden has the feel of a traditional market town, with historic buildings, a market square and independent businesses giving the centre a strong local character. It is close to Audley End House and Gardens, and the surrounding countryside offers plenty of scope for walking and cycling. The town is also known for its common and turf maze, a reminder of its distinctive local heritage.
This could be a good fit for people who value a close-knit town centre and access to countryside over a direct rail commute. Saffron Walden doesn’t have its own railway station – the nearest stations include Audley End and Great Chesterford, so regular commuters will need to factor in the journey to the train. The town could appeal most to families and people who work locally or flexibly and want a quieter base with useful amenities close by.
Read our full guide on what makes Saffron Walden such a great place to live for more information.
Manningtree
Small in scale but well connected by rail, Manningtree sits close to the River Stour and the Essex-Suffolk border. Its station has services towards London Liverpool Street and Ipswich, which makes it a viable choice for commuters who want to live somewhere more compact and waterside. Nearby Mistley is known for its distinctive Towers, and the estuary landscape offers a scenic setting for walks and time outdoors.
Manningtree could suit people who want a slower pace without giving up train access, as well as those drawn to sailing, kayaking and life by the water. The town has local shops and places to eat, but it is much smaller than Chelmsford or Colchester, so residents might need to travel for a wider choice of shopping, healthcare, or entertainment. It is worth thinking about how often you want those bigger-town facilities before deciding.
Brentwood
Brentwood offers a lively high street, restaurants and leisure options, with green space nearby at Weald Country Park and Thorndon Country Park. Its transport links are a major draw – Brentwood and Shenfield stations provide rail connections into London, and Shenfield is served by the Elizabeth line. That makes the area well worth considering if you need to travel into the capital regularly and want a choice of routes.
The town could suit commuters, professionals, and families who want a well-served base with parks and countryside within reach. Its convenient location is likely to appeal to people who want to balance work in London with more room at home, although housing costs can be higher than in some parts of Essex. For a quieter residential feel, you could compare the town centre with nearby areas such as Shenfield and Ingatestone.
See our guide to Brentwood removals for more information.
Epping
Epping’s Central line station gives it a direct Tube connection to London, and the town itself has a bustling, traditional high street with independent shops, cafés and pubs. Epping Forest is close by, which means that walks, cycling, and time outdoors can become an easy part of day-to-day life. The combination of woodland and London access is unusual and gives the area a distinct appeal.
It could suit commuters who would rather use the Underground than travel into central London by mainline train, as well as people who enjoy having large areas of open space close to home. Families might also appreciate the town’s community feel and local amenities. Epping is quieter than a city, but it is still a popular commuter location. Anyone weighing up a move should consider both the cost of housing and their preferred balance of town and countryside.
See our guide to Epping removals for more information.
Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea brings together coastal scenery and a strong independent food and shopping scene. Old Leigh’s historic lanes, pubs and seafood restaurants sit close to the estuary, whilst the high street and Broadway offer more cafés, shops and everyday services. The railway station connects the town with London Fenchurch Street via the c2c line, and Southend’s wider amenities are close by.
This could suit people who want a seaside setting without giving up cafés, restaurants and a lively local community. The estuary and seafront make it easy to get outside, while rail access keeps London within reach for commuters. Leigh is a popular place to live, so it might not offer the quiet or low-cost move some people are looking for. It’s a good option to explore if you’re drawn to coastal life but still want an active high street.
Maldon
Maldon has a character shaped by its position on the Blackwater Estuary. The Hythe Quay, where historic Thames sailing barges are moored, gives the town a distinctive waterfront, and the promenade at Promenade Park is a popular place to walk, picnic and take in the river views. The town centre has independent shops and traditional pubs, while the surrounding district offers a more rural setting.
Maldon could suit people who want a quieter town with a strong sense of place and plenty of access to the water and countryside. It is less straightforward for rail commuters though, as Maldon does not have a railway station, and journeys by train usually involve travelling to a nearby station by car or bus. That makes it particularly worth considering if you work locally, drive, or only commute occasionally.
Moving to Essex?
Once you’ve chosen the right town, planning the move is the next step. Britannia has two Essex branches, each able to help with moves in the county, whether you’re moving locally, nationally, or internationally. Britannia W Harris Moovit is based in Braintree and covers locations including Colchester, Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea and Harlow. Britannia Perrys provides removals across Essex and Hertfordshire in locations such as Brentwood, Epping and Romford.
You can contact the local branch directly, or you can request a quote online.
