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Moving & Removals

When you want to make the move and exist outside of the M25 bubble, or you want to move closer to London without paying London prices, Essex is the place to be. The great thing about this little corner of the UK is the way it welcomes you with open arms thanks to a local character that’s all about friendly banter and having a good time. 

To help you get your move on the go the right way, we’ve put together a quick list of all the key things you need to know about moving to Essex. We’ve made sure to cover the key things like money, house prices, and employment; and we’ve also included all the fun stuff the area is known for too. Ideal when you want to make sure your new home is the perfect fit for everyone in the family. 

 

Clacton-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea

You might think that Essex is nothing more than a sprawling urban jungle that juts out from London, but you’d certainly be mistaken! The beauty of Essex is the way it offers coastal, country, and urban living options all nestled peacefully side by side. If you love the sound of the sea lapping gently at the shore, basing yourself in one of these tourist hotspots is certainly worth a closer look. Just make sure you budget for the higher house prices that have arisen in recent years due to second home owners. You can expect to pay in the region of 10% for living on the coast than the county-wide average. Something to consider when you’re trying to balance your book. 

 

Essex high-end eateries

Mersea, Grain, and Flitch of Bacon all offer stunning food in iconic settings, so why not make a point of eating out at places like this at least once a month? By getting yourself into the local culinary scene you’ll be able to get out and about, explore what’s on offer, and discover a pile of hidden gems that you’re sure to want to go back to over and over again as the years go by. 

 

Roman architecture in Essex

The Roman capital wasn’t London, it was Colchester, which tells you everything you need to know about the level of Roman influence you’ll still see on the remnants that dot the county. Whether it’s the stunning brickwork or large open squares that previously served as Roman forums for discussion, you’ll see a unique charm, culture, and heritage when you explore Essex in a little more detail. Perfect when you want to live somewhere that you’ll instantly fall in love with. 

 

Distance Essex to London

You can get into Central London in a little over an hour on a good day on trains, giving you ample options if you want to access the main market for professional positions in the UK. The one downside here is the cost of the annual rail passes which can easily run to the high four figures. One thing worth having in mind though is that because the cost of living in Essex (London commuting excluded) is consistently around 10-15% lower than in London, you can offset the cost of your commute quite easily. You’ll also have access to the largest, most dynamic, and most lucrative jobs market. Something worth considering when you want to work out the ideal work-life balance as you plan to make a new life for yourself in Essex. 

 

Essex Countryside

Head on over to charming little Uttlesford and you’ll be a world away from the urban sprawl and club scene many of us associate with Essex. Long before the professional classes spilled out of the M25 looking for a quieter pace of life, Essex was a land of farmers and quaint country pubs. There’s still a whole host of charming little villages that fit this bill if that’s what you’re looking for, and they’re ideal if you have the flexibility to work online or from home. 

 

What to do in Brentford and Romford

The clubbing scene is a major part of life in Essex, there’s no getting away from it. If you’re looking to retire, or raise a young family, you won’t find that it ever gets in the way. But if you want to cut loose every once in a while and make the most of some time away from work, and without the kids, you’ll find a whole host of options when it’s time for a good time. Meet up with some friends, invite them down for the weekend from where you used to live, and invite some of your new neighbours and colleagues and you’ll have a great weekend. You’re also close enough to London that you can get to most of the major entertainment if you’re happy for a 2-hour round trip split either side of the festivities. 

 

Shopping in Essex

Take a look at the Lakeside Shopping Centre, or Braintree Village, and you’ll be sure to find plenty of gifts, additions for the home, and ways to treat yourself without having to go far. Ideal when you want to be able to enjoy a great range of choice without having to battle your way all the way to Oxford Street on the Tube. This also makes Essex a really homely place to live during the Xmas period where the major shopping centres really come alive for things for the whole family to enjoy. 

 

The local art scene

If you want to really get to know Essex, take a look at the new murals that are popping up in public places all the time. They’re the perfect expression of a thriving local art scene that’s evolved in recent years, mostly powered by the voices and experiences of the young people who will shape Essex in the years ahead. They’re well worth a look if you want to see thought-provoking art delivering in style and presented at scale. 

To finish things off, here’s three quick things to help you with your final budgeting: 

  • Utilities prices in Essex are comparable to anywhere else in the South, but rental prices are typically 30% lower than in London for similar properties. 
  • The average commuting cost is amongst the highest in the UK, but this is skewed by the large number of rail users going into Central London. If you want to work locally, you won’t have to pay anything like the average amount. 
  • Average wages are 10% higher than the national average, again this is in large part because of the large number of professionals working in London. 

 

Final thoughts

Moving to Essex is an adventure that will stay with you for a lifetime, provided you get everything right during the all-important initial planning and fact finding stage. To help you on your way we won’t just provide you with all the background info above, we’ll also help you get everything you need from A to B.

Click here if you want to make your relocation to Essex stress-free and relaxing, every step of the way.