So... Chelmsford..

Braughing, Much Hadham, Little Hadham, Puckeridge are all nice and quaint - depends what you're after. Are you looking to buy or rent? Hertford is alright too. Not a fan of Chelmsford itself but there are nice villages nearby, so long as you're not under the Stansted flight path.

The Ongars - good access to A12, M11/M25 & A414.

I'm in Brentwood & can get to Van Hage (Gt Amwell) in 30 mins, using M11 route

I'm in Chelmsford. It's not a bad town, but still a town and not as nice as the villages.

Melbourne is pretty much the only 'must avoid' area!

Getting across town in the rush hour can take upwards of half an hour so you really need to take that in to consideration.

I lived in Chelmsford for 6 years, first in the Old Moulsham area (by the police HQ) and then Moulsham Lodge. Didn't have a problem with either and tbh was preey sad to leave the area as I loved the shopping in Chelmsford (Newbury is so crap in comparison). I would laos echo want another poster said about the morning/evening traffic, if you have to negotiate the Army & Navy roundabout during rush hour slap a minimum of 30 minutes into your journey, it's a nightmare to cross.

Sorry can't advice about the outlying villages but good luck with your search

Thanks all

Were looking at possibly both rent, first whilst we buy a house (he gets a fab relocation package through his new job so we can do that)

We need to be within 5 - 10 (maximum of about 12) miles from Great Baddow as Dr S needs to be in cycling distance of work, we have looked at the villages along the A414 (Ongars etc) and also along the A1060 but there doesnt seem much available at the moment

So poss are Writtle, around Admirals Park etc

Someone mentioned the Army and Navy roundabout - not sure which that one is - sorry

Which bit is melbourne??

Melbourne is near Broomfield and the hospital, however if you need to be near Great Baddow then it's the wrong side of Chelmsford anyway. The Army and Navy roundabout is the one with the single lane bridge running over it. Great Baddow is lovely nad Mousham lodge is on the edge of it, however ML is a sprawling 1970's type development so if you want countryside this probably won;t match waht you want. East Hanningfield is lovely (we lived there for a few months) and just ourside of Great Baddow, as is Danbury and Writtle. Maldon is not too far away either, although it is a bit larger of a larger town.

HTH

we dont need to be near great baddow, we need to be as close to ware /harlow as possible but within 10 miles of great baddow, hence looking at writtle area

Ive never been to chelmsford before so still dont know which the army navy roundabout is, sorry, we are going up there next weekend to have a look round

dont mind either country or town, im living in very rural area at the moment and hate it as its too quiet

aaagh just found where melbourne is and thats one of the areas we are looking at.... if you dont mind me asking - whats wrong with it???

Melbourne is a very grotty council estate, there is a lot of problems with drugs, knife crimes etc lets put it this way you wouldn;t want to drive arund there in the dark let alone walk around it. Even though the houses are cheaper, they are cheaper for a reason, stay well clear.

You can't miss the Army and Navy, if your coming into Chelmsford town centre from Great Baddow you'll have to negotiate it anyway.

Right thats that area written straight off then

cack were running out of places now...

Oooh that is very interesting to know as Brentwood is about 12 /13 miles to great baddow so would be doable for both

and I can cope with a 30 min commute...

Shame about the Haverhill bit, you could have been my NpretendyBF ? you lucked out there!

Writtle is very nice - and would be in a great position for your commute. It's got a village feel, with a quaint duck pond and church on the green. The cycle ride to Great Baddow would also be not too bad at all.

Great Baddow itself is nice, but the road up to the Army & Navy from there is dreadful in the morning. You could go through Moulsham Lodge though.

Seriously, avoid Melbourne like the plague.

Feel free to mail me if you like, I've lived in this area for most of my life - I grew up in Little Baddow and still lust after a house there!

I'm not sure if the mail function works at the moment, I'll check back here tomorrow.

Which bit is the Ice rink in?

the town centre

Thanks Pu$$y Cat, you have been a great help ?

Is all the area within the circle melbourne and to be avoided then or are any parts of it ok?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/clairet707/3329722063/

The Broomfield area is very nice, lots of lovely big house however some people are put off with it being so close to Melbourne and you needto think about the re-sell value on your house if you ever move out of th area (especially in this climate), plus if you need to be near Great Baddow then you're on the wrong side of town and in rush hour could take up to an hour to get across it (trsut me I've done is many times). You need to be looking at the other side of town.

we DONT need to be near great baddow, H can cycle up to 10 -12 miles so we need to be the harlow side of town for my commute to Ware, hence us looking at that area

though if we did buy, we wouldnt be selling for a good few years and if we did have to move we possibly would rent it out like we have done with our other house

Then try the Old Moulsham area (by the police HQ) and possibly Springfield (although that is an 80's sprawling developement) There were some nice house that went up about 5 years ago just long from Springfield. Wickham and surrounding villages are also nice, but might be too far for your OH to cycle into work from.

Only you can decide where to live I'm just trying to advise you of best and worst areas. Good luck with your visit on Saturday

Can't see the picture properly as I'm on my Blackberry. Melbourne is actually quite a small area and there's a 'nice' estate just nearby. Any road names with a Dickensian name would be from the nicer, newer area. Are you likely to be looking at schools in the next few years? That might also make a huge difference as to where you look. Back later

Aah thats a big help, thanks PC

Schools - Id like to say yes but probably not.....

We moved to Chelmsford last summer and understand how difficult it is to try and find a house in an area that you aren't very familiar with. In the end we bought a place in Great Baddow because of the closeness to the A130 and A12. My MIL works for Essex police and got a friend at HQ to mark a map the places to avoid due to crime etc. I've lent the map to a friend but if I can get it back you are welcome to have it.

Please it would be very helpful

Are you still there? Will have to meet up when we have moved

Yes we're still here, give me a shout when you've moved. I've emailed my friend about the map and I'll give her a call tomorrow.

I'm back

Sorry about the delay

There are a few 'nicer' areas inside your red circle.

The Avenues on the East side of Broomfield Road are all quite nice. The houses are generally 1920s/1930s detached with good sized gardens.

To the North of your circle is Newlands Spring, which is a newish housing estate and has the 'Dickensian' roads - Pickwick, Nickleby, Oliver, Copperfield etc. I'm not sure of exact roads, but there would be a big mix of houses/flats etc and is a much 'nicer' area than Melbourne itself. TBH, you will easily be able to tell which are the nicer areas if you drive around - there's a huge block of flats half way down Melbourne Avenue.

To the South of your circle, there are a few nicer roads, but these are on the 'edge' of Melbourne. There are some nicer houses in the roads that run off Roxwell/Rainsford Road. I have a friend that lives in rainsford Avenue which is a very nice road of huge houses. This area will be quite expensive though as it's within walking distance of the station.

Just outside your circle is a bunch of roads that run in between Beeches Road and Writtle Road - I would avoid this area if possible as well.

If Policefoxlynne is around, give her a shout as she used to Police this area!

If you would like to mail me, try here and fingers crossed it will work!

I am quite happy to let you have my mobile number if you want to text me over the weekend. Most of the Estate Agents are in Duke Street and you can pick up a copy of the Essex Chronicle in any local shop/garage which will have a massive 'property' section

Good Luck!

I meant to say last night - I used to work in Harlow. The A414 in the morning can be a total biatch (especially waiting to get round the roundabout at the M11) - I used to go on the A1060 and then through Sheering. I live to the North of Chelmsford (Springfield area) and it only takes 5/10 minutes to get onto the A1060.

Just bouncing (if that's 'allowed' on OT?!!) as I can see policefox lyn and wonder if she's got anything to add

Thanks for that PC, its hadny to know about the A1060, a couple of people here at work suggested going that way rahter than A414 through Harlow, so might have to investigate that a bit more...

Just seen this, I must have just logged off when P Cat saw me.

I was the beat officer for Writtle, I covered Writtle, Roxwell and Highwood.

I would recommend Writtle and loved policing it. There is only one "estate" other than the council houses but there are a few other residential roads. Really low crime rate and a nice vibe I always felt.

I would second the recommendations made by PC really. I would also add Margaretting as we never had too many problems there either nor did we in the vast majority of Galleywood.

Melbourne is awful- though I would deny that it is rife with drugs and knife crime, it is the worst place in Chelmsford but I'd quite happily walk there at night- I'm obviously skewed by having worked much rougher areas in my time!!! (I actually worked out of Melbourne nick for several years and I was happy to leave my car parked outside)

If you get a bit closer to finding somewhere and you want me to check it out then shout out for me- on BT if I'm not around here. It can be hard because just one street in a particular area might be somewhere to avoid.

TBH I'd happily have lived in the vast majority of Chelmsford.

No idea about Chelmsford, sorry but well done on your H for getting the job. I'm sorry you didn't get yours. ?

You weren't in Liverpool yesterday were you? If it wasn't you, your doppleganger was near the Tropical Medicine School on London Road at 5.20pm. ?

Nah Im not that bothered about that job now to be honest, would have been messy health wise, have just got where I am now to understand...

Afraid not lovely, t'wasnt me, scary thought though if there were 2 of me ?

? how you doing yourself?