Essex is one of the country’s most desirable places to live. The county’s population is now over 1.5 million people , and rose by 8,500 last year.
With the expansive fields and farmland, rolling hills and a beautiful coastline all within a stone's throw of London it’s easy to see why. But if you are looking to move to Essex, or move within the county it can be hard to decide where to move to. So we spoke to Mike Gray, director of Dedman Gray Estate Agents in Southend who gave us his recommendations on where to move, and where is popular in the current market.
The two places he pinpointed were Leigh-On-Sea and Thorpe Bay. Gray stated that there has been a major upturn in people moving to these places since the COVID lockdowns. This fits the overall trend where people are becoming more inclined to move to rural or coastal areas after the pandemic.
Gray said that the popularity of these areas is facilitated by the direct link to London via the C2C train, and the surrounding “facilities” in the area, specifically those designed for sport. He also highlighted the role of the seven mile seafront walk as a chance to soak up local history and enjoy some fresh sea air. READ MORE: New nursery set to open at primary school as demand increases READ MORE: Shop that's been in Southend for 20 years to close due to 'economic challenges' Located to the West of Southend, Leigh-On-Sea is a vibrant town full of character.
The Broadway contains a vast array of independent shops, restaur.