A guide to living in Essex

Excellent

70.0%

Very Good

24.0%

Average

3.8%

Disappointing

1.1%

Very poor

1.1%

Best places to live in Essex

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 51

Rental Only

City Park West, CM1

By Notting Hill Genesis, Folio London

4.03

(64 reviews)

City Park West offers a contemporary collection of 391 one and two-bedroom apartments in the heart of Chelmsford, developed by Notting Hill Genesis and Folio London. Located adjacent to Chelmsford Station, the development provides exceptional transport links and is just a short walk from High Chelmer Shopping Centre. With its strategic positioning and modern design, City Park West delivers a dynamic living experience in one of Essex's most vibrant city centres.

1st

Ranked 1st out of 20 in Essex

View development

Rental Only

Spinning Fields, CM7

By Allsop Single Family Housing

4.71

(13 reviews)

Spinning Fields is a Packaged Living development, managed by Allsop Single Family Housing. Set in the heart of the Essex countryside, and just a few minutes from the historic town of Braintree. Spinning Fields offers all the benefits of a rural lifestyle along with superb local amenities and commuting links into central London.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 20 in Essex

View development

Rental Only

Leaf Living at Coggeshall Mill, CO6

By Leaf Living

4.68

(8 reviews)

Sitting beside the scenic River Blackwater and with a town history dating back to Roman times, Coggeshall Mill provides a welcoming and vibrant lifestyle, with weekly markets and plenty of local pubs, shops and restaurants making it the perfect place to call home.The development features a primary school on site for children aged 5 to 11, with other excellent schools nearby. This thriving new community is well-connected, with Colchester and Braintree a stone throw away. Kelvedon Station, located 3 miles away offers train services to Liverpool Street in under an hour and London Stansted Airport is only a 30 minute drive away.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 20 in Essex

View development

St Luke's Park, SS11

By Countryside

4.43

(10 reviews)

Set within an existing parkland with easy access to neighbouring towns and transport, St Luke’s Park is an ideal place to call home.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 20 in Essex

View development

Rental Only

Award Winner 2024

One Canalside, CM2

By Legal & General, VervLife

Award winner 2024

4.29

(134 reviews)

One Canalside is a residential development by Legal & General and managed by VervLife. It features 189 apartments with a mix of 1, 2 and 3 beds. Facilities include a Residents Lounge, Work Zone, Meeting Room and Private Dining Room. In addition, on-site parking is available by request as well as a free cycle storage. With a waterside location, the development is only a 10-minute walk away from Chelmsford city centre including access to the station with links to Greater Anglia trains (40-minutes to London Liverpool Street).

5th

Ranked 5th out of 20 in Essex

View development

Page 1 of 11

Featured developments in Essex

Latest Reviews in Essex

470 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 470

Anonymous (Tenant)

Unverified

One Canalside, CM2

Jan 2026

This is rated 2.00 out of 5.00.

Dreadful property management and poor quality of the building

Anonymous (Tenant)

Unverified

One Canalside, CM2

Jan 2026

Property management team is terribly awful. It takes weeks or months to get even a simple repair done, so usually you just bother. The worst part is that most demanding issues get disregarded. When VervLife says they will fix something, you can never trust them. The quality of the building is really poor. Pipes get blocked and burst regularly. Thin walls especially between floors mean a lot of noise from neighbors walking and dogs barking.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Expensive overground parking with constantly broken gates. The area is noisy due to gas pipes works in the last 9 months.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They tried to ignore the issues first till we chased them a few times. Even when they promised that they will fix/send an engineer, they kept silent afterwards till you chase them again. Issues could have been fixed in days often get unresolved for months.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Awful property management and poor building quality

・・

HomeViews

Carolyn (Tenant)

Unverified

Spinning Fields, CM7

Jan 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

Peaceful

Carolyn (Tenant)

Unverified

Spinning Fields, CM7

Jan 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Quiet residential area, play parks and dogs walks on your doorstep. Other amenities are a short journey.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

With empathy and a can do attitude. I’ve been very happy with the team.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Happy the keys were available before 9am on move in day

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Lee a (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Westcombe Park, CM9

Jan 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Highly recommend the development . 5 stars

Lee a (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Westcombe Park, CM9

Jan 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Heybridge is lovely. All local shops nearby you would need. Nice dog walks and walking paths. Development spaced out and not over crowded

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Haven't raised any problmes as of yet but im sure they will be fine

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Flooring really cheap and is already damaged from chairs. Vinyl flooring shouldnt be used is kitchen and hallways in my opinion

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Alex g (Tenant)

Unverified

Spinning Fields, CM7

Dec 2025

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Conner and Ben was very helpful and I couldn’t be more pleased

Alex g (Tenant)

Unverified

Spinning Fields, CM7

Dec 2025

I recently moved into my new property with the support of Conner and Ben from Allsop, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the level of service they provided throughout the entire process. From the very first interaction, both of them were incredibly friendly, approachable, and genuinely committed to making the move as smooth as possible. Moving home can be stressful, but their professionalism and constant support made everything feel so much easier and more manageable. What stood out the most was how helpful they were with every single question I had—no matter how big or small. They always took the time to explain things clearly, responded promptly, and ensured I fully understood every step along the way. Their patience and willingness to go above and beyond made a huge difference, especially during moments where I felt unsure or needed extra guidance. It’s rare to find people within the property sector who show such consistent care and attention, and it truly set them apart. Conner and Ben demonstrated a high level of professionalism from start to finish. They were organised, reliable, and always followed through on what they promised. Their positive attitude and genuine desire to help made the entire experience feel personal rather than transactional, and for that I’m extremely grateful. Thanks to their support, moving into my new home was far more enjoyable and far less stressful than I ever expected. I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with the service I received, and I would highly recommend both Conner and Ben at Allsop to anyone looking for a smooth, professional, and supportive moving experience.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The property is situated in a truly lovely part of Braintree, Essex, offering a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. The surrounding area is well-kept, with beautifully presented homes that create a charming and attractive neighbourhood. One of the standout features is the abundance of parking, making it incredibly convenient for both residents and visitors. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to live or a friendly community to settle into, this location has a lot to offer. With its pleasant scenery, easy access to local amenities, and overall sense of comfort, it’s a fantastic area to call home.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I honestly have nothing bad to say about my experience. Everything was handled smoothly, professionally, and with genuine care from start to finish. The service exceeded my expectations, and every step of the process felt easy and well-managed. I’m extremely satisfied and would happily recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and positive experience.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Manager response

Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that Conor and Ben made your move so smooth and stress-free. They always strive to go above and beyond, and your feedback means a great deal - we’ll be sure to pass it on to them. We’re glad you’re enjoying both your new home and the local area. If you ever need anything, we’re always here to help. Thanks again for choosing Allsop.

Posted by

Maryam Bham, Senior Operations

Dec 2025

・・

HomeViews

Brett Regan (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Spinning Fields, CM7

Nov 2025

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

I’m just nipping out….

Brett Regan (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Spinning Fields, CM7

Nov 2025

We like this place. There is a simplicity about the design and mix of housing on the estate that makes the whole place seem democratic. The streets feel wide enough to avoid the feeling of houses leaning in on each other. In time, I think the estate could benefit from some carefully managed trees and more architectural planting to break up the slightly labyrinthine rear garden fences. I know that more facilities are planned. I also know that modern developers are very aware of the need not only to build houses but to build communities. Something like a corner shop (that everyone can walk to,) where you can buy e numbers, a lottery ticket and a newspaper will future proof this type of development.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

We have found Spinningfields and Braintree as a whole to have a useful range of shops and services within easy reach. There are a couple of useful local convenience stores as well as larger supermarkets within easy reach. Braintree Village is great place for a bit of experience shopping providing you don’t mind putting the mortgage into arrears. We also like have a broad selection of restaurants on our doorstep as well as spontaneous visits to the cinema.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

As above, Nicola was pretty quick off the mark to. remedy a couple of urgent issues. She comes across as a problem solver and a pretty tenacious but diplomatic character. Glad she’s on our side. She really seems to care.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

That ‘estates’ can be blissfully quiet! Everyone is respectful around each other, stop to chat, smile and say hello!

Manager response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear how much you’re enjoying the design of the development, the sense of space, and the friendly community atmosphere. Your thoughts on future landscaping and community facilities are greatly appreciated; they’re exactly the kind of insights that help us keep improving as the area grows. It’s lovely to hear you’re making the most of everything Braintree has to offer, from local shops to restaurants and leisure spots. And a huge thank you for your kind words about Nicola. We’re thrilled she’s been able to help so quickly and effectively, and we’ll be sure to share your feedback with her. Thanks again for recommending us; we’re really glad to have you here. If you ever need anything, we’re always happy to help.

Posted by

Maryam Bham, Senior Operations

Dec 2025

・・

HomeViews

Page 1 of 94

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

Useful articles

East of England

The East of England sits within the curved section of land protruding above the Thames Estuary, covering the home counties above London and stretching up to the border with the East Midlands. Enjoying some of the driest weather in the country, East England is also the lowest-lying land, with parts of The Fens more than two metres below sea level. Major towns and cities include Cambridge, Norwich, Bedford, Luton and Ipswich, while its constituent counties include Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Go to article

Bedfordshire

Located in the East of England, Bedfordshire is a county known for its rural scenery and attractive market towns. A place where you can find some excellent schools and universities, as well as great entertainment facilities - like theatres and cinemas. The population currently stands at just over half a million residents who enjoy living in this thriving community!

Go to article

Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire is a county in the East of England. It borders Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. The centre of Cambridgeshire is Cambridge, which has one of the largest populations in the country with just over 100,000 people living there. If you are looking for an area that has good schools and universities within reach then this could be what you are looking for!

Go to article

Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is a county in the East of England that has been an important centre for trade, industry and commerce since the Iron Age. The county has over 760,000 residents, which makes it one of the most populous counties in England. It also contains some of the best schools and universities in the country! Whether you are looking to relocate or just learn more about Hertfordshire, this guide will provide all of the information you need!

Go to article

Norfolk

Norfolk is a county in the East of England. The city of Norwich is the county town and largest settlement. Norfolk has a population of just under million inhabitants, making it one of the most populous counties in England's Eastern region. If you're looking for a place to live with your family, there are plenty of options available - from villages to towns and cities, Norfolk has something for everyone!

Go to article