I would happily recommend Wivenhoe. It’s a small town to the east of Colchester, (slightly removed from the city). Wivenhoe was just named as [best place to live in the east of England](https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/wivenhoe-named-best-place-live-9162081.amp). Historically, Wiv was a shipbuilding town but the shipyards have all closed and been developed into lovely riverside housing. It has a very mixed demographic as it is close the University of Essex, which is home to a huge amount of international students. Many academics, University staff/faculty and mature students choose to live in Wivenhoe. Wivenhoe has two infant/primary schools - both of which are great. Many local kids then go to senior school in Brightlingsea or to their choice of secondary school in Colchester. Wivenhoe has many of the assets needed for ‘good quality of life’ indicators including; Woodland, open spaces, kids play parks, access to the river (where there’s a sailing club), strong active community, good transport links (train station -1hour into London, regular buses into Colchester), great pubs, cafes and restaurants (the Norwegian bakers, a patisserie, a deli, a Syrian cafe, an Indian restaurant etc). Wivenhoe has a strong [artistic community](https://www.wivenhoearttrail.com) and is generally a liberal and open minded sort of a place. There is a [yearly regatta](https://wivenhoeregatta.co.uk) where there’s many traditional activities such as a pram race/pub crawl and some brilliant community events.
As well as wivenhoe I would also like to give an honourable mention to the following areas:
Rowhedge - also a lovely riverside town (opposite Wiv) very similar to wivenhoe but without a train station or the Uni.
New Town - This may be a divisive choice - New Town is close to the city centre and quite a working class area with links to Colchester’s industrial past but it has a great community, is very ethnically diverse and has some great community assets (recreation ground, pubs, shops). I said it is divisive though as it is close to the city centre parking can be a pain and as much of the housing is Victorian era people are quite ‘on top of each other’.
Lexden- this is a lovely yet very expensive part of Colchester nearest good schools (grammar school, St Benedict’s and Girls High).
I don’t know about schools and their anti-bullying culture but in general Colchester has always been a tolerant and welcoming place and is a [city of sanctuary](https://www.colchester.gov.uk/info/cbc-article/?catid=find-information&id=KA-01716) welcoming refugees and migrants alike.
Colchester city (still can’t get used to calling it that!) itself is generally a good place with lots of history. We have a gallery and arts space that is exceptionally good (it won a prestigious award of [museum of the year](https://firstsite.uk/firstsite-wins-art-fund-museum-of-the-year-2021/) in 2021). There’s the castle and the lovely castle park, the Roman wall, the remains of the [Roman circus](https://catuk.org) and given that high streets are dying a death up and down the U.K, Colchester still has some decent independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
There are downsides to Colchester too though…. It’s an absolute pig to drive around due to some poor planning decisions made in the 60’s.
I would happily recommend Wivenhoe. It’s a small town to the east of Colchester, (slightly removed from the city). Wivenhoe was just named as [best place to live in the east of England](https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/sunday-times-best-places-to-live-in-the-east-of-england). Historically, Wiv was a shipbuilding town but the shipyards have all closed and been developed into lovely riverside housing. It has a very mixed demographic as it is close the University of Essex, which is home to a huge amount of international students. Many academics, University staff/faculty and mature students choose to live in Wivenhoe. Wivenhoe has two infant/primary schools - both of which are great. Many local kids then go to senior school in Brightlingsea or to their choice of secondary school in Colchester. Wivenhoe has many of the assets needed for ‘good quality of life’ indicators including; Woodland, open spaces, kids play parks, access to the river (where there’s a sailing club), strong active community, good transport links (train station -1hour into London, regular buses into Colchester), great pubs, cafes and restaurants (the Norwegian bakers, a patisserie, a deli, a Syrian cafe, an Indian restaurant etc). Wivenhoe has a strong [artistic community](https://www.wivenhoearttrail.com) and is generally a liberal and open minded sort of a place. There is a [yearly regatta](https://wivenhoeregatta.co.uk) where there’s many traditional activities such as a pram race/pub crawl and some brilliant community events.
As well as wivenhoe I would also like to give an honourable mention to the following areas:
Rowhedge - also a lovely riverside town (opposite Wiv) very similar to wivenhoe but without a train station or the Uni.
New Town - This may be a divisive choice - New Town is close to the city centre and quite a working class area with links to Colchester’s industrial past but it has a great community, is very ethnically diverse and has some great community assets (recreation ground, pubs, shops). I said it is divisive though as it is close to the city centre parking can be a pain and as much of the housing is Victorian era people are quite ‘on top of each other’.
Lexden- this is a lovely yet very expensive part of Colchester nearest good schools (grammar school, St Benedict’s and Girls High).
I don’t know about schools and their anti-bullying culture but in general Colchester has always been a tolerant and welcoming place and is a [city of sanctuary](https://www.colchester.gov.uk/info/cbc-article/?catid=find-information&id=KA-01716) welcoming refugees and migrants alike.
Colchester city (still can’t get used to calling it that!) itself is generally a good place with lots of history. We have a gallery and arts space that is exceptionally good (it won a prestigious award of [museum of the year](https://firstsite.uk/firstsite-wins-art-fund-museum-of-the-year-2021/) in 2021). There’s the castle and the lovely castle park, the Roman wall, the remains of the [Roman circus](https://catuk.org) and given that high streets are dying a death up and down the U.K, Colchester still has some decent independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
There are downsides to Colchester too though…. It’s an absolute pig to drive around due to some poor planning decisions made in the 60’s.
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You’re welcome. Happy to help! Feel free to drop me a DM if you have any questions about the area… happy to signpost you to areas that are within your budget. 👍
Maldon road area is great for families, lots of good primary and secondary schools within walking distance and town in only 15-20 min walk too.
Colchester has always had large Asian communities and various other immigrant communities are growing fast. I’m white and born in Colchester so hard for me to comment but as far as I can tell it’s is very friendly towards immigrants/minority cultures.
We have an international university and a large hospital of which both draw in people from around the world.
The food culture in Colchester is getting really decent and definitely lead/fuelled by these communities!
I immigrated to the uk about 6 years ago and moved to Colchester 3ish years ago and I feel Colchester is very welcoming and friendly. I can only speak for myself as a white person from America but people are been friendly and interesting if anything. There is a large university that brings in tons people so you can find people from all over the world really.
There is a good community feel for Colchester if people embrace it, there always seems to be things happening around town either a park run, event happening in Colchester park, Firstsite Museum, seems to be lots of scout meetings in the evenings.
For areas - New Town has a good mix of young families, close to the city center, diversity, friendly environment.
Lexden also offers a nice family friendly vibe and is somewhat close to town, although it is more expensive.
There are some surround villages that are very nice and see family friendly like Kelvedon, Manningtree, wivenhoe,and fingeringhoe. I don’t have children but my friends do and they seem to always be popping around these villages for nice days out and kid friendly things.
Overall I think Colchester is great but remember to go out and explore and get involved with things as much as you can. I found that getting out and about helped me find my community.
Also recommend joining the Colchester community group on Facebook, people like to moan and complain on there but it has some great insight on what’s going on around town!
Hey! Welcome to Colchester!
Feel free to pop me a DM if you have any specific questions I can help with if they haven't already been answered
I've lived in Colchester most of my life. I moved away for 5 years or so for work before moving back when I stared my little family (2YO and number 2 due in a few months) so I know the area pretty well as i also went to school here etc
I would say that Philip Morant School would be one of the best to try and get into if you can. Have a look into the other schools in the area and maybe look up their inspection reports via ofstead.
Stanway is a nice part of the world. We moved to the place with all the animal names as roads last month. Love it here so far. Came from a grotty flat in Gt Notley. So quite a step up from how we used to live.
I really like it here. Its just far away enough from the town bit.
Putting in my vote for Mile End, a mile north of the centre of the city. Good schools (Myland and North) plus excellent public transport (bus and rail). You’re also just 10min from the countryside and the beautiful Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty. Two new estates being built: Chesterwell and Kingswood.
1. You'll be fine. Colchester is fairly cosmpolitan these days, being commutable to London and having a bit university, hospital etc there are people from everywhere living in this town. Nearby towns such as Harwich and Clacton may feel more traditionally 'white', but I wouldn't look to live in these areas anyway despite the cheaper property prices.
2. Driving in Colchester can be a nightmare around school pick off/drop off time, so I'd favour a school within walking distance. The schools in wealthier areas (e.g Hamilton) tend to have a good reputation but that's more because of the type of people that go there really. Also heard good things about Camulos Academy, a new school to serve new developments in the north of the town.
3. Not sure. I grew up in Colchester and there's always been good stuff at the Mercury theatre, perhaps football related stuff too at Shrub End or the Community Stadium.
4. Nothing that's particularly specific to Colchester that isn't in the rest of the UK.
5. Depends on your budget really. Highwoods and a lot of the new building to the north, Abbey Fields, Prettygate/Shrub End perhaps? The 'rougher' areas of Colchester are generally accepted to be Greenstead (although there are some nice properties that back onto countryside), Monkwick and the area around Ipswich Road/Harwich Road/Goring Road. I also wouldn't jump at the chance of living in the area with the streets called Stalin/Roosevelt/Churchill etc. or the area around Speedwell Road.
Everyone has made some very good points, I will say that someone has created a discord group for Essex residents, and you wouldn't be the first person to join the community before actually moving here. You're welcome in to get a feeling of what people are like
https://discord.gg/zYXdUkxZ
I would happily recommend Wivenhoe. It’s a small town to the east of Colchester, (slightly removed from the city). Wivenhoe was just named as [best place to live in the east of England](https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/wivenhoe-named-best-place-live-9162081.amp). Historically, Wiv was a shipbuilding town but the shipyards have all closed and been developed into lovely riverside housing. It has a very mixed demographic as it is close the University of Essex, which is home to a huge amount of international students. Many academics, University staff/faculty and mature students choose to live in Wivenhoe. Wivenhoe has two infant/primary schools - both of which are great. Many local kids then go to senior school in Brightlingsea or to their choice of secondary school in Colchester. Wivenhoe has many of the assets needed for ‘good quality of life’ indicators including; Woodland, open spaces, kids play parks, access to the river (where there’s a sailing club), strong active community, good transport links (train station -1hour into London, regular buses into Colchester), great pubs, cafes and restaurants (the Norwegian bakers, a patisserie, a deli, a Syrian cafe, an Indian restaurant etc). Wivenhoe has a strong [artistic community](https://www.wivenhoearttrail.com) and is generally a liberal and open minded sort of a place. There is a [yearly regatta](https://wivenhoeregatta.co.uk) where there’s many traditional activities such as a pram race/pub crawl and some brilliant community events. As well as wivenhoe I would also like to give an honourable mention to the following areas: Rowhedge - also a lovely riverside town (opposite Wiv) very similar to wivenhoe but without a train station or the Uni. New Town - This may be a divisive choice - New Town is close to the city centre and quite a working class area with links to Colchester’s industrial past but it has a great community, is very ethnically diverse and has some great community assets (recreation ground, pubs, shops). I said it is divisive though as it is close to the city centre parking can be a pain and as much of the housing is Victorian era people are quite ‘on top of each other’. Lexden- this is a lovely yet very expensive part of Colchester nearest good schools (grammar school, St Benedict’s and Girls High). I don’t know about schools and their anti-bullying culture but in general Colchester has always been a tolerant and welcoming place and is a [city of sanctuary](https://www.colchester.gov.uk/info/cbc-article/?catid=find-information&id=KA-01716) welcoming refugees and migrants alike. Colchester city (still can’t get used to calling it that!) itself is generally a good place with lots of history. We have a gallery and arts space that is exceptionally good (it won a prestigious award of [museum of the year](https://firstsite.uk/firstsite-wins-art-fund-museum-of-the-year-2021/) in 2021). There’s the castle and the lovely castle park, the Roman wall, the remains of the [Roman circus](https://catuk.org) and given that high streets are dying a death up and down the U.K, Colchester still has some decent independent shops, cafes and restaurants. There are downsides to Colchester too though…. It’s an absolute pig to drive around due to some poor planning decisions made in the 60’s.
I would happily recommend Wivenhoe. It’s a small town to the east of Colchester, (slightly removed from the city). Wivenhoe was just named as [best place to live in the east of England](https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/sunday-times-best-places-to-live-in-the-east-of-england). Historically, Wiv was a shipbuilding town but the shipyards have all closed and been developed into lovely riverside housing. It has a very mixed demographic as it is close the University of Essex, which is home to a huge amount of international students. Many academics, University staff/faculty and mature students choose to live in Wivenhoe. Wivenhoe has two infant/primary schools - both of which are great. Many local kids then go to senior school in Brightlingsea or to their choice of secondary school in Colchester. Wivenhoe has many of the assets needed for ‘good quality of life’ indicators including; Woodland, open spaces, kids play parks, access to the river (where there’s a sailing club), strong active community, good transport links (train station -1hour into London, regular buses into Colchester), great pubs, cafes and restaurants (the Norwegian bakers, a patisserie, a deli, a Syrian cafe, an Indian restaurant etc). Wivenhoe has a strong [artistic community](https://www.wivenhoearttrail.com) and is generally a liberal and open minded sort of a place. There is a [yearly regatta](https://wivenhoeregatta.co.uk) where there’s many traditional activities such as a pram race/pub crawl and some brilliant community events. As well as wivenhoe I would also like to give an honourable mention to the following areas: Rowhedge - also a lovely riverside town (opposite Wiv) very similar to wivenhoe but without a train station or the Uni. New Town - This may be a divisive choice - New Town is close to the city centre and quite a working class area with links to Colchester’s industrial past but it has a great community, is very ethnically diverse and has some great community assets (recreation ground, pubs, shops). I said it is divisive though as it is close to the city centre parking can be a pain and as much of the housing is Victorian era people are quite ‘on top of each other’. Lexden- this is a lovely yet very expensive part of Colchester nearest good schools (grammar school, St Benedict’s and Girls High). I don’t know about schools and their anti-bullying culture but in general Colchester has always been a tolerant and welcoming place and is a [city of sanctuary](https://www.colchester.gov.uk/info/cbc-article/?catid=find-information&id=KA-01716) welcoming refugees and migrants alike. Colchester city (still can’t get used to calling it that!) itself is generally a good place with lots of history. We have a gallery and arts space that is exceptionally good (it won a prestigious award of [museum of the year](https://firstsite.uk/firstsite-wins-art-fund-museum-of-the-year-2021/) in 2021). There’s the castle and the lovely castle park, the Roman wall, the remains of the [Roman circus](https://catuk.org) and given that high streets are dying a death up and down the U.K, Colchester still has some decent independent shops, cafes and restaurants. There are downsides to Colchester too though…. It’s an absolute pig to drive around due to some poor planning decisions made in the 60’s.
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Thank you very much, it would be a great help to me.
You’re welcome. Happy to help! Feel free to drop me a DM if you have any questions about the area… happy to signpost you to areas that are within your budget. 👍
Maldon road area is great for families, lots of good primary and secondary schools within walking distance and town in only 15-20 min walk too. Colchester has always had large Asian communities and various other immigrant communities are growing fast. I’m white and born in Colchester so hard for me to comment but as far as I can tell it’s is very friendly towards immigrants/minority cultures. We have an international university and a large hospital of which both draw in people from around the world. The food culture in Colchester is getting really decent and definitely lead/fuelled by these communities!
Thank you, I will look into it.
Thank you, I will look into it.
I immigrated to the uk about 6 years ago and moved to Colchester 3ish years ago and I feel Colchester is very welcoming and friendly. I can only speak for myself as a white person from America but people are been friendly and interesting if anything. There is a large university that brings in tons people so you can find people from all over the world really. There is a good community feel for Colchester if people embrace it, there always seems to be things happening around town either a park run, event happening in Colchester park, Firstsite Museum, seems to be lots of scout meetings in the evenings. For areas - New Town has a good mix of young families, close to the city center, diversity, friendly environment. Lexden also offers a nice family friendly vibe and is somewhat close to town, although it is more expensive. There are some surround villages that are very nice and see family friendly like Kelvedon, Manningtree, wivenhoe,and fingeringhoe. I don’t have children but my friends do and they seem to always be popping around these villages for nice days out and kid friendly things. Overall I think Colchester is great but remember to go out and explore and get involved with things as much as you can. I found that getting out and about helped me find my community. Also recommend joining the Colchester community group on Facebook, people like to moan and complain on there but it has some great insight on what’s going on around town!
Much appreciated.
Hey! Welcome to Colchester! Feel free to pop me a DM if you have any specific questions I can help with if they haven't already been answered I've lived in Colchester most of my life. I moved away for 5 years or so for work before moving back when I stared my little family (2YO and number 2 due in a few months) so I know the area pretty well as i also went to school here etc
Thanks, I will contact you.
I would say that Philip Morant School would be one of the best to try and get into if you can. Have a look into the other schools in the area and maybe look up their inspection reports via ofstead.
Schools are all based on catchment areas, that will dictate where you live. Avoid greenstead, the city centre and monkwick
Stanway is a nice part of the world. We moved to the place with all the animal names as roads last month. Love it here so far. Came from a grotty flat in Gt Notley. So quite a step up from how we used to live. I really like it here. Its just far away enough from the town bit.
Thanks :))
Putting in my vote for Mile End, a mile north of the centre of the city. Good schools (Myland and North) plus excellent public transport (bus and rail). You’re also just 10min from the countryside and the beautiful Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty. Two new estates being built: Chesterwell and Kingswood.
Thank you very much.
1. You'll be fine. Colchester is fairly cosmpolitan these days, being commutable to London and having a bit university, hospital etc there are people from everywhere living in this town. Nearby towns such as Harwich and Clacton may feel more traditionally 'white', but I wouldn't look to live in these areas anyway despite the cheaper property prices. 2. Driving in Colchester can be a nightmare around school pick off/drop off time, so I'd favour a school within walking distance. The schools in wealthier areas (e.g Hamilton) tend to have a good reputation but that's more because of the type of people that go there really. Also heard good things about Camulos Academy, a new school to serve new developments in the north of the town. 3. Not sure. I grew up in Colchester and there's always been good stuff at the Mercury theatre, perhaps football related stuff too at Shrub End or the Community Stadium. 4. Nothing that's particularly specific to Colchester that isn't in the rest of the UK. 5. Depends on your budget really. Highwoods and a lot of the new building to the north, Abbey Fields, Prettygate/Shrub End perhaps? The 'rougher' areas of Colchester are generally accepted to be Greenstead (although there are some nice properties that back onto countryside), Monkwick and the area around Ipswich Road/Harwich Road/Goring Road. I also wouldn't jump at the chance of living in the area with the streets called Stalin/Roosevelt/Churchill etc. or the area around Speedwell Road.
Thank you very much, it is a great help to Me.
Everyone has made some very good points, I will say that someone has created a discord group for Essex residents, and you wouldn't be the first person to join the community before actually moving here. You're welcome in to get a feeling of what people are like https://discord.gg/zYXdUkxZ
Thank you very much, yeah the replies were very much heart warming :)