Living in Chelmsford: Is Chelmsford a good place to live?
Thinking about whether to buy a home in Chelmsford? One of just three cities in Essex, it combines fast commuter links to London with a lively shopping and restaurant scene, excellent schools and no shortage of green spaces.
Whether you’re relocating for work, want to live somewhere family-friendly, or are looking for an investment property, Chelmsford continues to be one of the most desirable destinations in the county.
Our local Essex property auction team has created this guide to give you an overview of life in Chelmsford, including transport links, schools, house prices and some of the popular local attractions.
The Early Verdict on Chelmsford
- You’d like to live within a reasonable commute of London while enjoying a slower pace of life and lower property prices than in the capital.
- You’re looking for a city with plenty of shopping, sports facilities, leisure amenities and restaurants within easy reach.
- You require access to well-regarded schools, colleges and universities for your children.
- You love having countryside parks, riverside walks and culture close by, alongside modern facilities and conveniences.
- You’re searching for one of the cheapest places to buy property, as demand means house prices tend to be above the national average.
- You’d prefer a rural lifestyle away from city traffic and commuter activity.
- You dislike busy shopping districts, large public events and festivals during weekends and holidays.
- You want to live on the coast, as Chelmsford isn’t a seaside city, despite Essex’s beaches being a fairly short drive away.
See our latest property for auction in Chelmsford here.
Moving to Chelmsford: Key Location Facts
Chelmsford became a city in 2012 and today has a population of more than 180,000 people across the wider district.
Located around 30 miles north-east of London, the city offers direct rail services to Liverpool Street in little over 30 minutes, making it a popular commuter destination.
Chelmsford is known for its connection to Guglielmo Marconi, whose pioneering wireless experiments helped earn the city its reputation as the birthplace of radio.
Hylands House and Estate, Chelmsford Cathedral and Central Park are among the city's best-known landmarks, while Essex County Cricket Club and Chelmsford City FC attract sports fans throughout the year.
What Is Chelmsford Famous For?
Chelmsford has both a modern city centre and centuries of history. While it might be known for its past role in developing radio technology, it’s today recognised for its excellent retail sector, café culture and calendar of sports events, festivals and concerts.
Hylands Estate regularly hosts large outdoor events, while Bond Street and High Chelmer are great for shoppers with a range of high street brands, independent boutiques and restaurants.
Sport is also a big part of life in Chelmsford, with Chelmsford City FC, Essex County Cricket Club and Chelmsford Chieftains ice hockey teams all training and competing locally.
Does Chelmsford Have Travel Connections?
One of the big attractions of Chelmsford is its excellent transport connections, especially for commuters and those heading into and out of London.
Mode of Transport | Details | Additional Info |
Train | Direct train services to London Liverpool Street | Journey times from about 30 minutes |
Car | Links to the A12, A130 and the M25 nearby | Good access to London, Colchester and the east coast |
Bus/Coach | Both local and regional services are available from Chelmsford | Buses run regularly throughout Essex and the neighbouring towns |
Air | London Stansted Airport is the closest | Roughly a 30-minute drive from the city by car |
Cycling | Multiple national and local cycling routes | Connections across Chelmsford and the surrounding countryside |
Chelmsford is undoubtedly well connected, but it’s worth being aware that traffic can become heavier during peak commuting periods, which also means rail services can be busy.
What Are the House Prices in Chelmsford?
Chelmsford is typically more expensive than the national average, but is significantly more affordable than London, which means buyers might perceive it as very competitive, depending on where they are moving from.
Over the last 12 months, the average property sold for £414,667
Semi-detached houses sold for an average of £451,705, terraced homes for £370,449 and flats for £222,445.
House prices in Chelmsford are fairly stable, and the averages recorded in the last year were very similar to those from the previous 12 months and the 2022 peak.
As with any city, you’ll also find a lot of variety depending on where in the city you choose to buy. Premium locations just outside of the city centre and in the charming semi-rural villages on the outskirts tend to be the most expensive, while the higher-density central areas are generally lower priced.
What Do Our Local Experts Say
Chelmsford is a brilliant place to live if you’re looking for fast London rail links, but where your budget will stretch a lot further, and if you’d like to have the best of city life, Bond Street shopping and excellent grammar schools, while also being close to expansive countryside, cycling routes and parks.
What Are the Schools Like in Chelmsford?
Families often pick Chelmsford as it has a reputation for schools that perform well above the average, and indeed some of the highest-performing comprehensive and grammar schools in the UK. They include:
King Edward VI Grammar School, rated Exceptional for achievement and post-16 provision, ages: 11-18.
Chelmsford County High School for Girls, rated Outstanding, ages: 11-18.
The Beaulieu Park School, rated Outstanding, ages: 4-19.
Perryfields Junior School, rated Outstanding, ages: 7-11.
Buyers looking for higher-education facilities and universities can consider Anglia Ruskin University, which has a campus in the city centre, and nearby options like the University of Essex Colchester Campus.
Insider tip: The demand for places at Chelmsford’s top schools is considerable, which means families should consider catchment areas, priority admission areas and criteria before deciding on where to buy.
Parks and Green Spaces in Chelmsford
There are numerous award-winning parks and outdoor spaces in and around Chelmsford, including those that run alongside the Can, Chelmer and Wid rivers. Some of the most popular include the enormous Hylands Estate, Oaklands Park, Admirals Park and the historic Central Park.
What Do Our Local Experts Think?
Why Might You Choose Chelmsford Over Another Essex City?
A lot of buyers focus on proximity to London and convenience, but the communities and lifestyle in Chelmsford are just as special. We love spending lazy weekends relaxing at Hylands Estate, browsing the shops at Bond Street, or driving out to quiet beauty spots like Writtle and Danbury to make the most of the countryside.
Is There Anything You Dislike About Chelmsford?
Congestion is part of the reality of living in a busy city, and it takes some time to get used to the one-way system if you’re travelling into and out of the centre! However, park-and-ride schemes and public transport routes can make those journeys a lot easier.
Our Current Auction Properties in Chelmsford
Expert Guidance on Buying a Home in Chelmsford
We hope we’ve given you an idea about what Chelmsford has to offer, and the reasons many of the investors, homebuyers and families who register for our Essex auctions consider the city. If you’d like more information about anything we’ve covered, or about lots in our upcoming Chelmsford auctions, you’re welcome to get in touch.
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