Just above London you’ll find Essex, home of Dame Helen Mirren, Depeche Mode and The Prodigy. Like its famous offspring, Essex is a highly diverse and energetic place, offering newcomers and established residents something new all the time. If that sounds appealing, come take a look at some of the best new homes in Essex, as the county’s property market is enjoying another round of expansion.
Where is Essex?
Essex is one of the counties of the East England region. Its main urban centres are Colchester and Chelmsford, and it extends out to the eastern coastline as well.
Why live in Essex?
One of the biggest selling points for living in Essex is that it offers a lot of choice. There are beautiful pockets of rural farmland, along with stunning coastal scenery and no shortage of good-sized towns too.
Essex is also a commuter haven. Three of the county’s towns represent the ‘best value in the UK’ for a London commuter lifestyle. This is partly due to its great rail and road links to the capital.
There’s a great cultural richness to Essex too. From the Roman wall ruins and outstanding castle of Colchester (England’s oldest town) to the longstanding markets, Essex is a place where history and community come together. It’s also a place where people know how to have fun, with excellent nightlife, cultural and entertainment attractions.
What are average property prices in Essex like?
At the time of writing (late November 2021) average prices for property in Essex were around £395,000 according to Zoopla. Surprisingly, the property market remains steady here, evening out after the worst fluctuations caused by the pandemic.
If you’re looking to buy a flat in Essex, expect to pay around £230,000, and roughly £336,500 for a terraced house. As for renting in Essex, a rough average between various providers is about £1,250 per calendar month.
New homes in Essex: 10 best developments
If you’re keen to know more about the kind of property you can find in Essex, our list is an excellent starting point. The following are the top 10 ranked property developments in the county. As always, we determine these rankings entirely based on the scores submitted by verified residents.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
4.62 (32 reviews)
4.62 (32 reviews)
Our top-rated development for Essex is One Canalside, a residential development by Legal & General and managed by Urbanbubble. It features 189 apartments with a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom homes. Facilities include a residents’ lounge, work zone and meeting room. There’s also plans for a fully equipped games rooms and private dining room to be completed in 2022. In addition, on-site parking is available as well as a free cycle storage. With a waterside location, the development is only a 10-minute walk away from Chelmsford city centre, giving residents easy access to the station and its Greater Anglia rail links.
3.71 (15 reviews)
3.71 (15 reviews)
For the number 2 spot, we move just a little way to the west of Colchester to find Oakwood Meadows. This is a new development located in the village of Stanway. Here you’ll find a mix of 2-5-bedroom homes on offer. There are good transport links and already the development has created a strong sense of community.
3.49 (15 reviews)
3.49 (15 reviews)
In 3rd, The Mulberries by Redrow sits in the heart of the Essex countryside. As well as enjoying this idyllic rural setting, residents benefit from being just 45 minutes away from London Liverpool Street by train. There are also several Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ schools within walking distance. The Mulberries offers a range of 2-5-bedroom homes.
Read reviews and details of The Mulberries at Lodge Park, Witham, CM8
4.43 (10 reviews)
4.43 (10 reviews)
Next up, St Luke’s Park takes fourth place. Just north of Basildon, and set within an existing parkland with easy access to neighbouring towns and transport, St Luke’s Park is an ideal place to call home. Residents describe the development as being extremely scenic, with plenty of open green spaces offering pleasant walks to the nearby pub and restaurants.
4.10 (6 reviews)
4.10 (6 reviews)
Our 5th-ranked development is located in Harlow, a popular and charming Essex town. Atelier is a collection of 2,3 & 4 bedroom homes offering tranquil countryside living but with the access to the city in under 30 minutes. One resident here describes the design of the homes as being “impeccable”.
4.06 (8 reviews)
4.06 (8 reviews)
At 6, located in the sought-after location of Chelmsford, Beaulieu offers a variety of Shared Ownership homes. Residents benefit from a health centre, restaurants, and a selection of convenience stores. Additionally, bus services connect the community to Chelmsford City Centre and Chelmsford Train Station.
Read reviews and details of Beaulieu Shared Ownership by L&Q, CM1
3.98 (5 reviews)
3.98 (5 reviews)
Meadow Rise is located in Braintree, a short distance from the town centre. A traditional style development designed to enhance the natural landscape. Braintree itself is roughly equidistant from Chelmsford and Colchester via the A120 and A131. Residents routinely praise the style and finishing of their properties, citing a high standard overall.
3.53 (8 reviews)
3.53 (8 reviews)
For number 8, we’re headed towards the coast. Eastbury Park forms part of a new community on the outskirts of Rochford, just 10 minutes’ drive from Southend. It’s also situated just 20 minutes’ walk from the town centre. There’s a strong community vibe here and a growing range of communal areas and facilities.
3.48 (14 reviews)
3.48 (14 reviews)
We’re staying in Southend for number 9. Richmond House is a development of apartments by Notting Hill Genesis, designed to a high-quality contemporary finish throughout, offering spacious living and kitchen areas, combining comfort and style. The homes’ modern kitchens are fully equipped with a comprehensive range of wall and floor cabinets and fully integrated appliances.
3.18 (9 reviews)
3.18 (9 reviews)
And finally, Saffron View is a Linden Homes development located in Saffron Walden, just 18 miles from Cambridge. This development has a selection of houses ranging from 2-5-bedrooms, and is primely situated near a great selection of schools. As well as this, there are amazing transport links to be enjoyed by residents – with the M11, M25, and Audley End station just around the corner.
If you want to explore more of Essex, check out our dedicated area guide below. Here you’ll find a much larger selection of developments to investigate. Whatever your tastes and budget, Essex will likely have a range of suitable options.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
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