The best places to live in Colchester

If you’re looking at property in Colchester but don’t know the area, it can be difficult to narrow down your search. As local estate agents, we love living in Colchester and have put together our guide to the best places to live here.

Colchester is a vibrant and fast-growing city singled out as one of the greatest places to live in Essex. Its mix of culture, history, amenities, access to green spaces and links to London all combine to make an appealing package for a range of people.

Living in Colchester means different things to different people. Some like the faster pace of the city centre while others prefer the village communities which lie on its outskirts. Whatever your preferences, there is something for everyone in this fantastic city.

North of the city centre, Highwoods is a very popular place to live, especially with families.  High Woods Country Park is a real highlight: a lovely place to relax, exercise or let the children run wild in the play areas. There are excellent schools, easy access to the road and rail network and all the other amenities you could need.

South-west of the city centre, Lexden is a peaceful suburb with a good mix of historic and modern homes. If you’re looking for a property with character, choose from the Regency, Georgian and Victorian properties, but be sure to also check out the range of lovely modern houses available.

There has been huge, exciting investment in this new development including a multi-million pound sports park. We think this is one of the best places to live in Colchester thanks to its balance of green spaces, transport links, business opportunities and leisure facilities.

This small area of Colchester is relatively quiet with a good selection of small shops, cafes, and a junior school.

Rowhedge, south-east of Colchester, is a village on the River Colne. If you’re searching for a slower pace of life, surrounded by countryside but in easy reach of bigger hubs and amenities, keep this village high on your property search list.  

Another delightful village just outside Colchester, West Bergholt has a welcoming community and charms of a rural location. It has its own primary school, pubs, a small selection of shops, and is a stone’s throw of Colchester itself which lies to the south-east.

Across the river from Rowhedge, Wivenhoe has its own distinct character. This small town has a long history of fishing and boat building and retains its close ties to the water. The architecture along the river is particularly notable, but there is a great mix of property here for all tastes.

We’re undeniably biased, but we think Colchester is a great place to live. With its transport links, facilities, schools and communities within the city and in its suburbs, there is somewhere for everyone to call home.
 
If you’re planning a move here, check out properties in our top areas but remember there are plenty of other great places and properties here, too. Please get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team of Colchester estate agents who’ll be delighted to guide your search and help you at every step.