Seaside lifestyle close to London
Imagine living in a place that people choose to take day trips to, and it’s only 45 minutes from the city of London by train. Coastal walks can be a daily activity. Your new local has stunning views over the water. There are art galleries, sailing clubs and water sports centres. From Benfleet, Canvey Island and Leigh-on-Sea through to Southend Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness, the Thames Estuary coastline can be a wonderful place to call home.
Did you know? Leigh-on-Sea was voted the happiest place to live in the UK in 2016 and second happiest in 2017 in the Happy Home Index survey conducted by Rightmove.
Facts
Population (borough of Southend): 174,300 (2011 census)
Commute time to London: From 45 minutes
Annual train ticket: £3,528 (based on Southend Central to London Fenchurch Street)
Average house price: Semi-Detached; £331,655 / Terraced; £268,950
Average monthly rent for a two bed flat: £856pcm
Affordable housing
Whether you’re living independently or raising a family, there’s a good deal of affordable housing, some excellent schools, and new developments springing up all the time. Southend can offer amazing properties at extremely competitive prices, with an overall average sold price coming in at less than £300,000.
What's it like moving to the area?
We interviewed two people on what it’s like to relocate along the c2c route.
Things to do
Regeneration over the past couple of years along the Southend seafront has brought back the buzz, with plenty of shops, things to see and do, and bars and restaurants to rival London.
Other locations to live in
All along our route are areas that could make the ideal home with fast, direct trains into London. Here some other guides to living along our route.