{"id":2712,"date":"2021-09-05T16:39:39","date_gmt":"2021-09-05T16:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yopa.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/?p=2712"},"modified":"2021-09-05T17:20:23","modified_gmt":"2021-09-05T17:20:23","slug":"whats-it-like-to-live-in-basildon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dy36-2.stage.yopa-dev.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/whats-it-like-to-live-in-basildon\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s it like to live in Basildon?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nestled in\nthe county of Essex, Basildon is a town in the borough of the same name just 26\nmiles to the east of Central London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps best known as the hometown of\n80s favourites Depeche Mode, today the town has swift transport connections to\nthe City of London, a wealth of excellent amenities and luscious green outdoor\nspace on the doorstep which makes it a desirable commuter spot with access to a\ntaste of both cosmopolitan and semi-rural living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know? <\/strong>Basildon was once a tiny settlement surrounded by endless fields. But significant developments over the past 50 years have expanded the region in a big way, earning Basildon \u2018new town\u2019 status.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, Basildon\u2019s great housing\nopportunities, local amenities, and big city connections make it the perfect\nplace for young professionals and growing families looking for a different pace\nof life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitive house prices don\u2019t hurt either.\nThe average house price in Basildon over the last 12 months was \u00a3319,021. A lot\nmore affordable than Essex overall (\u00a3404,623) and especially popular hotspots\nlike Herongate (\u00a31,150,600), Ramsden Bellhouse (\u00a31,150,429) and Downham (\u00a31,034,417).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what is\nit actually like to live in Basildon? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transport connections <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Basildon is a well-connected Essex town\nwith a solid mix of travel options and three railway stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main train station for the town, Basildon Railway Station<\/a>, runs regular commuter\nservices to London Fenchurch Street, most of which take between 30 and 40\nminutes. The station also offers frequent services to Thorpe Bay, Southend,\nWestcliffe, Colchester, Benfleet, Upminster, and Westham. Pitsea<\/a> and Laindon<\/a> train stations are also on the London, Tilbury and Southend Line with\ntrain services running from London Fenchurch Street to Southend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The region\u2019s bus services<\/a> are extensive, serving every\npart of the borough and offering a range of connections to nearby destinations\nincluding Canvey Island, Southend, Billericay, and Chelmsford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re travelling by motor vehicle,\nyou\u2019re also in luck because Basildon is served by the A13, A127 (Southend\nArterial Road), and A130 \u2013 all\nof which offer direct access to major motorways like the M25 as well as\nwell-trodden routes in and around the region.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schools\nand education<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Basildon is home to a good mix of\nprimary and secondary schools as well as settings offering suitable SEND (special educational\nneeds & disabilities)<\/a> provision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 27 primary schools<\/a> in the Basildon and Billericay\ncatchment area, all of which sport either an \u2018Outstanding\u2019 or \u2018Good\u2019 Ofsted\nrating. The Greensted Junior School, Lee Chapel Primary School and The Phoenix\nPrimary School are all particularly desirable in the Basildon area and boast an\n\u2018Outstanding\u2019 Ofsted rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have kids moving up to the next\nphase of their educational career, there are five secondary schools to choose\nfrom in the catchment area, each sporting a \u2018Good\u2019 Ofsted rating. The Pioneer\nSchool is an all through special school for children aged 3-19 which has been\ndeemed \u2018Outstanding\u2019 by Ofsted.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For young adults looking to branch out\nand get a fix of higher education, Basildon College<\/a> (a branch of the South Essex\nCollege group) is a vibrant campus offering students a variety of academic\nqualifications, vocational courses, and modern apprenticeships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and let\u2019s not overlook those tiny\ntots: Basildon is also home to a range\nof certified playgroups,\nnurseries, and pre-schools<\/a>. <\/em>Every educational base is covered here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leisure and amenities <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you like a spot of retail therapy or\neasy access to all of life\u2019s essentials, Basildon certainly delivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only is the high street dotted with\na mix of well-known retail names and inviting cafes, but the town\u2019s impressive Eastgate Shopping Centre<\/a> is home to a modern food court as well\nas almost every high street shopping brand imaginable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the big weekly food shop, there are\nplenty of options, too. There is a Tesco Extra, Asda, Aldi, Budgens, Iceland,\nDhesi Supermarket and Spar all within the town. The ever popular Basildon Market<\/a> is also packed with traders selling\nall manner of everyday essentials and fresh local produce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like to get active and work up a\nsweat, Basildon Sporting Village<\/a> is an inviting activity hub\nwith a sports hall, gymnasium, and swimming pool. And, for maximum fun with the\nfamily, Festival Leisure Park<\/a> has a wealth of fun-filled\nfacilities all under one roof. Here you can watch the latest cinematic\nmasterpieces, enjoy a spot of ten pin bowling, grab a bite to eat, and plenty\nmore with late night bars available for the grownups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and if getting outdoors is your\nthing, Basildon is also home to a great mix of adventure playgrounds and sprawling country parks<\/a> including the mighty Queens\nPark Country Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s\non?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a bustling place with a community\nfeel, there are plenty of local gatherings, groups, fetes, festivals, and events<\/a> happening throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basildon Pride has gained real momentum\nin recent years and the local Show Me Love Festival<\/a> is an epic garden party filled with\npop-up bars, food stands, DJs, and live musical acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to drinking and eating\nout, you won\u2019t be short of choice living in Basildon. There are lots of traditional pubs, popular\nbars, and top-notch eateries<\/a> dotted around the area. Local\u2019s favourites include Jodphur Indian Kitchen<\/a>, The Gun Pub<\/a> and Firejacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some other must-see spots in and around Basildon:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n