Living in Brentwood – Home Moving Guide
Are you contemplating living in Brentwood?
This Essex town has experienced a significant surge in popularity in recent years.
Much of Brentwood’s fame can be attributed to the hit reality TV show, TOWIE (The Only Way is Essex), which placed a spotlight on this vibrant town.
Regardless of your views on the show, it has undeniably helped Brentwood become one of the most sought-after locations in the whole county.
Another key factor in the area’s increased appeal is that it is also a prime choice for commuters.
The town boasts superb transport links to London, offering more affordable housing options compared to many areas within the capital.
Relocating is always a challenge.
Before making your move, it’s crucial to gather as much information about the area as possible.
If you’re considering Brentwood, you’ve come to the right place!
We aim to provide all the essential tips for those looking to relocate to Essex.
From housing prices to the top schools in Brentwood, our guide will equip you with a comprehensive overview of what to expect when moving to this popular commuter town.
If you’re planning a move to Brentwood, here’s our detailed guide to life in this Essex commuter hub.
Table of Contents
House Prices in Brentwood
An increasing amount of people are considering leaving the city, seeking to live a more rural lifestyle.
Locations like Brentwood and some of the town’s nearby villages including Warley, Ingrave and Shenfield have seen increasing levels of popularity.
The housing stock is diverse but in short supply.
Around the Brentwood train station area, there are some beautiful twenties-styled homes as well as an excellent selection of bungalows.
The centre of the town still has some charming Victorian homes as well as some older period properties.
As a general guide, you can expect to pay £580,438 for a property in the town, according to Zoopla.
The current average price of a detached home is £971,453, with the average price of a semi-detached home being £531,087.
If you are looking for a terraced home, the average price in Brentwood is £428,688, with flats averaging £260,001.
House prices in Brentwood have fluctuated over the last few years thanks to several factors including the pandemic as well as the recent uncertainty in the housing market.
Remember, all prices are likely to change over the coming months and years as the market adjusts to these unprecedented circumstances.
Make sure you keep up to date with the current prices if you are thinking of moving to Brentwood.
Transport Links in Brentwood
Brentwood is an ideal location for commuters seeking a place to reside.
Situated just a few miles from the M25 and near the A12, which links London to Chelmsford and Colchester, the town offers excellent connectivity.
Residents of Brentwood benefit from rapid rail services across the region.
From Shenfield station, trains reach Liverpool Street in as little as 28 minutes!
Commuters travelling from Brentwood station to Liverpool Street can anticipate a journey time of about 38 minutes.
The development of the Crossrail has further enhanced travel opportunities for those relocating to Brentwood.
Once the Crossrail project is complete, it will provide direct routes into central London.
Travelling to Bond Street is expected to take around 48 minutes from Shenfield and 44 minutes from Brentwood.
With such outstanding transport links to the capital, Brentwood is truly an ideal home base for commuters.
Schools in Brentwood
If you are moving with a family, there are various factors to consider.
Having access to a good education is key and will undoubtedly play a huge role in where you decide to live.
Brentwood is perfect for those with a family!
The town offers a range of state schools, Church of England and Catholic schools and some excellent independent schools.
Among some of the best primaries are St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School and Larchwood Primary School, both reported as “outstanding” following their latest Ofsted inspections.
The best of the secondaries in the area include; Grove House School and Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School with both rated as “good” with Becket Keys Church of England Free School receiving an “outstanding” rating by Ofsted.
Brentwood also has two renowned historic institutions; Brentwood School, founded in 1557, and the Catholic cathedral, which began life as a parish church in 1861.
Cost of Living
Living in Brentwood ensures residents have a great choice of eating options.
Like most major towns and cities in the UK, Brentwood offers a variety of restaurants and supermarkets.
When you move to a new area, it is suggested that you gather a good knowledge of the prices you will be paying for food, particularly when eating out.
With a wide variety of choices, prices may vary across different locations.
As a general summary, these are the prices you can expect to pay for food when in Brentwood (Numbeo.)
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant-£ 15.00
- Meal for 2 mid-range restaurant-£60.00
- Fast food meal-£7.75
- Cappuccino or latte-£3.05
- 1 litre of milk-£1.23
- Loaf of bread-£0.81
- 1kg chicken-£5.17
- Basic Utilities (electricity, heating, water etc) – £238.50
There are also several popular internet sites and apps to help you choose between the many takeaway and restaurant options.
The most popular choices include Just Eat, Deliveroo and TripAdvisor.
Keep in mind that these sites may not be fully operational during the pandemic.
Be sure to check availability beforehand.
Brentwood also offers locals all of the most popular UK supermarket brands.
If you are not a fan of eating at restaurants, Brentwood allows you to enjoy homemade meals for a great value.
For further price comparisons be sure to check out Numbeo.
The website allows you to compare up-to-date costs of everyday items and equates them to other towns and cities in the UK and across the world!
Keeping in the loop with what you will be paying every month if you are thinking of moving to Brentwood will certainly help with your move.
Things to do in Brentwood
Brentwood offers locals a host of excellent activities.
The town is home to some fine amenities.
Ranging from numerous national parks to the Brentwood Centre which boasts its own gym, swimming pool, squash court and concert hall all in one convenient location.
Brentwood’s various country parks are sanctuaries for nature-lovers, walkers, and families.
Thorndon Park is home to the famous Gruffalo Trail, making it the perfect spot for families.
Another family-oriented location includes Weald Park, home of Stick Man Play Trail.
If you are looking to get in touch with animals and nature, Old MacDonald’s Farm located on the fringes of the town is the ideal attraction.
Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre overlooks more than 54 acres of beautiful scenic woodland. An exciting variety of dry skiing and snowboarding to suit all ability levels as well as a ski shop selling a range of ski clothing and equipment, if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at skiing this is the ideal place.
Housed in a picturesque 19th-century building is the stunning Brentwood Museum. Although small, it offers a fascinating insight into Brentwood life in the early era of the 20th century, with an exciting collection of public and household items dating back to the period between 1840-1950.
Click here for even more great ideas of fun activities to embark upon when in Brentwood.
Working in Brentwood
Brentwood is a highly favoured spot for commuters.
This popularity has shaped Brentwood into a town where the majority of residents typically find employment outside of their local area.
Many locals commute to larger towns in Essex or to the capital city, London.
Despite its nature as a commuter town, Brentwood still maintains a robust employment rate, bolstered by the presence of numerous distinguished employers in and around the area.
A significant number of Brentwood’s workforce is employed in the banking and financial services industries, with a notable percentage working in insurance.
The construction sector also offers substantial employment opportunities locally.
Brentwood serves as the headquarters for the Ford Motor Company, located in the town’s suburbs.
While most manufacturing activities are carried out elsewhere, the Ford Motor Credit Company, the financial services division of Ford, is a major employer in Brentwood.
There are also plentiful opportunities for those starting their careers.
Residents of Brentwood enjoy competitive salaries, with an average annual income of £24,000 for those employed within the town, which is favourable compared to the national average.
Unemployment in Brentwood is exceptionally low, at just under two per cent, reflecting strong job prospects and affirming the town as an attractive location for those looking to move.
Ready to Start Living in Brentwood?
Are you thinking of moving to Brentwood?
Whether you want to make the most of the commuter links, become part of the strong Brentwood community or soak up some of the region’s excellent countryside, Brentwood has something for everyone.
And, with a variety of fantastic locations and an array of different properties, there is undoubtedly a home for you!
GoodMove will make the removals to Brentwood process easy and stress-free process.
We take pleasure in ensuring everything runs smoothly, helping you to settle into your new home right away.
As well as our competitively priced removals package, we can also offer extra services.
These include temporary or long-term storage facilities should you need them.
GoodMove cover all areas of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.
Our friendly estimators can call round at a convenient time for you and strategically plan your move to perfection.
During these unique times, GoodMove are also offering a new video survey service.
Using our new technology, we can gather all the information required to assist with your move, from the comfort of your home!
Video surveys will help you save valuable time and preserve the best safety levels.
To find out more about how we could get your dream move to Brentwood or any other location underway do not hesitate to call us on the number listed above.
Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form or click on our live bot in the bottom right and a member of our customer services team will be in touch shortly.