Rental recommendations around Basildon?

[smmoving]

I'll be moving in October, 2008, from Michigan, USA, to the UK. I'll be working in Basildon (Dunton), and would be grateful for any recommendations of towns/communities within a 30 minute drive that would be a good match for my family.

We have a 2 year old daughter, so are more interested in parks and playgrounds than nightlife. We won't know anyone, so a friendly community with people walking to market is better than an isolated farmhouse. Safe and pretty are high priorities. Proximity to train stops for access to London city are a medium priority. We have around a 1,700GBP/month rental budget.

I spent a few nights in Brentwood and it seemed nice. I've heard Billericay, Upminster, and Romford are among the areas that might be appropriate?

Anything along the river or along the ocean that might be close enough?

Any suggestions and rationale would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[MichelleAlison]

Originally Posted by smmoving

I'll be moving in October, 2008, from Michigan, USA, to the UK. I'll be working in Basildon (Dunton), and would be grateful for any recommendations of towns/communities within a 30 minute drive that would be a good match for my family.

We have a 2 year old daughter, so are more interested in parks and playgrounds than nightlife. We won't know anyone, so a friendly community with people walking to market is better than an isolated farmhouse. Safe and pretty are high priorities. Proximity to train stops for access to London city are a medium priority. We have around a 1,700GBP/month rental budget.

I spent a few nights in Brentwood and it seemed nice. I've heard Billericay, Upminster, and Romford are among the areas that might be appropriate?

Anything along the river or along the ocean that might be close enough?

Any suggestions and rationale would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Romford is good for shopping, but I wouldn't live there. The traffic is unbearable and it is almost impossible to park outside your own house. I would look at Brentwood and Upminster. They both have lovely shopping centres and are surrounded by countryside. Have a look at UK Estate agents with homes, houses & property for sale on rightmove.co.uk - where you can check out house rentals and the local areas and distances.

As you can see from Rightmove, Basildon also has some lovely surrounding areas and with 1,700 pounds a month for rent, you can pick any house you want.

Once you decide on an area, please feel free to ask more questions.

Regards

Michelle