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Let's move to Harwich, Essex Let's move to Harwich, Essex
(1 day later)
What's going for it? Harwich is one of those places you probably think's a right old hole. Port town; end of the universe; glum as an empty shipping container; nothing between it and Esbjerg. And you've watched enough episodes of Wallander to know all about what goes on in port towns: naughtiness.What's going for it? Harwich is one of those places you probably think's a right old hole. Port town; end of the universe; glum as an empty shipping container; nothing between it and Esbjerg. And you've watched enough episodes of Wallander to know all about what goes on in port towns: naughtiness.
And then you actually visit. There is a dreary porty bit around Parkeston, attractive only to those, like me, with a penchant for concrete, non-places and drabness. But Harwich itself is a revelation. It's been a prettier, Captain Pugwash kind of port town for centuries. Its little peninsula at the mouth of the rivers Orwell and Stour is still packed with 18th-, 17th-, even 16th-century buildings, like the delightful Guildhall, that make it seem more like Rye or Lymington, only without the price tag.And then you actually visit. There is a dreary porty bit around Parkeston, attractive only to those, like me, with a penchant for concrete, non-places and drabness. But Harwich itself is a revelation. It's been a prettier, Captain Pugwash kind of port town for centuries. Its little peninsula at the mouth of the rivers Orwell and Stour is still packed with 18th-, 17th-, even 16th-century buildings, like the delightful Guildhall, that make it seem more like Rye or Lymington, only without the price tag.
And you don't just get a pretty little port town: sewn on to its southern end is a seaside, Dovercourt, with well-to-do avenues and a tiddly-om-pom-prom. To seal the deal, the Electric Palace Cinema, from 1911, is still going strong. Patron: Clive Owen. Nurse, the smelling salts!And you don't just get a pretty little port town: sewn on to its southern end is a seaside, Dovercourt, with well-to-do avenues and a tiddly-om-pom-prom. To seal the deal, the Electric Palace Cinema, from 1911, is still going strong. Patron: Clive Owen. Nurse, the smelling salts!
The case against A whiff of sadness: the end of the line, weepy goodbyes, people escaping tragedies, etc. Lorries: lots of them, and a single-carriage road to the rest of the UK.The case against A whiff of sadness: the end of the line, weepy goodbyes, people escaping tragedies, etc. Lorries: lots of them, and a single-carriage road to the rest of the UK.
Well connected? Hourly trains to the mainline at Manningtree (22 minutes) and thence to Colchester (34 minutes), Ipswich (39 minutes) and London Liverpool Street (90 minutes). Passenger ferries every two hours across the estuary to Felixstowe and Shotley. There's always Esbjerg, too.Well connected? Hourly trains to the mainline at Manningtree (22 minutes) and thence to Colchester (34 minutes), Ipswich (39 minutes) and London Liverpool Street (90 minutes). Passenger ferries every two hours across the estuary to Felixstowe and Shotley. There's always Esbjerg, too.
Schools Primaries: Harwich Community, Spring Meadow, All Saints' CofE, St Joseph's Catholic and Chase Lane are all "good", says Ofsted. Harwich & Dovercourt High "requires improvement", but is "heading in the right direction".Schools Primaries: Harwich Community, Spring Meadow, All Saints' CofE, St Joseph's Catholic and Chase Lane are all "good", says Ofsted. Harwich & Dovercourt High "requires improvement", but is "heading in the right direction".
Hang out at… The Pier Hotel for mussels and beer and sea views.Hang out at… The Pier Hotel for mussels and beer and sea views.
Where to buy Head first to the old town, around Church Street, King's Head Street, etc: much is medieval behind a Georgian frontage. Then south to Dovercourt: on and off Fronks Road for Edwardian and Victorian semis, detacheds and terraces.Where to buy Head first to the old town, around Church Street, King's Head Street, etc: much is medieval behind a Georgian frontage. Then south to Dovercourt: on and off Fronks Road for Edwardian and Victorian semis, detacheds and terraces.
Market values Huge detacheds, £300,000-£450,000. Townhouses, £220,000-£350,000. Detacheds, £170,000-£300,000. Semis, £140,000-£220,000. Terraces and cottages, £90,000-£200,000.Market values Huge detacheds, £300,000-£450,000. Townhouses, £220,000-£350,000. Detacheds, £170,000-£300,000. Semis, £140,000-£220,000. Terraces and cottages, £90,000-£200,000.
Bargain of the week Two-bed house across three floors, close to the seafront, £79,995 with Cory & Co.Bargain of the week Two-bed house across three floors, close to the seafront, £79,995 with Cory & Co.
From the streets
From the streets
Julie Wilson "We're on a peninsula, which means we are often forgotten. The upside is that our lovely beach – which has had a blue flag for years – is nice and quiet. Oxleys of Dovercourt is a fantastic deli, and we love the Samuel Pepys wine bar in Old Harwich."Julie Wilson "We're on a peninsula, which means we are often forgotten. The upside is that our lovely beach – which has had a blue flag for years – is nice and quiet. Oxleys of Dovercourt is a fantastic deli, and we love the Samuel Pepys wine bar in Old Harwich."
• Live in Harwich? Join the debate below.• Live in Harwich? Join the debate below.
Live in Chipping Ongar, Essex? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@guardian.co.uk by Tuesday 16 April.Live in Chipping Ongar, Essex? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@guardian.co.uk by Tuesday 16 April.
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