The 'quiet' Essex commuter town ‘perfect for families’ and has fancy homes

Shenfield is a commuter’s dream for those wanting quick access to London without city chaos. Since the Elizabeth Line opened, it takes under half an hour to reach the capital.

With millions of visits to the train station each year, Shenfield has seen a surge in popularity, especially among families seeking a safe, welcoming environment. Its high street is filled with local businesses rather than big chains, offering a unique blend of suburban comfort and city convenience.

The area also boasts rather fancy homes, with some exceeding £1million. We spoke with residents, and most love living in Shenfield, highlighting the balance it offers between family-friendly living and city access.

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Iraz Keeling said: “It's full of friendly people, and it’s easy to commute to London. If you live here, you don’t really need to go anywhere else because you’ve got all the shops, little markets, fishmongers… And there are a lot of nice schools for little ones.”

Daniel Morais agrees with Iraz and added that Shenfield is safe and clean. He said: “It can be quite busy, especially because of the train station, but I’ve always felt safe. And it’s really tidy as well; compared to other places, this one’s definitely one of the cleanest.”

Claudia Hardy said Shenfield is the perfect place to raise a family, noting its suburban appeal. She added: “It’s suburban enough that there are lovely houses and parks, but you’ve got the Elizabeth Line as well, which takes you quickly into London. I’ve lived in Essex my whole life, and I can truly say I’ve never felt unsafe here, making this the perfect place to raise a family.”

Chris shared that the town offers a peaceful lifestyle with occasional liveliness, though it can feel quiet at times. He said: “It’s lovely living here, but the High Street isn’t really lively. It’s livelier now because it’s school holidays, but most of the time, it’s fairly quiet.”

Phoebe, who lives in Shenfield with her partner, agrees that Shenfield can be a bit too quiet for her. She said: “It’s not as exciting as London, that’s for sure. It’s only busy at school drop-off time.”

The main concern for many residents is the high cost of housing. Bradley Caldeira said: “It's a lovely area, I love its village charm, but the house prices are really unaffordable!”

For some, like Gabriela Ryan, Shenfield’s steep housing costs have made it hard to settle down permanently. She used to rent in Shenfield but had to move further into Essex to afford to buy a home. She added: “I would definitely move back here if I came into money. It’s a lovely community, and everything’s super accessible.”

Despite its steep house prices, Shenfield’s reputation as a commuter town draws in families wanting suburban life close to London. With a strong community feel and quick access to the city, Shenfield remains an attractive place to call home.

According to Rightmove, properties in the area sold for an average price of £733,069. The majority of sales in Shenfield during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £985,969.

Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £590,632, with flats fetching £337,833. Overall, sold prices in Shenfield over the last year were 7% down on the previous year and 9% down on the 2020 peak of £807,310.