Relocation to canvey island, ( house not boat)

[millbeach]

Team.

I was wondering if people could give me there opinion on living on Canvey Island.
Thinking in the near future of maybe buying a house on the island.

Reason is, you get a lot of house for your money on Canvey, and it would leave me mortgage free.

Would not keep my boat on the island, happy at Maldon.

Opinons please..

 

[DavidofMersea]

Team.

I was wondering if people could give me there opinion on living on Canvey Island.
Thinking in the near future of maybe buying a house on the island.

Reason is, you get a lot of house for your money on Canvey, and it would leave me mortgage free.

Would not keep my boat on the island, happy at Maldon.

Opinons please..

If something is cheap, there is reason for that. Maybe you might find the answer on Thursdays news of 60 years ago - Maybe it is something else

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Team.

I was wondering if people could give me there opinion on living on Canvey Island.
Thinking in the near future of maybe buying a house on the island.

Reason is, you get a lot of house for your money on Canvey, and it would leave me mortgage free.

Would not keep my boat on the island, happy at Maldon.

Opinons please..

Back in the day I worked for a major UK lender and there was a lot of problems with surveys of properties on Canvey. If I remember either ash built, system built or concrete block I can't remember. We had to make sure we kept under a quota for mortgages on the Island.

 

[sarabande]

a good risk analysis, starting with the Environment Agency might be a first step.

 

[DavidofMersea]

a good risk analysis, starting with the Environment Agency might be a first step.

I don't trust the EA. I had trouble getting insurance for my house, and when I asked why, I was told the EA said there was a flood risk - So I had a look at the EA website and they had drawn a line right through the middle of house with one side having a flood risk of once in 150 years and the other side a flood risk of once every 200 years - but my house is built on level ground and is above the 1953 flood level which was the highest ever recorded

 

[MoodySabre]

I've known quite a few people that have lived on the island. Clients and employees. I can see it from the window.

Many moved there because they get more for their money. One employee was going to buy a new house there until he researched Wilson Builders and came across a forum of problems related to Wilson built houses. Unfortunately cheap land encourages cheap build. Be careful.

Employees were late for work several times a year due to traffic chaos. There may be two roads off the island but they both come from the same roundabout. Chaos can ensue. They really need a road to the west through Thurrock but Thurrock council don't want their fumes. The improvements to Sadlers Farm on the A13 have helped.

Other people I know lived there because they were "Island people" and liked it. Each to his own.

The traffic calming measures in the town centre include signs for "Humped Zebra" and "Humped Pelican" - the only things that make you smile as you drive round the 1960s one way system.

The resident voted on a name for a new green space in the residential area and the winner was "Canvey Heights" - can't say they don't have a sense of humour.

How about renting there for 6 months before you commit.

 

[Tam Lin]

I always get lost on Canvey when I go to Camping and General. I went to a party there when I was 16 and ended up being sick in someone's front garden. I wonder if they have cleared it up yet? Seriously though, it's a fair way to drive to get to your boat if you are used to having it close. Have you considered property in the Dengie? Still close to the river and cheaper than Maldon. I have to say there is a distinct lack of character on Canvey compared to Maldon. (Oh dear, I have just upset everyone who lives on Canvey!)

 

[millbeach]

Thanks for your opinons gang.
Be honest, the only reason i am interested in Canvey, is due to the cheap housing their.
As a shift worker, traffic would not be an issue,also it would only take me 30 min to work.
As i stated reason for move would be due to be mortage free, and top up my pen pot.
Must admit, i think i will investigate more on this location.
Like the look of Benfleet or Thundersly area better, but could not kill off my mortage with such a move.
Any way thanks for the advice..

 

[sailorman]

seriously re-consider your comments Re "top-up pension" the returns are very low now & unless you are a high rate tax payer, the tax saved i think is questionable.
best keep control of your own money rather than keep a fund manager in some style

Thanks for your opinons gang.
Be honest, the only reason i am interested in Canvey, is due to the cheap housing their.
As a shift worker, traffic would not be an issue,also it would only take me 30 min to work.
As i stated reason for move would be due to be mortage free, and top up my pen pot.
Must admit, i think i will investigate more on this location.
Like the look of Benfleet or Thundersly area better, but could not kill off my mortage with such a move.
Any way thanks for the advice..

 

[millbeach]

Yes i agree.
What i thought, if i have no mortgage i would continue to save my mortage money ( ie-£600 per month).
Over 10 years would give me £72,000 cash,
Must admit, i have a company pension which i pay into, but i would like to have extra cash back-up in my hand.
I am old school, i do not really trust pension companies,

 

[DavidofMersea]

Yes i agree.
What i thought, if i have no mortgage i would continue to save my mortage money ( ie-£600 per month).
Over 10 years would give me £72,000 cash,
Must admit, i have a company pension which i pay into, but i would like to have extra cash back-up in my hand.
I am old school, i do not really trust pension companies,

Surely the best way to save would be to continue with the mortgage, and down size when you want a pension. Also house prices are suppressed at the moment, and maybe in 10 years time, they will be more realistic. Even if that does not come to pass, your present house will grow in £s more than a lesser house. My advice, if you can afford the mortgage now, stay put - If you have any spare cash, pay off some of the mortgage