Grays is a large town located in the borough of Thurrock, Essex, in the South East of England. With easy access to the M25 and a short 40-minute car journey into London, Grays is one of the best commuter towns in Essex which provides residents with great road links to the rest of the country. The average property price is around £300,000, which is ideal for young families and professionals as they can find a mix of reasonably spacious detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes.
Not only is Grays a great commuting town, but it is also home to a large selection of local retail stores and amenities. Grays boasts the well-renowned shopping complex of Lakeside, where residents can shop to their heart's content in 250 stores, eateries, and entertainment venues that are on offer. Plenty of other attractions can also be found both in and around the area, including Aqua Park Lakeside, Thurrock Museum, Grays Beach Riverside Park, and Chafford Gorges Nature Park.
Grays has a 30% higher crime rate compared to the East of England and a 24% higher crime rate than the overall figures of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
There are many parking spaces dotted across Grays, with residents able to choose from either hourly or monthly paid parking which they can find on London Road, Saxton Close, Timber Court, Hove Close, and more.
An abundance of Bars, Restaurants, and Pubs are located within Grays. Some popular local venues consist of The Wharf, Banjos, The Bull, Casco Lounge, and more. If residents are wanting more nightlife options, they can head over to the surrounding areas of Romford, Stratford, and Woodford for a lively evening out.
Families can find many convenient facilities across Grays, including the education options of Harris Primary Academy and Quarry Hill Academy which have both received outstanding reviews from Ofsted. Further education is also widely found within the area after the local South Essex College opened up its £45 million campus. These options alone can give great opportunities.
Pet owners have some lovely green spaces to take their furry friends out to for an adventure. With the local areas of Grays Town Park, Davy Down Riverside Park, Palmerston Gardens Park, and Lions Gorge Nature Reserve, there are a good amount of locations to be explored.
The local Grays Station provides residents with great links to the Capital as well as to local areas. Commuters can purchase a yearly seasonal ticket which will set them back around £2,300. London City Airport is the closest to Grays, which residents can reach in a 28-minute car journey or a 45-minute train ride. Buses and coaches also serve the area for local travel.