Hello dilligaf, glad you had a good weekend. Prettygate is a good area where retired people feel comfortable. If you don't want to go into town there is the small shopping centre which has most things you would need, with a doctors' surgery and dentist as well. The library there is good and it has information about all the local events, clubs and organisations etc. There is also a good bus service into town. You are five minutes drive from a larger Co-op and 10 minutes from Sainsburys at Tollgate. The estate agent that specialises in that area is Newstead Estates (next to the library). Hope you like gardening as some people in Prettygate seem to be in competition with their flower beds! Not a bad thing really!
I just realised I must sound like some sort of promotions person singing about my town.....
Anyway have fun looking around, and if you do decide to move here, good luck and welcome to Essex. Tell your wife not to forget to bring a pair of white stilettos for emergencies!!