Hi I'm an Essex Boy now living in SE London, there is a pretty active SE section and we meet up pretty regularly, might be a fair distance depending where in Essex you are
If you ask me its a crazy time to leave a secure career and go off on your own, especially if you have a family to support. I know some will say nothing ventured nothing gained but it won't be the roof on their house at risk.
Yeah too expensive to be a shed
Nice clean motor and probably quite frugal
I personally love having a Petrol & a Diesel as they both drive so differently.