Legally, for council tax, policing, and your passport, Romford is in London. No argument. But emotionally, it’s Essex—just with a nicer bus pass. It’s the Gateway to Essex, the last outpost before you hit the real countryside and the sausage rolls.
My advice? If you’re from Romford and someone asks, just say, “I’m from a place that makes London look like a small town, and Essex look like a city.” Then walk away mysteriously.
Or just say “Essex” and save yourself an hour-long argument over a pint. The beer in a Romford pub tastes better when you’re not debating local geography. Trust me. I’m mostly from Kent. But that’s a whole other crisis for another day.
