N/NW Kent and SE London help!

[LouzieC]

Hi there! My husband, toddler and I have just relocated from Australia and after some advice and tips regarding awesome family friendly area in North/North West Kent. Commuting to London with 45 min train for hubby, and with plenty of activities for my 1 year old son. What areas are great?! I’m a bit lost here x

[Argeles]

Congratulations on your relocation.

Are you looking for an area to live in, or areas to just visit?

What’s your budget?

[LouzieC]

Oh sorry, yes looking for areas to live. We will be renting and budget can go up to 2000gpb per month. Somewhere not too built up, but also has a bit of life! :)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sorry I'm pretty far from that area but just wanted to say welcome to MN

[LouzieC]

Oh thanks!

[Lunaballoon]

Whereabouts will your DH be working? Proximity to rail links might narrow down your choices.

[Argeles]

I would look at:

Bexleyheath
Bexley
Bromley

I know the first two very well - excellent schools and a good variety of shops and transport links, and lots of green spaces and parks. Also, the A2 is close, meaning you can drive in to Kent for plenty of countryside, history and beaches. You can even surf at at least one of the Kent beaches! The train links are good too if you don’t have access to a car.

£1500 would get you a 3 bedroom house with garden. You can find houses costing less than this with 3 bedrooms, and obviously 2 bedroom houses too. The area around Danson Park and William Morris’s Red House are very good (park, Red House, gym, pub, and schools). The town centre is around a 15 minute walk from there too (shops, supermarkets, transport, cinema, bowling, restaurants & cafés.

Bromley has a great town centre, and fast trains into London Victoria only take 15 minutes from Bromley South, but I don’t know about the schools etc. I only really know the shops!

As you could go up to £2000 per month, you could afford somewhere on the borders of Greenwich or Blackheath, which are lovely. Look at Charlton and Kidbrooke for this (but only areas on the borders).

I personally favour, and recommend Bexleyheath for the reasons above, as well as it being cheaper than near to Greenwich and Blackheath. These places are only a short train or bus journey away from Bexleyheath, or a short car journey (15 mins approx) on the A2.

[LouzieC]

Argeles Thanks so much for that - that’s very helpful. Bexleyheath looks like a good call, as transport links are good but it’s a little bit further out.
It’s so overwhelming trying to decide. We are also bringing our 2 dogs over from Aus too so need to think about them too.
Actually when I was a teen I lived in Kent for a while and used to go out a bit in Bexleyheath/Dartford, so hopefully it’s a bit better these days!
Appreciate all your suggestions 😊