Need help with sevenoaks/tonbridge/maidstone decisions

[mummyinaus]

DH works in the city, I will work 4 days in East Maidstone.

We know NW London well, but Kent, not much at all.

The prep schools with places are Fosse Bank, and possibly Somerhill (tonbridge) and Randor (formly Coombe).

Questions we need help with.

DH needs access to London Bridge, way better than Victoria. So we are thinking we could drive into either sevenoaks or tonbridge around 7:10am and get a car space? how likely is that? Maybe there is a village within 5 mins.

Housing, we have a good amount, and looking in the 1M range, so that should be ok we hope.

Ideally we would be close to East Maidstone so as I can pick kids up whereever at 5:30pm etc.

Any suggestions welcome. Maybe it is better to buy close the the trains and forget the parking if its impossible.

Kids are 6 and 10! Girl and boy. The wally hall option looks most probable for Y7, but of course, no space for Y6! urgh.

[scaredofthecity]

Tbh you'd struggle to get to east maidstone from tonbridge or the other way quickly in rush hour traffic. The road in is always busy.

[scaredofthecity]

And maidstone is nowhere near as nice as the others, but you won't get as much for your money in Sevenoaks.

[WashAway]

Unfortunately, no village is five mins away purely because of traffic. Don't believe Google Maps!

I would be close to station and-or schools. It would be exhausting to have to commute far to school for drop offs and then commute again for work. If Sommerhill and Fosse is where you are commited to for the next few years, I suggest looking at Hadlow, Hildenborough or Tonbridge (Yardley Park Road on your budget). If Sevenoaks area is more your style and long term preference, then look at Sevenoaks, Otford or Kemsing, which would place you well station wise for both of you, but be quite a trek to the schools you mentioned.

I don't know Maidstone well enough to comment, but it would be quite a distance for the schools you mentioned and quite a commute for your dh.

Moving from NW London to a quaint Kent village might be a shock to the system and not be great as your children approach teenage years. Town might be a better middle option.

[Notyetthere]

Do you also need trains or are you happy to drive to Maidstone?

I think Tonbridge fits your requirements. Lots to do for you and the DCs

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58774511.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54807571.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52994977.html

Walk to the station for DH, short drive to Somerhill and Fosse Bank and a 40 minute drive to Maidstone.