Moving to Rochester (Strood)

[Denny01]

Hi
I posted earlier this morning. (maybe it was too early) so am trying again.
We are looking at moving to Rochester ( Strood) - the Wainscott/ Frindsbury/areas.
We live in London and don't want to move too far out as we have work/ school in SE London.
We've looked in other areas- Chatham..and Maidstone, but really like what we've seen of this area. Can anyone please tell me what it's actually like in the area? We've looked around and it seems really nice.

[wombatron]

Rochester historically is nicer than strood and Chatham. I wouldn't look at the The Delce area though. I would be looking around upper city way/patterns lane.

If you're looking at strood then I would be looking at the upper area near to Broomhill Park and would stay away from the high st area.

Chatham id apply the same logic as Rochester and look at above patterns lane. I would avoid Luton.

Walderslade and lordswood has some nice parts also.

Maidstone is expensive and I'm not sure what the commute is like.

Really depends on budget and your priorities. Balfour is an excellent junior school so I would look in that catchment area, there was a school called Chatham South which is now an academy which has a good reputation also - though I can't remember the name. If secondary schools are needed Rochester Grammar and Fort Pitt are excellent grammar options.

[Denny01]

Thanks Wombatron. That's really helpful. We've seen a place we really like in the Frindsbury area, do you have any knowledge of that area?

[LK0813]

I used to live here and have friends and family still in the area. Parts of Strood aren't great. The Darnley Road area, up through Bligh Way to Earl Estate has always had a reputation of being a bit rough.

Frindsbury is generally fine, but be aware of where the train tunnel/line runs. A friends' house vibrates when a train passes through, they are used to it though!

Also be aware of the holes that have opened up in the past. Search Frindsbury Deneholes for more info. I haven't heard of anything in recent memory, but as kids we were always warned not to go down certain alleyways in the Frindsbury area. There was a very sad incident in the 1960s when a woman disappeared down one of these holes that opened up.

Wainscott always came across as the better area when I lived there (I left about 15 years ago). I have friends who moved from Frindsbury to Wainscott and are very happy there.

I always liked the bit out towards Hollywood Lane and all the smaller roads off Brompton Farm Road. It seemed so much nicer than the part of Strood I grew up in!

[wombatron]

I think towards there is ok. I would check your transport options if you're planning on getting the bus to the station.

[Denny01]

Thanks for the replies. It's really helped. Fingers crossed if all goes well we'll be going ahead with the move.

[Ama007]

@Denny01 Did you make the move? will be good to get some feedback on the area

[Denny01]

Yes we did make the move. We moved near to Hollywood Lane/ Brompton Farm road and so far so good. Hubby commutes into Victoria and I drive to work/ school in SE London. Shops are a five minutes drive away, neighbours are lovely, and we can’t wait for the Spring/summer to start exploring the area some more. We have a lovely home, and thankfully no regrets ( it’s not actually that far to get back to London lol)

[LondonExodus]

Hello!
I'm looking at buying a terraced house on a hill that needs a lot of updating in North Strood (Gravesend Rd, ME2). Does anyone know if that part of Strood is at risk of subsidence, due to the clay soil? The brickwork has also been rendered, so we don't know what is underneath it. The Victorian features have been removed, including the front bay window. Not sure why (though the prettier windows may have been removed to convert the front garden into a driveway). If anyone can recommend a local builder and/or surveyor, I'd be really grateful! We are also concerned about damp proofing the ground floor basement.

[LovingHoo]

Hi All.
I'm a single mid-30s Black female.I am looking to buy and I came across a lovely home in Hoo. Problem is I don't know the area or demographics. Or advice on nicer Rochester areas. Anyone from there to give pointers..would be grateful.

[SalRosDes]

@Denny01 I am thinking of moving to Strood, near the Asda. Are you still happy there? I am also originally from London but have lived in Gillingham and Rochester for the last 2 years. Strood seems run down but has good links to London and shops so I think I would like to live there. Are you enjoying living there?