Moving from London to Marden (Kent), what is it like?

[meandmycoffeecup]

Hi, we are considering moving from London to Marden in Kent and found a house that we like. I know that moving from busy city life to village life will be a big adjustment but I am actually looking forward to a village life. I would need to commute to London for work, but the house that we found is near the train station so that's good.

The house that we are considering is near Chantry Road/Maynards. However, when I looked at the police crime map, there seems to be a lot of crimes happening in that area relative to the size of the village. We have walked through the streets a couple of times and on both occasions, the streets looked peaceful.

I would appreciate hearing from those who live in Marden if those streets are really a problem area? I don't want to be always nervous about walking to and from the train station.

Thank you!

[JoJoSM2]

I have never heard of the village but thought I’d look on the police map out of curiosity. It looks like there’s a lot of anti-social behaviour in particular. So I imagine it would be safe walking to the station but probably quite off-putting to know you live round the corner from all-sorts.

[Craft74]

I know the area quite well, live a few miles away. You do know it is likely there could be a massive development there of approx 2000 houses? The train line is good a frequent and takes 55 mins to Charing Cross. I use it every day. As far as crime is concerned I don't think there is that much of an issue.

[meandmycoffeecup]

Thanks for the replies! 2000 houses? That’s why I’ve been seeing protest banners about that. There are already a couple of new build developments in there. Good to know that the train line is good.

Yes it is quite off putting but we really like the house- oh decisions decisions!

[UnfamousPoster]

As @Craft74 said, the development there is crazy at the moment. It became a popular commuter village about 10 years ago (I know at least two people in London that have bought their "weekend homes" there) which has pushed the prices up significantly. The increased prices has attracted the developers who are now massively taking over the area. I predict it will be unrecognisable in another 10 years from now.

The road network in and out of Marden isn't great either - they're good roads, but slow. Don't be fooled by Google Maps journey times - they're based on a lot of roads being National Speed Limit, but you'll rarely get up to 60mph on them as you'll be stuck behind a slowcoach or a tractor.

Take a look at this local group site www.savemarden.com/ for more information on the proposed developments.

[meandmycoffeecup]

@UnfamousPoster thank you, i will look into it.

[LookingforBakedAlaska]

Lots of lovely villages just outside Canterbury with equally good commute times to central London if you decide the development makes Marden unviable. Personally I prefer Canterbury to Tunbridge Wells too...

[supercalifragilistic123]

We made a similar move to a village not far away from marden and are very happy. We've really settled into village life.

The only thing I'll say is the commute is pretty tough. It's a long journey and the trains aren't always that reliable in the evening, plus unless your getting on at Charing cross you might not get a seat.

Lots of people do it, but personally I couldn't manage it and had to find a job closer to home.

Is there an option to work from home a couple of days a week? Most people I know who still work in London do this.

[meandmycoffeecup]

@supercalifragilistic123 I’m interested in what you said about the commute. I will be taking the train to Cannon street or london bridge. I was hoping i could find a seat. Is that not the case? I might find it tough too!

[Leostar]

You will ALWAYS get a seat from Marden to London and if you're coming home from Cannon Street, it's the same.

The commute is amazing! Normally only 4-5 stops straight into London! Much better than the other Kent train lines

[boilingstormyseas]

We live close to Marden and there has been some localised anti-social behaviour recently which everyone has been encouraged to report to actually get the police to acknowledge it. The village is really friendly and safe. Train-wise, it's difficult to get a seat if you get on at London Bridge but Cannon Street OK. You should look at the savemarden.co.uk site which was set up following the recent call for sites from Maidstone Council. Not all sites will get planning permission but some will so be aware! The recent spate of new housebuilding has increased traffic locally, etc - there can often be mud on the road, you will get stuck behind a tractor and outside the village there are no street lights! This is a farming area not suburbia, commuting land.

[Thegrinch2019]

I use the train every day, you always get a seat at Marden, however the car park gets filled up quickly (but I guess you will walk) at Charing Cross and Cannon Street you will get a seat coming back but not that likely at London Bridge. I find the commute easy, but i'm sure others don't.
Marden has already had a lot of new houses and if the 2000 houses goes ahead then it. The roads are already stretched. Other areas have also had a lot of building work such as Staplehurst and Headcorn, both on the same line.

[meandmycoffeecup]

Thanks a lot everyone

[HolidayMom40]

Moving from London (Ruislip) to Kent!

Hi everyone,

I'm recently coming out of a divorce and have decided to make a life change in the form of relocating from where I have lived for 9 years in Ruislip, Hillingdon to Kent. Kent is beautiful, driving down on the M25 to the A20 makes me feel like I am coming home!

I'm really happy about making this move as both myself and my son (7 years old) deserve to afford ourselves a better quality of life.

At the moment he attends a a CofE school in Ruislip. They are very attentive to the children, good Christian values, homework grid is set out in achievable merits, lots of parent activities and involvement throughout the year - Race Nights - allowing parents to come and read with the class etc. The year groups have names, boys wear shirts and ties and if you forget a day to mark your kid down for school lunch, they'll ring you and let you know but still provide lunch!

Moving to Kent I have visited a number of areas which I really like.
Namely:- Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells near Dunorlen Park, Paddock Wood, Pembury and Maidstone around and close to Mote Park.

Rightmove shows the list of school in an area and I have visited the website of respective schools however if any of you have first hand recommendations to which CofE primary schools are good / outstanding and which to avoid (as well as areas to avoid) it will be much appreciated.

The schools I have looked into so far are:-
St James School, Speldhurst CofE, St Matthews High Brooms, Rusthall St Paul’s, St Augustine Catholic Primary, Claremont, Darrick Wood.

Coming from Ruislip, which is a fairly nice place to live, you could walk down your road or the high street and bump into people from school who are happy to stop and chat.
People are friendly and the children are kind.

The reason we are moving is off the back of my divorce we want a change of scenery in a bigger house in an area offering good education and nice places to make new mummy friends but be near to a park / woods to exercise and run the dog.

I'm so grateful to anyone who can reach out and offer some insight into my move to Kent and prospective CofE Primary school for my 7 year old (who, when my house exchange is finalised - will be an in year admission).

Thank again xx

[CatAndHisKit]

HolidayMom you'd be better off copying your post and starting your own thread - will get a lot more attention, as the OP's question is about a very specific place.

[Burpalot]

Hello Ruislip person. A good friend moved from London to one of the places you mentioned in Kent. They have found it to be pretty and quiet but full of racists, ignorants and selfish arseholes on the whole. A few good eggs but the community as a whole leaves a lot to be desired.

I would stay in West London and look forward to your son enjoying the diversity, great schools, public transport and opportunities living in the capital city affords while also living close to plenty of green space. You already live in a good area. Moving for more floor space wouldn't swing it for me in your position

[7OaksDad]

That’s a big area you are considering which varies a lot. Highly amusing how Londoners like Burpalot will happily generalise over a massive county of 1.5m people which is hugely varied in a way they wouldn’t over different parts of a much smaller London borough. In terms of helping you will depend on your budget and how big a place you want, how urban you want and your commuting needs. Sevenoaks for example is pricey but getting to London Bridge will be quicker and easier than from Ruislip albeit a bit more expensive. Worth checking out Riverhead/Chipstead area for Chevening C of E school though most primaries are good. If you are happy being almost an hour train ride from London I think T Wells is a really nice mix of green space and urban facilities, though your budget would go further in some of the other places you mention.

[Burpalot]

@70aksdad don't mean to generalise on Kent. As I said I was talking about a friend who has moved to an area op mentioned (population less than circa 10,000 I'd say). Don't know about the rest of Kent of course.

I would do my homework though and perhaps visit local area in advance.