AIBU to consider moving from London to Kent with children?

I live in "London Kent with TfL" 😂 love that
Grew up in posh West Kent.
As I said DH works in not posh East Kent.
This is a huge country and moving here requires a lot of research, especially considering the grammar system, Reform Council and very variable amounts of public transport.
Check carefully also for giant housebuilding projects.

Moved from SE London to a tiny Kent village 4 years ago and wish I’d done it sooner. It’s quiet, clean, council does their job, no madness, can walk the dog late at night without fear. I’ve not had any reform leaflets through the door either!

Where in Kent? Some parts are still London with TFL etc so that’s considerably less of a change than if you’re suddenly out in an oast house or in Dymchurch.

My friend did it … said best thing she ever did and first few weeks they could t sleep because how much quieter it is. Her daughter is in a grammar school, son in the village school, one class per year, and she can commute to London in 25 minutes for work. Her kids were a bit younger when she moved though.

This is good advice.

DH works in the area and commutes from Bromley rather than live there (there's a decent train service).

None of your children have SEND do they? Kent is notoriously awful for SEND.

if it’s Sevenoaks, Kent you have the best of both world - close enough to London but also feel out in the country . However, I wouldn’t move at your eldest’s age unless he was totally up for the move

I live in Kent, pay my council tax, rubbish collection is always on time, no Reform leaflets through the door, do not live in fear, I am black, by the way! Oh and I don’t vote Reform. KCC seems to be functioning well from what I see. Pot holes are a problem and lots of diversions while they fix the many water leaks, but I blame SE Water for that, but don’t let that put you off!

Are the local councils in chaos? Which ones? I work in the community and business section of Kent County Council and have regular meetings with other councils in Kent. I haven't come across any chaos at all!

Don’t forget, Kent is a grammar school area so that may affect schooling.

Aylesford is a lovely village, but quiet compared to London.

We moved from just outside London to the Midlands when the kids were 9 and 7.
Based on that experience I would not uproot older children, unless things are going wrong for them where you
The problem is that every time something goes wrong, they look back with rose-tinited glasses at their former home and to their former friend groups..

Most of our neighbours here are originally from London. We made the move 12 years ago. We moved to the far side of Kent, lovely little villages, close to Hythe and Folkestone.

There is Kent and Kent. Which Kent are you thinking?

I am London born. My YA, DD born in London followed us and DGD also London born started primary school here. Small village school, 100 DC.

DGD will go back to London I think, she is happy here but I feel London will call her back.

My neighbours who came when their DC were 10 and 12, both have finished Uni, the eldest will go back to London as soon as the opportunity arises, although he is happy here also.

Personally I like the pace of life compared to
London. My DD, now has her family here and is glad she made the move.

Come down for the day, multiple times, that’s what we did.

You have to drive here, no Oyster cards, but good links into London by train. I use the High Speed. Come into London but sigh a sight of relief when I get on that train and head back
to Kent.

I currently live in / near Kent (technically at least) and honestly this is my response too! I just see it all as London (without tubes 😆😆)!

Then you are - ill-informed, shall we say. Suggest you get out and explore a bit away from the motorways.

Rochester and Canterbury are nice enough but the rest of Medway is awful- avoid.

Would your children get in to grammar schools? Don’t move if they won’t get in.

The Weald and other rural areas are beautiful, but check the commute and be aware your DC may be reluctant to move out of London at their ages.

Would further south in to Bromley work? Still some semi rural parts but technically still London.

No problem with the move in general (I'd be considering PP's points about transport and opportunities when choosing whereabouts to move to) but the kids' ages make it potentially difficult. It could be tough for the 14yo - they are just about to start Y10 and GCSE options. It would be hard moving once Y10 is underway because of different exam boards.

You could make it work if you really wanted to - but I would do it asap. Do you think the older two would be on board? Is there anything about the move that would benefit them (own bedroom, close to cousins they get on with)?

The Medway towns are pretty run down in parts, so you need to think carefully about where you hope to live.

I currently live in / near Kent (technically at least) and honestly this is my response too! I just see it all as London (without tubes 😆😆)!

Totally agree with this.

If your 14 yo is starting Yr 10 there is no 'smooth'. You will wreck their GCSE years if you move midway. Different exam board, different curriculum, different schools using different pace . order, plus the disruption.

Wait til your 12 yo finishes GCSEs and is moving into 6th Form. If your kids' education is important to you.

One huge thing to consider, which will impact your older children, is that you will have to drive them everywhere,

That will depend on where op moves to.

thinking Rochester or aylesford currently,

Rochester rather than Aylesford. Rochester has good direct rail connections with London and coast. Local bus services also quite good.

Aylesford has limited public transport and amenities.

One huge thing to consider, which will impact your older children, is that you will have to drive them everywhere, and they'll have no independence as they would have in London, using public transport. Being able to get around on their own was a real source of pride for DD, mastering the tube and bus routes, and giving directions to tourists. It also forces them to be street smart and aware, which is no bad thing. Also, for your oldest, there's just much more to do in London.

Kent is a lovely place, and I think it's fantastic for young children or for people who don't have to commute every day, but for teenagers there is, imo, real downsides.

But good luck to you.

Kent is pretty big and quite varied. There's a world of difference between a big town like Maidstone or Ashford and a small village in the Weald, and between (eg) Chatham and Sevenoaks.

My SIL and BIL moved from outer London to Tunbridge Wells years ago and wouldn't move back for any money. They moved when their child was still in primary though, and they got a place in a grammar school (which was lucky, as that was part of their reason for moving). They've moved to a village now, and really love it.