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Original poster

Talk to me about Kent

70 replies

aytheweeun · 11/04/2019 14:48

Looking for areas to move to. Currently we live in a small flat in SE London & looking to move to Kent.

We have a 3 yo DS and probably will have another. DH needs to commute to London four days out of five but I WFH.

We like Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. Not completely sure of budget yet but is likely to be in the region of 475-550k. Would like 3 bedrooms with a garden but not fussed on terraced/semi detached etc.

Probably we'll try to sell our flat first and then rent in the area before we commit to buying.

Any suggestions of other places we might have overlooked?

OP posts:
Mummaaon · 11/04/2019 20:20

@aytheweeun Canterbury is cute yes but the traffic is hell.

Original poster
aytheweeun · 11/04/2019 20:25

Traffic not an issue; I can't drive.

OP posts:
floribunda18 · 11/04/2019 20:36

Sevenoaks & T Wells are boring as hell

And Dulwich, Catford and Bromley are sooo exciting and you get to pay £800,000 to live in a draughty Victorian two up two down. Boring = low crime, safe, nice people, good schools, great for families, lovely countryside and still near enough to London to work and go out there. The villages around the main towns are nicer and more down to earth, for me. Sevenoaks can be rather stuck up.

TWells traffic is a bloody nightmare though, nearly as bad as SE London at times.

floribunda18 · 11/04/2019 20:39

I would learn to drive though if moving out of London.

ourkidmolly · 11/04/2019 20:39

Thamesmead or Slade Green.

Original poster
aytheweeun · 11/04/2019 20:44

I can't. I'm unable to drive due to medical reasons.

OP posts:
Lobsterquadrille2 · 11/04/2019 21:23

I live in TW and don't drive - also medical reasons and it's not a problem.

Littlebelina · 11/04/2019 21:39

You can easily survive in Canterbury not driving but commute is pricey.

MaryBoBary · 11/04/2019 22:16

I would recommend Tunbridge Wells - lived there for 3 years. It’s a lovely place but not as pricey as Sevenoaks. But if possible I would look to bout in one of the villages like Lamberhurst, Goudhurst or Brenchley. All so beautiful and picturesque.

MrsBertBibby · 11/04/2019 22:54

Dear God don't live in a Kent village if you don't drive! Buses are seriously rare and expensive. You will be so stranded.

floribunda18 · 12/04/2019 07:32

Yes, if you don't and can't drive I'd honestly stay in London. Nowhere else has public transport like that, and Kent County Council are dinosaurs who actively discourage it.

Taffeta · 12/04/2019 07:48

You can't live in most Kent villages if you don't drive if you want to be able to get about. The buses are atrocious. Trains not so bad though if your village has a station, but as pp said Sevenoaks station is not especially near the town.

I grew up in Berkshire and have lived in Kent the last 15 years and much prefer it.

Think about what you'll do if your DCs don't pass the 11+. Take a look at Knole Academy. (which I hear is on the up now they have new head).

There's a big problem currently with boys grammars in West Kent, not enough of them so certainly this year I know of many boys who have passed the 11+ but haven't been offered grammar places.

Tonbridge is cheaper than Sevenoaks or TW, and there are LOADS of schools there, some extremely good.

MrsPear · 12/04/2019 09:12

We are Orpington - very good schools within walking distant. 20 minutes fast to London. Much greener than where we were - not difficult as it was penge.

Silversun83 · 12/04/2019 10:14

The surrounding villages to Maidstone are nice but Maidstone itself has seriously gone down hill in recent years and almost getting as bad as Medway. And if you don't drive, as PP said, you will feel a bit stranded in a village. I think maybe Tonbridge or Sevenoaks - both small towns so easy enough to get around and you'd get a nice house on your budget.

Stripyhoglets · 12/04/2019 11:53

Orpington/petts wood - good schools if your kids dont get into grammar. Good transport links. Friend lives there not me - and that what she says anyway.

Schlobbob · 12/04/2019 12:16

Kent lass here - grew up in Maidstone & surrounds. Agree with pp that Maidstone itself has gone downhill, it's actually quite expensive for what it is. Most people end up driving to Bluewater for decent shopping - the town centre during the day can be really unpleasant. Agree Bearsted, Loose, Allington are all nicer areas with good primary schools however they don't have large village centres (or much of anything else) and buses aren't good. Bearsted has a train station but it's about 1h10 to Victoria now. It's also very snobby!

West Malling has a proper high street, though Kings Hill is just massive housing estate and full of businesses, it's very busy and expensive. The train station isn't actually near the town centre or Kings Hill!

We moved abroad and always said we'd never go back to Maidstone and go to west Kent (family all in Kent and Sussex) but DH changed jobs so will likely end up in Berkshire!

Original poster
aytheweeun · 12/04/2019 14:26

Yes, if you don't and can't drive I'd honestly stay in London. Nowhere else has public transport like that, and Kent County Council are dinosaurs who actively discourage it.

I can't, we'll never be able to afford a house in London.

My Gran lives in rural gloucestershire, can't drive and has managed without a car for all 85 of her years (and has no husband to drive her round either). When I lived in Berks there was sod all public transport, I lived in a village and I managed fine.

OP posts:
FunnyHappyGirl · 12/04/2019 14:28

If you don't drive I think the bigger towns are you're best bet. Perhaps avoid Maidstone as the properties nearer the town aren't the best.

I have relatives that live in Canterbury and there's lots of nice housing areas within walking distance of the centre and being a tourist haven it feels very "buzzy".

These are all walkable:

5-bed - £500k
4-bed - £475k
big 3-bed - £495k

FunnyHappyGirl · 12/04/2019 14:29

*your best bet... sorry!

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