Relocation to Kent: location advice needed!

[UrbanMage]

I had posted in property but zero responses so far so I'd thought I'd try here...

Location info needed (honest as well) please!

So my husband and I (and our almost 5 year old dd) are looking to relocate to be closer to his parents for various reasons. Mine already live 200odd miles away and we can't relocate up there due to my DH's job, which is in London. I'm an English teacher so can be a little more flexible in term of moving workplace.

We are looking at Swanley/ west Orpington/ Chislehurst sort of way, as my ILs are in Bromley. Our budget is around 400-450k (not a stealth boast before someone starts...)

What's it like living there? Are the schools ok? Is there a nice community aspect? Etc etc.

We had a drive down there today and it looked okish. We know where we would prefer now, but we are still not hugely knowledgeable about the area. (He grew up in the Bromley/ Shirley area)

I've got myself into a flap (I have quote bad anxiety - one of the reasons for the move) as I've looked at schools and their wraparound care is minimal. There are childminders but I'd need to find out what school dd would move to before I can do proper enquiring. I would still want to work so giving it up is not an option. And part time teaching jobs are not always easy to get, so I'd probably have to go back up to full time from my current 0.8, which isn't a massive difference.

Not intending to drip feed but my brain is a bit frazzled so apologies if I've missed anything major.

Of your areas, I'd say Chislehurst is the nicest, followed by Orpington and then Swanley not as nice. Other areas to consider- maybe Beckenham or Bexley (cheaper). Some good (selective) secondary schools around like Townley in Bexley

Bickley is a nice area. Close to Bromley town centre, but has it's own shopping street ("Chatterton Village"), a nice park and three primary schools.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E93809&maxPrice=450000&minPrice=400000&radius=0.5&sortType=1&propertyTypes=&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

Thanks for ideas so far.

@ACupOfCoffee those are nice but we will probably need somewhere bigger than a 2 bed. We have been trying for #2 for a while and are currently in a 2 bed place in Hertfordshire and it feels small. Plus dh works from home once a week so will need some office space. He currently has to work in our bedroom and it's cramped. And I have to work where I can, which is usually on the sofa with a child climbing on me.

See this is why I said I'll probably end up forgetting bits because I'm all frazzled. So sorry.

I have a relative in Bickley. It's really nice.

Have you looked in West Wickham?

Shirley, Addiscombe, West Wickham, Eden Park and the Bromley Common / Chatterton Village areas are all nice with good communities and schools plus transport links into and out of London.

Parts of Orpington are ok, Swanley not so much although Bexley is also good for schools.

Best of luck. It can seem very daunting but knowledge is definitely power!

Not sure we can afford West Wickham unless we wanted a small flat. Shirley could be a potential. We liked Petts Wood. I even liked Sidcup but dh baked at the price for a terrace with no parking.

Yes, I completely understand about needing more space. Good luck with your search.

Petts Wood is lovely - nice community feel and lots of green space plus good links to London. Quite a few good rated primary schools too. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

Bexley borough is good for schools and most of the schools have breakfast/after school clubs. Close enough to Greenwich for central London weighting school jobs and south of the borough borders with Bromley. I suspect you will be happier in the more expensive south of the borough, but your budget will get you quite a bit in the north of the borough between Bexleyheath and Abbey Wood station. There are lots of nice pockets, and some not so nice but ok around that area.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=STATION%5E926&maxPrice=450000&radius=3.0&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&primaryDisplayPropertyType=houses&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=