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Moving from London to Kent

8 replies

Tiiiaa · 24/09/2021 19:03

Hello my boyfriend and I are a young black couple (in our 20s), Who are looking to move to Kent ( Wainscott , Strood, Rochester). We are very interested to see if other people have moved from London ( east and North) to these areas and how they found it.

We are also very interested in finding out where the ‘not so nice areas’ are in the places listed above, if any. And the opinions of any young couple and or people from an ethnic minority.

Thanks

Thank you.

OP posts:
Cybercubed · 25/09/2021 19:39

Not able to give any advice but just I thought I would bump the thread for you so somebody hopefully will.

Tiiiaa · 05/10/2021 20:10

Thank you

OP posts:
JazzyBBG · 05/10/2021 20:15

My husband is from this area I don't know it particularly well but his mum lives in Strood and unless she is in a bad part I would say avoid! Rochester as a town is nice but I don't know where the good areas to live are. Chatham has some awful parts but St Mary's island is nice. I prefer the areas towards Maidstone personally but that may be too far out for you?

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Tiiiaa · 05/10/2021 20:34

Thanks for replying. Would you say from what you know Stood is not safe or nice place to live? If yes, can I ask why as we’ve heard different mixed opinions.

We are open for suggestions however, we don’t want to be to far from London. ( My boyfriend works from home, so we are not so worried about him traveling to work).

OP posts:
FluffyWhiteBird · 05/10/2021 21:01

Hard to say because or was a fair few years ago I did it and things change, but Luton (near Chatham) I was told by a mare living there was rough, as in don't go out alone daytime or at all after dark. Some areas of Kent are a bit "you're not from round here you're not one of us" and I'm white, as were most there. Pubs that go silent when you walk in while everyone stares at you (not all of them, I used to drive to an isolated village pub that was friendly, the noisy town centre ones could be ok too it was hit and miss). People (not all of them) staring in the street if you're not wearing the same style clothes as everyone else (tracksuit (under 40) or pleated skirt and beige anorak (over 40) seemed to be the choices to avoid stares, unless you were on a night out drinking). Lots of nice people who didn't behave like that, but those who weren't so nice had a vibe of intolerance. This was in a small surburban village right next to a town.

If you don't already, learn to drive. Even in my town the last bus to suburbia stopped running at 6pm and in little (think 3 roads, 20 houses, a few farms and a pub) villages a few miles outside outside town, the bus went to town on Tuesday and returned on Thursday, no joke. One town wasn't next to another, there were stretches of countryside in between, so you'll be wanting breakdown cover for the car.

Work was not so plentiful but I never had any troubles finding some, wasn't picky over jobs/wages though. Public transport was a lot more expensive and if you're reliant on it for work it's going to limit you regarding location. A lot live there and commute on a fast train to London, which costs massively, but is offset by a cheaper mortgage or bigger house for your money, and getting the train so far out at least you got a seat. You can't pick up temporary work on repeat as a way of earning a living, like you can in London. Temporary work was for people who only wanted to work sometimes and weren't relying on it. Wages are lower than London but excluding rent/mortgage and council tax perhaps, cost of living is pretty much the same. It's not a great place to be poor.

M2/A2 and M20/A20 were fine for driving back to London and there's a few points where you can switch (via an adjoining road) from one to the other in the event of some disaster and tailbacks. You can also follow the A2 all through the towns instead of flowing into the M2 if necessary, it runs out near Canterbury I think.

Doesn't have the same vibe as London. If you think London is too dirty (Kent air is cleaner, you can smell London for the first little while whenever you go back!), too hectic or fast paced and the people too shallow, but you like the countryside and relaxing, you might like Kent better. You'll know your neighbours names! And they'll probably be friendly. Not so many big parks and public open spaces though for walking, horses or cycling, it's more muddy footpaths across fields or country lanes to wander around. Your wardrobe will be fine in terms of warmth for 90% of the year.

FluffyWhiteBird · 05/10/2021 21:02
  • a mate! Lol she wasn't a mare she was lovely 😂
Tiiiaa · 05/10/2021 21:40

Thank you so much, this is very helpful

OP posts:
Wingingitsince2018 · 05/10/2021 23:07

I live in the area having made the move from London 4 years ago when DH and I were 26/27. We originally lived in Rochester and loved being so close to the high street for dinner, drinks etc. We have now moved over the river to Strood to be able to afford a larger house due to having kids.

Everyone slates Medway, but I think it is fine and seems nicer and safer to me than several places I lived in London. Compared to other parts of Kent sure it probably isn't as nice, but it is so much cheaper!

The road and rail links back to London are great. I commute to Greenwich daily by car and it is fairly easy, especially now we live the right side of the river. Rochester Bridge can be a nightmare in the mornings so consider this if you will frequently be driving to London at rush hour.

Wainscott is okay I think, but lacks a station. I would 100% avoid Luton in Chatham and anywhere between Darnley Road and the M2 in Strood.

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