To not know whether to move to tunbridge wells or west Sussex?

[Mixedupmind]

We want to move from Surrey, I use Surrey loosely as we are bordering London before my eldest starts school next year
We are renting and would like them to have their own rooms which currently they don't and we couldn't afford them too, a nice garden and a nice school.
The roman catholic school we would get living here is lovely but the secondary feeder school is near enough in Croydon which worries me.
Just would like a village lifestyle without having to drive as we don't want the extra outlay
My husband does drive so no problem for town trips / visiting family
Kent seems lovely but secondary schools are mainly grammar?
West sussex seems nice apart from Bognor apparently
Any advice?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-44132347.html
See if something like this suits.

Hen,
Ideal! Never heard of the area but looks lovely

Have a good google, there's plenty of info online.
Where does DH need to drive to?

Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife, she wouldn't like Rusthall...it's got a council estate, innit.

Oh, and I personally like Rusthall, btw. :-)

MixedupMind, the further away you are from a train station with commuting links to London, the more reasonable the prices.

Ooh, lots of West Sussex neighbours on this thread (I'm in Sompting).

It's a nice place to live if you have a family, Worthing - Shoreham along the coast is good if you want to be near to Brighton and all that has to offer, further West or North if you fancy being more rural.

Findon might suit you - decent schools and villagey but not in the arse end of nowhere and although it's one of the more expensive areas, given where you're moving from I would imagine you'd find something in budget.

I don't know Tunbridge Wells personally but I know someone who lives there and from what she says about three place and what I see on the news I wouldn't fancy it... and I'm originally from Croydon !

There is a thread about TW in Property/DIY at the moment. Quite good info on the area and schools, particularly primary.

Go, spend a weekend in both places.

I like Rusthall too. It's like going in a time warp. I'd live there.

Ah yes, the council estate, having read more posts you might be right, perhaps not ideal and there's a couple of immigrants...good god!

Betsey- the time warp thing is exactly why I love it!

I've live near Croydon and before that lived nearer Crawley - in 2 very nice places. I would much rather live in Croydon and have my children go to school there than Crawley. Ditto West Sussex. East Sussex has some lovely areas.

I really don't see the issue with central Croydon never mind South Croydon, which is middle class Mecca.

There was a man with a shop who fixed televisions and hoovers until about 10 years ago iirc. Harold Couchman? I loved him a little bit.