Moving to Ashford, Kent

[Kas17]

Hi there. Can anybody tell me what area/schools are good in Ashford. Is there are places definetly to avoid. How about schools primary & secondary? What attraction are there for families with kids, clubs etc. We thinking about moving to Ashford from london. Please share your views. Thank you

I have family who live in Ashford. The fast train into London is amazing, the schools are all great and it’s right on the edge of some beautiful countryside. Easy for the tunnel too. Not a bad place to move to at all.

All the schools are not great, but a lot are. Will you be in town or aorrounding villages? If town head for park farm, finberry, or Reston park for best schools and motorway/ station access. If villages look at mersham, hamstreet, kingsnorth, smeeth..
It’s generally a nice ish place, the town centre is pretty dire but aren’t all of them these days? The out of town / edge of town shops make up for it.
For secondary the framers are both very good. John wallis is ok, avoid north and towers like the plague. Also avoid Stanhope and most of Singleton. If you can only afford to live there don’t come
I’ve been here 40 years so let me know if you have more questions!

*the grammera not framers!
And repton park!

Namechanged.

Leaving Ashford was genuinely m the best decision I ever made! Sorry OP.

There’s not really anything there in the way of social activities, there are several scummy areas (Stanhope is utterly grim) and 10000 pound shops. The best thing about Ashford is that it’s really easy to leave! Very good rail and road links.

As for schools, I went to Willesborough Juniors and then Highworth Grammar, both very good schools. The North is a dreadful school, don’t even think about it. Towers is also not great but better than The North. Norton Knatchbull is the boys’ grammar school, also very good.

Seriously though, if you haven’t committed to anything, absolutely do not bother. I live in Canterbury now which is MUCH nicer!

Thank you all for comenting. I will be doing still some research . So any view & opinion are welcome. Properties in London are so prices I don't think we will be ever able to own our house here. Move outside of London seems right thing to do .
We thinking more of relocating closer to town.How there is with safety. What about places to go with kids like playgroup, football clubs etc.
Thank you .

It’s known as Trashford for a reason. Avoid Stanhope. Repton Park is ok (it has a good primary). Look at the outlying villages, they’re a lot nicer than their proximity to Ashford would suggest. Secondary schools are pretty poor unless your kids pass the Kent test.
There’s a large cinema complex, flip out, bowling. The centre of town is best avoided.

I live in repton park, moved there from maidstone. Rent isn't too expensive and the surrounding areas are pretty good x

What about Willesborough. Does anybody know area, schools there? Thank you

Faversham, Canterbury, whitstable much nicer generally