My DH (who is white) and I have been considering moving house - we currently live on the East London/Essex border. We have grown up DCs, one of whom still lives with us. DH is sick of London and wants to move out slightly. We decided on Tunbridge Wells as it’s not too far out for work - I have to travel into central London for work a couple of times a week. We both love the look of the place and the the town is vibrant with lots to do. My only concern is that I’ve not seen many black people there and I’m worried that I’ll hate it when we move. Your thoughts please? 😊
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Spicymum1 · Yesterday 13:19
Hi Jazzfunkster - thanks very much for this - really helpful. Thankfully my kids are grown up so I won’t have to worry about school mums!
jazzfunkster · Yesterday 12:49
Hi there, I’m very late to the party, but thought I’d tell you about TW! We moved here from NE London - I am a Londoner born ‘ n bred and lived there for almost 40 years and worked across central London for 24 years! We moved here almost 17 years ago, as we were expecting a baby etc. We live in the St James’ area and it’s very nice and walkable to all cafes, bars, parks, train station, shops etc. The schools are excellent here - my DD attends the local grammar school and is happy there. The town is very close to rambling countryside and just under an hour to London - London Bridge; Waterloo East; Charing Cross and Cannon St - lots of towns 30 miles outside of London often only go into one London station. The coast is an hour away. I will say that it took me a while to settle here and the area isn’t diverse, it’s slowly changing, but demographics are predominantly white middle-class. I found lots of the school mums to be very cliquey and not who I would usually befriend! I am told that this is common outside of cities. It’s not something I need to focus on now as my daughter is older, but the transition wasn’t quite what I was expecting. However, we have a dog and I have met lots of lovely people through dog-walking/park life etc. In terms of location and what the town offers its does tick lots of boxes. I still get my London fix as have family in north London. Good luck with your search and move! 😃
Spicymum1 · 15/03/2023 10:08
My DH (who is white) and I have been considering moving house - we currently live on the East London/Essex border. We have grown up DCs, one of whom still lives with us. DH is sick of London and wants to move out slightly. We decided on Tunbridge Wells as it’s not too far out for work - I have to travel into central London for work a couple of times a week. We both love the look of the place and the the town is vibrant with lots to do. My only concern is that I’ve not seen many black people there and I’m worried that I’ll hate it when we move. Your thoughts please? 😊
jazzfunkster · Yesterday 12:49
Hi there, I’m very late to the party, but thought I’d tell you about TW! We moved here from NE London - I am a Londoner born ‘ n bred and lived there for almost 40 years and worked across central London for 24 years! We moved here almost 17 years ago, as we were expecting a baby etc. We live in the St James’ area and it’s very nice and walkable to all cafes, bars, parks, train station, shops etc. The schools are excellent here - my DD attends the local grammar school and is happy there. The town is very close to rambling countryside and just under an hour to London - London Bridge; Waterloo East; Charing Cross and Cannon St - lots of towns 30 miles outside of London often only go into one London station. The coast is an hour away. I will say that it took me a while to settle here and the area isn’t diverse, it’s slowly changing, but demographics are predominantly white middle-class. I found lots of the school mums to be very cliquey and not who I would usually befriend! I am told that this is common outside of cities. It’s not something I need to focus on now as my daughter is older, but the transition wasn’t quite what I was expecting. However, we have a dog and I have met lots of lovely people through dog-walking/park life etc. In terms of location and what the town offers its does tick lots of boxes. I still get my London fix as have family in north London. Good luck with your search and move! 😃
Spicymum1 · 15/03/2023 10:08
My DH (who is white) and I have been considering moving house - we currently live on the East London/Essex border. We have grown up DCs, one of whom still lives with us. DH is sick of London and wants to move out slightly. We decided on Tunbridge Wells as it’s not too far out for work - I have to travel into central London for work a couple of times a week. We both love the look of the place and the the town is vibrant with lots to do. My only concern is that I’ve not seen many black people there and I’m worried that I’ll hate it when we move. Your thoughts please? 😊
Spicymum1 · 15/03/2023 10:08
My DH (who is white) and I have been considering moving house - we currently live on the East London/Essex border. We have grown up DCs, one of whom still lives with us. DH is sick of London and wants to move out slightly. We decided on Tunbridge Wells as it’s not too far out for work - I have to travel into central London for work a couple of times a week. We both love the look of the place and the the town is vibrant with lots to do. My only concern is that I’ve not seen many black people there and I’m worried that I’ll hate it when we move. Your thoughts please? 😊
Spicymum1 · 20/07/2023 17:05
Thank you - are St James and St John’s desirable areas? Also Langton Green, although it’s a bit far from town?
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