Anyone moved to Medway from London? Are you happy hear?

[toja555]

Hi, I am a mum of 2.4yo DS and expecting another DS in 3 months time. We currently live in South London. It is OK at the present, extremely convenient in terms of commuting to work, however we thinking of moving further out in order to find a better quality of life. Although we both have OK jobs in central London, it is not easy to juggle financially, plus as the children grow we probably will face all London related problems, i.e. hanging out with wrong crowd etc. (this may happen or may not, but of course I would love to prevent this). Also cleaner air, friendlier neighbours, less outside noise, all that appeals to me?

I don?t know about Medway much. I have been to Gillingham once. I only recently came across one thread in MN, where someone was telling that they moved from London to Chatham and are so much happier. I googled that Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham and Rochester have good train links with London (very important to me), saw affordable house prices on Rightmove and my mind started rolling? We would even be able to spare some cash for my DH master?s studies (!).

So here I am looking for positive inspiration. I cannot afford to move anywhere else further out, unless I downsize. I Medway I would be able to upsize and even reduce my mortgage. Schools seem to be OK. It is near the sea, which is lovely. So why the properties are so cheap? Is it still an undiscovered gem for those looking for peace and quietness?

Anyone works in London? Is it doable living in Medway and both parents working full-time with 2 children? Will I find there what I am looking for? Are we going to be OK as a racially mixed family? Is there any prejudice against newcomers from London? If we move, we are not likely to afford to move back to London again, so it is very important for us to make the right decision for life.

We are going for a day trip to Gillingham/Chatham/Rochester/Rainham next weekend, will look around more properly, but still I doubt if you can get ?that feeling? before you actually live here.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Could somebody please advise on particular roads in Rochester please? Postcode ME1 2, Warden Road, Breton Road, Bridge Road, Dale Road, Copperfield Road, The Tideway? I have been looking into this area and like it because it seems flat (no steep roads) and primary & secondary schools seems OK. If anyone could say a word, it would be very much appreciated!

Hi I'm hoping I don't offend anyone by this but those areas are near Cookham Wood Prison. I'm sure its not a problem but wouldn't be for me personally especially having young kids.

The secondary schools near there are good though.

I don't know much about the area as I'm a rainham born and bred girl but just wanted to let you know that in case you didn't know.

Good luck with your search.

xx

Thank you mumtomax , I didn't know about the prison, but for some reason it didn't scare me off, maybe because there is a grammar school in between :)

I used to run a pub in Rainham, and its a different place late at night. Having said that, my regular customers were absolutely lovely. Wigmore is a good bet if you can afford it, as is Hempstead and some of Parkwood.

Thanks MsWetherwax, but Wigmore or Hempstead is too far from Rochester station which I would use to commute to London... (too far in commuting time).

Does anyone know if Roffen Road area (ME1 2) is good?

Not sure. ME1 3 is Borstal, which is quite nice. The marina is lovely. Have you thought about Hoo? Might be a bit far out for the station still though. If not I completely recommend it, very friendly little village with a lovely school.

Thank you MsWetherwax. Unfortunately, I must be within the walking distance to a train station, preferably Rochester, which limits my choices. I was considering Higham as well, but a friend of mine has to take her child to a nursery in Rochester, which could be quite tough in the morning. So really I need to stick with commutable areas and good schools!

If anyone still reading this, could you please advise about Murray road in Frindsbury, Strood?

Don't know Murray Road, but Frindsbury is nice. I fully recommend frindsbury spice! Are you definitely moving then OP?

It was so nice to find this thread, I am moving to Rochester at the end of the month, do you have any tips on how to meet friends with children? My son is 3
Hope it went well for you ;0)

JM123 - I run a parent and toddler group in Hoo, you're very welcome to come along to that, although we are about 5/10mins in the car away from Rochester.

Medway mums, I also run baby/toddler classes in the Strood area, search for Talking Tots North Kent and that's me.

Ooh, do you Chigley? What days and times? I'm always looking for places to take DD to, she's very sociable! :)

We are in Strood on Mondays, all class details are on website. Bit wary of putting link on here in case I get my wrist slapped! But search for 'Talking Tots North Kent' and you should find all the info. Hope to see you soon! You can also find me on Facebook, same search.

Excellent, we'll see you next week!

I have lived in Medway since 1986 and despite the glowing comments in this forum from potential moviees, Medway is a terrible place to move , very few good areas and the ones that are get overun from the areas that are just plain bad, like princes Park, white road and Weedswood , the worst areas though are walderslade and lordswood gangs roam the street and drugs are everywhere
Why do you think the house prices are so cheap?

Why do think so many peoples houses are up for sale ?

Theres no such thing as a free lunch !
Best to go to either Hempstead Valley ( if you can afford it) or further still to Ashford or canterbury.

Hi all I've been reading all the thread and I must say it's very interesting!
Plz can u advise me, I must moving as cannot afford surrey anymore and only have a budget of £140, for a 3 bed house we've looked at houses near the Bromley academy as my twins one of each ;) will be 11 and going straight into senior school plz plz advise me of which roads are ok OSHA and which to greatly avoid?
Any help
Would be soooo helpful ;)

Gillingham sounds ok but need to be sure ;) again any help plz

We've just quit London for Gillingham, no issues in the ten days we've been here. Can't vouch for schools as DD not using them.

If you're looking for roads to avoid, maybe check out the crime stats? www.police.uk/ and click on "Crime Maps".

Ben10 or anyone please tell me how is ocelot court near luton road is it family friendly as might be a solid swap from east london just want assurance as have 3 young children. Thanks

Hi all

I really need some help
I am trying to decide whether I should move from London to Medway.
Have seen 2 houses 1 on Crow lane near Rochester high street & one in Weston Road,Strood. I don't know which of the 2 roads will be safest for me & my 2 little ones. They are both below 2 yrs and I want to make sure that I don't make the same mistake twice in that we previously moved to Plumstead thinking it was a better area than our previous place and ended up living next to a junkie :(.
Any guidance and help would be much appreciated

if you move to Weston Road you will have two Mnetters in 5 min walk. Both used Gospel Mission nursery ( not for religious reasons) and various local schools. Temple Mill (also has Surestart and nursery) was great but gets low Ofsted reports

houses cheap, culture not great, surrounding countryside/seaside lovely
easily commutable

Update: Medway seems fine, a few hiccups so far but nothing significant aside from rather over-priced bus service, which is only marginally cheaper if at all on some journeys, than a cab.

Hello
I am New here and want to ask you for an advice
This month I am gonna move form Maidstone to Chatham Medway. Please tell me what do you think about the Oliver Close? As I am gonna move there.
I didn't buy a house. It is a private rent. The property is exactly what I want, the area seems nice and during the day and during the night. I know that there are few areas which aren't really nice.
I am confused now and don't know what to do. I have some time to change my decision and not to move there as I didn't pay Any money yet to the Landlord.
Many thanks