DH offered a job in Sevenoaks - panic stations!

[NotYourPrincess]

We've been planning a move from SW London to Oxfordshire - done a few recce outings, found a town we loved, in the process of selling - ball well and truly rolling.

Suddenly, he's been offered a great job in Sevenoaks and I'm feeling a bit like the rug has been pulled out from under me. I'm a Londoner and have only just got used to the idea of Oxon, and suddenly this has been thrown at me out of the blue... (Sorry, I mix metaphors in conveying panic!)

I'm a SAHM and we have DD aged 14m, so it's not as though there's a lot of logistical problems, it's just that home has always been SW London and I felt as though home could be a lovely small town just south of Oxford.

I suppose what I need to know is, could I feel at home in Sevenoaks? That sounds so silly now as I type it, but DH used to play cricket in another part of Kent, a village near Gravesend, and I never really fit in with the men he played with or their wives, so I'd be worried about actually living in a place where I never quite fit in. Does that make any sense, and can anyone assuage my fears?

Just seen your message - Sevenoaks is a fantastic place to be with young children - we have no family here but it really feels like home now. There are lots of different toddler groups and other groups/classes for little ones so I think you'd be bound to meet some people on your wavelength :). I like the fact that it is a big enough town to have great facilities and a wide range of people but small enough that once you get to know people you keep bumping into them on the high street so don't feel too isolated as a SAHM. Good luck if you do end up here!

Thank you!

We're moving at the end of next month

We've found a little house on Victoria Road - do you know much about that area?

I used to live on that road. It's perfect for walking to the town centre with all the coffee shops, the library, the leisure centre (which has a soft play on certain days), knole park etc. so you couldn't have picked a better location. Good luck with the move and hope you all settle in well

I also used to live on Victoria Road - really convenient! Sevenoaks is a fab place to live and brilliant for kids.... people are really friendly.

Thanks! Went up again yesterday and I am so excited. Moving v soon.

Hi ladies,

Sorry I know this thread was ages ago but I googled sevenoaks and this came up. We are considering moving to Sevenoaks from SW London (wandsworth) and I too am terrified of going somewhere new.

Have always lived in a town so a bit scary... but it is def time to move from the big smoke. So how are you finding it? I have a great bunch of mums I meet up with here and they keep me sane! do you think its easyish to meet other mums for playdates coffees etc.? Im a stay at home mum, my daughter is 2 and a half and we are thinking of having another one at some point in the near future although I can't say I have fully recovered from having one yet! ;-)

Anyway any reassurance or advice you can give would be v much appreciated.

Sevenoaks is a fantastic place for families. I did have my DC ( 10 and 7) when already living here. However your DD will be starting pre-school soon which is a great way to meet others as you see them regularly.

I used to go to a playgroup in Bessels Green Baptist Church on Thursday mornings which was very small and friendly. Think it is called Baby Plus. There are many other groups around too.

The NCT used to publish a booklet sold through Sevenoaks Bookshop which listed activities for young mums. Or the library would be sure to have some info.

There's also a great free magazine called Family Interest which gives a run down of events in the area.

Also you could join a gym with a creche, either Nizels or the council-run Raleys or Leisure Centre.

Finally there are lots of children's activities where you might meet friends - Monty's Music is very popular.