Considering moving to Chelsfield/Well Hill/Pratt's Bottom (after London)?

[localnickname]

We moved out of central London a couple of years ago, and where we are now isn't working for us, and we've identified Chelsfield/Well Hill/Pratt's Bottom as an option.
We have young children (reception class and younger), and DH needs to commute into London several days a week, working from home the rest.
I'd love to hear from anyone who's moved from the excitement of London to this area, with young children! Do you miss the bright lights? Are there compensations?
Is it a sociable, friendly area? Are there things to do at the weekend not too far away? Events etc.?
Where do you go for shopping?
I know there are excellent grammars, but what about primaries?
Also from anyone who knows the area well, where to avoid living would be very useful.
Thank you very much!

Hi,
there are no bad areas where you are looking. There may be issues with specific properties, or very, very local areas, but you would have to ask in the villages to find out. I know a little bit more about Pratts Bottom because we have our Montessori preschool there on the other side of the village green from the village hall and next to the Bulls Head. Pratts Bottom has a very lively social life centred arround the Bulls Head Pub and the Village Hall. There is a wealth of clubs and social events. There are three primary schools that are local and good: Green Street Green, Warren Road and Pratts Bottom Village. Pratts Bottom Village school is worth taking a close look at. It is unusall for this area because it is very small with more than one year group in a class. This was something we were unused to and so we didn't consider it seriously, I think we missed a trick. The social interactions between children of different ages can be very stimulating from an educational point of view. Google "vertical grouping" and "vertical teaching". This is very brief, I hope it helps. If you are checking out Pratts Bottom tomorrow (Saturday 10th May) you can have a look at our preschool, We have an open session event from 10am to 12noon.