Higham Wood Tonbridge help

[LuckyFlash]

My husband and I are about to have a baby and are looking to move out of London down to the Tonbridge area. We have viewed a few houses close to the station (hectorage road, lavender road) and have seen some nice places but all feel like we will grow out of them quite quickly.
We went for a wild card viewing in Higham Wood and have fallen in love with a house - it really ticks every single box and is affordable. However we are worried about the area - can anyone give any advice on what it’s like to live there?
It’s not the prettiest area in terms of housing and there’s doesn’t seem to be anything there other than a coop and a couple of other shops (unless I’m missing something?). I’ve heard the primary school is good which is great.
Coming from London I’m worried we will be a bit too cut off from amenities and civilisation there.
Also we will both be commuting at least a few days a week. We’re thinking we would cycle or get the bus to the station - is the bus reliable or will it be a nightmare commute?
Any advice appreciated!

We live over in TW but are around Tonbridge all the time. Don’t know too much about the buses (my guess is that they’re not great) but you’ve got a reasonable cycle route from that part of town into the station. You could also take the car to Hildenborough where there is cheaper parking and slightly cheaper trains into London.

Walking distance amenities aren’t lavish, but fine for essentials, and again, all the main supermarkets and other useful things are back in town, or you could go to a couple of farm shops on the A26 between Tonbridge and Hadlow.

Sevenoaks here but know Tonbridge well and DD goes to school there.

Personally it wouldn’t appeal (I’d rather be in the town itself, not South of the River though)but it’s a decent & safe residential area. The local Secondary (Hugh Christie) hasn’t got a great reputation or performance stats. However you wouldn’t have to go for HC - there are very strong grammar and independent secondaries and a good girls State. If you have boys, you’ll have slightly less options at Secondary level.

Going further north you have Shipbourne and Plaxtol, both very pretty with good pubs and very nice for a Sunday lunch out and walk!

DD’s bus trundles down through North Tonbridge into town and then to the station. Yes there are plenty of buses but just to warn you, traffic is really heavy and stop start in the mornings with frequent road works in town. You would be better off cycling if you are happy to do that.

I like the area North of the river but there isn’t a great deal to do in Tonbridge and the shops aren’t great. Tunbridge Wells while further out and more expensive would be an easier cultural move from London. Knowing the area, Higham Wood wouldn’t be my choice as I like old and picturesque but as an area to bring up DC, absolutely fine!