Moving to Maidstone - Is it a safe Area?

Samara26 · 2022-04-25T05:48:01+00:00

Hello, just spotted a house in the maidstone area, and wondering if its a good place to live? The house is off the Sutton Road, near the cemetery. I've read very mixed reviews about the town in terms of people, safety, amenities etc.. Would just like to hear anyones personal views.. the good, the bad, the ugly? I have concerns about pollution and crime and chav factor haha! I've come from Reading and Crawley, West Sussex, so hoping it's an improvement on that at least. Housing seems more affordable and its only an hour by train into London, but i work from home so its not too much of an issue. I'm in my 30's so looking to meet a partner and into bars, gym, swimming, socialising etc. Look forward to hearing from everyone :)

Andrea5 · 02/05/2022 23:05

Hi Samara, I am moving to Maidstone too, and would love to here any tips. It would be nice to hear some experience of those who moved few years ago.

Gilesgoesformiles · 02/05/2022 23:06

I lived there for 6 months and four people were killed on my road. It was. Long road though

EatingMonster · 02/05/2022 23:26

Sutton Road area is a nicer area of Maidstone. Shops and restaurants nearby, added bonus of green spaces all over Maidstone and surrounding.

Not too far from the town centre, it's certainly not the worst town centre. Spoilt for choice in terms of shops, restaurants, and lots of nightlife especially at the weekend. Public transport generally fairly good.

As with anywhere there are poorer areas which can have the stereotypes but again it's not the worst you can get within a 15-20 mile radius. Again, as with anywhere there is crime that goes on, but I do not feel unsafe here.

Fire away if you have any specific questions.

Original poster

Samara26 · 02/05/2022 23:53

Gilesgoesformiles · 02/05/2022 23:06

I lived there for 6 months and four people were killed on my road. It was. Long road though

Which road was it?

OP posts:

Original poster

Samara26 · 02/05/2022 23:59

EatingMonster · 02/05/2022 23:26

Sutton Road area is a nicer area of Maidstone. Shops and restaurants nearby, added bonus of green spaces all over Maidstone and surrounding.

Not too far from the town centre, it's certainly not the worst town centre. Spoilt for choice in terms of shops, restaurants, and lots of nightlife especially at the weekend. Public transport generally fairly good.

As with anywhere there are poorer areas which can have the stereotypes but again it's not the worst you can get within a 15-20 mile radius. Again, as with anywhere there is crime that goes on, but I do not feel unsafe here.

Fire away if you have any specific questions.

I really like the layout of the town Center and it's definitely more aesthetic than other places I've cities.. lots of mature trees and greenery about...I was recently chatting to someone who moved there from Middlesborough and he did say he found it a bit chavvy - lots of young people hanging around outside in the town Center, doing whatever and making the area look a lot less desirable... he did say that once inside the pubs it was fine but he also said the bars and nightlife is minimal?

I'm only interested in bars but in my 30s so would be looking for a slightly older crowd?

I have read some scathing reviews on 'I live here' but they did t have nice things to say about crawley or Basingstoke either! I may post them tomorrow

OP posts:

Original poster

Samara26 · 21/05/2022 04:52

Hi - Sutton Road comes under Shepway North - I have used the website fryford.github.io/imdmap/ and the crime is at the maximum level so im really confused now. I think there were 160 crimes in 2019 within my postcode - the data is 3 years old, but not sure it makes too much difference?

OP posts:

SunshinePie · 21/05/2022 07:05

There’s a reason they have a prison there.

TuxedoJunction · 21/05/2022 07:11

If budget allows I’d suggest looking at Tunbridge Wells….so much nicer than Maidstone. Plus is on a major train line into four London stations. Property really holds its value in this town too.

BelladonnaKebab · 21/05/2022 07:29

I would second what TuxedoJunction said... Tunbridge Wells is much nicer and has lots of what you are looking for. Maidstone has nose dived over the years and Shepway has always had a horrible reputation. The green spaces in town like Brenchley Gardens have always been hangout spots for people to take drugs and can feel quite intimidating. I'd spend a weekend there and see what you think. It's not the worst place on earth by any means, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I've also lived in Reading and would say its pretty similar.

Original poster

Samara26 · 21/05/2022 21:28

BelladonnaKebab · 21/05/2022 07:29

I would second what TuxedoJunction said... Tunbridge Wells is much nicer and has lots of what you are looking for. Maidstone has nose dived over the years and Shepway has always had a horrible reputation. The green spaces in town like Brenchley Gardens have always been hangout spots for people to take drugs and can feel quite intimidating. I'd spend a weekend there and see what you think. It's not the worst place on earth by any means, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I've also lived in Reading and would say its pretty similar.

Thank you - Tunbridge Wells unfortunately is way out of my budget, except for a flat, but they are not such a good investment, if i need to sell in 5 years. I agree about Reading, i don't think it's the safest place. I'm hearing such mixed reviews about Maidstone - some are saying its a middle class area, others are saying its really chavvy and rough. Some say the Sutton Road is one of the nicer areas, but most of Sutton Road does just fall within Shepway. My only other option is Basingstoke?

OP posts:

BotterMon · 21/05/2022 21:51

Maidstone is ok and better than Crawley. On a par with Reading but smaller and more green spaces.

Tunbridge Wells is awful- just one big traffic jam and non-stop building. No idea why people still want to live there. Maidstone night life and shopping is better than TW too.

For a single person of your age, you could do far worse than Maidstone.

Original poster

Samara26 · 21/05/2022 21:58

Maidstone shopping is very good, and its also very close to Bluewater! I've heard TWells is quite congested. I think the nightlife there is ok there, but i haven't experienced Maidstone nightlife? What are the general people like in Maidstone - is it a white collar or blue collar town? Would you say its a mixture or more working class? The breakdown of industries seems very much towards the service industry and manual work/building - not much IT work or management jobs?

I can't believe you know Crawley and Reading as well!! The only thing Reading has going for it is close proximity to London and there is a lot of work in the area for IT and just business in general

OP posts:

Original poster

Samara26 · 21/05/2022 21:59

BotterMon · 21/05/2022 21:51

Maidstone is ok and better than Crawley. On a par with Reading but smaller and more green spaces.

Tunbridge Wells is awful- just one big traffic jam and non-stop building. No idea why people still want to live there. Maidstone night life and shopping is better than TW too.

For a single person of your age, you could do far worse than Maidstone.

Do you know Basingstoke by any chance?

OP posts:

Beth622 · 05/12/2024 13:33

Hi is peel street in Maidstone a bad area ?

Beth622 · 05/12/2024 13:34

Was hoping to move to peel street in Maidstone does anyone know if it’s a bad area ?

Madisan · 07/09/2025 21:21

Hello Everyone,

We’re thinking of moving to Maidstone as well, and were looking to Peel street houses but not exclusively.
may you guys, please, be so kind to share what areas would be best to avoid?
We are moving down from a residential area in Bucks and were hoping for a bit more life and less concrete jungle 😻.
Beth, Samara, have you made the move? How do you find it?
thank you
maddie

Original poster

Samara26 · 08/09/2025 01:37

Madisan · 07/09/2025 21:21

Hello Everyone,

We’re thinking of moving to Maidstone as well, and were looking to Peel street houses but not exclusively.
may you guys, please, be so kind to share what areas would be best to avoid?
We are moving down from a residential area in Bucks and were hoping for a bit more life and less concrete jungle 😻.
Beth, Samara, have you made the move? How do you find it?
thank you
maddie

Sorry but I changed my mind. I was hearing mixed opinions but everyone was laughing saying it was anything but posh. I visited several times and in the summer I saw some sights let me tell you. Some of the surrounding villages may be nice but I don’t think Maidstone itself is a particularly safe or nice place to live, even if it once was. I looked further afield in Canterbury and although there are nice parts, the nightlife was a real shock to my system, and I’ve been out in a lot of places! I then decided against Kent altogether, as although im sure there is some beautiful countryside, I just don’t think it’s a good fit for my needs. Please note, this is a personal opinion, I have no intention of offending anyone from Kent.

Whereabouts in Buckinghamshire are you coming from, parts of it are very green?

OP posts:

Madisan · 08/09/2025 21:01

Samara26 · 08/09/2025 01:37

Sorry but I changed my mind. I was hearing mixed opinions but everyone was laughing saying it was anything but posh. I visited several times and in the summer I saw some sights let me tell you. Some of the surrounding villages may be nice but I don’t think Maidstone itself is a particularly safe or nice place to live, even if it once was. I looked further afield in Canterbury and although there are nice parts, the nightlife was a real shock to my system, and I’ve been out in a lot of places! I then decided against Kent altogether, as although im sure there is some beautiful countryside, I just don’t think it’s a good fit for my needs. Please note, this is a personal opinion, I have no intention of offending anyone from Kent.

Whereabouts in Buckinghamshire are you coming from, parts of it are very green?

Show quote history

Hi Samara
yes, you’re right about mixed opinions…we live in Aylesbury and i dislike it with a burning passion! O only bought here because of the job, but I’m now lucky to be able to that wherever, except for 2 days, same as the other half. Aylesbury is big town, full of brutalist architecture and fairly dead. The villages around it are lovely though, but very poor public transport. And the train line ONLY goes to London. We don’t drive, so to get to some semblance of green place, we have to walk 45 min on concrete 🤣 to get there.
We’re looking for somewhere where we can go for a walk, some nice places to eat, a cinema, some music. And some people who are not all that happy to keep their own company or that of people they’ve known since 20 years ago… And decent distance for a London commute2/week.
I’ve got some similar needs and concerns as yours so…have you find somewhere you like and fancy a neighbour? 🤣🤣