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Original poster

Orpington vs Sevenoaks vs Tonbridge or nearby?

57 replies

Devamma · 26/06/2024 16:04

dear all,

We are a small family and my boy is 10 month old. I wfh and husband works in the City. We are considering moving from Berkshire to either one of these areas - Orpington, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge or nearby.

The main reasons for the move is the commute and the schools. We are considering good state schools or Grammar if our boy do well down the lane. Along with schools and commute, living, community spirit, entertainment and Child activities are a must too.

The idea is to rent in one of these areas and then buy a suitable property (hoping that day would come sooner than later).

Any advice is much appreciate :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Devamma · 13/07/2024 08:34

PettsWoodParadise · 13/07/2024 07:46

I don’t know Sidcup too well. Chislehurst is a bit sprawled out so depends where you are looking. Some parts are closer to Elmstead Woods station, some parts near White Horse Hill are near or on what was a council estate. Chislehurst has a wider stock of housing from flats and ex-LA to new builds and massive mansions with pools. If you are in the right location in Chislehurst you may be in catchment for Bullers Wood (separate girls and boys schools). Some estate agents will cal the more gritty parts of Mottingham Chislehurst so do be careful.

Fewer choices on the trains (only Charing Cross, London Bridge, Cannon St) whereas Orpington and Petts Wood you also have Victoria and City Thameslink. The triangle thst is located between Bickley and Chislehurst is popular (and expensive) for this reason as gives more transport choice.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Devamma · 13/07/2024 08:34

Growlybear83 · 13/07/2024 08:06

Most of Chislehurst is lovely - much nicer than Orpington and with a lot more character. As a previous poster said, it's really well located for the Bromley and Bexley grammar schools, as well as the north Kent grammar schools. My mum lived in sidcup for many years, and the same would apply for schools. Property prices are very reasonable compared to many surrounding areas, but a large proportion of properties were built in the 1930s/40s onwards and there isn't nearly as much character as Sidcup.

Sidcup has quite a good high street and there are a couple of large supermarkets nearby, a small Waitrose, and several garden centres quite close by. There are more smaller independent shops in Chislehurst, and the same garden centres as sidcup are easily accessible.

Sidcup is much more an older person's town than the other places you've mentioned, but both sidcup and Chislehurst are very safe compared to most areas of London.

Out of the different areas thst have been mentioned in this thread, I would choose Chislehurst in a heartbeat if it was me.

Thank you.

OP posts:
TravellingLightToday · 13/07/2024 09:21

There are a few outstanding/good state primaries in Sidcup, as well as three preps. It's a grammar school area too (Bexley) with one all-boys, one all-girls and 2 mixed schools within a short commute. Unsure about the older population comment; there is a large number of young families who move (or stay) in Sidcup because of the school options.

Original poster
Devamma · 23/08/2024 13:02

TravellingLightToday · 13/07/2024 09:21

There are a few outstanding/good state primaries in Sidcup, as well as three preps. It's a grammar school area too (Bexley) with one all-boys, one all-girls and 2 mixed schools within a short commute. Unsure about the older population comment; there is a large number of young families who move (or stay) in Sidcup because of the school options.

Firstly, sorry about the delay in response and thanks a ton.

We are also considering Chelsfield as another option.

OP posts:
FanFckingTastic · 23/08/2024 13:24

Chelsfield is part of Orpington OP!

As with most places, Orpington has some really nice areas (the Knoll, Petts Wood, Farnborough and parts of Chelsfield that are quite rural) House prices are significant in these areas. There are also places that are less nice (St Pauls Cray / St Mary's Cray) The main High street is a bit run down but there are plans underway to invest. There are plenty of good schools for all age groups as well as some good private options. There are lots of things to do within quite a short distance - classes for smaller kids, trampoline parks, cinemas, swimming pools, gyms, tennis centres, rugby and football clubs etc. as well as plenty of local green spaces. The train links to London are excellent.

I would suggest that you come and visit all of the places that you have on your shortlist to see which feels best for you, and to figure out what your money would buy you in each area.

Natlj · 01/02/2025 09:31

Curious, did you end up moving to Tonbridge? We are looking to move to North Tonbridge area. We have gone to Tonbridge twice now and cannot afford Sevenoaks.

Original poster
Devamma · 02/02/2025 14:37

Natlj · 01/02/2025 09:31

Curious, did you end up moving to Tonbridge? We are looking to move to North Tonbridge area. We have gone to Tonbridge twice now and cannot afford Sevenoaks.

We dropped off Tonbridge from our list and looking around Orpington and outside Sevenoaks. There is no particular reason to exclude Tonbridge but for some reason, I personally felt the town is a bit clumsy compared to where we live now.

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