Advice please, we're moving to the area with two small children

[cjsmithface]

Hi there,
I live in Essex with my husband and two small children (3 and a half year old girl and a two year old boy). My husband has been offered a job in Rochester and was wandering if anyone could give us some suggestions of good areas to live.
We would like a village location but with easy access to a decent town.
Any suggestions would be good, I'm sure we'll take a few trips to explore over the next month or so but it would be good to know where to start.
Thanks v much in advance for any help.

hi, i live in lordswood, which is 5 mins from m20 and m2, its 10 - 15 mins from rochester. house prices are good and its very popular houses dont stay on the market for long here. hempsted is lovely too, bit more expencive though. walderslade (most parts), bredhurst (very expencive, but lovley). good luck x

Have a look on the National Statistics website and upyourstreet.co.uk for some insights.

Hempstead and Wigmore are among the top places to live in Kent but there are also some very deprived parts in this area - among the most deprived in Kent.

Good luck with your move.

Hi, we've just moved to Walderslade from Cambridge for my husbands job. It's got some nice bits. We also have a 3 and half year old girl and a boy who is 2 in a few weeks, as well as a 13 week old boy. Happy hunting.

Avoid Chatham and some parts of Gillingham! None of the places mentioned thus far are particularly villagey. Breadhurst, Hartlip, Higham, Cooling, Cliffe....all villages with higher price tags to match. I live in Upper Gillingham (the Upper part is very important) and you can get a lot of house for your money but parking is terrible and you don't get much land.

Ha just noticed how old this post is! Duh! You're probably here now!

Hey!! Not ALL of Chatham is rough!!! I live in a very nice road in Chatham, thank you muchly! ;)

have to admit tho, you have to chose where to live in chatham VERY carefully!

Yes sorry about that. It's just that Chatham is now considered to be worse than Gillingham! Some houses in Chatham are beautiful.

haha! i know, but some parts of Gillingham are absolutely appalling! it's like a proper ghetto!

Tell me about it! My doctor's is in said ghetto, 2 miles from my house. It's hideous . But I'd rather live in colourful Gillingham than boring sterile Hempstead or St Mary's Island! We are considering moving to Rochester, but I love my house.... .

I love Rochester. We used to live off City Way til we moved here (near Toys R Us) a couple of years ago. It's a shame that we are only perhaps a mile from our last house, but our new house is considered as Chatham.

That's not real, scary Chatham! So are you posh and live in one of those massive houses? The Medway local site seems a bit dead. Are we the only ones now?

no - I'm here. I'm just across the valley from Rgpargy and know 3xyummymummy There are a few others around too.

cjsmithface - where are you now? How's it all going?

Ah good! I was feeling lonely! Across the valley Cadbury? Darland Banks valley?

Hmmm i'm not sure our house is posh or big, but yes, thankfully we're not in deepest darkest scariest Chatham!! Phew!!

Hi Cadbury!!

Not Darland banks - just nearer Walderslade.
Our house is definitely not posh or big but is falling to pieces, one appliance at a time at the moment.

HI all,
I was here a while back looking for Nurseries in the area was posting as heroicsavage I think. I am wondering if any of you are looking to meet up?

I'm always up for a meet!

Hey RGP,
Hope you are well.

I work in town and can be very flexible on hours and days so I can fit in with anyone else.

How have you been?

Hiya

Sorry for the delay - this thread almost fell off my page!

I'm good thanx, how are you?

I work in London 3 days a week so only have Mondays and Tuesdays available i'm afraid. Do either of those days suit you (or anyone else who wants to come along?).

Hello everyone, hope you don't mind me joining in. I'm originally a Sittingbourne girl, after going to Leicester Uni I moved to the north west and lived up there for 10 years, then moved down to Rainham with husband and toddler daughter (she's just turned 2) last year. Husband and I both work full-time in London so we haven't met many people down here as yet. If you ever meet up at a weekend please let me know, it'd be nice to meet some other local-ish mums.

Hi spursmummy Welcome!

I also work in London. I worked full time up until i had DD 14 months ago and then went back 3 days a week. I've just managed to get DP to agree to me cutting down to 2 days a week so thankfully the London life doesn't dominate me too much.

I dont mind meeting up at weekends or if you're anywhere near liverpool street, we could always "do lunch" on a Thursday or Friday (any excuse to go to the pub lol).

Hello RGPargy, thanks for your message. I work near Tower Hill tube station so we're fairly close. I'm in the process of rejigging my hours so I can work from home a couple of days a week and once nursery is sorted I'll be free on Monday afternoons, so meeting up locally would be good.

In addition I'll still be working in London on Fridays, and trips to the pub are always good for me! Although I still find it scary how expensive it is down here Once dd and I are in our new routines - should start next week - I'll get back in touch and hopefully we can meet up.

Sorry forgot to check in.
I can do any day and tme really as can be very flexible with work.
I work in Chatham so wont be able to meet in London.
SHould we start this on the meet ups thingy on the main site, it might be easier to keep an eye on then?