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Original poster

Relocating to KENT

77 replies

Soly · 17/09/2004 09:32

Hi,

I realise that this is likely to be a very subjective topic, but does anyone know the Faversham-ish area of Kent and whether it is a good place to be for children AND adults?
(We need to move but will probably have to commute into London which is why it has to be relatively near).

OP posts:
Tessiebear · 22/09/2004 12:17

Triplets,
I was definately not in Deal this morning!!! I have been working at home! I should be doing housework at the moment! I may have to go into Deal this afternoon (i will be the one in dark glasses and a false moustache!!) Do you work Triplets - we will have to meet up for a daytime coffe sometime - i occasionally frequent Kings (on the corner by the bust station)

triplets · 22/09/2004 16:23

Oh Tessiebear,
I am giggling thinking of us meeting by the "bust" station! No, I dont work except here of course, could easily meet for a coffee, please dont shave so I will know you by your moustache!

Tessiebear · 22/09/2004 16:26

OK will keep the moustache - might shave off my beard though as i might look a bit scary!!! How would we recognise each other - should we both be holding a copy of a certain newspaper!!! Or wearing a button-hole LOL!

triplets · 23/09/2004 17:42

Ok Tessiebear,
We read the Daily Mail and sometimes the Telegraph and of course the Mercury, how about you? Went to Canterbury today as it is our wedding a/v, daren`t tell you how many years! Very impressed with the new precinct area, have you seen it?

fio2 · 23/09/2004 18:23

triplets i was in canterbury today!

whitefriars looks like it will have some great new shops (ie H&M!!!)

Tessiebear · 23/09/2004 18:24

Triplets, I read the Mail and (of course!) the Mercury - DH The Times. Congratualtions on your Wedding Anniversary We celebrate our 7th one in a couple of weeks! I am ashamed to say i havnt seen the new precinct - have not been to Canterbury in ages. Might do in the next week or two though to spend my birthday money!

triplets · 24/09/2004 09:08

Hi Fio and Tessiebear,
My day has got off to a good start, a lovely migraine! Now I have to take my Mum shopping in Deal, and tonight I volunteered to have my friends 2 kids plus my 3 of course, his wife left hime 3 weeks ago and he has to work until 10pm!!! Aaghhhhhhh! Fio if you were in Canterbury where do you live? Perhaps we 3 could do a Christmas meet up in Canterbury?

fio2 · 24/09/2004 10:26

Im in Herne Bay

I have met Cadbury who lives nr Chatham. i would love to meet you all. What do you suggest?

triplets · 27/09/2004 10:04

Hi Fio,
Haven`t been on here for a couple of days, not been very well. Anyway I suppose Canterbury would be equal distance for us all, sometime in Dec for a Christmas lunch perhaps, you will know Tessiebear as apparently she will keep her beard on!

Tessiebear · 27/09/2004 10:06

AW Triplets - i shaved it off this morning! Could always grow it back by xmas (and dye it white and get a red costume)! Hope you are feeling better now

triplets · 27/09/2004 18:13

Hi Yessiebear,
See we are talking on cross threads now too! What do you think about meeting in Canterbury?

triplets · 27/09/2004 18:14

Oh dear I said Yessiebear!

tallulah · 28/09/2004 12:27

Sorry to break in on a private conversation....

Just feel I want to add something to the whole "relocating to Kent" discussion that never gets said. I have lived in Ashford for 21 years. I didn't want to come here but my DH was born here & so was his mum & his grandparents etc etc.. I've never liked it here & if I could move elsewhere tomorrow I would.

I can understand perfectly that people want to lower their outgoings & make a better life for their kids & we've often considered moving up North for that very reason. BUT... in the last 10 years or so, Kent has been swamped with people relocating. Places like Whitstable used to be dirt cheap, to go with the fact that wages for local people are also very low. (average wage for a normal unskilled person here is £10K to £14k). Once the London hordes started arriving, prices shot up. It's the same in Ashford. We don't earn London money, but as Ashford expands, everything gets dearer. Its OK for the incomers because they've got London money, but the rest of us have to suffer for it.

As for less traffic in the country.... hmm!! Our roads are appalling. The houses have increased 100 fold but the roads have not been improved. The councils answer is just to put in more & more traffic lights! Kent is sold on "excellent transport links" but to get anywhere at all in the country we HAVE to use the M20. Since the Channel Tunnel was built, the M20 is busy 24/7. Our trains are old, dirty & expensive. Eurostar is handy, but you can't just go off on the spur of the moment because it costs a fortune.

Our schools are at bursting point, and IME priority for places is given to new people over children whose families have been here for generations. GPs & dentists are full & our water situation is getting critical.

PLEASE when you are enthusing about your fab new lives, give some thought to the original residents whose quality of life is being adversely affected by the largescale relocation going on.

Tessiebear · 28/09/2004 12:32

Triplets,
Good idea, we should still meet up for a coffee in Deal though. Wednesdays or Thusdays are good for me - best time probably after the morning school run (about 9.30ish) or before the afternoon school run (about 2ish).

triplets · 28/09/2004 14:21

Hi Tessiebear,
How about next Weds or Thurs then, I am busy this week and hopefully be more organized bit then before we fly off on the 11th. Where would you like to meet, either Kings Cafe or we go into the New Inn, around 10am? Look forward to our meeting at last!

poppyh · 28/09/2004 20:24

Tallulah,
I understand what you are saying.
I grew up in London, but could not afford to live there as a single mum as prices were so high.
I moved to kent, to a small area.I hated it, but made the most of being in a rural setting.
I moved to London when met DH 3 and half years ago.
Problem is, we are in the same situation as a lot of young couples with children.We cannot afford to buy housing here at all.
So Ironically we have to move out of town and help push these prices up out of town.
So I understand what its like for local residents, because Im one in London without the budget for a house!!

Tessiebear · 28/09/2004 20:33

Triplets, Thursday at 10am would be fine - does the New Inn open that early?

grumpyfrumpy · 28/09/2004 20:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

triplets · 29/09/2004 14:43

Hi Tessiebear,
Yes it opens its doors at 10am and I am usually first one in! Went into Deal this morning and had one of my dizzy spells again, getting soooooooo fed up of them, came home to find my copy of my will had arrived, aghhhhhhhhh feel very odd seeing it all in black and white! See you there et 10 then?

Tessiebear · 30/09/2004 10:16

See you there Triplets! So you can spot me i have shoulder length blonde hair, glasses, will make sure i am wearing blue jeans and cream coloured jacket!

Tessiebear · 30/09/2004 10:16

Triplets - do you know the cause of your dizzy spells?

triplets · 30/09/2004 13:51

Hi Tessiebear,
No I don`t. Had lots of tests done and everything comes back ok, Dr says its all stress, probably right given my life! Looking forward to Thurs.

triplets · 03/10/2004 17:22

Hi Tessiebear,
Just wanted to move this up abit! Still ok for Thurs?

Tessiebear · 04/10/2004 22:16

Triplets, Yes still fine for Thursday - see you at 10AM!

Tessiebear · 08/10/2004 09:41

Triplets - really enjoyed meeting you yesterday morning... was really moved by your story ... i think you have so much courage to have coped with the hand that life has dealt you .. all your children should be so proud to have such a great and loving mum