Moving to Maidstone

[Norr808]

We’re a family of 4 (have a young boy and baby girl) and we’re thinking of relocating to Maidstone from South East London (Kidbrooke/Blackheath) to be closer to family.

We’ve found a house we love in Cranborne Avenue/Marion Crescent but we wanted to find out if this was a good area to move to. We wouldn’t be needing to be close to a train station but would want a nice, safe, family friendly area to move to with an easy reach to London (my OH will drive to London daily to get to work in Blackheath).

What are those roads like to live in?

Be aware that Kent has the 11+. You may see this as a positive - but the secondary schools for those who don’t pass tend to be poor.

I don’t know what those roads are like to live on but the traffic around there can be pretty horrendous at times. Especially going in to Maidstone. Mote park is lovely though and the leisure centre swimming pool is nice for kids.

You’ll be very close to shepway which isn’t very nice at all. I’ve lived Maidstone area for years but I would avoid shepway and parkwood, of course not everyone in those areas are trouble makers they just have a reputation.

Thank you for your messages, now we’re reconsidering and looking at Barming and towards Sevenoaks

If still looking in Maidstone, I would suggest buying in Allington, Aylesford or Ditton, rather than Barming, and to get as close to junction 5 of the M20 as possible. This will give your OH the quickest possible route out of Maidstone. (I do this daily). Be aware that the traffic on Hermitage Lane can be bad, so getting from Barming to the M20 can take longer than you might expect at certain times of day. Traffic in Maidstone is notoriously bad, to be honest! I would avoid anywhere beyond the Loose Road - traffic is awful and the areas aren’t great. (I lived there and wouldn’t again).

My friend lives at Aylesford which is a lovely village and close to access motorway,Barming and West Farleigh are good areas . Closer access to Tunbridge Wells schools .

Hadlow and Tonbridge are worth looking at.

I’d look towards Bearsted. Good schools and easy access to the motorway.