Please help us decide where to live

[shinybaubles]

We have been living out of the UK for almost 6 years now and will be moving back this summer.
We are not tied down by work as dh works from home and has to be in London twice a month so really flexible.
We have been thinking of Bucks areas like Chesham, amersham, gerards cross etc.
Also of canterbury and the surrounding areas.
Does anyone know anything about these areas, or any other areas we should consider that are nice. We are a family of four with two small boys.
Any advice at all would be appreciated.

londonlottie - if you are in Matfield and have girls, Kent College Pembury would be über convenient, and it has a gorgeous location and facilities. But you need to have a look at all the schools in the area to see what suits you and your family - they all have their character and you need to get a feel for what suits your children and your own family ethos. Lots of people like Dulwich Prep, in Cranbrook, though Marlborough House (Hawkhurst) and St Ronan's give it a run for its money.

Thanks Bonsoir. Funnily enough people we're buying the house off send their boys to Dulwich Prep and it's one I'm quite interested in from what I've read/heard. Have looked at Kent College's website too (we're only at that stage at the moment) but I think I'd prefer co-ed.

I grew up in and around Canterbury and lived there until 10 years ago but still know people in the area. It's not nearly as nice as it used to be, it's a little run down these days and the nice shops have bowed out to the chain stores attracting a different crowd of shoppers. But, whitstable is now gorgeous. I would really recommend it, going from strength to strength it has a great atmosphere, nice bars, great restaurants and is really arty without being poncy. Not sure about schools around there, I went to St Edmunds and Simon Langton Grammar in Canterbury. There's something to consider though if you're planning on using state schools, Kent still has the grammar system.
Good luck with the move!

Sorry for the delay in replying. We have the builders in.
I have to admit canterbury is my first choice, so we'll have to see if dh and I can agree.
Does anyone know anything about kings school?
Will have a look in primary education for that thread.
Hi Lottie how are your girls? I do remember you, we will be moving back this summer fingers crossed.
How do I go about finding a house to rent all the estate agents websites are full of student lets? If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them.

I have heard whitstable is supposed to be lovely, will need to have a look there, i think I will be spending the whole weekend in the car looking at all these places.

Whitstable is lovely but not sure if there are any good private schools there plus it's on the slow train route which is just a bit painful. You could have a look at Faversham too which is very nice, or Tenterden, if you're happy to be inland.

It's easy to change for the hi speed though! Realistically you'd have to travel to Canterbury for school though. Depends on whether this would be an issue. I had a few friends at kings, it had a good rep then but this is going back 15 years! St Edmunds was wonderful.

Rightmove has section on rental and although I don't rent I know a few people who do. Kent estate agents, reeds rains and miles and Barr are nice and good estate agents that I'd recommend (I just sold and bought so I know!!) lol.

Kings school is v reputable. Junior kings is not in centre Canterbury though. It's in Sturry (3 miles out of Canterbury). But lots of cars go round and pick the kids up so I am guessing they aren't all living within walking distance of Sturry!

Hi Shiny, for shopping, things to do with wee ones etc... have a google at Harpenden, St. Albans. Trainline is Thameslink into Kings Cross/City eventually down to Brighton. Surrounding villages Redbourn, Wheathamsted and Ayots etc...

Or Berkhamsted, train line to Euston. Surrounding villages, Frithsden, Nettleden, Little Gaddesden, Aldbury, Great Gaddesden etc... Area of outstanding natural beauty, National Tust woodlands.

Excellent choice of private schools in these area, and top village schools.

I am biased, I live in one of the above villages ; )

Wow thanks everyone you would not believe how many places we looked at in one weekend. I found it all strangely very emotional hence my delay in coming back here.
To be honest we are absolutely torn about where to live.
Both schools we looked at were fab.
Bucks is pretty but I felt and I maybe wrong that there was nothing there, quite hard to explain what I mean. The advantage it has is it is closer to my sister. I also found the house prices a bit steep. We didn't get to Aylesbury what's it like the as the houses seem quite a bit cheaper.

Canterbury is easy because we can find many housing options, but well to be honest the head at the school scared the life out of me.

Which school did you check out?! Don't be put off just by one head!

We looked at Junior Kings in Canterbury, and loved it until we met the head. And it's quite strange because we both felt the same way.

Did you check out St Ed's or Vernon Holme? Both v highly rated too. St Ed's choristers sing at the cathedral.

Thanks dr.crab have just contacted the schools you mentioned to have a look see.