Living in Dartford

[debymajek]

Currently in the process of buying a newly built home in Dartford. We choose this area due to affordability, good schools and the development had some attractive schemes.
I've been reading a lot of negative comments about Dartford that has now got me very worried. Does anyone know anything about the TaylorWimpey 'The Bridge' development or that area of Dartford?
We currently live in Dagenham which is also very chavvy so we thought Dartford would be an improvement (though doesn't seem likely from online comments).
Any comment will be appreciated.

[Ilmc]

I can get some information from a friend of mine

[Ilmc]

And by the way I’m thinking of moving to the Brent in Dartford

[Ilmc]

Hi can anyone give me the go ahead to buy a property in Dartford I currently live in SE London where everything seems to be on your front door. Am I making a mistake moving to a remote area

[Tharuhn11]

Hi would any one recommend me to a child cursive writing course in dartford or bexley.
Thanks

[Tharuhn11]

Hi can anyone recommend me to a cursive writing course in dartford or bexley area for my son.

[Lightsabre]

Crossrail will eventually expand through Dartford (look at the Abbeywood to Hoo plans) so transport links will improve. Don't buy near the proposed line though in case of any compulsory purchase orders.

[EvenLess]

Hi all, I moved to Dartford and am planning to buy soon. Does anyone have advice on particular areas to avoid? We've seen a house on Temple Hill that looks good but I've heard it's not the greatest area

[Aleea]

We moved to Dartford last year from SE London due to affordability. I remember worrying and reading this threat trying to pick information to support my decision. One year on and I am all settle in, it feels safe and all works well - transport, schools, deliveries, we love the park and facilities around and I find that people are friendly. There is a great community spirit around and I was surprised how sporty the Dartford people are! As to chavs and dunkers they are minding their own business and they are no more than anywhere else! Lucky now the Lowfield Street project started and the run down look at the town will change. Don't be put off, I was pleasantly surprised!

[KayDolz]

Hi,

Was wondering if Alanna 1234 moved to the Taylor Wimpey development. We are considering buying a new home there or on the Barrats Homes development.

What has been your experience...

[alanna1234]

Hey,

I know this is an old thread but we are looking at the Taylor Wimpey development in Dartford.

Did anyone here end up moving there and if so, what were your thoughts? Did you / do you have any problems?

I’m just slightly concerned because the Taylor Wimpey staff haven’t been great to be honest.

Thanks so much
Alanna

[user1483732237]

Thanks but how the government measures/monitors educational establishments does seem to have some merit/relevance. Glad it is working for your young person.

[Freshairatlast]

Oh stupid me getting drawn in! I've just seen that user1483732237 is a troll posting on multiple websites.

[Freshairatlast]

user1483732237 league tables only provide a limited picture, and the info on the DfE site looks incomplete. There is no mention of the engineering and IT BTECs (ds's BTEC is accepted by uni as 1.5 A'levels). Site lists only EBacc which is not relevant.
I was passing on my personal knowledge. My friend's ds left grammar school to attend Leigh UTC and has just started a sought-after engineering apprenticeship. We also chose them for sixth form instead of grammar.

[NotYetAMummy24]

We went to see some houses at The Bridge Estate. We spent some time walking round the development and honestly what we saw wasn't for us. That said we have some nice houses/areas in west/south West Dartford. So it isn't Dartford as a whole I have issues with, just certain areas I would avoid.

[user1483732237]

Check out Leigh UTC on the DfE website: below average progress, 21% got good grades in maths & English, 13% persistent absence rate. Significantly under-subscribed - so it built a school for KS3 next door! Probably one of the worst 300 schools in England

[Freshairatlast]

For anyone buying in Dartford this might help:
ds has attended The Leigh UTC, on The Bridge development, for a year now. It is not a grammar school so no 11 plus to sit. I am really impressed by the school - committed teachers who really try to get the best out of the kids (ds plans to go to a Russell Group university), a safe environment (he is quiet and says he hasn't seen or experienced any bullying), and it is very high tech (it is only 3 years old). The UTC only takes 14 - 19 year olds but they are now building a second school for 11 - 13 year olds.

[gamerwidow]

@littlemissmuffet that's good to know. I am seriously considering dartford for our next move but the train price hike wouldn't have been worth it if it was still outside the London zones.

[PettsWoodParadise]

I have friends who moved to Dartford 18 months ago from the neighbouring borough of Bromley but didn't stay long. We go to Dartford for Bluewater and Dunelm . Bear in mind as part of Kent it is a fully grammar system so there are no comprehensives like you might be familiar with in other parts of the country. Bluewater has just announced a plan to extend substantially but no more parking spaces - it is already gridlock six weeks before Christmas. There is also a plan for a Dartford co-Ed free school to complement the single sex grammars that dominate the area at present.

[littlemissmuffet88]

Hello everyone, just catching on this thread, our search continues in Dartford and nothing fits the bill yet - frustrating but guess its part of the process! @Gamerwidow just wanted to say that Dartford is now on the Oyster travel zone and so makes travel a bit more convenient.

[gamerwidow]

i live in Crayford which is a bit chavtastic but is well connected and cheap. Dartford is ok but nothing amazing (however we too are considering a move there in the next few years!). Plus points are it's safe, has good transport connections, some great areas of green space and excellent schools negative points are the town centre is rubbish, the train station is outside the London Zones so journeys are much more expensive than Crayford (zone6) and it can be a bit industrial. I haven't seen much of the bridge estate but it is right off the entrance to the M25 and dartford crossing so I would worry that getting on and off the estate at times would be a nightmare. We live about 5 mins further away and at times our road is unmoving for hours at a time if there's been an incident at the crossing.

[rsim87]

hi there, we have bought at the Bellway development. due to move in summer.
Been to Dartford a few times , and so far so good x

[littlemissmuffet88]

hello everyone, We are looking to buy our first home and are considering Dartford as it is in the Oyster zone now and house prices seem to be fitting around our modest budget. I do understand that the place won't be anything close to buzzing but wanted to understand about quality of life. We did a few viewings last weekend and the Saturday market was on. Is Dartford safe? Are the schools good as we plan to start a family and which are the roads/areas to avoid while buying. Any feedback is appreciated. We are also considering Sidcup, Bromley and Bexley if we find anything in our budget but seems unlikely , also houses are much smaller!

[nazbaz]

Hi All,

Wife and I are planning on reserving a property here, but concerned regarding the Parking spaces. Can you confirm the validity and information as per the below link? Also, heard the Fasttrack bus service is Free for the local residents, is this true and for how long? Additionally, how have you fared when there is an Accident/Queues on M25 Dartford exits, how badly does it affect getting in and out of the Bridge by car/bus?

Any information for the above would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance :)

www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/fury-at-parking-rules-driving-re-a90683/

[David888]

Hi guys,

I have just moved in to the persimmon part of the bridge.

The parking at our plot is a bit silly, basically I will be parking at next doors drive space! I think it's one and a half parking spaces for each house, in case of guests etc.

Regarding the area, it's much more quite and lonely than what I am used to, I originally came from greenwich which has everything from shops/takeaways close by.
You will definitely need to own a car to live around here!

Also, I don't think the supermarkets are 24 hours unlike my previous location.

We are just settling in at the moment, all in all, peaceful place but occasionally chavs around e.g Crayford High Street.

[bm546]

Hi All,

I know this is a long time since the last post but I was hoping so of you who were waiting to move in or making the decision to buy here may now have some further info on the development.
We viewed the show home at the weekend and have registered interest for the plots which are being released in June, this will be our first house and want to make sure we are choosing the correct place.
We currently live in Brentwood and with a number of issues arising and finding out what we actually want from a property we thought we would finally take that leap.
2 of my sister in laws live in the area so I know some parts can be hit and miss but was wondering what life on the actual development was like and how well the houses were built.
We haven't been informed of parking restrictions but see it mentioned on here, how are people finding it?
Thanks in advance.