Horsham vs Faversham

[beaglesaresweet]

My friend is a single mum with a 3yr old, and will be moving from Europe to somewhere within reasonable distance of London, but she likes her greenery and fresh air, but also would want a town that's lively not dull (within reason). Budget is 250-270K to actually pay as opposed to asking price. She won't be commuting to London at this stage, but does want to visit friends /take dc there easily.

She can't rent. Asked me for advice and I 've related that these two were recommended on MN for all these reasons. But which one is better - nicer train journey, fares prices, which is more friendly (incl to euro foreigners), and with things to do. She's quite arty (but arts not essential as can go to London). Which is a better value for money for a period (up to the 30s) 3-bed with a small garden in a nice road - and a better investment? The house can't be tiny. To me, F seems a better value, but maybe the commute is worse.

Which place is nicer in the winter iykwim, doesn't feel to cut off with nowhere to go in the eves?

It has to be south of L, as her friends are in Sutton and this side of London, but both of these she doesn't like (too crowded). I think Berks and Surrey is out due to high prices even though could be an option.

are out

any opinions on either?

Try posting in MN local?

thanks, Blue.

Faversham is great there's lots for kids and it's got a lot of family friendly things to do. It's an hour to London direct on the train. The town has lots of European people there. There are lots of craft shops and a club thing called Creek Creative that would be worth looking into. It doesn't feel cut off in the winter and there are lots of events throughout the year.

thanks, xalyssx. That's important that it doesn't feel cut off, Are the trains reliable even in snowy weather? Are there any nice/big parks in town or nearby?

Also, could you tell me anything about shops - any supermarkets, small shops, maybe eveb delis, organic or markets? if not much shopping, where to shop locally?

I think the journey is 1.15h, so are the streets around the station (but not on top of it) nice? she would want easy walking distance so that not to add to travel time much.

The trains run quite well, I have a family member who lives there and gets into work on the train reliably. There is a big park called the recreation ground which is like a huge field just outside the town centre and it has slides swings etc. There is a huge tesco and a medium morrisons just outside the town centre and a sainsburys half an hour walk away. There is a specialist food market every month and a basic food market every week. There is a locally sourced food shop in the town centre. Newton Road is the nicest road in Faversham and it is right by the train station, there are a lot of other nice houses too and most are close to the station, up to 10 minutes walk.

thanks, TheAlyss! do you like it yourself? I will google Newton rd. and pass the info. Also, to see the town centre, is there a 'high st.' or another street to look at (with shops as you descibed)? what about places to eat, cafes and pubs?

Rec ground sounds useful for a dc, but if it's just a field, are there also proper parks with trees, or a NT grounds or a forest not too far? I think if you don't live in a big city with all the advantages, then you should be near some nice countryside within easy reach!

I live near horsham , why exactly do you want to know? The house prices are expensive for what you get in my opinion. Some schools are fab , some not so . Secondary schools are all good. Not much crime and mainland train to
London direct .

I live in the country near Faversham and really like it there. It is similar to Greenwich (age/history/mix of people/bit quirky)
My children go to the mixed Grammar school in the centre. It has nice pubs and restaurants, markets and cafés. Everything is walking distance inc the train station. The train goes to Canterbury as well as London. I think Horsham is a lot bit posher but I don't really know it.

I think car parking is quite hard in Faversham (I'm thinking specifically about Newton Road) but it doesn't sound like your friend will be driving anyway.

Faversham is lovely.

Hollowshore (at the end of Faversham Creek) is a two mile (ish) walk down the river bank. When you get there the pub (Shipwright's Arms ) does excellent beer and food and also has a resident ghost. The marshes are beautiful.

The town itself has one of the most beautiful main streets in the country.

Shops are good...especially Macnades fabulous food emporium on the A2.

I lived there for four years recently and loved the place.

we will be going to have a look at both next week (she hasn't been anywhere bar London, so I'm helping - quite excitied myself!). So far Faversham is winning, not least as good connections to CAnterbury apat fr London, and near Ashford for france. Also it sound like Horsham is much more congested esp with the new developments it will be. But untill you get the feel for the place, it's all on papre.
Thanks, cutting, will have alook at Macnades - hope it's walking distance? and for thanks for the pub tale!
Interesting, Screws, that it's like Greenwich , I even heard it being compared to Hampstead the arty side). From what've gleaned, Horsham isn't really 'posh' - very middle class, I think you aer thining of Haslemere .

thanks, bish, I did get a lot if info from the other thread on horsham, so just remains to be seen.

too late to be typing, clearly (typos )

Macnades also has a smaller shop in the town centre. The main high street is called Preston Street, it leads to the town centre and there are 3 other roads from there that are full of shops and cafes etc. The rec is um a sports type place um it has football pitches and a skate park and a play park and a wooded area? There are lots of wooded areas around, my mum likes the Oare Gunpowder Works, , it's disused with rivers and it's a nature reserve. I love Faversham, I plan to move back there as soon as possible. There are tonnes of cafes and restaurants, and millions of pubs as we have a brewery. There is even a Michelin starred restaurant, called Reads, near the large Macnades.

I didn't know where faversham was so I looked on right move for houses. You defiantly get more for your money than Horsham .

There aren't that many 'ordinary' period houses in Horsham. I guess looking on Rightmove would give you a feel for what's available.

thanks, Alyss, for the street names and shops and parks info. Nice to hear from someone who loves the place!

Spindelina, I saw already a few small period houses but of course nothing spectacular - two beds usually and a small garrden, but she'd be ok with a 30s house (kind of period). Or a period conversion flat maybe if good size. But yes, overall not that much on the market there, it's a matter of luck though, you only need one iykwim.

If she were willing to take a newer house, she'd have a lot more choice. And certainly a lot more choice over location - the period houses are mostly terraces in bits of the town centre. There's been a lot of houses built in Horsham since the 1930s. That's my point, really.

Spindelina - see that's where Faversham is winning.

I did see the small terraces in the centre on rightmove - ok if end of terrace and a pretty small garden. The thing is, she wants to be close to the station and the centre, and she's not a fan of newbuilds (as am I) due to boxy low-ceilinged rooms, also they tend not to be on leafy streets. But if you know of particularly nice spacious new-builds, let me know please.

Haven't got time to look carefully at prices, but somewhere like Stirling Way or Pollards Drive might fit the bill, but they're newer - 70s? Not tiny newbuild boxes, really near Horsham station.

Hi beaglesaresweet. Please tell your friend to send me a message if I can help at all.

We live in Faversham and love it. I'll be honest about the cons as well as the pros - we live in a terrace to be nearish the station so park on the street and only have a small backyard. BUT we love it for the positives - a lovely community feel, local markets, farm shop, arty stuff going on, good schools etc. Among DD's friends are children with parents from all over - Italy, Germany, Ireland, Wales (me!), France...

DH does the commute to London five times a week and I won't lie - he's knackered. I do it twice a week and the same. But it's a small price to pay (DH calls it 'Faversham tax') to live here.

Hi, I'm on the outskirts of Horsham. IMO it's a fantastic place to bring up the children, you have the downs on your doorstep, the coast is half an hour away and London 50minutes. Housing is quite expensive but if you live on the outskirts or in a local village not so much.