Moving to the Medway

[helpmePL2]

Hello

I have 2 little ones less than 2 years old. Have seen some wonderful properties in Gillingham & Rochester but need some help

Mill ST Gillingham opposite the leisure center. is it safe for kids there and are the people nice there?

likewise Rochester, have seen a nice house near the high street not to far from the Vines Park.

I have read a lot about a high crime rate in these areas. Is it really that bad?

Medway is a good place to live with lots to do for families despite what many people say. There are areas that are better than others and the vines area Rochester is a better area than Gillingham.

Is the area on or around Crow lane a good place ?
do you know if its OK to walk around there at night ?

Yes pretty good very close to the town centre which has alot of bars and clubs and it might be a bit noisy sometimes. But pretty safe

I have just spent 2 weeks with a group of foreign students in Rochester at the kings school (so basically in the vines park) it is an odd little place but not unpleasantly so. Never seen so many pubs, or drunks, in one small street outside of a huge city. But really only at weekends and with a high police presence. The whole area seems a mixture of quaint tourism and wealth and rundown discount shops and boozers.
We loved it! The people were very friendly (and it can't be easy welcoming about 500 foreign teenagers into a very small town!)
Already planning a return visit next year. I felt very safe there and had no worries about letting my teens out alone like I would in a big city.

really glad for this feedback. Have lived in London all my life and really dont want to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire :)

I grew up in london and would never move back the life I have down here is great with parks and lots to do. yes bits of medway are a bit run down and a few of the residents are interesting but you get that anywhere.
in general a little bit further away from the town centres than you are looking you tend to get nicer houses and slighly better roads.
IMO areas to avoid are mainly the roads around darnley road strood, and luton road chatham thought there are a few other bits others might add.

I suppose we need to be nearer the station for work purposes other wise I agree and woudl have loved to move a bit further out to greenery.

look at rainham then we nearly moved there recently lots of nice houses and a nice area near to the station.