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Original poster

Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells??

126 replies

MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 09:58

Just wondering whether any MNers with local knowledge of the two could help me decide or at least make a more informed decision.

We are thinking of making the move from London and trying to decide between the two areas.

I can get a similar sized large period home in Tonbridge for

about £200k less than similar sized period properties (similar age and features) in TW.

The DC attend a prep here and will continue to do so wherever we move to. I am aware that there are more grammar choices in TW but my DC are 5 and 3 so it's impossible to say whether they will be grammar material just yet.

I want to hear the good bits about Tonbridge and perhaps about the bad bits about TW.

I already know the good bits about TW and the bad bits about Tonbridge. It would be good to hear some local views please.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 09:59

And thank you in advance Grin

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Bowlersarm · 03/10/2014 10:07

I'll PM you MrsF.

Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 10:08

Thank you. Grin

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Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 13:18

Bump. Anyone else??

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MizLizLemon · 03/10/2014 13:28

Bad things about TW

  1. lack of primary school places, but probably not an issue if your children are in prep school

  2. high house prices

  3. fewer trains to London than from Tonbridge as both the Hastings and Ashford lines run through Tonbridge but only the Hastings line runs through TW

  4. people don't make "disgusted" jokes about you if you come from Tonbridge

  5. Tonbridge has a better swimming pool

  6. er, that's about it!

HortenMarket · 03/10/2014 14:15

Grew up in TW and therefore preferred it to Tonbridge. I think TW has more secondary schools but Tonbridge is pretty well served too - although I think Judd school is superselective whereas grammars in TW not so. People probably think of TW as 'better' - shopping good, nice areas, good housing etc. Housing is more expensive due to that. Tonbridge much better served for trains though. Southborough lies between the two and has some nice properties. High Brooms area a bit less desirable so cheaper. Honestly, not that we would move back there but if I did, it wouldn't be to Tonbridge unless I was living in one of the surrounding villages (but that raises a whole other reaching station issue). Both are long commutes to London and expensive train fares and trains are rammed.

Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 14:16

Mizliz. Grin At the "disgusted" comment.
Thanks for that. Didn't know about the swimming pools.

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Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 14:26

Horton. Yes to long commute etc.

The area of Tonbridge I am specifically thinking about is in the outer northern part which would mean a drive to the station.

We've looked at Southborogh and it could work but only for the right house.

I can see advantages and disadvantages with both.

I guess I am trying to work out if the extra money in TW justifies the good bits. And the longer commute obv.

I could go either way just now. Perhaps make an offer on both houses to see which one we get and see where the cards fall so to speak.

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Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 16:57

Bumping for the evening crowd.

Anyone with DCs at either Rose Hill school, Mead School, Hilden Oaks or Hilden Grange??

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pigsinmud · 03/10/2014 17:41

Traffic is a nightmare in TW. I grew up there, but my parents have now moved to Tonbridge in their retirement as they wanted to live in a reasonably priced house close to the town centre. I think there is a snob issue about Tonbridge. It has a lovely park, a great swimming pool and a decent waitrose Grin

Whenever I go back to TW I always think it doesn't look as nice as it used to.

Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 17:55

Schilke. Grin Yes it has the Waitrose. I hear that still irks the TWers.

I could live in either quite happily. I just wanted to see if anyone would come and say it was worth paying an extra £200k for aargh house in TW. Appears not.

I think perhaps we will decide based on our viewing of the two houses tomorrow.

DH and I have always had a rule that any area we moved to/live in had to pass the Waitrose test. ClearlyTW fails however it does pass my Fenwicks testWink

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Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 17:55

Large house not an aaargh house Confused

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Notyetthere · 03/10/2014 18:26

I moved to North Tonbridge from London and I can't fault it. Traffic is definitely a nightmare in Twells (DH works there).

I commute to London bridge and the train journey is about 31-40mins depending on which train you get. I would not class that as a long commute as it took me longer when I commuted from East London to London bridge on the tube, however, it costs twice as much.

You will find good housing stock in north tonbridge and I assume that you have a pretty healthy budget so you should be fine.

pigsinmud · 03/10/2014 18:27

I used to be snobby about Tonbridge, but since having my own dc and visiting my parents, I've realised it isn't so bad! It's great that we can walk from their house to the park, station, pool, castle and waitrose Wink I don't know anything about the schools I'm afraid other than TWGGS is obviously better than Tonbridge Girls Gramme.....rivalry never dies!

Tanaqui · 03/10/2014 18:40

Ton brige much better for commute and for being able to walk to shop/ station/ scho/ park. T wells better for fun shopping. Hilden grange and oaks and Somerhill well though if in ton. However skinners currently slightly easier to get into that judd. If private all through possible how about 7oaks?

Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 18:47

We are crossing our fingers that the DC will be grammar material which is why we've ruled out Sevenoaks. Tbh the best thing about Sevenoaks seemed to be the short commute.

I think it may come down to the houses tomorrow. I've already been to see them and know which one I'd prefer. Let's see what DH thinks although he tends to think anything with walls and a roof is superb Grin

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Tanaqui · 03/10/2014 18:52

Most 7oaks children get places in ton or t wells grammars if they pass, is easy on the train. There is still talk of a 7oaks grammar though and you have bags of time! (I like 7oaks)

Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 19:18

Tanaqui. I'm not ruling the oaks out. Doubt we will find what we are looking for housing wise (bitter. Just missed out on a refurb opportunity there last month). Wink

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Tanaqui · 03/10/2014 19:21

Well let us know which you like best! More house for your money in tonbrisge I expect!

mrscynical · 03/10/2014 19:24

TW is the better place to actually live although the commute from Tonbridge is much quicker. Certain areas in both towns are not as good as others and if you get the area wrong in either place you can regret it.

Tonbridge has terrible shopping/restaurants apart from Waitrose. The High Street is run down and has lots of charity shops and nowhere nice to eat. TW has a small Sainsburys towards the end of the Pantiles and another smallish Tesco at the edge of town. Both a bit poor really. However, TW has lots of restaurants and, at the bottom of the town, lots of more independent type shops. The swimming pool in Tonbridge is great as is the castle and surrounds. Calverley Park and Grove Park in the 'village' area of TW are great for kids. That same area is the best part of TW in my view as you can walk everywhere. When the kids get older there is more for them to do in TW than Tonbridge.

If you will probably still be seeing friends in London and are not bothered about being part of the TW dinner circuit then Tonbridge (due to prices) may be better.

Original poster
MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 19:33

Mrscynical. Thank you. It's a strange one as I've already seen both houses but dragging DH down there morrow.

TBridge house is 400sqft smaller but could be extended by 700sqft or so. Need about £150k worth of work and is £75k cheaper.

TW house needs £300k+ worth of work and is £75k more expensive but could be extended by 1500sqft.
And its in a handy part of TW but not the best (Calvery park etc).

Both houses are lovely but different. One is early Victorian And the other Edwardian.

DH normally votes with his wallet but even he couldn't pick. Favourite from the details.

Oh well knowing the crazy housing market they could both be under offer before we even hit the A21. Grin

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mrscynical · 03/10/2014 19:52

MrsF - the handiest part of TW is the village area as you are really near the station and can easily walk there in a few minutes.

You could be in north Tonbridge and the getting to the station time could therefore cancel out the quicker train time.

Bowlersarm · 03/10/2014 19:55

mrscynical the 'small' sainsburys at the end of the pantiles is actually quite large?

And the people I know on the TW dinner circuit would happily travel to the rather downmarket Tonbridge, well, for dinner and to see their friends. Wink

Bowlersarm · 03/10/2014 19:58

Sorry to hijack, OP, but does anyone know what is happening to the old cinema site in Tunbridge Wells? It's all diggers and knocking things down, after years of sitting there derelict.

eatyourveg · 03/10/2014 20:22

TW and Ton both have 3 grammars each TW has 2 boys and 1 girls whereas Ton has 2 girls and 1 boys.

wider choice of schooling in Tonbridge

TW 3 grammars, 2 church schools and 1 academy
Ton 3 grammars, 2 high schools and 1 technical college

Although its 6 a piece, in TW if you aren't grammar material and don't go to church, its just the academy which has historically not had a good reputation although since becoming an academy is supposedly getting better

Tonbridge you have the choice of the grammars, single sex high schools or the co-ed technology college. There is a huge amount of pupil movement with hundreds also heading down to the church schools of TW.

Has no-one yet mentioned the river festival and dragon boat racing and outdoor concerts at the castle? Or Finch House, Chatfields butchers, Oxfam Books or Mr Books who does new and second hand? Nicest houses imo are Yardley Park/Dry Hill Park areas as well as The Ridgeway and south of the river within walking distance of the station Goldsmid Road, The Drive and Quarry Hill.