Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells??

[MrsFlorrick]

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.

TW, the High St area, is a little too chichi for me, particularly at the weekends. Nice to visit though.

Tonbridge has Waitrose and some lovely areas towards the north end. Trains to London are immeasurably better.

Both places can get gridlocked but that's true of many towns of the same size and with the same amenities.

I grew up in TW and my family still live there. The bottom end of town (now the naice bit) was really seedy and run down in the 80s and it's changed immeasurably since then. I like visiting and shopping there but if I were moving there I'd probably choose Tonbridge. Mottram's on the Pantiles could make me change my mind though.

And don't forget the lovely villages there are around both.

Eatyourveg. Superb name btw.

Thank you. Didn't know about the festival. Sounds good.

Thanks for listing the best roads in TBridge. V useful. At least now I know I am actually looking in the right place.

The school thing is massive but not immediately important as DC are 5 and 3. Perhaps the won't be grammar material. I won't know for years yet.

Keen to hear more about the festival tho.

eatyourveg fair points but the river festival is over quickly, Finch House is great but you have Juliets, Basil, and several other places of that ilk in TW. Chatfield butchers you get in Notcutts? - along with loads of other lovely produce.

A YES to Juliet's. Best cake and salads for miles and that's going some. Far too busy at the weekend though. And there's an Oxfam Books in Chapel Place. With a v well stocked children's section! (We deplete it considerably after each visit though, sorry).

And Peter Speaight Butcher's on Chapel Place too. Yum.

Would bankrupt me if I lived there. I definitely would need to move to Tonbridge for the sake of my overdraft.

I think the old TW cinema is being demolished to be used as a car park because they still can't agree what to do with it. A total waste!

Oh no, that's a terrible waste of prime space.

For me it would totally depend on what budget I had available and where I needed to commute to. I could comment if I knew that.

When we were looking someone said Tonbridge was prone to flooding and that's why it was cheaper. Not sure if there was anything in that it not.

Max budget is £2mil but that has to include any works to the house and I'd prefer to spend less.
DH currently commutes to Green Park but an office move means it will be Kings Cross next year.

Certain parts of Tonbridge have suffered very bad flooding. Not sure what measures have been put in place to avert this in the future.

This is the latest info on the demolition of the old T Wells cinema. Don't think it's been decided what the redevelopment will be as yet.
www.facebook.com/TunbridgeWellsCinema

There are two Sainsbury's in T Wells, a large one at the south side and a new one in the old Hoopers men's section of the department store in the old Guildhall, opposite the railway station.
Residents there tend to use the Crowborough Waitrose rather than Tonbridge or Paddock Wood, although Waitrose and Ocado deliver or there's also a Morrisons store and M&S food and Asda on the industrial park, where there's also a John Lewis home store.

There are parts less appealing in the long term depending on your needs and brilliant parts in both towns and their surrounding areas really, but both have loads to offer.

Tonbridge flooded hugely this year- but very local to the river, as did all along the Medway
www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&docid=undefined&tbnid=sebLWlMfR_9vXM:&ved=0CAUQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.uk.msn.com%2Fnews%2Fmore-flood-warnings-issued-1&ei=9QQvVIuaOIKxPLyngLgM&bvm=bv.76802529,d.ZWU&psig=AFQjCNExXB6wrE_Q2YU3n7FcaqGLkR4rXg&ust=1412453997449859

Sorry ignore that was meant to be a picture! Google Tonbridge raceground flooding images!

Thanks for the info on flooding. I've been on the maps just now from Environment Agency to see which parts of Tonbridge to avoid.

This is one of my favourite village areas, it's south of T Wells so a drive to a station (there are choices) but very well placed if you get used to living fairly rurally.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32273193.html

Oops should say that's not my house, I don't know who lives there and I don't work for an estate agent, so have no interest in the property whatsoever.

Enrique . I believe you.

It's too rural for me. DH travels a lot for work so I need to be town location as I would be worried about being alone with the DC in the middle of nowhere.

Also looking for a project ie something which needs work to varying degrees. It could be a little or a lot.

Oh and I don't mind any TW or TBridge owners PMing me if they are thinking of selling.

That's fair comment.
It's never bothered me being in the middle of nowhere, but I understand its not for everyone.
I wondered if Cranbrook school catchment might appeal for the future?

Not thinking of selling but if you want any comments on anything feel free to PM.

Tonbridge is far nicer! We moved here 2 years ago and love it. DD1 goes to the local grammar school. Good things about it: the park, Haysden Lakes, great cycle paths there too, few good restaurants (The Ivy House, Uskadar, Kathmandu). Yes, parts of the high street need doing up but there are some great independent shops. Also Beales. Great concerts at the Castle, Illyria plays at the Castle. Angel Centre. Great train service.

I will concede that I sometimes have to go to Tunbridge Wells to go shopping but the traffic is always heavy.

I've just sent you a PM

Mares. I like the sound of it. Tonbridge has been getting the big up here on MN today.

Sorry, I've just seen your budget. Lovely looking house though! Come to Tonbridge. Friendly place.

was the 2013 river festival