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.

Eatyourveg that looks great. Thanks for the link. I've shown it to DH and the DC.

Off shortly to look at houses.

Well visits were made. Had an very good look at TBridge today. The norther part we are looking at is very nice as you're all saying here. And thanks btw

Also went to TW to see house. In fact we saw three in TW. The town centre "the village" is very nice but wouldn't live there as its too busy for me.

Saw one in Calverly Park Gardens. Ok area nice house but so much bloody traffic I may as well be back in Islington. Saw a massive massive house in Boyne Park. Holy moly that was big. Wasn't my thing and no work to do saw another in Queens rd. Area wasn't so fab but house could be. But in very very poor condition. DH described as Dickensian Squalor and he was not wrong! Very expensive for squalor. But hey I wanted a project.
TBridge house was nice but needs work but no rising damp of leaky roof which helps with costs. Area was nice. TBridge lower part isn't nice (around station and lower High St). Other part was really nice.

Not sure really. I could easily live in either area not sure whether I want any of the houses. Hmmm. Tricky.

Probably going to Somerhill Schools open day next weekend to have a look. Perhaps that will help.

There are some nice houses on quarry hill/ deakin lees- the station end, but you need to go uphill a bit because of the flooding. If you are going to drive to the station I would look at north southborough as well if that makes sense!

Joining the thread a bit late. But maybe look at Bidborough. Lovely village just up from Tonbridge on the road to Tunbridge Wells. Very do-able to comment from Tonbridge station (or there is a coach which is super convenient to docklands) Real sense of community. Not too busy and there are some lovely houses with amazing views. Just a thought :)

oh sorry, that should have been "commute" from Tonbridge station!

Yes bidborough gorgeous with fab houses! But I would prefer to be able to walk to school/ shops / station- depends what you like I guess!

Thanks for the Bidborough suggestion. It's too remote for me. DH is away several days a week and I wouldn't like to be on my own with DCs in the countryside.

I've had a look at Southborogh but currently nothing suitable for us there. Will keep looking through

Have you seen these in TW?

Bishop's Down is a lovely road.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47840789.html

There's one on Court Rd at £1.5m
Lovely, lovely road...just wish I could live there. Know it from running & breast feeding bra selling lady lived there. Round the corner from Boyne Park..

Awful. Thank you. Yes I have. The main issue is that it's top end of budget and I need to pay for a swimming pool I would immediately fill in (young DC -I would never sleep with that around).
It also does need some bits doing which wouldn't be possible at that price.

Nice house though. Also a very nice road. I've seen a few others in that area. It's a good area.

Shivs. Yes. It's too small. It's smaller than our current house. Nice road though.

Here you are - perfect! Good road, walking distance to Hilden Oaks and Hilden Grange preps too

Ah well! Village is way too busy for me and PARKING is the main topic of conversation among my family and the neighbours. It's a real problem, especially on Saturdays.

Warwick Park, Madeira Park etc are lovely; you've got the advantage of being super close to the village and town without the hustle and bustle and endless parking wars.

I have to say, with your budget I'd be going for TW.

Eatuourveg. Been to see that one. What you can't see from the photos are the £200k worth of work it needs. Full rewire (wiring is 40+ years old), windows all need refurbing and some will need to be replaced, partial reblumbing and it's currently partially heated by an Aga so only has partial central heating, Lino on the floor downstairs in all but 2 rooms which may be hiding damp which I could smell. And all bath rooms and kitchen are dated and need doing.

But other than that it's very good. I would buy it if the works would be reflected in the price.

Awful. Warwick park on the southern side are no longer in catchment for the grammar schools! By the time DC are old enough and Berkeley Homes have built a further 190 houses on the old hospital site, no one South of the station will be in catchment for the grammars.

Hence looking at the northern part of town.

Omg, space is really tight then! I had no idea, that's scary...

I live in the village area of TW. Moved here from London 2.5 years ago, and I absolutely love it.

This afternoon for instance, strolled to the pantiles, it was like being on this holiday, all the outside tables taken, a real buzz. We had coffee and cake and then strolled back home though the lovely Grove park. Everything is on our doorstep, and local school is absolutely fantastic (thank goodness we got). We have taken a hit in terms of size of property, but absolutely no regrets. It is a fantastic place to live. Everyone who lives around here stays the same, a real sense of community too.

Awful. Yes it is. I've been doing my research.

We moved to Beckenham almost 4 years ago from Islington to get into "good schools". Turns out schools (primary) are not all that and we couldn't get in and are now paying for 2 DC through Prep.

So not making that mistake again!! So doing my homework on secondaries.

Admittedly I have no idea whether the DC will be grammar material. DD is top of her class. But it's early days.

Enjoying coffee. You sound like you've really found what you wanted

How are you handling schools?

I would go for Sevenoaks ahead of TW, but Tonbridge over TW, which is traffic infested and shitty train service, also up itself.

Charming.

Bowlers. No pleasing some folk.

Aga. Thanks. I like all three towns and would happily live in all.

So why not put in an offer on Yardley Park which reflects the amount of work that needs doing?

Eatyourveg. I am thinking of that. Doubt the vendors will accept.
Oh well agents will all phone tomorrow for "feedback" (hope of offers) tomorrow anyway so perhaps I will do it then.

According to some posters on here TW is a veritable Babylon.

Not on this thread I hasten to add.